Professional Soccer Team Analytics
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 →
Caleb Porter left Portland Timbers at the end of 2017. There were many rumors as to why that happened; I put (some) of my thoughts in writing here: Porter Pulls out of Portland I didn't include everything and still won't; what happens behind closed-doors should stay behind closed doors. But here's what I offered almost... Continue Reading →
This game is a clash of tactics and both teams have shown an ability to advance playing possession-based, counter-attacking or direct-attacking soccer. For me, this is all about which team can control the game (and win) playing "with" or "without" the ball. Here's how they've done so far. I categorize games where less than 45%... Continue Reading →
Coming into the Quarterfinals the Total Soccer Index had been 100% accurate in predicting the Knockout stage winners: When removing Cavani player performance, for Uruguay, prior to the Quarterfinals, the Total Soccer Index had been 100% accurate in predicting the quarterfinal winners: That ends up seeing the TSI being 12 for 12 in predicting... Continue Reading →
There is no doubt most pundits offer this as being the greatest World Cup ever, espousing upsets throughout the competition. I think the majority of those upsets are more about FIFA have a dodgy ceding process than how teams are really performing on the pitch. In tracking the odds on favorite to take the World... Continue Reading →
Major League Soccer nears the All Star break and most teams have reached the mid-point in games played. From top to bottom here's the latest on MLS team performance in possession, passing accuracy, penetration, creation, precision, and finishing. Being the best in just one of those categories does not mean you are the best in... Continue Reading →
Ironic? An epithet created by the Timbers Army, which had sincere meaning in the playoffs last year, might have even more meaning this year. The Path Long, The Way Unknown, You are the mapmakers. Caleb Porter is out and Gio Savarese is in. In case you missed it - my thoughts on why Caleb... Continue Reading →
In my most recent article, Coaching Youth Soccer Part I, I spoke about decision making. If you struggle making decisions you'll struggle knowing how to play soccer. For what it is worth here's how I teach decision making as part of coaching players how to play soccer. My main training tool is Rondo. My training plans... Continue Reading →
Soccer is a global sport - and some say it's the largest, organized, youth sport in the United States. Why, in a country with such a huge population of youth soccer players, do we see ourselves failing to qualify for the World Cup? I don't think it's because we aren't teaching players the mechanics of technical... Continue Reading →
Serving as a head coach in Major League Soccer is not easy - the rotating door of coaches leaving seems non-stop. So the departure of Caleb Porter doesn't surprise me. I sense there may have been multiple reasons but I'll set the stage for one - main reason - a reason you won't see published... Continue Reading →
