ASA Podcast XXV: The One Where We Go Full West Coast--Mostly

/

I'm not really going to apologize for the biased topics. It's very heavy Timbers/Sounders, which corresponds with the teams that we support, and we kind of neglect all else. The thing is this: despite there being 17 other teams in the league, this derby could also influence a lot of what's going to happen to the rest of the Western Conference.

Obviously, that isn't the whole narrative to the MLS playoffs, considering that there three-to-four clubs that could possibly swap in or out of the playoffs in the East. However, there just seemed to be a huge story line here to us, as well as some interesting numbers that correspond to it, which is why Timbers/Sounders became this week's theme.

Next week we'll return to taking a look at the rest of the league...mostly. I mean, I'm sure Sunday night's game will come up, but there are other things to be mentioned and you'll hear less of our bias. But, as it has been mentioned previously, bias accounts for a lot when dealing with numbers, and it only seems appropriate that it would also be present in what we do in regards to our podcast.

Oh, well. Here it is, and I hope you like it.

[audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/asa-episode-xxv.mp3]

Analysis Evolved Epsiode XXIV: The One Where We Review The US Open Cup Final

/

This was a long one folks; the running time is roughly 75 minutes. We usually try to keep everything around an hour, but it's been a while since all three of us were together. There may have been some moments we got a little excited and went longer than normal. This week's first segment was an ode to Ben Olsen and the DC United game plan that not only produced a win on the road against a very tough opponent, but also won them the US Open Cup and a bid to the CONCACAF Champions League. Because the first segment went a bit long we used the second segment to cover the usual past week of matches, with emphasis on the following games: Sporting-Philly, New England-Houston, LA-Portland and Seattle-New York, all of which had significant impacts on the playoff outlook. The last segment saw us go into a bit of detail about Sporting Kansas City and a possible run at the MLS Cup. In our language, possible doesn't always mean probable, but in this case it just might. There is also a the a spot where I completely butcher Matthias' twitter handle, and I may have also made up a some words in there, too, only to have Drew coyly call me on it. All in all, this was was an especially fun episode to record, and I hope that you all enjoy it!

[audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/asa-episode-xxiv.mp3]

ASA Podcast Episode XXIII: The One Where We Talk TFC Reconstruction and RSL Playoffs

/

Our most recent episode finds Drew and I doing a review of the MLS table, a US Open Cup preview and a short look at the weeks Champion League results. We transition to a discussion about the rebuilding of Toronto FC and then a playoff preview of Real Salt Lake. I hope you enjoy it.  

[audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/asa-episode-xxiii.mp3]

Analysis Evolved Podcast: Episode XXII A Treatise on Podcasting Casual Wear, RBNY, and MLS Playoffs

/

Matty and Drew cover CCL, the current state of MLS, give a preview of the Red Bulls' playoff chances, and choose the RBNY designated player with whom they would most like to engage in holy matrimony. [audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/episode-xxii.mp3]

Analysis Evolved Podcast: Episode XXI The One Where We Reflect On Costa Rica and Mexico

/

This was suppose to be a quick 15-to-20-minute podcast that turned into an almost 52-minute single segment ramble about all things US in the past week. It was just Drew and I, covering just about everything conceivable over the course of the loss to Costa Rica on the road to the win in Columbus against Mexico. No spoilers; just have a listen. [audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/asa-episode-xxi.mp3]

*Editors note:

Matthias to Drew by text after CR's second goal: [Howard didn't look ready for that one. I think he could have done more.]

Matthias to Drew by text after CR's third goal: [The defender definitely got beat, but the Costa Rican player didn't even get to the ball until it was 23 yards out. That's Howard's ball. 

Drew on Podcast: "...and Matthias was texting me...Matthias was like 'what's he doing in there? These goals are all his fault.' "

In a private interview with the Matthias, the editor was assured that Matthias never thought the goals were 100% Howard's fault, as Matthias---a student of probability---rarely believes anything is 100%.

Oh, and Drew is a poophead. 

 

**Editors note part 2:

Matthias edited is the editor of the site, just in case you didn't realize that.

Analysis Evolved Episode XX: The One Where We Talk About MLS Front Offices

/

We moved days! We'll be getting the podcast to you Thursday night/Friday morning from here on out. You know, rather than getting it to you on Sunday after all the weekends games have been played. If nothing else, it should give you something great* to hear on your way to the match. This episode, we devote our second segment to talking about the MLS Front offices and geeks vs. nerds, and then we also touch on women in the front office as well as in the coaches' boxes. Among other things we play a couple of silly games and then, of course, talk random news and notes for the past week. Hope you enjoy!

[audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/asa-episode-xx.mp3]

Editor's note: Great?

ASA Podcast XIX: The one where we talk ad nauseam about Landon Donovan

/

Okay, so Drew came up lame with a sore throat, leaving Matty and I to fend for ourselves and sending the podcast into a downward dive/30-minute discussion about Landon Donovan. We follow that up with another 30-minute discussion about the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL). At some point, in perhaps a show of solidarity or more likely a show of that pessimism that could come only from a couple of Mariners fans, we projected good things for each other's club. I for Portland, and Matty for Seattle.

Despite advertising a 2nd segment as a discussion about MLS front office personnel decisions---regarding past players and whether or not we'll see any future Ivy League day traders being hired into technical director positions---we had to cut the segment from the podcast due to mass overages in the first segment. We hope to pick up the nerds-vs.-jocks  talk next week.

This is one of our longest running podcasts at 70 minutes, but it's still a good one.  I hope you enjoy!

[audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/asa-episode-xviiii.mp3]

ASA Podcast XVIII: The One Where We Discuss Defense Influencing Shots

/

Family in town, waiting out this baby and being home doing nothing sure has made me lazy. So lazy that I really didn't get around to editing this and putting it together until last night. My apologies for the late posting. This week we discuss the USMNT and their romp in eastern Europe, a bit about Montreal and Omar Gonzalez. Then we transition to some discussion about whether goal keepers can influence shots on target. It's all some interesting stuff with a lot of giggling by me because I coined a new nickname for Drew.

 

[audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/asa-episode-xviii.mp3]

Analysis Evolved Podcast: Episode XVI The One Where We Have A Guest

/

This week we welcome Chris Gluck as our first guest on the podcast. We talk possession, basic attacking principles and stats. Later on we mention #DempseyWatch. I talk about it from a Seattle perspective, discussing how the team could afford to make him the richest player in MLS history. We also talk a little Gold Cup final recap, and we wrap up the final segment with some Marrying, Boffing, and Killing of  Kris Boyd. Enjoy! [audio http://americansocceranalysis.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/asa-episode-xvi.mp3]