This season shows that the combination of Bundesliga-style pressing with a South-and-Latin American influence, and a backbone of American development, is more than enough for MLS to draw attraction. Read more »
Soccer Analysis
Atlanta United Cap Off The 'Tipping Point' Of MLS
2018 Copa Libertadores Final, Leg 2 Abstract: River Plate 3, Boca 1
Whereas the first leg of the match ago drew the world's attention to Argentina, in this context, Argentina brought their game to the world. Read more »
Thierry Henry Learns How To Struggle As A Manager With Monaco
The success of Thierry Henry's time at Monaco may come down to how much he's willing to bend his Pep Guardiola influenced philosophy to the reality of his roster. Read more »
Diego Costa's Rage Against The Dying, Anti-Hero Light
When it comes to Diego Costa, that anger and madness are an integral part of what makes him an essential player. Read more »
Atleti's Confused Identity
Diego Simeone has a team that could soar, given a little more liberty, with a few new ideas. He's either reluctant to provide what they need because he's holding fast to some fading identity the club no longer embodies. Read more »
Zlatko Dalic And The Croatian Miracle Prepare For 2022
The role of Zlatko Dalic and future national team managers is to steer a team as opposed to implementing paradigm shifting formational innovations. Read more »
Lucien Favre, Marco Reus And A Sustainable, Clever Dortmund
The manner of Dortmund's success under Lucien Favre this season - counter attacking, intense, pacy yet technical - is a return to their core principles that enthralled us their first time around in Europe. Read more »
2018 Copa Libertadores Final, Leg 1 Abstract: Boca 2, River Plate 2
The first half belonged with River. The second half belonged to Boca. River have the slight advantage in taking the draw back home. Read more »
Zlatan, Drogba & Rooney Complete Their Soccer Story In America
Drogba, Ibrahimovic and Rooney recontextualized the move in terms of those viral moments that only superstars can create, those plays that define seasons, teams and eras that burn in supporters' minds long after they've gone. Read more »
Premier League Match Abstract: Arsenal 1, Liverpool 1
The big takeaway was how much each side - though Arsenal especially - relied upon attacking on the wing. Read more »
Replacing 50 Goals: How Real Madrid Failed To Rebuild Their Attack
There were supposed to be ready-made replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo, and not just in striker Mariano Diaz taking Ronaldo’s #7 jersey. Read more »
La Liga Match Abstract: Barcelona 5, Real Madrid 1
5-1 is both a harsh scoreline, yet well-deserved in how Real Madrid collapsed in the final 10 minutes of the match. We were looking for a new superstar to appear, but instead, it was just Luis Suarez dominating. Read more »
La Liga Title Dreaming: Can Pablo Machin Balance Sevilla Into Europe?
Say Machin gets Sevilla in and around the Champions League places for the next three seasons - what's the next step for him? And is this the best way to develop a top level manager on the forefront of European football tactics? Read more »
Gareth Southgate And England Reap The Rewards Of Player Development
Immediacy aside, England's draw against Croatia and win over Spain were grounded in the reality of youth player development, and not just from their teenagers. Read more »
Carlo Ancelotti Rediscovers His Serenity In Serie A
How differently Carlo Ancelotti has been perceived by two different sets of players and management highlights the unique culture at each club, and the importance of finding both players and managers who fit those unspoken rules. Read more »
Premier League Match Abstract: Liverpool 0, Manchester City 0
It's fascinating how despite the all the tactics, pressing and previews, it's disconnected, individual moments that change the entire narrative of a match. Read more »
Jose Mourinho And The Loyalty Of His Center Backs
In a classic Jose Mourinho paradox, he is both right in his analysis yet also shoulders the blame. Read more »
Premier League Match Abstract: Liverpool 1, Chelsea 1
Klopp revealed the joy of his locker room in stealing a point. Sarri, on the other hand, admits Chelsea are much closer to Liverpool and Manchester City than he imagined. Read more »
Possession, Pressing, Powerplays: Julen Lopetegui Puts The Past Behind
Strangely, in a roundabout way, Julen Lopetegui lost his chance to lead Spain on the world's biggest stage but he finds himself firmly in the national team picture. Read more »
Jurgen Klopp Refines Liverpool's Pressure For Four Competitions
Two matches spanning just four days crystalized the difference between this season and last for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side. Read more »