American Soccer Analysis

Kieran remembers Om Arvind, whose fundraiser you can donate to here: https://gofund.me/78b2bf97 . The boys join to discuss US Open Cup and MLS’ place in the larger US Soccer pyramid, Toronto FC, and Seattle. As always, trivia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harrison, Ben, and Kieran talk Inter Miami and the Lazarus pit driven powers of Messi and friends. Messi, good or not? Important questions. And, trivia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been putting it off all season, but after a tough loss to the Washington Spirit and an emphatic win against Bay FC, we can put it off no longer: we must discuss the fourth-place Chicago Red Stars. Eric and Evan were joined by Lesley Ryder of Gal Pal Sports to dissect the Laura Ricketts-Lorne Donaldson era of the team, if their early-season success is sticky or a mirage, and who will step up to score besides Mallory Swanson. Rep the 3-1-2, or the 7-7-3, or the 4-6-4, or whatever else people tear up about on The Bear! Listen to Football is Wife, hosted by Lesley Ryder and Emily Anderson Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben, Harrison, and Kieran get in the weeds about Dejan Joveljic’s career progression and how LAFC are always good even when they aren’t that good. And, trivia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NWSL spring trade deadline has come and gone, and somehow, both the Houston Dash and Angel City made some significant moves. Eric and Evan brought Kieran Doyle-Davis on to get into all of the gobsmacking behavior by both teams in moving some major players. Then, they dig into Angel City's victory over the North Carolina Courage, and how a team with 62% possession and who topped the home side on xG 2.1 - 0.5 managed to still leave Los Angeles without a result. Plus, we'll hear from Angel City head coach Becki Tweed with her tactical analysis of the match! Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We last checked in on the Kansas City Current in Week 1. What a difference a month makes! They're sitting atop the table on 10 points, have a potential superstar in Temwa Chawinga, and got a road point against Evan and Eric's preseason title favorite, Gotham FC. But is Chawinga the real deal? Were Juan Carlos Amorós's tactics too clever by half? Who looks like the better bet to keep succeeding in the weeks to come? Dive in, baby! Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The USWNT is SheBelieves Cup champion once again. Woo...hoo? The Twila Kilgore era comes to a close on a second penalty shootout win over Canada in a month, and leaves us wondering: what did Kilgore do well? What did she miss on? Is the team in better shape now than it was back in August? Furthermore, who is in pole position for each Olympics roster spot? Eric and Evan answer all these questions and more! (Evan may or may not sing at the end of the episode. Fair warning.) Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben went to the Rapids game and hits us with some in person reporting, and the guys answer some listener questions including: how do we make more soccer analysts? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The greatest league in the world has returned, and boy was it a doozy! From first-minute penalties in Seattle, to the Naeher-aissance denying Utah their first-ever win in front of a "sold out" crowd, to 17-year-old Kennedy Fuller making as many headlines as Bay FC goalscorer Asisat Oshoala, there were narratives galore. But Eric, Evan, and Arianna can only focus on one thing: the Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns opening CPKC Stadium with nine goals, tying the NWSL single-game record. Did Mike Norris make a wise decision rolling out an entirely new backline? Did Vlatko Andonovski properly adjust to Janine Beckie's arrival in the second half? What on earth was Christine Sinclair doing starting the game at right wing? They get into all of it and more. Art by Eli Elbogen Music byDevin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The day has arrived! Arianna “Doc” Cascone makes her xOG début as we head into the homestretch of NWSL Season Preview Week. First up, Eric and Evan consider another team whose offseason was influenced by ownership transition. The Thorns replaced Crystal Dunn with Jessie Fleming (lol) and blended veteran re-signings with some young and untested internationals on the backline (hmmm). Even if they’re a touch leaky, will they score enough goals to still win? Then, Arianna comes on to break down the Courage, and whether Ashley Sanchez is a bright enough spark to help them score goals in Kerolin’s absence. Click here to read ASA's written preview of today's teams, one of which was written by Arianna herself! Check out Arianna’s work at Backheeled Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another two-episode day here at xOG for NWSL Season Preview Week. We’re heading out to the the best coast to talk about two playoff teams at a crossroads. Angel City seems to be tightening budgets as the bill comes due for their previous offseason work. Will now-permanent head coach Becki Tweed be able to recapture the magic of their playoff run, with Messiah Bright and Rocky Rodríguez in tow? Then, Eric and Evan welcome Reign reporter Susie Rantz to unpack how the still-not-closed sale of the Reign has affected their offseason, and whether there is enough spark in the roster to get to the postseason for the eighth time in the club’s 11-year history. Click here to read ASA's written preview of today's teams (both written by Evan!) Check out Susie’s work at Ride of the Valkyries Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**RECORDED BEFORE SIMONE CHARLEY’S AND RAFAELLE’S INJURY ANNOUNCEMENTS** ​​In part two of today’s entries in xOG’s NWSL Season Preview Week, Eric and Evan dive into the fetid swamps of two teams making big moves but also not completely certain of their futures. Pride GM Haley Carter made a big, late splash in signing Barbra Banda. Orlando will score goals, but will they be able to do much else? Is there a Marta succession plan? Will Adriana be their only hope? Then, writer, analyst, podcaster and all-around bon vivant André Carlisle dives deep into the Washington Spirit, and how incoming head coach Jonatan Giráldez will bring his Barcelona DNA to a team that barely managed 46% possession last season. Click here to read ASA's written preview of today's teams Check out André’s work at the Beyond the Vaudevillian Cane newsletter, and the Diaspora United and HEY SPIRITS podcasts Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our second episode today heads down south for the next edition of NWSL Season Preview Week. Louisville has a clear recruitment strategy—buy low on young internationals—but are hoping for a clear stylistic identity with new head coach Bev Yanez. The Dash are doing something similar with Fran Alonso and players like Cece Kizer and rookie Avery Patterson. Dash reporter and Squad Depth podcast host Theo Lloyd-Hughes breaks down Alonso’s approach to making the Dash a playoff contender. This is a good one, folks! Click here to read ASA's written preview of today's teams Check out Theo’s work at the Squad Depth newsletter and podcast Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a really exciting day. In addition to launching NWSL Season Preview Week--an entire week of content previewing all 14 teams--we are thrilled to announce that we've partnered with American Soccer Analysis to be their women's soccer content partner! If you've already subscribed to us on our feed, no need to do anything; episodes will show up every Tuesday morning as before. If you're coming to us from following ASA Show, welcome! Eric and Evan love talking about the NWSL, the USWNT, and global women's football through the same lens as Kieran and the gang: data, tactics, and the nitty-gritty of the beautiful game. Hope you enjoy the show, and kick back as Kieran joins us for our first two previews: the Utah Royals and Bay FC! Click here to check out ASA's written preview of today's teams! Art by Eli Elbogen Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs Note: Some minor cursing. Listener discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.