American Soccer Analysis is a new weekly podcast that covers Major League Soccer and the US Men's National Team from a numbers perspective. Hosts Harrison Crow, Matthias Kullowatz, and Drew Olsen believe that soccer is best understood not by fat old men in smoky rooms, but by fat young men staring at Excel spreadsheets. The guys bring an enthusiasm, statistical acumen, and deep understanding of the game that can be rivaled only by the likes of Gus Johnson, Simon Borg, and John Harkes.
Arman Kafai, formerly the lead analytics consultant for FC Dallas stops by to talk about his analytics journey and drop some takes on the craziness of this MLS offseason.
Breaking news all over the place! Jenna Nighswonger is moving to north London. Where does this leave Gotham's offseason? (00:30) San Diego has made a flurry of moves, including losing Naomi Girma and gaining Kenza Dali. Yikes. (15:14) The Houston Dash picked up Danielle Colaprico and Messiah Bright. Are all of these parts adding up to something? (21:44) Angel City got another 30-year-old center back in Alanna Kennedy. Oh dear. (32:05) The Portland Thorns added Deyna Castellanos in a "blockbuster" deal. Is there room for her? (35:25) The North Carolina Courage signed a young Japanese midfielder to replace their other Japanese midfielder. (44:50). And we wrap things up with a not-so-scintillating London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal, which probably wraps up the WSL title for the Blues. (49:00) Packed show this week!Â
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
RECORDED BEFORE THE SIGNINGS OF SHINOMI KOYAMA, SINTIA CABEZAS, DIDI HARAČIĆ, AND FAVOUR EMMANUEL
It's been a busy-but-not-busy period of the NWSL offseason. The North Carolina Courage released the financial details of the Jaedyn Shaw trade (1:38). The San Diego Wave brought in some young talent, and can't shake the rumors of Naomi Girma's impending transfer (8:00). Angel City hired Mark Parsons as sporting director (good!) and announced Christen Press had re-signed (less good!), to our confusion (18:16). Racing Louisville maxed out their roster spots with three college players, and noone else (29:00). the Houston Dash and Chicago Stars FC each signed a player who may or may not have an impact in 2025 (39:34). And the guys close the show mourning the loss of filmmaker, artist, musician, and pop culture icon David Lynch (44:40).Â
Subscribe to our Patreon for only $6/month (or $60/year) to get all of our exclusive bonus content!Â
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
Read Corpses, Fools & Monsters
Read Laura Dern's birthday message to David Lynch
Read Kyle MacLachlan's remembrance of David Lynch
Read Naomi Watts's remembrance of David Lynch
Read Vera Drew's tribute to David Lynch
Ben and Kieran spoke to Matt Pfeffer about his origin in soccer analytics, the constructions of MLS from the viewpoint of financial markets, and a whole lot of hockey.
We're back! The guys return from their brief, fire-filled hiatus to unpack all the news of the first weeks of the new year. They chat about the senior USWNT roster for the January camp, then dive into some of the major signings and trades in the NWSL, with Jaedyn Shaw's move to the North Carolina Courage carrying the headlines. Back in the saddle, folks!Â
No time like the present to join our Patreon, where $6/month or $60/year gets you oodles of exclusive bonus content!
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
We were lucky enough to have former Vancouver Whitecaps Direct of Recruitment Nikos Overheul join us again to talk some of the rules changes (and impending rules changes) in MLS since he left Vancouver, the differences squad building in MLS vs Europe, and we even got a story about driving with Vanni Sartini.
It's the last episode of 2024! No better time for the guys to look back on the previous year and all the things they and teams were wrong about, from Orlando's final table position to who would be Rookie of the Year. (You'll never believe who Evan picked for that particular trophy all the way back in March.)
Happy New Year, everyone! We'll be back on main feed on January 13th!
You can subscribe to our Patreon for a 30% discount on an annual membership through January 1st! Just use the code E580F at checkout.Â
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
Becky Sauerbrunn retiring! Jonas Eidevall to the San Diego Wave! Lynn Williams to the Seattle Reign! Jaelin Howell to Gotham FC! Rocky RodrÃguez and Lorena to the Kansas City Current! Julie Dufour to Angel City! The NWSL offseason is cooking with gas, and the guys break down all the major moves.Â
00:47 - Becky Sauerbrunn's retirement announcement
05:58 - Jonas Eidevall hired as Wave head coach
11:28 - Lynn Williams and Jaelin Howell trade
23:24 - Alex Loera trade to the Utah Royals
31:14 - Narumi Miura signs with the Washington Spirit
34:45 - Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena signs with Kansas City
38:20 - Rocky RodrÃguez traded to Kansas City
43:05 - French attacker Julie Dufour transfers to Angel City
48:24 - College signings
One more week to grab an annual Patreon membership at 30% off! Use the code E580F at checkout to save big on a year's subscription for you or your loved ones!
Art by Eli Elbogen
It's that time of year! The Best FIFA awards were announced on Tuesday, the final release of several end-of-year accountings of the year's best players. The guys merged all of these lists together and evaluated who really were the best of the bunch, and release their official top 10 of 2024.Â
Don't forget to download Peel, the social game that lets you talk about all things WoSo with your friends! Click the exclusive link to download Peel and join the WoSo community!
You can still get an annual subscription to our Patreon for 30% off all holiday season! Use the code E580F at checkout to get the discount until January 1st!
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs
NWSL teams locked in their end-of-season rosters, traded some players, saw some others sign with new teams, and a whole bunch of free agents hit the open market when their 2024 clubs didn’t re-sign them. Ryan Dell moved from Louisville to Kansas City, while Angela Hucles Mangano hopped from Angel City to Houston. What does it all mean? The guys break it all down.
The show is sponsored by Peel, a new social game that gets you and your friends talking about the NWSL. Click here to join Peel’s WoSo community!
We’re continuing our holiday Patreon membership sale! Use the code E580F at checkout to get 30% off an annual subscription for you or your loved ones!
Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka’s Bell Dance Songs
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