Backheeled

Backheeled

@backheeled.com

Taking American soccer coverage one step further. Subscribe today. backheeled.com/#/portal/signup

5.7K followers15 following1.5K posts

Backheeled reposted

Joseph Lowery
@joeclowery.bsky.social

I've got a left-field name for the Coach of the Year convo: Eric Quill. The FC Dallas manager has given his team an impressive Plan A (quick transition attacking) and a capable Plan B (hyper-fluid ball control). Color me impressed 🔴 For @backheeled.com ⤵️

backheeled.comMLS Winners and Losers: Nashville SC win the Shield, Eric Quill's Coach of the Year case & moreThis week, we marvel at a trophy winner. We also do a lot of other stuff.

Backheeled reposted

John Morrissey
@usltactics.com

FINAL USL POWER RANK OF THE REGULAR SEASON What went down in Week 34, and where'd we land in the playoff race? I'm digging into every single that mattered on a thrilling Judgement Day. 📎 www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

backheeled.comUSL Championship Power Rankings: Playoff field set in dramatic fashion, Phoenix Rising, Miami FC sneak in & moreAfter the final week of the USL Championship's regular season, we're ranking every team in the league.
Backheeled@backheeled.com

The USL Championship's regular season is complete, so where do things stand after a dramatic last day? @usltactics.com ranks all 25 clubs, diving into what separates contenders from teams who will watch the playoffs from home. Read the latest on your club ⤵️

backheeled.comUSL Championship Power Rankings: Playoff field set in dramatic fashion, Phoenix Rising, Miami FC sneak in & moreAfter the final week of the USL Championship's regular season, we're ranking every team in the league.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

How did Nashville SC become the best team in MLS? @aclausen90.bsky.social dives into the road to glory for the recently crowned Supporters' Shield winners. Read up on Nashville — and a rising star, a left-field Coach of the Year candidate, teams surging towards the playoffs, and more ⤵️

backheeled.comMLS Winners and Losers: Nashville SC win the Shield, Eric Quill's Coach of the Year case & moreThis week, we marvel at a trophy winner. We also do a lot of other stuff.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

What happened on the final day of the USL's regular season? @usltactics.com dives into the latest from the Championship and League One ahead of the playoffs 🏆 League One ➡️ www.backheeled.com/usl-league-o... Championship ➡️ www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

backheeled.comUSL Championship Power Rankings: Playoff field set in dramatic fashion, Phoenix Rising, Miami FC sneak in & moreAfter the final week of the USL Championship's regular season, we're ranking every team in the league.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Nashville SC make history ▫️ Eric Quill’s Coach of the Year case ▫️ A young star in Portland ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

backheeled.comMLS Winners and Losers: Nashville SC win the Shield, Eric Quill's Coach of the Year case & moreThis week, we marvel at a trophy winner. We also do a lot of other stuff.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

The USL Championship's regular season is complete, so where do things stand after a dramatic last day? @usltactics.com ranks all 25 clubs, diving into what separates contenders from teams who will watch the playoffs from home. Read the latest on your club ⤵️

backheeled.comUSL Championship Power Rankings: Playoff field set in dramatic fashion, Phoenix Rising, Miami FC sneak in & moreAfter the final week of the USL Championship's regular season, we're ranking every team in the league.

Backheeled reposted

John Morrissey
@usltactics.com

St. Louis City are your 2026 Open Cup champs, but how'd they pull it off? I dig into a punchy final and reminisce about the other memorable moments that defined the tournament. Free to read on Backheeled! www.backheeled.com/how-st-louis...

backheeled.comHow St. Louis City won the U.S. Open Cup — and what we’ll remember from the 2026 tournamentWith St. Louis crowned champions on Wednesday night, we’ll remember this year's Open Cup for the weird, the wacky, and the winner.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

St. Louis City are U.S. Open Cup champions 🏆 Here's how they bested the Columbus Crew in the final — and what we’ll remember from this year's tournament. @usltactics.com examines the weird, the wacky, and the winner of the Open Cup ⤵️

backheeled.comHow St. Louis City won the U.S. Open Cup — and what we’ll remember from the 2026 tournamentWith St. Louis crowned champions on Wednesday night, we’ll remember this year's Open Cup for the weird, the wacky, and the winner.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

St. Louis City has a chance to lift the U.S. Open Cup tonight against the Columbus Crew 🏆 How did first-year head coach Yoann Damet help turn the club into a trophy threat? @joeclowery.bsky.social goes inside the mind of the youngest manager in MLS ⤵️

backheeled.comInside the mind of Yoann Damet, the manager leading record-breaking St. Louis City: "I want us to be relentless"Here's how the youngest coach in MLS is having unprecedented success in his debut season.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Taha Habroune shines for Columbus ▫️ Toronto FC's late playoff push ▫️ Speedy wingers impress ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

backheeled.comMLS Winners and Losers: Rising stars shine, drama in the Wooden Spoon race & moreThis week, we admire some under-the-radar stars. We also do a lot of other stuff.

Backheeled reposted

John Morrissey
@usltactics.com

🔺 Building within the USL pyramid ⌛ Roster continuity's importance ⏩ Transition and tactical growth As we near the end of 2026, I'm digging into five big trends that have stood out this year in the USL. www.backheeled.com/usl-expansio...

backheeled.comUSL expansion teams must go big to thrive — and more takeaways from 2026From ambitious expansion projects to youth development, the USL continues to develop. Here's what this season taught us about the league.

Backheeled reposted

Joseph Lowery
@joeclowery.bsky.social

It was a chilly Atlanta day when Yoann Damet's phone rang — it was Corey Wray, offering him the St. Louis City job. Now? Damet's St. Louis is setting records and playing some of the most interesting soccer MLS has ever seen. Here's how. @backheeled.com ⤵️

backheeled.comInside the mind of Yoann Damet, the manager leading record-breaking St. Louis City: "I want us to be relentless"Here's how the youngest coach in MLS is having unprecedented success in his debut season.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Which MLS front offices have gotten the most out of their Designated Player spots — and which have wasted them? @aclausen90.bsky.social ranked every chief soccer officer in MLS based on their DP signings. Where does your team's CSO rank?

backheeled.comWho’s best at spending big in MLS? Ranking every CSO based on Designated Player signingsFrom star signings to costly misses, we evaluate every MLS chief soccer officer’s hit rate on Designated Players to determine who’s best at spending big.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

St. Louis City is in the history books: the club's 21-game unbeaten streak is a new MLS record 🔴 At the center of it all? Yoann Damet, the youngest coach in MLS. @joeclowery.bsky.social spoke with Damet about the tactical ideas behind St. Louis’ remarkable rise ⤵️

backheeled.comInside the mind of Yoann Damet, the manager leading record-breaking St. Louis City: "I want us to be relentless"Here's how the youngest coach in MLS is having unprecedented success in his debut season.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Some MLS executives turn their DP spots into gold. Others watch millions go to waste. @aclausen90.bsky.social evaluated the Designated Player signings made by every team's chief soccer officer to learn who’s best at spending big. Find out where your team's CSO ranks ⤵️

backheeled.comWho’s best at spending big in MLS? Ranking every CSO based on Designated Player signingsFrom star signings to costly misses, we evaluate every MLS chief soccer officer’s hit rate on Designated Players to determine who’s best at spending big.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Nashville SC close in on history ▫️ Michael Bradley’s RBNY revamp ▫️ Questions in the West ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

backheeled.comMLS Winners and Losers: Nashville SC close in on history, questions in the West & moreThis week, we ask: are any of these teams any good? We also do a lot of other stuff.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

What does rising star Niko Tsakiris see that other players don’t? @joeclowery.bsky.social sat down with the San Jose Earthquakes No. 10 to watch film and break down the vision, creativity, and freedom behind his breakout MLS campaign. Read ⤵️

backheeled.comHow San Jose Earthquakes rising star Niko Tsakiris sees the game — and how he could help the USMNTOn the USMNT’s preliminary fall roster, Tsakiris is a playmaker unlike any of his countrymen. We watched film with the 21-year-old to learn more about his mesmerizing skillset.

Backheeled reposted

Joseph Lowery
@joeclowery.bsky.social

Niko Tsakiris has made my jaw drop more than any other U.S. player in MLS — the left-footed No. 10 is ready for the USMNT 🇺🇸 I sat down to watch film of Tsakiris *with* Tsakiris to learn more about how the San Jose Earthquakes' star thinks about soccer. @backheeled.com ⤵️

backheeled.comHow San Jose Earthquakes rising star Niko Tsakiris sees the game — and how he could help the USMNTOn the USMNT’s preliminary fall roster, Tsakiris is a playmaker unlike any of his countrymen. We watched film with the 21-year-old to learn more about his mesmerizing skillset.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

The USL's regular season is nearly over, which means end-of-season awards are around the corner for the Championship and League One 🏆 ▫️ MVP ▫️ Defender ▫️ Goalkeeper ▫️ Young Player ▫️ Coach Who deserves hardware? @usltactics.com dives in ⤵️

backheeled.comWho deserves USL’s 2026 end-of-year awards? Breaking down every race in the Championship, League OneWith the USL regular season nearing its conclusion, we make the case for who should take home the hardware.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Niko Tsakiris is a player unlike any other in the USMNT pool 🇺🇸 The 21-year-old is thriving in a free role for Bruce Arena's San Jose Earthquakes and was on Mauricio Pochettino's preliminary fall roster. We watched film with Tsakiris to break down his unique skillset 📽️ @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️

backheeled.comHow San Jose Earthquakes rising star Niko Tsakiris sees the game — and how he could help the USMNTOn the USMNT’s preliminary fall roster, Tsakiris is a playmaker unlike any of his countrymen. We watched film with the 21-year-old to learn more about his mesmerizing skillset.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

▪️ Justin Ellis “playing on one leg” ▪️ Yunus Musah, attacker? ▪️ Patience needed with Mathis Albert ▪️ Goalkeeping battle continues ▪️ ...and much more! @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the biggest takeaways from the USMNT's 1-0 win over Canada ⤵️

backheeled.com7 takeaways from the USMNT’s win over Canada: Patience for the kids, goalkeeper battle & moreFrom standouts to tactics, here's what we learned about the United States following their victory over Jesse Marsch's outfit.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

The USMNT beat Canada 1-0 — but the result was only part of the story. From the youngsters who need more time to an increasingly open goalkeeper battle, these are the takeaways from the latest U.S. performance 🇺🇸 @sanjaysujan.bsky.social has the breakdown ⤵️

backheeled.com7 takeaways from the USMNT’s win over Canada: Patience for the kids, goalkeeper battle & moreFrom standouts to tactics, here's what we learned about the United States following their victory over Jesse Marsch's outfit.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Gio Reyna is back in the USMNT lineup for a fourth-straight game 🇺🇸 In fact, he's the only U.S. player set to start all four fall matches for Mauricio Pochettino's team. After years of injuries, Reyna says he's "only getting stronger.” @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

backheeled.comGio Reyna's USMNT revival is here: "I’m only getting stronger"After years of injuries and interrupted development, Reyna is playing regularly and growing "more confident" in his body. That's big news for the United States.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Once the USMNT's best prospect, Gio Reyna's career has been beset by injuries 🇺🇸 But now? He's "only getting stronger". “I don’t think about [injury concerns] at all. If I’m honest, there were times where I have, but I’m past that." @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

backheeled.comGio Reyna's USMNT revival is here: "I’m only getting stronger"After years of injuries and interrupted development, Reyna is playing regularly and growing "more confident" in his body. That's big news for the United States.

Backheeled reposted

Joseph Lowery
@joeclowery.bsky.social

Cavan Sullivan was the best player on the field in USMNT/Mexico 🇺🇸🇲🇽 "He's relentless in the way that he presses," Tyler Adams said. "Tremendous quality," Poch said. From Arizona, on Sullivan + more with @sanjaysujan.bsky.social for @backheeled.com ⤵️

backheeled.comTakeaways from the USMNT's win over Mexico: "Relentless" Cavan Sullivan, Diego Kochen shows promise & moreSullivan made history against El Tri, but he wasn't the only fresh face who impressed.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Gio Reyna’s USMNT revival might be upon us. After years of injuries, Reyna is finding rhythm as the only player to start all three of the U.S.'s fall friendlies. “I’m only getting stronger.” @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the uptick of one of the USMNT's biggest talents ⤵️

backheeled.comGio Reyna's USMNT revival is here: "I’m only getting stronger"After years of injuries and interrupted development, Reyna is playing regularly and growing "more confident" in his body. That's big news for the United States.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

With the USMNT halfway through its fall camp, first auditions of the 2030 World Cup cycle are well underway 🇺🇸 Some young players are already making a serious case for more minutes. Others still have work to do. @joeclowery.bsky.social breaks it all down ⤵️

backheeled.comWhat Julian Hall and the rest of the USMNT’s kids showed against ChileMauricio Pochettino had another chance to evaluate members of the U.S.’s next generation on Tuesday evening. So: who stood out?

Backheeled reposted

John Morrissey
@usltactics.com

The revenue-sharing agreement between the USL and its clubs is the latest example of the league changing how it does business. I dig into the evolving approach that’s taking the USL into a new era. 🔗 www.backheeled.com/usl-revenue-...

backheeled.comThe USL is changing its business model. Can revenue sharing deliver on its potential?The USL’s new revenue-sharing model is set to help unlock growth and stability across the league. Just how much, though, remains a question.
Backheeled@backheeled.com

Revenue sharing. Pro-rel. Broader pyramid. New leadership. The USL is undergoing its most significant transformation ever. Now, can a new business model deliver on its promise? @usltactics.com takes you inside the USL's changing approach ⤵️

backheeled.comThe USL is changing its business model. Can revenue sharing deliver on its potential?The USL’s new revenue-sharing model is set to help unlock growth and stability across the league. Just how much, though, remains a question.
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Revenue sharing. Pro-rel. Broader pyramid. New leadership. The USL is undergoing its most significant transformation ever. Now, can a new business model deliver on its promise? @usltactics.com takes you inside the USL's changing approach ⤵️

backheeled.comThe USL is changing its business model. Can revenue sharing deliver on its potential?The USL’s new revenue-sharing model is set to help unlock growth and stability across the league. Just how much, though, remains a question.

Backheeled reposted

Joseph Lowery
@joeclowery.bsky.social

▪️ Julian Hall's game is very scalable ▪️ Poch's usage of Adri Mehmeti was odd ▪️ Albert, Sullivan have earned more minutes ▪️ GK remains a concern My latest analysis of the USMNT is up over at @backheeled.com ⤵️

backheeled.comWhat Julian Hall and the rest of the USMNT’s kids showed against ChileMauricio Pochettino had another chance to evaluate members of the U.S.’s next generation on Tuesday evening. So: who stood out?
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

Mauricio Pochettino had another chance to evaluate the USMNT’s next generation on Tuesday against Chile. ▪️ Julian Hall ▪️ Mathis Albert ▪️ Cavan Sullivan ▪️ Adri Mehmeti Here’s who stood out for the United States 🇺🇸 @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️

backheeled.comWhat Julian Hall and the rest of the USMNT’s kids showed against ChileMauricio Pochettino had another chance to evaluate members of the U.S.’s next generation on Tuesday evening. So: who stood out?
Backheeled
@backheeled.com

The USMNT's next generation has, at least for now, become its current one 🇺🇸 Which rising young stars have impressed so far this window? And which ones should you be most excited to see against Chile? @aclausen90.bsky.social ⤵️

backheeled.comUSMNT youngster evaluation: How Pochettino’s new crop performed in debuts vs. PeruThere’s been plenty of excitement swirling around the United States’ next generation. Here’s who looked up to snuff during Saturday’s kickoff to the 2030 World Cup cycle.