Matt Barger
@mattbarger.bsky.social
Data scientist. Anti-fascist. Soccer fan. Disappointed Keynesian.
Sometimes writer for American Soccer Analysis
Sometimes writer for American Soccer Analysis
Pinned
Life got busy past couple weeks, so we're missing some regular season games and that's on me.
Working on a Shiny app so you can access every game from every league.
Pinning this to keep my ass honest.
Working on a Shiny app so you can access every game from every league.
Pinning this to keep my ass honest.
Vancouver out-San-Diego'd San Diego in this one. Effective counters disguised as possession-positive soccer.
Ali Ahmed's slalom run looks so cool in this.
Mikey Paras flew too close to the sun not playing Chucky here. You buy big players for big moments.
Great first year, SDFC!
Ali Ahmed's slalom run looks so cool in this.
Mikey Paras flew too close to the sun not playing Chucky here. You buy big players for big moments.
Great first year, SDFC!
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Vancouver out-San-Diego'd San Diego in this one. Effective counters disguised as possession-positive soccer.
Ali Ahmed's slalom run looks so cool in this.
Mikey Paras flew too close to the sun not playing Chucky here. You buy big players for big moments.
Great first year, SDFC!
Ali Ahmed's slalom run looks so cool in this.
Mikey Paras flew too close to the sun not playing Chucky here. You buy big players for big moments.
Great first year, SDFC!
The best defense in MLS Playoffs crumbles to a normal Inter Miami attacking set.
NYC didn't force Miami into anything different. These goals were scored the same way Miami scored goals all year: take ball in mid-block, find Messi, Messi make goal.
It's a brilliant mockery.
NYC didn't force Miami into anything different. These goals were scored the same way Miami scored goals all year: take ball in mid-block, find Messi, Messi make goal.
It's a brilliant mockery.
Inter Miami CF 5-1 New York City FC
Passes per shot: MIA 4.2-2.8 NYC
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 32.3-27.1 NYC
Shots: MIA 12-5 NYC
xG: MIA 2.05-0.49 NYC
xG (open play): MIA 1.73-0.31 NYC
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.33-0.18 NYC
#MLS #MIAvNYC #InterMiami #NYCFC
Passes per shot: MIA 4.2-2.8 NYC
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 32.3-27.1 NYC
Shots: MIA 12-5 NYC
xG: MIA 2.05-0.49 NYC
xG (open play): MIA 1.73-0.31 NYC
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.33-0.18 NYC
#MLS #MIAvNYC #InterMiami #NYCFC
December 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The best defense in MLS Playoffs crumbles to a normal Inter Miami attacking set.
NYC didn't force Miami into anything different. These goals were scored the same way Miami scored goals all year: take ball in mid-block, find Messi, Messi make goal.
It's a brilliant mockery.
NYC didn't force Miami into anything different. These goals were scored the same way Miami scored goals all year: take ball in mid-block, find Messi, Messi make goal.
It's a brilliant mockery.
Inter Miami CF 5-1 New York City FC
Passes per shot: MIA 4.2-2.8 NYC
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 32.3-27.1 NYC
Shots: MIA 12-5 NYC
xG: MIA 2.05-0.49 NYC
xG (open play): MIA 1.73-0.31 NYC
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.33-0.18 NYC
#MLS #MIAvNYC #InterMiami #NYCFC
Passes per shot: MIA 4.2-2.8 NYC
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 32.3-27.1 NYC
Shots: MIA 12-5 NYC
xG: MIA 2.05-0.49 NYC
xG (open play): MIA 1.73-0.31 NYC
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.33-0.18 NYC
#MLS #MIAvNYC #InterMiami #NYCFC
November 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Inter Miami CF 5-1 New York City FC
Passes per shot: MIA 4.2-2.8 NYC
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 32.3-27.1 NYC
Shots: MIA 12-5 NYC
xG: MIA 2.05-0.49 NYC
xG (open play): MIA 1.73-0.31 NYC
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.33-0.18 NYC
#MLS #MIAvNYC #InterMiami #NYCFC
Passes per shot: MIA 4.2-2.8 NYC
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 32.3-27.1 NYC
Shots: MIA 12-5 NYC
xG: MIA 2.05-0.49 NYC
xG (open play): MIA 1.73-0.31 NYC
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.33-0.18 NYC
#MLS #MIAvNYC #InterMiami #NYCFC
November 30, 2025 at 3:03 AM
November 30, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Game is evening out a bit, SD got a couple potshots out for momentum. Someone has to tell us that that ball rolling outside the 18 sitting up for a crack from a broken set piece has like a 5% chance of going in.
We know it’s bad, we do it anyway #SDVAN
We know it’s bad, we do it anyway #SDVAN
November 30, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Game is evening out a bit, SD got a couple potshots out for momentum. Someone has to tell us that that ball rolling outside the 18 sitting up for a crack from a broken set piece has like a 5% chance of going in.
We know it’s bad, we do it anyway #SDVAN
We know it’s bad, we do it anyway #SDVAN
Caps about to run riot like they lost a Stanley Cup. They have a great defense on skates, poking a ball past three field players on the goal line
Caps two-nil going on seven.
#SDVAN
Caps two-nil going on seven.
#SDVAN
November 30, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Caps about to run riot like they lost a Stanley Cup. They have a great defense on skates, poking a ball past three field players on the goal line
Caps two-nil going on seven.
#SDVAN
Caps two-nil going on seven.
#SDVAN
Disclosure: I grew up in SoCal and root for San Diego but when I realized the Cup is going to be a Miami home game I no longer care. #SDVAN
November 30, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Disclosure: I grew up in SoCal and root for San Diego but when I realized the Cup is going to be a Miami home game I no longer care. #SDVAN
SD looked really bad in something they dominated the league with. Lost the ball in routine buildup, easy and pretty goal for the Caps. #SDVAN
November 30, 2025 at 2:25 AM
SD looked really bad in something they dominated the league with. Lost the ball in routine buildup, easy and pretty goal for the Caps. #SDVAN
These national anthem numbers are something.
O Canada jazz soloed by a sax man who was deliberately missing notes. 10/10 Shoresy level trolling.
Star Spangled banner sung by the crowd in a way where I hope they never do it again.
#SDVAN
O Canada jazz soloed by a sax man who was deliberately missing notes. 10/10 Shoresy level trolling.
Star Spangled banner sung by the crowd in a way where I hope they never do it again.
#SDVAN
November 30, 2025 at 2:12 AM
These national anthem numbers are something.
O Canada jazz soloed by a sax man who was deliberately missing notes. 10/10 Shoresy level trolling.
Star Spangled banner sung by the crowd in a way where I hope they never do it again.
#SDVAN
O Canada jazz soloed by a sax man who was deliberately missing notes. 10/10 Shoresy level trolling.
Star Spangled banner sung by the crowd in a way where I hope they never do it again.
#SDVAN
I need crying GIFs of are
Rodrigo DePaul. Miami is gonna be absolutely insufferable for the next 70 minutes.
But it’s over. We can move on now. #MIANYC
Rodrigo DePaul. Miami is gonna be absolutely insufferable for the next 70 minutes.
But it’s over. We can move on now. #MIANYC
November 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I need crying GIFs of are
Rodrigo DePaul. Miami is gonna be absolutely insufferable for the next 70 minutes.
But it’s over. We can move on now. #MIANYC
Rodrigo DePaul. Miami is gonna be absolutely insufferable for the next 70 minutes.
But it’s over. We can move on now. #MIANYC
Finally exposed as the frauds they are, FC Cincinnati is run out of town to Northern Kentucky.
I hear Park Hills is nice though.
I hear Park Hills is nice though.
FC Cincinnati 0-4 Inter Miami CF
Passes per shot: CIN 5.6-5.9 MIA
Avg Progression to shot (m): CIN 32.9-43.4 MIA
Shots: CIN 14-14 MIA
xG: CIN 0.77-2.15 MIA
xG (open play): CIN 0.7-2.12 MIA
xG (dead ball): CIN 0.07-0.03 MIA
#MLS #CINvMIA #AllForCincy #InterMiami
Passes per shot: CIN 5.6-5.9 MIA
Avg Progression to shot (m): CIN 32.9-43.4 MIA
Shots: CIN 14-14 MIA
xG: CIN 0.77-2.15 MIA
xG (open play): CIN 0.7-2.12 MIA
xG (dead ball): CIN 0.07-0.03 MIA
#MLS #CINvMIA #AllForCincy #InterMiami
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Finally exposed as the frauds they are, FC Cincinnati is run out of town to Northern Kentucky.
I hear Park Hills is nice though.
I hear Park Hills is nice though.
More evidence for the necessity of a game-state study.
NYC controlled this game. Philly was tilting against windmills.
Freese MotM, but Philly missed some sitters.
NYC controlled this game. Philly was tilting against windmills.
Freese MotM, but Philly missed some sitters.
November 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
More evidence for the necessity of a game-state study.
NYC controlled this game. Philly was tilting against windmills.
Freese MotM, but Philly missed some sitters.
NYC controlled this game. Philly was tilting against windmills.
Freese MotM, but Philly missed some sitters.
FC Cincinnati 0-4 Inter Miami CF
Passes per shot: CIN 5.6-5.9 MIA
Avg Progression to shot (m): CIN 32.9-43.4 MIA
Shots: CIN 14-14 MIA
xG: CIN 0.77-2.15 MIA
xG (open play): CIN 0.7-2.12 MIA
xG (dead ball): CIN 0.07-0.03 MIA
#MLS #CINvMIA #AllForCincy #InterMiami
Passes per shot: CIN 5.6-5.9 MIA
Avg Progression to shot (m): CIN 32.9-43.4 MIA
Shots: CIN 14-14 MIA
xG: CIN 0.77-2.15 MIA
xG (open play): CIN 0.7-2.12 MIA
xG (dead ball): CIN 0.07-0.03 MIA
#MLS #CINvMIA #AllForCincy #InterMiami
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 AM
FC Cincinnati 0-4 Inter Miami CF
Passes per shot: CIN 5.6-5.9 MIA
Avg Progression to shot (m): CIN 32.9-43.4 MIA
Shots: CIN 14-14 MIA
xG: CIN 0.77-2.15 MIA
xG (open play): CIN 0.7-2.12 MIA
xG (dead ball): CIN 0.07-0.03 MIA
#MLS #CINvMIA #AllForCincy #InterMiami
Passes per shot: CIN 5.6-5.9 MIA
Avg Progression to shot (m): CIN 32.9-43.4 MIA
Shots: CIN 14-14 MIA
xG: CIN 0.77-2.15 MIA
xG (open play): CIN 0.7-2.12 MIA
xG (dead ball): CIN 0.07-0.03 MIA
#MLS #CINvMIA #AllForCincy #InterMiami
24 hours later, #NWSLFinal review:
Spirit just choked. Hard. Looked absolutely lost when Gotham pressed. No shots on target in a final is just an indictment.
Gotham wasn’t much better tbh, they weren’t doing much with the advantage, but their attackers can mine gold out of poor xG chances.
Spirit just choked. Hard. Looked absolutely lost when Gotham pressed. No shots on target in a final is just an indictment.
Gotham wasn’t much better tbh, they weren’t doing much with the advantage, but their attackers can mine gold out of poor xG chances.
Washington Spirit 0-1 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Passes per shot sequence: WAS 5.1-2.4 NJY
Avg Progression to shot (m): WAS 17.8-22.1 NJY
Shots: WAS 7-13 NJY
xG: WAS 0.49-0.62 NJY
xG (open play): WAS 0.44-0.58 NJY
xG (dead ball): WAS 0.05-0.05 NJY
#NWSL #WoSo #WASvNJY #ThatsTheSpirit #GothamFC
Passes per shot sequence: WAS 5.1-2.4 NJY
Avg Progression to shot (m): WAS 17.8-22.1 NJY
Shots: WAS 7-13 NJY
xG: WAS 0.49-0.62 NJY
xG (open play): WAS 0.44-0.58 NJY
xG (dead ball): WAS 0.05-0.05 NJY
#NWSL #WoSo #WASvNJY #ThatsTheSpirit #GothamFC
November 24, 2025 at 3:01 AM
24 hours later, #NWSLFinal review:
Spirit just choked. Hard. Looked absolutely lost when Gotham pressed. No shots on target in a final is just an indictment.
Gotham wasn’t much better tbh, they weren’t doing much with the advantage, but their attackers can mine gold out of poor xG chances.
Spirit just choked. Hard. Looked absolutely lost when Gotham pressed. No shots on target in a final is just an indictment.
Gotham wasn’t much better tbh, they weren’t doing much with the advantage, but their attackers can mine gold out of poor xG chances.
Miami vs NYC would be more interesting at Yankee Stadium.
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Miami vs NYC would be more interesting at Yankee Stadium.
I was mad at that Milan Iloski decision until I saw the shot. What a shot what a save. He had options though
November 24, 2025 at 2:51 AM
I was mad at that Milan Iloski decision until I saw the shot. What a shot what a save. He had options though