Football Data and Statistics

[KevinJRogers]

I posted a good article from the Athletic earlier and then realized there was no specific thread for statistical analysis. With all the tools and data now available, I thought it would be a good idea to start one (I hope I'm doing this right).

Let's do some math.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Ed. note: Here is the post from earlier. I just deleted it and put it here.

There was some good statistical analysis in The Athletic today:

Behind the numbers: Where MLS teams have improved and regressed in 2024

There's just enough sample size in the early part of the MLS season to identify some trends in how teams have changed since 2023.

theathletic.com

And if you get the impression we've been kind of meh so far, all I can say is ...

Well, yeah, you're right. We've been kind of meh so far. Statistically at least. But these data are cumulative and don't really capture the progress the team has made, so stay tuned.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Love this quote. It's something we need to keep in mind:

“If you torture the data long enough, it will confess.”
― Ronald H. Coase, Essays on Economics and Economists

[Ed. note: I updated the slug on this thread to pull it more in line with the theme.]

 

[KevinJRogers]

This doesn't directly relate to MLS, but it's interesting to contemplate when thinking about our league's business and competitive structure. Especially the last paragraph.

Which of Europe's top leagues are the most competitive? We had a go at measuring it...

We analyse team strength, how it varies within top European leagues, and which leagues have been the most competitive in recent years...

theathletic.com

 

[Kenny]

This doesn't directly relate to MLS, but it's interesting to contemplate when thinking about our league's business and competitive structure. Especially the last paragraph.

Which of Europe's top leagues are the most competitive? We had a go at measuring it...

We analyse team strength, how it varies within top European leagues, and which leagues have been the most competitive in recent years...

theathletic.com

Stop trying to innocently slip in content that says Arsenal is the best team. I'm on to you

 

[KevinJRogers]

This isn't specific to MLS, but I found it intriguing.

Why are Arsenal so good this season? The same reason Messi's Barca were: the pullback

A decade after the pullback became how Messi's Barcelona dominated, the maneuver is everywhere in the Premier League -- and it might be how Arsenal win the title.

www.espn.com

I'm just guessing, but this may have been what Kevin O'Toole was tasked to defend against in Toronto. His job was to prevent Bernardeschi from getting to the end line and executing a pullback, and we'd take our chances with him cutting to the inside.

 

[Kenny]

This isn't specific to MLS, but I found it intriguing.

Why are Arsenal so good this season? The same reason Messi's Barca were: the pullback

A decade after the pullback became how Messi's Barcelona dominated, the maneuver is everywhere in the Premier League -- and it might be how Arsenal win the title.

www.espn.com

I'm just guessing, but this may have been what Kevin O'Toole was tasked to defend against in Toronto. His job was to prevent Bernardeschi from getting to the end line and executing a pullback, and we'd take our chances with him cutting to the inside.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Well, what can I say, you know?

 

[Kenny]

Were you rooting for Spurs today? Sorry!

 

[KevinJRogers]

Were you rooting for Spurs today? Sorry!

View attachment 13333

Yes, I was. If we were going to have any realistic chance at beating City for the title, we needed this one. Anything can happen on the last day when it's close ("Arguuuueeeeoooo") but we didn't want to have to count on the Hammers to pull a rabbit out of their hats.

Or anvils. Whatever.

By the way, Big Ange was pissed at the Tottenham fans, especially since the Champions League was potentially within reach.

 

[KevinJRogers]

So, this is why the Wolves are so pissed.

Every Premier League VAR mistake revealed: Ranking which teams were helped and hurt most

Which Premier League clubs got the worst of the VAR gaffes? Which actually benefited from mistakes? We've got all the answers with the official stats.

www.espn.com

 

[KevinJRogers]

At first, I was personally super opposed to these rules. But I may have been on the wrong side of the argument.

How MLS's new time-wasting rules are being received

The off-field treatment and times substitution rules are having a significant impact on games, but they're not without flaws

www.nytimes.com

 

[mgarbowski]

At first, I was personally super opposed to these rules. But I may have been on the wrong side of the argument.

How MLS's new time-wasting rules are being received

The off-field treatment and times substitution rules are having a significant impact on games, but they're not without flaws

www.nytimes.com

Most notable thing to me is how little I have noticed their implementation, because players mostly have adjusted. I think they are a success.

 

[FootyLovin]

I love these rules. For years I’ve wanted automatic yellow cards for defensive players poking or throwing the ball away from offensive players trying to restart. The additional rules about leaving the field I think are also excellent. Much more flow to the matches.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Some interesting metrics here on the financial side of Real Madrid's success:

15th European title - Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win fifth Champions League since 2015

Real Madrid continued their seemingly unrivalled dominance of Europe’s premier competition on Saturday with an 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund to take the club’s trophy haul in the European Cup and then Champions League to 15 trophies.

www.transfermarkt.co.uk