Earl Reed

July 9, 2011: One of the most memorable days in Women's World Cup history. If there was anything that could upstage the brilliant cat-and-mouse match won by France over England, it was a determined Japanese squad that deposed the host nation Germany with a stunning extra time goal. There was a commonality between the matches […]

I tend to consider tactics and Major League Soccer like an unabridged dictionary in a fourth grade classroom. While the study and employment of tactics within MLS happens, there is less tactical sophistication in MLS than in the more established leagues of the world. One thing is clear about tactics: the biggest key to their […]

The Philadelphia Union had gone nearly a month since their previous victory. The home side overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Chivas USA 3-2. For the second match in a row, manager Peter Nowak fielded a combination 4-1-4-1/4-1-3-2 shape, with Carlos Ruiz as the lone forward when out of possession. This was the exact lineup […]

When MLS announced a partnership with OptaSports before the beginning of the 2011 season, there were hopes that a new level of statistical and tactical analysis would be on the horizon. Those days are here. (h/t the Brotherly Game Twitter feed, also found here). Now on MLSSoccer.com, if you access the match reports from each […]

On Wednesday, the United States Men's National Team looked to avenge their Group Stage defeat to Panama at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. Two second-half substitutes contributed to Clint Dempsey's clincher, as the Americans secured their place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals with a 1-0 victory over the Canal Men. Julio Dely Valdes was […]

The United States reasserted their position within the CONCACAF region, by defeating Group B winners Jamaica 2-0 at RFK Stadium. Theodore Whitmore decided to start in a 3-4-3 formation for Jamaica. The three back formation allowed Demar Phillips and Eric Vernan to be active in the midfield, while being available to backtrack to form a […]

I have always been a statistics nut. The love of the numbers behind sports came early for me, as a young boy "keeping book" for my Yankees (I am now a rehabilitated Yankees fan, firmly rooting for my local Phillies since the Y2K). I'd laboriously watch the games, scribble down every hit, walk, error, and […]

The US Men's National Team knew they needed a quality performance against a lesser side on Tuesday night. They dominated the match, but only managed a 1-0 victory over Guadeloupe, after squandering countless chances to put the match out of reach. Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City was filled to capacity, and the gathered watched […]

Entering this 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States Men's National Team had it's issues. Most figured they would ultimately be exposed in the late stages of the tournament. Instead, those problems, coupled with a lackluster first-half performance, contributed to a 2-1 defeat to Panama in Group C play. Bob Bradley made no changes from […]

In the months since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Jozy Altidore has been a source of much frustration for United States men's soccer fans. Tonight he showed America why his Coach Bob Bradley continues to have faith in him. Altidore notched a goal and set up another as the United States overwhelmed Canada 2-0 at […]

It's been a long...but fun, year. About 51 weeks and several hours ago, my football obsession began. As Robert Green spilled a Clint Dempsey shot over the goal line last June, my interest was stirred. At the time, I didn't know Robert Green from Robert Pirès. That being said, as the season has progressed, I've […]

In their final preparation match for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States were outclassed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain, as the visitors dominated 4-0. The Americans came into this match simply wanting to stay healthy, while co-mingling younger, less experienced players with a few veterans. They were successful in the former; […]

A Beckham-less Galaxy squad flew into the City of Brotherly Love, dominated much of the match, but only took one point back to Southern California as the Union capitalized on a defensive error. The match was mostly a battle of two sets of 4-4-2 diamond formations. Philadelphia has been left to tinker with their formation […]

Sunday's clash between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford featured two teams set on trying to win the Premier League title. There was only one victor, as we know, but what happened on the pitch – in the form of tactics and formations – is definitely worth a in-depth look. Some of the topics […]

Soccer fans will long remember the Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur match from April 30, 2011. It featured a wonderful long-range effort from Sandro, followed by a controversial goal awarded to Frank Lampard and then a winner from Chelsea which, if you ask most people, should have been disallowed because Salomon Kalou was in an offside […]