BigShinyBall

SMH no Isambard Kingdom Brunel relation

"We are going through a process with a new ownership group." One group? That would be progress on the ownership front if it's not just an ESL imprecision

NSL Transfer Window Opens July 20 — wsoccer.ca The first summer transfer window in the Northern Super League matters—teams have clear gaps, and a lot of top players weren’t available until now. It’s the first real chance to build out their rosters...

@wsoccerca.bsky.social isn't posting here much, but check out their NSL transfer window article, it's a good primer. www.wsoccer.ca/nsl/nsl-tran...

Can the Whitecaps keep the CPL from the Cup? Talking about some probabilities based on some largely meaningless stats

Since the Canadian Championship Semis got set Wednesday night there's been an obvious narrative building about the CPL's guaranteed final. So I took a statistical look back at the history of CPL vs MLS matches for some almost entirely un-predictive probabilities.
open.substack.com/pub/bigshiny...

OneSoccer just chatin'

On one hand the playoff race will be less exciting if this lasts, but the playoffs themselves (and standings amongst the top 4 going in) should be more interesting. So long as this doesn't all end up in the "38 games and then Forge wins" trope there will be a good narrative

Whitecaps make offer for Canada, Fulham rising talent Luc De Fougerolles Luc De Fougerolles is eyeing first-team minutes to improve his World Cup stock. Might they come in MLS?

Luc De Fougerolles has emerged as one of Canada's up-and-coming talents. And with his contract expiring, interest in the centre-back is increasing.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have made an initial offer to De Fougerolles, @theathleticfc.bsky.social has learned. #CANMNT
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

Remember when Richie Laryea played for the Whitecaps, that was crazy

Did you see who was warming up when the game ended without debuts?

Taqueria orinoco got recommended to me enough I thought it was suspicious, but legitimately it was good there's a handful of locations

That was torture, i'm across false creek with the windows open and I heard the goal call a clear 30 seconds before broadcast caught up

OMG THE GOAT's PLAYING

A rough injury blow for #AFCToronto just a week and half into the season as the club confirm that Amanda West has suffered an ACL injury.

West missed out of the club's inaugural match last weekend, and was one of three NWSL loanees signed by the #NSL club.

#CanWNT/#CanXNT

If LAFC want a coach who significantly altered the whitecaps fortunes, they should hire internally; MDS is right there!

Tonight's been a great advertisement for my blog where I make educated guesses that pan out occasionally. bigshinyball.substack.com/p/vancouver-...

Montreal Roses 2025 Season Preview Bilbault! Boychuk! Abdu! Sauvé!

Mintreal has a very difficult roster to talk about in sum, but i e done my best: open.substack.com/pub/bigshiny...

Calgary Wild 2025 Season Preview Moore! Sawicki! Dougherty Howard!

The Calgary Wild start the season on the road next wednesday. Check out the season preview for a review of their roster options and season outlook: bigshinyball.substack.com/p/calgary-wi...

Vancouver Rise 2025 Season Preview Quinn! Di Filipo! Stanton! Spencer!

Season preview's starting out a little over a week from the inaugural game, here's the Vancouver Rise who I expect will be a major force throughout the year: bigshinyball.substack.com/p/vancouver-...

"Three division, 175 teams", more of a mound than a pyramid.

Sabbi available!

Four wins in a row for the ‘Caps to start the MLS season. They’re undefeated in seven (5-0-2) across all competitions.

Brian White with USMNT (in a competitive match) gotta think the caps will be losing Ahmed, Cubas and Vite too.Along with injuries it's gonna be a rough window. Luckily only one match.

7/10, nice signing, real threat to make some noise, only 1 serious year on the resume.

How interested should I be? 1-10

🍁 GOAL | Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic FC, UCL
February 18th, 2025
#CanMNT

🎥DAZN/UCL

For the last five years MLS pundits have on average underestimated the Whitecaps by a little less than 2 positions (1.81). So based on this year's prediction (11.78) we should expect the Whitecaps to finish 10th (this is very scientific and important)

Great for Toronto, but this feels like a big miss for Calgary who could really use the quality up front and could've signed a local for it.

"G+, xG and actual G" an aggressive attack on xG denialists

Tyresö somewhere in darkest Sweden

Any thoughts on the Japanese women's league? Two players from Tokyo Verdy have signed in Canada's new pro league (Aoi Kizaki and Jessica Wulf). How does the league stack up relative to European competition e.g. damalsvenskan?