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 →
Gluck: Heaps of News in Major League Soccer This Week
Lots going on to share with you as Major League Soccer gets set for this weekend. In particular order: Major League Soccer Total Soccer Index (TSI) Eastern Conference Western Conference Jay Heaps gets the heave-ho from New England; why? Quality in MLS - has it got better since 2014? If so, where? Predictions for this... Continue Reading →
Gluck: Tea Leaves on Timbers Traveling to Toronto
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 →
MLS Week 3 Recap – Sporting KC Continues to Crush Competition
With three more points in a home win, against the early season nomads of Toronto (first eight games on the road), Sporting KC is solidifying an early season position as the team to beat. Not only in the Western Conference league table but in the MLS Composite PWP Index (through Week 3) at the end... Continue Reading →
MLS Week 2 Recap – Dynamo Decisively Dump Dallas
Five -nil and eight goals in two games - the Dynamo are Coyled to strike from anywhere with anyone, to include using the opponent to score for them! All told, Houston have two goals from Andrew Wenger, and one each from Will Bruin, Ricardo Clark, David Horst, Cristian Maidana, Giles Barnes, and Matt Hedges (FC... Continue Reading →
Through the Looking Glass – Defending the MLS Cup
First and foremost - No rest for the wicked. Today, for your consideration, is my view on how this next season begins. As much as I want to share some thoughts with you about how this season just ended there have been many before me who have already done a great job doing that. For... Continue Reading →
New York City – For Kreis Sake?
Much could be subjectively offered here on the strengths and weaknesses of Jason Kreis and the decision by New York City FC to sack him; but not knowing the details behind the decision means it's not worthy to comment. Instead - some analysis using the foundation of Possession with Purpose - on the why and... Continue Reading →
Vancouver and beyond???
While the result, and how that result was achieved, will certainly not be lost on the soccer world I do feel and think there is a cause for concern to consider as the Timbers prepare for Vancouver, and beyond, this Sunday. The decision to replace Lucas Melano with George Fochive in the 85th minute. As a caveat,... Continue Reading →
Portland Timbers and the MLS Playoffs
It's the final game of the regular season in MLS and those of us in Portland are hopeful the season continues. In preparation for tomorrow a couple of questions come to mind given their latest form as well as their overall performance this year. First off - and perhaps foremost on everyone's mind is the... Continue Reading →
Possession with Purpose – Prozone – and more…
No detailed statistics today - just a narrative to pass on a few tidbits as I prepare my End of Season analysis for Europe. The news: The European Season is ending. There's the winners, the losers, and those that stay afloat to live another year. I'll peel back the results on the English Premier League,... Continue Reading →