Analysis News and Analysis

The 10 best USWNT players you need to know for the 2023 World Cup

16Jun

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

The 10 best USWNT players you need to know for the 2023 World Cup

The reigning World Cup champions, the USWNT have won the world's most prestigious footballing competition four times, which is the most of any country. With the world's most competitive league from top to bottom and the collegiate circuit, the United States is able to produce world-class athletes and technicians at all positions. So once again, they will be among the favorites to win it all at the 2023 World Cup, and many expect the Stars and Stripes to repeat as champions. Even making the final squad of the USWNT is quite the challenge, given all the American talent in women's football. Tough decisions will have to be made, but before the squad is finalized, let's take a look at the 10 very best players we could see suiting up for the United States at the upcoming World Cup in Austr...

8Jun

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

What Lionel Messi to Inter Miami means for MLS

After months of speculation, Lionel Messi will not be going to Saudi Arabia or returning to Barcelona. Instead, Lionel Messi will be joining Inter Miami. Inter Miami is owned by former Manchester United superstar David Beckham and local Miami billionaire Jorge Mas. The South Florida club is currently without a manager and sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Messi to Inter Miami obviously stands a big chance of changing Miami’s place in the standings, but his impact on the league as a whole will be much greater. Pelé and David Beckham are the only two stars whose arrival fundamentally changed soccer in North America. Pelé’s barnstorming Cosmos set attendance records throughout the country, many of which still haven’t been broken. Beckham joining the LA Galaxy ushered in a n...

Lessons Real Madrid need to learn from the 2022/23 season

5Jun

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

Lessons Real Madrid need to learn from the 2022/23 season

Rating Real Madrid's 2022/23 season a failure would be extremely harsh taking into consideration that the team reached the semifinals of the Champions League, won the Copa del Rey title with comebacks against Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid, and demolished Barcelona at the Camp Nou by a 0-4 scoreline. However, the season can't also be considered a success not because they didn't win the Champions League or La Liga, but because of the manner they lost both competitions.In the Champions League semifinal, they were thrashed 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) by Manchester City where they were completely outplayed and could have lost by much more if not for Courtois coming up with big saves. Meanwhile, not only did they lose La Liga to Barcelona, but it almost seemed as if they gave up on it midseason a...

How José Luis Mendilibar turned Sevilla into Europa League champions

2Jun

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

How José Luis Mendilibar turned Sevilla into Europa League champions

Sevilla's transformation under José Luis Mendilibar has been remarkable and is something that not even the biggest Sevilla supporter could have seen coming. Before José Luis Mendilibar came to Sevilla, the team were near the relegation zone and in serious jeopardy of being dropped. The Nervionenses began the campaign with Julen Lopetegui, who had previously qualified Sevilla for the last three Champions League editions. Despite his prior doings, a poor start and rumblings from both the supporters and members of the club's board would see him be sacked and replaced by Jorge Sampaoli; who had previously managed Sevilla in the 2016/2017 season. It was originally thought that the side could only improve under Sampaoli's guidance since the team had more than enough quality to be aspiring ...

Why Real Madrid are interested in Joselu

29May

By Amadis HaliNo Comments

Analysis

Why Real Madrid are interested in Joselu

Real Madrid have spent the better part of five years now attempting to fill a gaping hole in their squad. A player who can effectively fit the role of 'backup striker' has eluded them for over half a decade. The last player to deputize Karim Benzema well enough for some fans to call for the Frenchman to be benched was Álvaro Morata in the 2016/17 season. To put things into perspective, enough time has passed since then for Morata to have gone from cult hero to a top enemy of Madridistas due to his allegiance with Atlético Madrid. The struggle to fill the need Following Morata's departure, Real Madrid opted for the young Borja Mayoral to take over as the Benzema backup. The then-20-year-old however struggled to fill Morata's shoes with the same goalscoring prowess, and Real chose to re...

How good is Jude Bellingham? An analysis of his playing style, strengths, and weaknesses

27May

By AdminhoNo Comments

Analysis

How good is Jude Bellingham? An analysis of his playing style, strengths, and weaknesses

Jude Bellingham has been the most popular up-and-coming young midfielder in world football over the past couple of seasons, reaching star status almost immediately after signing with Borussia Dortmund. In the 2022/23 season, Bellingham took a huge step forward in his career as the clear leader and star player for BVB after Erling Haaland's departure to Manchester City. And at 19 years old with his all-around skill set, Bellingham is, in many ways, a more valuable commodity than Haaland Hence why he is reportedly on his way to Real Madrid for a transfer fee exceeding 100 million euros. Let's take a closer look at Jude Bellingham, analyzing his playing style, strengths, and weaknesses before evaluating his overall quality as a player. Playing Style Jude Bellingham is the protot...

How good is Dušan Vlahović? An analysis of his playing style, strengths, and weaknesses

26May

By AdminhoNo Comments

Analysis

How good is Dušan Vlahović? An analysis of his playing style, strengths, and weaknesses

Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović was one of the hottest names in European football a couple of seasons ago when he was banging home the goals with Fiorentina. While he did has shown moments of quality for Juve, particularly at the beginning of his tenure, the Serbian international is currently in a difficult moment under Max Allegri. As rumors regarding his future continue to swirl, Vlahović has been subject to heavy criticism from football fans around the world, with some even bluntly surmising that he was never all that good to begin with. Let's take a closer look at Dušan Vlahović as a player, analyzing his strengths and weaknesses, overall playing style, and drawing a final conclusion on his overall quality. Playing Style At Fiorentina, Dušan Vlahović was a goal-scorer's goal-sc...

The immortal legacy of Joaquín at Real Betis

25May

By Joseph ZebedeeNo Comments

Analysis

The immortal legacy of Joaquín at Real Betis

The story of Joaquín is a perfect tonic for the ruthlessness of modern football. A Real Betis legend for these two stints separated by nine years, an old-school winger who rallied against the winds of change to keep playing in an era where he was unfashionable, and a beloved figure in Spanish football. This is the story of Joaquín, and the legacy he leaves the club. Early years To give him his full name Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez was born in the Andalusian town of El Puerto de Santa María, a town known for producing fellow footballer José Manuel Pinto, but also comedians. Joaquín would be comfortable in the company of both as adoring fans would find out. Although he was from a town not far from Cádiz, Joaquín was a Bético, As are a lot of people in Andalusia. His youth career at Real B...

3 overlooked managers Tottenham should consider

2May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

3 overlooked managers Tottenham should consider

It's safe to say that Tottenham‘s season under Antonio Conte didn't go anywhere near as many had originally expected. After guiding Tottenham back to the Champions League and being backed by the board, there was a sense that this would be the season that Spurs would finally break that long-awaited trophy drought. Not only this, many thought that they could be outside challengers to win the Premier League title. However, those Premier League chances quickly evaporated and so did their hopes of winning a trophy. Domestically, Nottingham Forest eliminated them from the EFL Cup and then Sheffield United would do the same in the FA Cup. Meanwhile, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Champions League by AC Milan who had not reached the knockout stages of the competition since the 2...

Why Tottenham can’t win major trophies and what needs to change

23Apr

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

Why Tottenham can’t win major trophies and what needs to change

Tottenham's image as a club has drastically changed in the past decade, which has seen the club enjoy a meteoric rise. Although they qualified for the Champions League in 2010 and had future world-class players on their team (Luka Modrić, Gareth Bale, Dimitar Berbatov, etc), the perception around Tottenham was much different than what it currently is. Back then, Spurs were only known as a UEFA/Europa League team and not even taken into consideration for Champions League positions. Players viewed the club as a stepping stone to signing for bigger teams as Tottenham had been known for developing elite players and then making a profit off them. However, Tottenham's fortunes began to change in the 2014/2015 season when the team was in a transitional period and searched for a manager that...