Los Angeles Galaxy looked like the better team in the first few minutes – until a red card gave them a handicap for the rest of the game. Seattle seemed to have decent plans, but failed in the execution. Ultimately, they were unable to take advantage of being a man up for almost the entire […]

In the first “Hell is Real” derby match in MLS history, both teams could not have entered the match in worse positions. Both Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati were rooted to the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference, and looking for answers. Caleb Porter’s team could not mesh together their possession style with […]

Just how important is a team’s shape in football? The answer is clear to see when an organized team plays an unbalanced one. A high-pressing and structured Real Salt Lake side demonstrated their structural superiority in this fixture.  Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Despite the loss of numerous recognizable names like David […]

Thanks to clever tactical and strategic work by both teams, key areas opened up in front of the defense for both teams. In the end, Atlanta’s line-breaking openings managed to carve through LA Galaxy. Tactical analysis and match report by Peter M.  Despite their strong league positions in their respective Eastern and Western Conferences, the […]

Fifteen minutes of woeful Atlanta United defending proved enough for Los Angeles FC to pick up all three points. Using impressive rotations in attacking transitions, LAFC were capable of progressing the ball through Atlanta’s compact defense in a game that showcased both team’s strengths and weaknesses. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. With […]

The second and third-placed teams in the MLS Eastern Conference faced off in an extremely one-sided clash that saw D.C. United being put under extreme pressure. A late penalty miss by Josef Martínez seemed to save D.C. initially, yet in the end, they had to capitulate. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi.  Atlanta […]

Hotly anticipated matches like these – number one against number two, city derby – do not always live up to expectations in terms of drama. This one did however, in no small part thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimović. Tactical analysis and match report by Erik Elias. An MLS season is chaotic by nature. It keeps on […]

Seattle take deserved three points due to a better game plan.

Amidst a calamitous ninety minutes of nearly non-stop injuries, Atlanta and New York tussled until the end in what was as much an interesting tactical battle – featuring intense pressing formations and direct plays – as it was a toss-up between two MLS rivals.  Tactical analysis and match report by Peter M.  Atlanta have failed […]

Houston Dynamo’s record on the road keeps haunting them, as last-placed FC Cincinnati was the latest side to take advantage of their opponents’ poor defending and dysfunctional possession game. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi. Although set in the bottom half of the table, the encounter between Houston Dynamo and FC Cincinnati was […]