Professional Soccer Team Analytics
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 →
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 →
This time it's about the weather; record temperatures in Portland this week are forcing the Timbers vs Galaxy match to kick-off at 11 AM 'left coast of America time' and it should be a doozy... Here's my take using my new publication format, for your consideration. Pre-Match Report Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy Best, Chris... 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 →
Many times in a head coaching career you're confronted with situations beyond your control - as in players will be injured or missing and those issues have nothing to do with you or your coaching staff. As such, you make do with the best you have and hope that 'consistency of previous purpose' takes over.... Continue Reading →
Mathematically, yes... psychologically... probably not. The Portland Timbers have two wins, three draws, and five losses in their last ten games with a season goals against average of 1.66; that's higher than last years' record setting 1.55. Last year (after just four games) the Timbers showed some early season trends "Is it too Early to Worry?" that are surfacing again this... Continue Reading →
I'm sure many feel the Timbers were unlucky this weekend - perhaps rightly so. For now, at least, I'm not convinced. In the post-game press conference Caleb Porter offered these thoughts about missing Darlington Nagbe; they struck a chord with me, perhaps they will with you too? Porter: "And I think today missing Darlington you could see... Continue Reading →
Over the course of a season, in Major League Soccer, it is likely every team will have players and head coaches/managers who make mistakes that cost a team three points or two points. In a league with a salary cap it's almost expected. The critical piece is not making the same mistake twice. In the Portland... Continue Reading →
Over the last three years there probably isn't a team (and Head Coach) that's been more focused on possession-based soccer than Columbus Crew. When Columbus out-possesses their opponents they are about 75% more likely to earn points... usually three... when playing at home. So in seeing early success for the Timbers, and a rematch (if you will) of... Continue Reading →
Last years' end state was horrible; the Portland Timbers, returning MLS Champions, missed the playoffs. Not good; especially when 60% of the teams in your Conference make the playoffs. Clearly changes needed to be made. Notable midfield additions include David Guzman, Sebastian Blanco, and the return of Dairon Asprilla. On the defensive side, where the Timbers had... Continue Reading →
