Matt Barger
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mattbarger.bsky.social
Matt Barger
@mattbarger.bsky.social
Data scientist. Anti-fascist. Soccer fan. Disappointed Keynesian.

Sometimes writer for American Soccer Analysis
DC United remains a dumpster fire
November 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Only with Duke Hill as the best friend, rival, or love interest
November 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM
But I can also see what’s holding NWSL back. They house the best talent globally for a sport that’s held in absurdly low esteem locally.

We’re still in the early years, clubs aren’t on as solid footing. We’re trying to get to 18-20 teams, etc.

God forbid we institute some kind of DP/TAM rule.
November 24, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Right now the WoSo bubble is consistent with the NWSL cap, as the best players are slowly cresting the $1 million mark in Europe.

European teams run off the same money pools as their male counterparts (read: more money), and under a 3.5m hard cap, more and more USWNT talent will go abroad.
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
MLS is also excused by their standing in the global football market: a plucky mid-major that is looking to be a stable feeder to more lucrative leagues.

NWSL is not in that position. They’re at the mountaintop with three other Euro team
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
If MLS is any precedent here, salary caps will continue to exist to excuse billionaire owners’ to underpayment of their player base.

While it keeps the clubs operationally running, a $5.5m hard cap for a $200m team is absurd.

Unless MLS is a MLM scheme which, well, maybe they are.
November 24, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Lyonnes, the worst type of mayonnaise
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I infer that blue is rich and red is not but the degrees would be interesting to see
November 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Can I get a legend plz
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
If violent insurrection is meant as an act of love toward country, then I don't need that love in my life tyvm.
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
uhhh... yes the fuck it was conditional
November 24, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Yeah, tough pill, but great season and deserved finalists for sure.

It's frustrating because Spirit have to know Gotham comes out like this and still, nothing.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Game state: the playing style a team adopts in game-changing circumstances (e.g., score advantage, man advantage, time advantage)
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
PES remembers Manchester Red vs Merseyside Blue
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I figured that’s what they’ll name the stadium that follows
November 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The equivalent of having a license plate that’s a combination of “1” and “I” characters. Numbers just get lost on that kit
November 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
OCSC fan here, Iloski is fantastic
November 24, 2025 at 4:23 AM