Well... There's a World Cup like Major League Soccer tournament starting in July and I'll be with you all the way as I bring to bear my Possession with Purpose Total Soccer Index. As a reminder here's what my Index is all about: PWP TSI Within you'll find: Definition of TSI Purpose of TSI Premise... Continue Reading →
@Timbersfc 1 @NashvilleSC Nil #RCTID
If you were expecting to see significant tactical changes against Nashville (weak expansion side) compared to the pathetic controlled possession we saw against Minnesota I pity you. Yes, Portland got three points, at home. But should we be satisfied with that result? Many will argue yes, as in four or five weeks time we'll forget... Continue Reading →
Home Opener Debacle in Attack as @Timbersfc lose 3-1 to @MNUFC
Portland Timbers opened the 2020 season at home for the first time in awhile and that's about the only positive takeaway the soccer hungry supporters had. In what I would offer was a horrible display of controlled possession the Timbers gave away three counterattacking goals to Minnesota while only scoring a PK early in the... Continue Reading →
Portland @Timbersfc take on @MNUFC – Preseason 2020
Portland Timbers play the second of three matches in the preseason tournament this evening; starting the following players: Clark, Bonilla, Duvall, Cascante, Farfan, Polo, Zambrano, Conechny, Williamson, Asprilla, and Ebobisse. While this starting lineup shouldn’t scare too many teams that’s okay – the tenor and intent here for Savarese is to sort out the wheat... Continue Reading →
@USSoccer #USMNT Nil – Jamaica 1. Same as it Ever Was
The United States Men's National Team played host to Jamaica yesterday with an expectation of seeing some new lads as well as playing the new identity Gregg Berhalter has supposed to be instilling. We saw new lads - but no new identity - same as it ever was. Here's my litany of observations for your... Continue Reading →
Getting Back into the Swing of Things
With my move to the Oregon Coast completed and my status as a Soccer Consultant beginning to take shape I figured it was time to re-enter the fray of soccer punditry in our country again. This does not mean I'm going to continue delving into, and boring you with my soccer analytics. I've proven the... Continue Reading →
Gregg Berhalter to lead #USMNT?
After an exhausting period of time (almost un-ending) I'm pretty sure US Soccer will announce Gregg Berhalter as our next US Men's National Team Coach. Is this a good decision? Background: Earnie Stewart set the tone in Philadelphia by standardizing a system of play and directing the development of players (across the entire organization) to... Continue Reading →
Moneyball 3 Soccer Statistics – Major League Soccer (2014 to 2016 in Review)
Each year for the last two years I've offered some thoughts on current soccer statistics, their strengths and weaknesses, how current efforts are taking shape, and how English Premier League team statistics (in a limited measurement period) offer that one size / type of statistic doesn't show equally. Here's a link to those previous articles in case you missed... Continue Reading →
Will @MLS Seattle @Soundersfc Make the Playoffs?
I fielded this question on Facebook today from Phil Mitchell, a soccer pundit in the great northwest: Based on your data collection, in your best non biased view, can you give me a prediction for Seattle? Why? They are technically ahead on total points in the table than the year they won the cup and... Continue Reading →
@MLS Total Soccer Index Power Rankings and More
The all star game happens this week so what better time to review where teams compare in the Total Soccer Index. After every team had played 17 games; (halfway through the season). Top team with 17 games in, points wise, was not Atlanta it was FC Dallas; Red Bulls of New York showed most consistency... Continue Reading →