John Morrissey
@usltactics.com
Co-host of @theuslshow.bsky.social, contributor at @Backheeled.com. Did oppo scouting and data for the Sacramento Republic and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Best seat in the house
November 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Best seat in the house
If Pittsburgh can keeping using Augi Williams as the anchor to set up winger-wingback interplay in the channels before Tulsa can set, they're in *very* good shape.
November 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
If Pittsburgh can keeping using Augi Williams as the anchor to set up winger-wingback interplay in the channels before Tulsa can set, they're in *very* good shape.
The USL Championship’s CBA negotiations are hugely complex, and they’re made more so by the way in which the league is organized.
I dig in: www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...
I dig in: www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...
November 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The USL Championship’s CBA negotiations are hugely complex, and they’re made more so by the way in which the league is organized.
I dig in: www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...
I dig in: www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...
Opposite dynamic here: Pittsburgh gets their wingback and an advanced CB involved, pins Rhode Island deep, and gets some lovely interchange from their midfield to enter the box. Massive stop from Koke Vegas to save the day.
November 16, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Opposite dynamic here: Pittsburgh gets their wingback and an advanced CB involved, pins Rhode Island deep, and gets some lovely interchange from their midfield to enter the box. Massive stop from Koke Vegas to save the day.
This is the formula for Rhode Island: stop Pittsburgh from accessing the central spaces in their attacking 3-1-5-1, then break with Fuson and Williams forcing the center backs to make choices.
November 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
This is the formula for Rhode Island: stop Pittsburgh from accessing the central spaces in their attacking 3-1-5-1, then break with Fuson and Williams forcing the center backs to make choices.
New Mexico is perennially at the top of the USL’s attendance table, and they’re using that support as a recruiting tool.
On that (and more!) as I break down how United has become a self-sustaining power and a factory for MLS coaching talent. 🔗⬇️
backheeled.com/how-new-mexi...
On that (and more!) as I break down how United has become a self-sustaining power and a factory for MLS coaching talent. 🔗⬇️
backheeled.com/how-new-mexi...
November 14, 2025 at 10:43 PM
New Mexico is perennially at the top of the USL’s attendance table, and they’re using that support as a recruiting tool.
On that (and more!) as I break down how United has become a self-sustaining power and a factory for MLS coaching talent. 🔗⬇️
backheeled.com/how-new-mexi...
On that (and more!) as I break down how United has become a self-sustaining power and a factory for MLS coaching talent. 🔗⬇️
backheeled.com/how-new-mexi...
The upside of the move? I'm able to build out better roster tracker and depth chart tools, which I'll keep iterating on this offseason.
(and also Ghost takes less money, so...)
(and also Ghost takes less money, so...)
November 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The upside of the move? I'm able to build out better roster tracker and depth chart tools, which I'll keep iterating on this offseason.
(and also Ghost takes less money, so...)
(and also Ghost takes less money, so...)
PSA: I've migrated the blog from Substack to Ghost. Hopefully that won't have an impact on any email subscribers, but check out the new look on usltactics.com.
(Also, the old Substack will stay up as an archive for anyone that needs it.)
(Also, the old Substack will stay up as an archive for anyone that needs it.)
November 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
PSA: I've migrated the blog from Substack to Ghost. Hopefully that won't have an impact on any email subscribers, but check out the new look on usltactics.com.
(Also, the old Substack will stay up as an archive for anyone that needs it.)
(Also, the old Substack will stay up as an archive for anyone that needs it.)
The format for voters isn't one-to-one with an actual XI, but here's who appeared on my ballot.
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The format for voters isn't one-to-one with an actual XI, but here's who appeared on my ballot.
rory delap every single day
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 AM
rory delap every single day
Looks like it's actually Sunday
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Looks like it's actually Sunday
Brutal set piece defending to put OCSC down, can't have that in the playoffs.
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Brutal set piece defending to put OCSC down, can't have that in the playoffs.
They’re having a dive-off
November 9, 2025 at 2:34 AM
They’re having a dive-off
The saddest last-ever goal North Carolina could give up...
November 9, 2025 at 2:03 AM
The saddest last-ever goal North Carolina could give up...
And THAT is why you bring Albert Dikwa in off the bench.
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
And THAT is why you bring Albert Dikwa in off the bench.
More Moursou: super tidy reception under pressure, give-and-go, and cross for a guy that's ostensibly a holding mid.
November 9, 2025 at 1:35 AM
More Moursou: super tidy reception under pressure, give-and-go, and cross for a guy that's ostensibly a holding mid.
Jean-Eric Moursou is going to be a very good USL player (if he isn't already), and plays like this to recover from the pivot and stonewall Taylor Calheira are a major reason why.
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Jean-Eric Moursou is going to be a very good USL player (if he isn't already), and plays like this to recover from the pivot and stonewall Taylor Calheira are a major reason why.