Sam Fromowitz

18h

Qualitatives aren't often also quantifiable in soccer. So how do you measure an injury crisis, roster stability, or whether a team *should* be performing better or not? On @sounderatheart.com, I try to answer that question. Read and subscribe ⬇️ www.sounderatheart.com/2026/10/perf...

theblazingmusket.comHearts Roll Charlotte to Close Out SeasonThe scriptwriters outdid themselves coming up with a fairytale ending for club captain Mikey Lopez's career

18h

Credit to @adamlrace.bsky.social for the creation of TERS to begin with - the basis of these extra "family stats". More to come soon diving into how you can use TERS to analyze teams at the broader league-level.

Sam Fromowitz reposted

The Blazing Musket

@theblazingmusket.com

Hearts Roll Charlotte to Close Out Season

Sam Fromowitz reposted

Sam Lattof

@samlattof.bsky.social

Important journalism is happening

#Sounders org's Mark O'Neill ranks 7th on upfield turn rate.

Kieran Doyle@kierdoyle.bsky.social

At the request of @mattdoyle.bsky.social, turn data for MLSNP. I'll flag that 2nd on turn rate is 14 year old (now 15) Lucas Dawson of TFC2. Pretty damn nice.

🧵I really liked @adamlrace.bsky.social 's TERS statistic he came up with last month, and I thought it could be brought even further for #MLS #soccer analysis.🧵

A little recap: TERS+: Measures stability of your XI, injuries TER$+: Measures whether your most used players are "important" players or not TERP$+: Measures how efficiently (salary cap wise) your most used players are converting minutes and $ to points.

These stats are NOT perfect. All models are wrong, but some are useful. These paint a picture that becomes pretty clear with context. Direct formulas not shared, but can explain more if needed - would suggest reading Adam's article for more context first!🧵

🧵I really liked @adamlrace.bsky.social 's TERS statistic he came up with last month, and I thought it could be brought even further for #MLS #soccer analysis.🧵

From there, what does TER$+ miss? The effect on standings. TERP$+ (top end roster position & stability+salary) solves that - rather than minutes or salary-minutes, it uses salary-minutes/points. The point is to measure how much effect your most used players have on your table position.

Obs on TERP$+: - #Quakes are top here. For the points, they get most success from most used players - #DOOP are 4th. Don't spend much so most used don't make much, but high in the standings. Typical Union. - #ATLUTD 29th. Spend a lot, $$$ play a lot. Still trash. - #NSC 8th. Spend, but lot of points

🧵I really liked @adamlrace.bsky.social 's TERS statistic he came up with last month, and I thought it could be brought even further for #MLS #soccer analysis.🧵

Meets TER$+. Rather than using minutes like TERS+, TER$+ uses salary-minutes. Salary is used as an approximation for "player quality". Not perfect, but in MLS, especially on average, it is an OK proxy.

Couple obs: - #InterMiami are first. Their 3 DPs play almost all the time, as do Suarez and Segovia - expensive (high quality) players playing often = high TER$+ - #Quakes last. Not only do their $$$ players not get paid as much, they're not always available (i.e. Werner, Tsakiris, Jones)

🧵I really liked @adamlrace.bsky.social 's TERS statistic he came up with last month, and I thought it could be brought even further for #MLS #soccer analysis.🧵

So, what do we see? Here's a couple observations: - #Sounders 24th: Big injury crisis, rarely same XI. Most used players have played less than all other teams. - #Revs 1st: Opposite of Seattle. Their XI hasn't changed much. - #SDFC 15th: Bang average rotation/injuries for 2026

I said I'd take TERS+ further... So what does it not capture? Player quality. If 5 Reid Roberts (example) start 100% of minutes, that's way different from 5 Hany Muhktars doing the same. So how do we measure that?

🧵I really liked @adamlrace.bsky.social 's TERS statistic he came up with last month, and I thought it could be brought even further for #MLS #soccer analysis.🧵

sounderatheart.comWe created a new statistic to illustrate Sounders’ injury crisisMeet “TERS” a statistic designed to show much rotation a team is forced into.

So TERS: What is it? Adam's article on @sounderatheart.com calls it "Top End Roster Stability". The TL;DR: It measures the stability of given team's Starting XI via how many minutes their five most used field players register. www.sounderatheart.com/2026/09/we-c...

@vermontgreenfc.bsky.social

TERS+ takes that a step further, measuring each team as a scalar of Z-score from the average TERS value across MLS. 100 is average, 200 stable XI, 0 unstable XI. Here's TERS+ as of today:

Sam Fromowitz reposted

US Open Cup News

@thecup.us

Thanks to the Denton Diablos, we are giving away 2 tickets to Wednesday's #USOC2026 Final. #crew96 #allforcity #wewantthecup How to enter: 1. Join our #Patreon ($5/mo or more) 2. Answer our trivia question Ends midnight ET tonight (10/20) Details in comments...

Sam Fromowitz reposted

Vermont Green FC

Dear Vermont: A Letter From Chris Taylor 💚

vermontgreenfc.comDear Vermont: A Letter From Chris Taylor - Vermont Green Football ClubDear Vermont — Today, I am sharing my decision to step down as the Head Coach of Vermont Green FC. This decision has not come lightly or without much thought, but family circumstances and the need to ...

theblazingmusket.comHearts of Pine Captain Mikey Lopez Announced RetirementClub captain and stout defensive midfielder Mikey Lopez ends his playing career after two years and more than fifty appearance with Portland

Mikey Lopez is a club legend. Congratulations on a lengthy and successful club career. If you're lucky enough to grab a ticket or just have the time to tune in from your couch, tune in Saturday for his final match for Hearts and his professional career.

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

Hearts of Pine Captain Mikey Lopez Announced Retirement

theblazingmusket.comMadison Push Forward Past Hearts of PineA first-half brace sends Portland reeling and unable to recover to find a result away from home

Not too many positives to take from this one. Subscribe (seriously, it's free!) and read @theblazingmusket.com : A recap and tactical breakdown of how Portland fell to Madison ⬇️

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

Madison Push Forward Past Hearts of Pine

@heystephenday.bsky.social and Brother Elsey were incredible tonight. I put this show on a pedestal and it still delivered - that should speak volumes.

Sam Fromowitz reposted

Sam Lattof

@samlattof.bsky.social

Crest does slap

Sam Lattof@samlattof.bsky.social

Oh no

trib.alMBTA says long-overdue new Red Line trains will not all arrive by 2027 as expected - The Boston GlobeT officials disclosed the latest setback Thursday in response to questions from the Globe. But a spokesperson did not identify a new timeline for getting the 184 Red Line cars still due to the T.

Poll for #NERevs fans. What happens first: Do all red line trains get delivered, or does Leo Campana get on the field and score a goal?

The Boston Globe@bostonglobe.com

The MBTA says it will not receive all of its new Red Line trains by 2027 as expected, adding yet another delay to a protracted replacement process.

theblazingmusket.comStarch Madness Spells Hearts' SadnessAC Boise steal two extra points late after a competitive Portland performance

Another late collapse, but not all doom and gloom vs the squad from the Spud State. Whose to blame, and what did Head Coach Bobby Murphy get right? Subscribe to @theblazingmusket.com and read on to find out ⬇️

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

Starch Madness Spells Hearts' Sadness

theblazingmusket.comNew England 2027 U.S. Open Cup: Second Qualifying Round ReviewA wild qualifying weekend in the region sees five goal a game on average

Take your guesses: Who played with 10 men for the full 90 minutes? Who was level after 45? It's not who you think! To find out more on these winners sitting 2 games away from a spot in the tournament proper and other great New England soccer content: Read on @theblazingmusket.com and subscribe ⬇️

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

New England 2027 U.S. Open Cup: Second Qualifying Round Review

Sam Fromowitz reposted

ian

@ahandleforian.bsky.social

That was a REALLY good match from Jordan Morris

Digging into some #Sounders player-based counting stats... found some interesting stuff ⬇️

Albert Rusnak now sits on 7g/12a all comps despite a massive slump in the middle of the season. His PB (2024 - 11g/19a) is 11 total GC away, with a max 13 --likely 12- games to play if (MASSIVE IF) Sounders make MLS Cup.

Albert's current pace (0.68GC/90) would have him reach 27 total... BUT his pace since start of unbeaten run: 1.13GC/90 (8 in 637 mins)! Finishing out the year at that pace sees him at 32.6 GC. He's unlikely to sustain such a high rate, but 8 games isn't a small sample size. This year's got nuance

Digging into some #Sounders player-based counting stats... found some interesting stuff ⬇️

Seb Gomez already sits on 7(!) goal contribs for the first team this year. 2g/5a total (1g/1a in Leagues Cup) 784 minutes played 0.80 GC/90 He's always passed the eye test, and continues to show why you can't write him off. Absolutely earned his way off Slot 31 - even if injuries necessitated it.

Last night, Cristian Roldan hit 5 goals in regular season play for the first time since 2021. 1 off his PB (2017, 19, 21). He's got 5g/5a; only 3 off his best regular season tally of 13 GC (2018). Unleashed.

Well, 3 weeks later the Sounders acquired Dejan Jovelic after extending Rusnak - essentially the same as a buyout and a Ruidiaz level piece. Since then: unbeaten in 6, 2-4-0 (10 pts) & outscoring opponents 11-7. In their prev 7 since the WC break, they went 0-1-6 (1 pt) getting outscored 5-16.

Sam Fromowitz@sfromo19.bsky.social

I don't even know what to say. I don't really have optimism the Sounders can improve this year without a buyout and a Lodeiro level foundational piece coming in.

theblazingmusket.comPRIMER: New England 2027 U.S. Open Cup QualifyingEight New England amateur sides battle in the Second Qualifying Round for a chance to compete in the competition proper next spring

There's some really fun matchups this weekend, and storylines you wouldn't expect! Plenty of amazing content on @theblazingmusket.com for literally all levels of soccer - this kind of stuff is just a tiny piece. Read and subscribe ⬇️

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

PRIMER: New England 2027 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying www.theblazingmusket.com/primer-new-e...

Sam Fromowitz reposted

The Blazing Musket

@theblazingmusket.com

Individual Errors Break Hearts www.theblazingmusket.com/individual-e...

theblazingmusket.comIndividual Errors Break HeartsPortland Hearts of Pine fall 4-1 to streaking Sarasota Paradise

Kamara's spark is still sparking

Rough start for Hearts' Jones-Riley, who holds culpability of both goals conceded so far... It's not even the 10th minute yet.

gofundme.comDonate to Help Bring Our Dad Home, organized by Marcela AlfaroPlease Help Bring My Dad Home Hi everyone, Today, my dad was detained by ICE … Marcela Alfaro needs your support for Help Bring Our Dad Home

Fitzy took a bit to fill, but looking decent now given the impending rain

Sam Fromowitz reposted

Spirit of '74

@spiritof74.bsky.social

someone in the Sounders family tree - a groundskeeper at our community ground Starfire - has been detained by ICE and his family needs our help @weareecs.bsky.social @sounderatheart.com @soundersfc.com @lobbingscorchers.com

JaneG.Photo@janegphoto.bsky.social

For anyone that's ever stepped foot at Starfire and has seen the hard working groundskeeper working tirelessly, this is your turn to step up for him. Antonio was detained by ICE and his family doesn't deserve this. Please donate to help support him and his family. www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring...

Embarrassing by @seattletimes.com. Soccer grows in 2026 and will only continue to do so, esp. as the long term effects of USA-hosted '26 WC, '27 WC, '28 Olympics (& '28 Copa America participation?) come to bear. Sorry to Jayda Evans + co. Massive loss for the local community.

Jeremiah Oshan@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com

Was just informed that @seattletimes.com is ceasing beat coverage of soccer. Massive loss for both local and national soccer community.

@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com

Be vocal and support independent soccer journalism. It's the only way to show that these jobs matter.

Sam Fromowitz reposted

Jeremiah Oshan

Replying to @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com

Not to put too fine of a point on this, but it’s a good reminder that if you want local soccer coverage you need to actively support it.

theblazingmusket.comOllie Wright Officially Out for Rest of SeasonPortland Hearts of Pine lose star winger to ACL tear after match on Saturday

It's a brutal hit for Hearts, who only just got their first start from Wright in over a month. Wishing a speedy recovery, Ollie.

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

Ollie Wright Officially Out for Rest of Season www.theblazingmusket.com/ollie-wright...

theblazingmusket.comHearts of Pine Draw at Chattanooga: Recap and Three ThoughtsPlayoff hopes slip a bit further through Hearts of Pine's fingers after a hard-fought away draw

20 Sept

Totally different kind of game than last, and yet despite possession, Portland were definitely in the game. Nearly escaped with a relatively calm 1-0 victory. A few thoughts on how Hearts can refine their approach ⬇️ Subscribe to @theblazingmusket.com !

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

Hearts of Pine Draw at Chattanooga: Recap and Three Thoughts www.theblazingmusket.com/hearts-of-pi...

theblazingmusket.comLate Goal Earns Hearts of Pine Second Consecutive WinA dominant performance earns Portland a shutout win after a 90+3' Serigne Mbacke Faye goal

20 Sept

This Philly game is madness, and what an utter collapse by SKC. A night to remember for one, one to forget for the other.

Sam Fromowitz reposted

The Blazing Musket

@theblazingmusket.com

14 Sept

Late Goal Earns Hearts of Pine Second Consecutive Win www.theblazingmusket.com/late-goal-ea...

14 Sept

I feel dirty just watching this

Matthew Doyle@mattdoyle.bsky.social

1. This is the platonic ideal of a Union goal. While the results have changed under Richter, the game model has not. 2. Just holy shit, Cavan Sullivan. Running out of superlatives.

theblazingmusket.comBe Advised: Akers Joins Hearts of Pine Women's Team as Founding AdvisorU.S. Soccer legend Michelle Akers will help shape Portland's women's soccer identity and culture for years to come

10 Sept

It's super fucking rad to have such a personality representing Maine and helping build up an organization that already thrives off the field - even if the soccer currently being played is ebbing more than flowing.

The Blazing Musket@theblazingmusket.com

Be Advised: Akers Joins Hearts of Pine Women's Team as Founding Advisor www.theblazingmusket.com/be-advised-a...