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Is this a likely pre-cursor to the MLS Championship Game? I'm not sure, but given the wild west, and more predictable east, it isn't beyond reason to think so. In preparing my information for your consideration here's a link to my Total Soccer Index: The Science (Attacking): Toronto at home compared with Portland on the road. The... Continue Reading →
Much has transpired in the world of soccer statistics over the past four years since I first published: Possession with Purpose - An Introduction and some Explanations. Three years ago I published my Possession with Purpose - Revised Introduction. In 2014 the concept was presented at the World Conference on Science and Soccer 2014. Last year the concept... Continue Reading →
If you're part of the Portland Timbers supporter-base or football organization this (should?) be a picture out your rearview mirror - not a vision on what's ahead. As noted by Porter in his latest post-game presser - there's been some bullets flying... part of them their own making... Getting Hot in Portland For me, even in... Continue Reading →
Normally a headline like this could be attributed to the beginning of summer and the secret heat wave we experience in Portland, or... it could be attributed to Portland Timbers heating up for a mid-to-late season run like they did in 2015. But no, today it's about Caleb Porter and whether or not he's in the hot... Continue Reading →
With soccer statistical analysis growing daily, a longer headline might be: What do the tea leaves show about team performance measurements in Major League Soccer? Does the goal prevented show greater value, relative to points earned, than the goal scored? Even that's a bit wordy though... maybe it's... Soccer Statistics: What does "right" look like now? If you read The Numbers Game:... Continue Reading →
CAN IT BE DONE? Over the last four years I've conducted research on various professional soccer leagues and competitions. To include Major League Soccer, the English, German, and Spanish Premier Leagues, as well as the UEFA Champions League and the Men's World Cup of 2014. Here's my latest analyses on how the Possession with Purpose... Continue Reading →
Portland Timbers travel to Colorado for the first time this year and the challenge for both teams is finding the right balance between attacking and defending. In their last league home game the Timbers struggled in the first half - not unlike their US Open Cup match as well. If not for an untimely hand-ball by David... Continue Reading →
A true tactical battle awaits soccer enthusiasts this week as two traditional possession-based teams are set to square up against two traditional counter-attacking teams. Could the script have been written better than this? In the World Cup we saw Spain and Brazil lose considerable face while the likes of Colombia and Costa Rica pushed forward.... Continue Reading →
With Wade Barrett as the interim Head Coach I thought I'd offer a scouting report on this team for your consideration. As a caveat - I have not viewed any team video nor have a I seen Houston play this year. A report like this would be used, in my view, prior to reviewing team... Continue Reading →
