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
2025 MLS Season Previews: Los Angeles Galaxy, LAFC, Inter Miami — American Soccer Analysis
Six Stars, Zero Cap Space By Sean Steffen You hate the Galaxy. Chances are, you’ve hated the Galaxy since you started following the league. But let’s face it. You haven’t TRULY hated the Galaxy i...
www.americansocceranalysis.com
not one to shamelessly self-promote, but it might be worth reading my Inter Miami 2025 preview on @americansocceranalysis.com before the final.
Postscript: Yes, Messi regressed a little. Yes, the defense improved (but not that much). Yes, the new signings hit. They good.
Postscript: Yes, Messi regressed a little. Yes, the defense improved (but not that much). Yes, the new signings hit. They good.
Very curious how much Toronto gives up for a 32 y/o center back
🔴 BREAKING: Toronto FC is finalizing a deal to sign free agent center back Walker Zimmerman, per sources.
Medical and formalities left.
Zimmerman, 32, is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year and five-time MLS Best XI.
TFC gets their defensive anchor. www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Medical and formalities left.
Zimmerman, 32, is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year and five-time MLS Best XI.
TFC gets their defensive anchor. www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Toronto FC finalizing deal for Walker Zimmerman: Sources
The two-time MLS Defender of the Year was one of the best free-agent options on the market after leaving Nashville SC.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Very curious how much Toronto gives up for a 32 y/o center back
Reposted by Matt Barger
Okay, I was joking, but this guy really is budget Benteke that DC United are (predictably) overspending for.
But even less of a team player. Not a great start for the build if you're dropping $4m for him off rip
But even less of a team player. Not a great start for the build if you're dropping $4m for him off rip
December 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Okay, I was joking, but this guy really is budget Benteke that DC United are (predictably) overspending for.
But even less of a team player. Not a great start for the build if you're dropping $4m for him off rip
But even less of a team player. Not a great start for the build if you're dropping $4m for him off rip
From a Benteke in a trailer park to a Baribo in a trailer park.
Similar player profiles, DC looking to save money by buying high?
Similar player profiles, DC looking to save money by buying high?
⚫️🔴 BREAKING: D.C. United is in advanced talks to sign Israel int'l forward Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union, per sources.
Would be a cash transfer worth around $4m. Baribo would be a designated player in D.C.
Almost done.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Would be a cash transfer worth around $4m. Baribo would be a designated player in D.C.
Almost done.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
D.C. United in advanced talks to sign Tai Baribo from Philadelphia: Sources
D.C. finished last in MLS in 2025 and is seeking a replacement for star forward Christian Benteke
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
From a Benteke in a trailer park to a Baribo in a trailer park.
Similar player profiles, DC looking to save money by buying high?
Similar player profiles, DC looking to save money by buying high?
Looking forward to the color scheme of the Zombie Cosmos, also Boise.
USL League One teams for 2026. The famous New York Cosmos logo is back in professional soccer (in Paterson, New Jersey).
December 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Looking forward to the color scheme of the Zombie Cosmos, also Boise.
Someone call an ambulance...
... but not for me
... but not for me
Incredible chess shitpost.
Context given is “this is checkmate but the game isn’t ending, is chess.com broken?” (black to move)
Context given is “this is checkmate but the game isn’t ending, is chess.com broken?” (black to move)
December 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Someone call an ambulance...
... but not for me
... but not for me
Day 1 of X breaking down by soccer analytics writers block:
Brain dumping potential topics to blog about.
Squad Construction:
"A Benteke in a Trailer Park"
"MLS? More LIke Major Late-season Signings (and their effects)"
"How the Spirit Built around Rodman, and Her Injury"
Brain dumping potential topics to blog about.
Squad Construction:
"A Benteke in a Trailer Park"
"MLS? More LIke Major Late-season Signings (and their effects)"
"How the Spirit Built around Rodman, and Her Injury"
December 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Day 1 of X breaking down by soccer analytics writers block:
Brain dumping potential topics to blog about.
Squad Construction:
"A Benteke in a Trailer Park"
"MLS? More LIke Major Late-season Signings (and their effects)"
"How the Spirit Built around Rodman, and Her Injury"
Brain dumping potential topics to blog about.
Squad Construction:
"A Benteke in a Trailer Park"
"MLS? More LIke Major Late-season Signings (and their effects)"
"How the Spirit Built around Rodman, and Her Injury"
Logging into LinkedIn for the first time in six months just to see this career path
"Guys. I was a Marine, okay? I got 200 people out of Afghanistan to Australia. I know a thing or two about visas and immigration."
— Haley Carter, with a smile, responding to a question on the Spirit's roster construction and the number of international players from @ellabrockway.bsky.social
— Haley Carter, with a smile, responding to a question on the Spirit's roster construction and the number of international players from @ellabrockway.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Logging into LinkedIn for the first time in six months just to see this career path
Accusing someone of virtue signaling is, in itself, virtue signaling.
The virtues one is signaling are way more important than one's perceived sincerity.
The virtues one is signaling are way more important than one's perceived sincerity.
we all got cowed into avoiding "virtue signaling" as if the public affirmation of socially agreed upon ethical principles was somehow cringey instead of a significant part of what a "society" even is. now all there's left is vice signaling, and it's reshaping society.
December 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Accusing someone of virtue signaling is, in itself, virtue signaling.
The virtues one is signaling are way more important than one's perceived sincerity.
The virtues one is signaling are way more important than one's perceived sincerity.
@taylortwellman.bsky.social : "I've never seen Miami play this good"
Bro, they didn't play that good. #MLSCup
Bro, they didn't play that good. #MLSCup
Inter Miami CF 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Passes per shot: MIA 2.8-7.4 VAN
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 25.9-35.4 VAN
Shots: MIA 8-10 VAN
xG: MIA 0.95-1.69 VAN
xG (open play): MIA 0.8-1.13 VAN
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.15-0.56 VAN
#MLS #MIAvVAN #InterMiami #VWFC
Passes per shot: MIA 2.8-7.4 VAN
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 25.9-35.4 VAN
Shots: MIA 8-10 VAN
xG: MIA 0.95-1.69 VAN
xG (open play): MIA 0.8-1.13 VAN
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.15-0.56 VAN
#MLS #MIAvVAN #InterMiami #VWFC
December 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
@taylortwellman.bsky.social : "I've never seen Miami play this good"
Bro, they didn't play that good. #MLSCup
Bro, they didn't play that good. #MLSCup
Inter Miami CF 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Passes per shot: MIA 2.8-7.4 VAN
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 25.9-35.4 VAN
Shots: MIA 8-10 VAN
xG: MIA 0.95-1.69 VAN
xG (open play): MIA 0.8-1.13 VAN
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.15-0.56 VAN
#MLS #MIAvVAN #InterMiami #VWFC
Passes per shot: MIA 2.8-7.4 VAN
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 25.9-35.4 VAN
Shots: MIA 8-10 VAN
xG: MIA 0.95-1.69 VAN
xG (open play): MIA 0.8-1.13 VAN
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.15-0.56 VAN
#MLS #MIAvVAN #InterMiami #VWFC
December 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Inter Miami CF 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Passes per shot: MIA 2.8-7.4 VAN
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 25.9-35.4 VAN
Shots: MIA 8-10 VAN
xG: MIA 0.95-1.69 VAN
xG (open play): MIA 0.8-1.13 VAN
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.15-0.56 VAN
#MLS #MIAvVAN #InterMiami #VWFC
Passes per shot: MIA 2.8-7.4 VAN
Avg Progression to shot (m): MIA 25.9-35.4 VAN
Shots: MIA 8-10 VAN
xG: MIA 0.95-1.69 VAN
xG (open play): MIA 0.8-1.13 VAN
xG (dead ball): MIA 0.15-0.56 VAN
#MLS #MIAvVAN #InterMiami #VWFC
MLS: can’t you see all the things we’ve done for you? We’ve broken every single rule for you to notice us!
Larger soccer audience: I don’t think of you at all
David Beckham: “the MLS”
Larger soccer audience: I don’t think of you at all
David Beckham: “the MLS”
December 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
MLS: can’t you see all the things we’ve done for you? We’ve broken every single rule for you to notice us!
Larger soccer audience: I don’t think of you at all
David Beckham: “the MLS”
Larger soccer audience: I don’t think of you at all
David Beckham: “the MLS”
Great season dudes.
December 6, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Great season dudes.
How many of these Miami players are back next year?
Messi, Suarez, anyone else?
Messi, Suarez, anyone else?
December 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
How many of these Miami players are back next year?
Messi, Suarez, anyone else?
Messi, Suarez, anyone else?
Messi lines up for a corner.
“Keep an eye on the Olympics here” holy shit Twellman shut the fuck up
“Keep an eye on the Olympics here” holy shit Twellman shut the fuck up
December 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Messi lines up for a corner.
“Keep an eye on the Olympics here” holy shit Twellman shut the fuck up
“Keep an eye on the Olympics here” holy shit Twellman shut the fuck up
How are we taking Ali Ahmed off this was his game
December 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
How are we taking Ali Ahmed off this was his game
December 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If you think about it, Inter Miami is the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs of MLS.
1) they consider MLS “senior whaleshit” soccer
2) strategy emphasizes four imported ringers playing below their true level
3) everyone else is understood as garbage and just gets in front of the puck
1) they consider MLS “senior whaleshit” soccer
2) strategy emphasizes four imported ringers playing below their true level
3) everyone else is understood as garbage and just gets in front of the puck
December 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
If you think about it, Inter Miami is the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs of MLS.
1) they consider MLS “senior whaleshit” soccer
2) strategy emphasizes four imported ringers playing below their true level
3) everyone else is understood as garbage and just gets in front of the puck
1) they consider MLS “senior whaleshit” soccer
2) strategy emphasizes four imported ringers playing below their true level
3) everyone else is understood as garbage and just gets in front of the puck
December 6, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Pretty sure analytics teaches us that shot free kicks over walls are -EV plays
December 6, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Pretty sure analytics teaches us that shot free kicks over walls are -EV plays
Plastic never degrades, though.
To all of you haters out there who are saying that Inter Miami "fans" have only existed for two years, you need to remember something important: It's actually two and a HALF years.
December 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Plastic never degrades, though.