Recent Articles
When I was asked to write a piece on the “Most Entertaining Teams in MLS”, I realized I had a couple of opportunities. First, I could eschew the typical sports blogger crutch of assessing a team’s entertainment based on nothing but sweet, sweet vibes. Second, I could really enhance my Excel skills for when I have to grow up and get a real boy job. I chose the second option. You’re welcome [read more...]
At this point in the year, we’ve entered the sweet spot in terms of xG’s usefulness. Outside of a couple outliers, most teams in MLS have played at least 10 games. With that in mind, let’s dive into some xG-based MLS team groups, shall we? [read more...]
There’s a lot going on in the American soccer world. That’s why, here at Backheeled, we’d like to make it easier for you to keep up with the most interesting and important things. Welcome to this Monday’s edition of the Weekend Recap, where we take you through one key weekend storyline from MLS, the NWSL, and the USL. [read more...]
Welcome to Best Bets, the place where I put my (fake) money where my mouth is. Every week, I’ll be highlighting my favorite handful of bets across MLS - and occasionally across other American soccer leagues and topics, too. [read more...]
For the first time in the tournament’s modern era, a Major League Soccer team has officially won the CCL. The Seattle Sounders beat Pumas UNAM 3-0 on Wednesday night in the second leg of the CCL Final, giving them a 5-2 aggregate win over their opponents from Liga MX. MLS teams have played in the final before, but none of them could clear the last hurdle. Real Salt Lake fell to Monterrey in 2011 [read more...]
Welcome to Backheeled, a place where we can dive into American soccer together. On a weekly basis, our team will cover topics from all over the American soccer landscape. That includes MLS, the NWSL, the USL, the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, and more. [read more...]
Having secured their spot in the men’s World Cup in March, the U.S. men’s national team is in a bit of a lull. But! The World Cup is in 200 days. And the U.S. will play in it, and these will be the biggest games for men’s soccer in this country in nearly a decade. Here are a few things the team has to do before November. [read more...]
While most teams in the NWSL have moved on from the preseason and turned their focus to the 2022 regular season, two teams have their eyes on the Challenge Cup title: the North Carolina Courage and the Washington Spirit will face off in the final on Saturday, May 7th. We’re not quite ready to leave the Challenge Cup behind, either. [read more...]
Owned by billionaire hedge fund manager David Tepper, who also owns the National Football League’s struggling Carolina Panthers, there are major questions about what kind of team Charlotte FC will be. Two and a half years after MLS awarded Tepper and Charlotte a team and two months into their expansion season, the picture is decidedly unclear. [read more...]
Diego Luna, an 18-year-old dual national eligible to represent both the United States and Mexico, has experience at FC Barcelona’s residency academy in Arizona and is a key part of the U.S.’s U-20 national team. He was named to the USL’s All-League Second Team in 2021 and was a finalist for the Young Player of the Year award, losing out to the aforementioned Gomez. What makes Luna special? [read more...]