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Major League Soccer Returns – So Does Possession with Purpose

Well…  There’s a World Cup like Major League Soccer tournament starting in July and I’ll be with you all the way as I bring to bear my Possession with Purpose Total Soccer Index.

As a reminder here’s what my Index is all about: PWP TSI

Within you’ll find:

Definition of TSI

Purpose of TSI

Premise of TSI

Parts of TSI

Leagues / competitions analyzed

Application of TSI and its parts

The data for…

#CoronavirusPandemic – My Thoughts and Questions to Whomever Cares

While I’m not analyzing soccer this year I’ve decided to delve into the Coronavirus issue – I believe everyone should offer whatever strengths they have to help solve this worldwide issue.

I’ll begin by offering I’m not a doctor and perhaps some of my submittals for your consideration are probably the result of my ignorance in that profession.  Nevertheless, I’m an American citizen and retired…

If you were expecting to see significant tactical changes against Nashville (weak expansion side) compared to the pathetic controlled possession we saw against Minnesota I pity you.

Yes, Portland got three points, at home.  But should we be satisfied with that result?

Many will argue yes, as in four or five weeks time we’ll forget everything about the game but the three points garnered.  I won’t…

Home Opener Debacle in Attack as @Timbersfc lose 3-1 to @MNUFC

Portland Timbers opened the 2020 season at home for the first time in awhile and that’s about the only positive takeaway the soccer hungry supporters had.

In what I would offer was a horrible display of controlled possession the Timbers gave away three counterattacking goals to Minnesota while only scoring a PK early in the 2nd half.

In just over 90+ minutes of play Portland had just two shots on…

Portland @Timbersfc take on @MNUFC – Preseason 2020

Portland Timbers play the second of three matches in the preseason tournament this evening; starting the following players: Clark, Bonilla, Duvall, Cascante, Farfan, Polo, Zambrano, Conechny, Williamson, Asprilla, and Ebobisse.

While this starting lineup shouldn’t scare too many teams that’s okay – the tenor and intent here for Savarese is to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

For me, of…

@USSoccer #USMNT Nil – Jamaica 1. Same as it Ever Was

The United States Men’s National Team played host to Jamaica yesterday with an expectation of seeing some new lads as well as playing the new identity Gregg Berhalter has supposed to be instilling. 

We saw new lads – but no new identity – same as it ever was.

Here’s my litany of observations for your consideration:

Disjointed, poor decision making and no clear and present game plan.

Of the…

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

With my move to the Oregon Coast completed and my status as a Soccer Consultant beginning to take shape I figured it was time to re-enter the fray of soccer punditry in our country again.

This does not mean I’m going to continue delving into, and boring you with my soccer analytics.  I’ve proven the point that teams who possess the ball to control the game win more often than they lose.

In front…

Gregg Berhalter to lead #USMNT?

After an exhausting period of time (almost un-ending) I’m pretty sure US Soccer will announce Gregg Berhalter as our next US Men’s National Team Coach.

Is this a good decision?

Background:

Earnie Stewart set the tone in Philadelphia by standardizing a system of play and directing the development of players (across the entire organization) to match that system of play…. the 4-2-3-1.

A good piece,…

Women’s World Cup – Possession with Purpose

In putting together my next effort on Possession with Purpose I figured the next step was to compare the Men’s game from the Women’s game and try to answer at least this question…

Is there a tactical or technical difference in team performance that shows itself when looking at possession with purpose?

The short answer is Yes…  but to get there I want to walk you through how I got there.

Four…

Moneyball 3 Soccer Statistics – Major League Soccer (2014 to 2016 in Review)

Each year for the last two years I’ve offered some thoughts on current soccer statistics, their strengths and weaknesses, how current efforts are taking shape, and how English Premier League team statistics (in a limited measurement period) offer that one size / type of statistic doesn’t show equally.

Here’s a link to those previous articles in case you missed them.

Moneyball 2 – Soccer…

Will @MLS Seattle @Soundersfc Make the Playoffs?

I fielded this question on Facebook today from Phil Mitchell, a soccer pundit in the great northwest:

Based on your data collection, in your best non biased view, can you give me a prediction for Seattle? Why? They are technically ahead on total points in the table than the year they won the cup and fans are using that as a means to believe nothing is wrong.

To provide some context – his…

@MLS Total Soccer Index Power Rankings and More

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 in quality across the pitch.

With Jesse Marsch departing it will be interesting to see if Red…

What’s Different About #Portland @Timbersfc this Year?

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 half-way through the season that led me to believe his departure was…

Wayne Rooney and @DCUnited

DC united introduced the addition of Wayne Rooney a few weeks back and I wanted to check and see if he’s made a difference in team performance as measured by the Total Soccer Index.

My analysis and thoughts on Rooney’s impact for your consideration:

DC UNITED

  If you’re a soccer writer who is interested in using my Total Soccer Index team performance data let me know.

Best, Chris

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.

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% means a committed approach to playing without the ball while greater than 55%…

Total #Soccer Index #WorldCup 2018 Predictions for the Semi Finals

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 the next stage winners.   Still waiting for Audi or…

My #WorldCup2018 Predictions for the Quarterfinals

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 Cup it’s:

Brazil

France/Belgium

England

Croatia

Uruguay

Russia

Sweden

My current…