The thing to take into account here is that Bethune is a DEEP LYING MIDFIELDER. She's not a forward, she doesn't pretend to be a forward.
Leicy is the closest thing Spirit have to this buildout, but she has a lot of ground to cover, and she can't do it herself.
Data credit to @americansocceranalysis.com
As the #NWSL season starts, something to keep an eye on is how @washingtonspirit.com replaces the Bethune-sized gap in attack.
(F1) Spirit's dominant attack was rooted in line-breaking passes.
(F2) Croix was a leader in passes and shots..
(F3) ..and xG from those passes and shots.
Who steps up?
These same owners will start crying about how their best talent is leaving for Europe next year.
Cap raise to $5.1m was agreed back in 2024; reneging on that is just bad faith, the HIP rule is a shitty half-measure that will displace NWSL's best non-qualifying talent to Europe.
They didn't need to do the Fiz like that tho
Great, now Varas will want them to win 4-2 in a 1-5-2 formation
This needs to be studied. And as soon as I'm able to catch my breath from all this soccer side research, I'll study it.
35-year-old journeyman Amahl Pellegrino beating out franchise tag signing Chucky Lozano for his spot on the team is a perfect case-in-point as to why the Designated Player rule needs to be scrapped.
Putting on my best young Vince Vaughn voice:
"It's not so much me as it is Luca Bombino. HE'S good."
I'm going to continue to talk my shit until Toluca wakes back up and drops another goal.
Mexican Liverpool meets US Barcelona apparently
And they're 3-1 up with Dreyer's bomb.
WHAT IS HAPPENING
so I counted it. four passes inside the box. three shots, two blocked, one fewer player than the best team in Mexico.
I am a believer.
San Diego holy shit you're a man down you shouldn't be hitting six through balls in the box before a goal just for fun.
SAN DIEGO HOLY SHIT THAT GOAL WAS BEAUTIFUL
first minute of the second half
US Barcelona 2-1 Mexican Liverpool
Even Ingvartsen's high kick to the face for a direct red was beautiful.
I was happy with them coming out 0-1 losers to Mexican Liverpool.
Mikey Varas wants them to win 3-1 with 9 men.
North American soccer clubs that are most pleasing to watch, ranked by top 5:
1. San Diego FC
2. San Diego FC
3. San Diego FC
4. San Diego FC
5. San Diego FC
6. Everybody else.
NEVERMIND SD WOULD WIN WITH 9 MEN WHAT A GOAL
Yeah I just turned on the game and thought they were getting outclassed lol
Yikes just saw the red.
Paige _is_ a defender(?)
On top of that, our stupid-ass country will excoriate the Democratic president who removes us from this quagmire.
Take of the day.
The viz distracts from your main point because I find myself asking so many questions about bad survey design.
I wish I was joking.
I am, but I also wish I was.
But for real though, his keynote was very informative.
LDA GM Carlos Vela hinted at this during his
@americansoccerinsights.com keynote, saying "no I'm not that Carlos Vela. In fact, my game model is meant to beat every team associated with that Carlos Vela."
And then he laughed maniacally as he broke down his LAFC-breaking game model.
Anyone else catch the keynote at @americansoccerinsights.com where LDA GM Carlos Vela said "no I'm not that Carlos Vela. In fact, my game model is meant to beat every team associated with that Carlos Vela."
And then he laughed maniacally as he broke down his LAFC-breaking game model.
Thanks to the Trinity for the opportunity and to @armankafai.bsky.social for the progressive key pass.
that flick tho
