Ryan O'Hanlon
@rwohan.bsky.social
I wrote a book, which you can buy: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/net-gains_9781419758911/
Also, I write for ESPN. Everything's in here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFcLd4yoHj_D4V5ODeutiy5DxWkDSOAtgvZ7xqr5Gfk/edit?tab=t.0
Also, I write for ESPN. Everything's in here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFcLd4yoHj_D4V5ODeutiy5DxWkDSOAtgvZ7xqr5Gfk/edit?tab=t.0
“This game is terrible”, I think to myself, for the 25th straight week, while watching the richest soccer teams in the world play soccer against each other.
February 8, 2026 at 5:14 PM
“This game is terrible”, I think to myself, for the 25th straight week, while watching the richest soccer teams in the world play soccer against each other.
From the "records no one other than me and maybe, like, 14 other people care about" department: Liverpool's win over Qarabag was the most lopsided Champions League match (by xG differential) since 2010.
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
From the "records no one other than me and maybe, like, 14 other people care about" department: Liverpool's win over Qarabag was the most lopsided Champions League match (by xG differential) since 2010.
Not just this, but Benfica didn’t know they needed another goal! They were wasting time! Mourinho subbed on an extra center back in injury time! And they still scored!
Omg GK goal IN 90+8 AGAINST REAL MADRID to put Benfica through on goal difference is AMAZING
January 28, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Not just this, but Benfica didn’t know they needed another goal! They were wasting time! Mourinho subbed on an extra center back in injury time! And they still scored!
Is there a “mute the people who are eating during the Golazo Show” button?
January 28, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Is there a “mute the people who are eating during the Golazo Show” button?
I wrote about how nobody wants a manager anymore -- even if they don't really have a plan for what to do instead: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
How Premier League clubs turned into corporations and replaced 'managers' with 'head coaches'
Premier League clubs are corporations that have outgrown the "manager" role that legendary Arsenal and Man United clubs once had. Why?
www.espn.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I wrote about how nobody wants a manager anymore -- even if they don't really have a plan for what to do instead: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
My halftime team talk: KICK THE BALL AS HARD AS YOU CAN AND MAKE IT GO INTO THE CORNER OF THE GOAL.
January 25, 2026 at 6:35 PM
My halftime team talk: KICK THE BALL AS HARD AS YOU CAN AND MAKE IT GO INTO THE CORNER OF THE GOAL.
I came up with a new, simple power-rating system for the Premier League. It had West Ham ahead of Sunderland and therefore is perfect: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Premier League Power Rankings: Rating all 20 teams on performances, not results
In the debut of ESPN's Premier League Power Rankings, a look at all 20 teams, including why Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham are better than the table suggests.
www.espn.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:52 PM
I came up with a new, simple power-rating system for the Premier League. It had West Ham ahead of Sunderland and therefore is perfect: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
Wrote about the state of play for football, getting data, and getting insight, in the aftermath of the FBref news
www.getgoalsideanalytics.com/square-one/
www.getgoalsideanalytics.com/square-one/
Square one
Some thoughts on where to start if you're interested in football stats with a bit of an analytics mindset. And links, of course.
www.getgoalsideanalytics.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Wrote about the state of play for football, getting data, and getting insight, in the aftermath of the FBref news
www.getgoalsideanalytics.com/square-one/
www.getgoalsideanalytics.com/square-one/
Teams ahead of Tottenham in the Champions League: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool
Teams ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League: Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle, Sunderland, Everton, Fulham, Brighton, Crystal Palace
Teams ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League: Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle, Sunderland, Everton, Fulham, Brighton, Crystal Palace
January 21, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Teams ahead of Tottenham in the Champions League: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool
Teams ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League: Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle, Sunderland, Everton, Fulham, Brighton, Crystal Palace
Teams ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League: Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Brentford, Newcastle, Sunderland, Everton, Fulham, Brighton, Crystal Palace
I wrote about what Sean was doing with FBref in NET GAINS because publicly available data ultimately makes things better for everyone whose stakes should matter: fans, media, players, and clubs. Yes, even the inane xG convos between supporters are a good thing! Hopefully someone else steps up.
This really sucks, grateful for what FBref has done for soccer
January 21, 2026 at 1:09 PM
I wrote about what Sean was doing with FBref in NET GAINS because publicly available data ultimately makes things better for everyone whose stakes should matter: fans, media, players, and clubs. Yes, even the inane xG convos between supporters are a good thing! Hopefully someone else steps up.
I wrote this two weeks ago. Seems like it might be relevant today: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Chelsea are using Strasbourg as a "farm team" -- is this the new blueprint for top clubs?
Strasbourg now exists as a training ground for Chelsea prospects, akin to baseball's farm system. Is this the future of European soccer?
www.espn.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
I wrote this two weeks ago. Seems like it might be relevant today: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
If you'd like to read every story I've written in 2025 before the end of 2025, the last one just went up: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
OHanlon-ESPN-2025
Ryan O’Hanlon, ESPN Archive: 2025 There’s no great way to see everything I’ve written (or said (publicly)) over the past few weeks, let alone the whole year. So, I’ve decided to copy my buddy Bill Co...
docs.google.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
If you'd like to read every story I've written in 2025 before the end of 2025, the last one just went up: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
Continuing the tradition, I have compiled an end-of-year overview of the soccer analytics content that I liked the most in 2025. This edition includes pointers to about 200 resources, including research papers, blog posts, news articles, podcasts, and webinars.
janvanhaaren.be/posts/soccer...
janvanhaaren.be/posts/soccer...
Soccer Analytics 2025 Review – Jan Van Haaren
Collection of the soccer analytics content that I liked the most in 2025!
janvanhaaren.be
December 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Continuing the tradition, I have compiled an end-of-year overview of the soccer analytics content that I liked the most in 2025. This edition includes pointers to about 200 resources, including research papers, blog posts, news articles, podcasts, and webinars.
janvanhaaren.be/posts/soccer...
janvanhaaren.be/posts/soccer...
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
We examined which goalkeeper metrics are the most stable for evaluating performance.
Using Spearman correlations, we found that avoiding negative actions is far more stable than save percentage or PSxG. 📊⬇️
www.gradientsports.com/blog/why-sta...
Using Spearman correlations, we found that avoiding negative actions is far more stable than save percentage or PSxG. 📊⬇️
www.gradientsports.com/blog/why-sta...
Why Stability Matters When Evaluating Goalkeeper Performance
www.gradientsports.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We examined which goalkeeper metrics are the most stable for evaluating performance.
Using Spearman correlations, we found that avoiding negative actions is far more stable than save percentage or PSxG. 📊⬇️
www.gradientsports.com/blog/why-sta...
Using Spearman correlations, we found that avoiding negative actions is far more stable than save percentage or PSxG. 📊⬇️
www.gradientsports.com/blog/why-sta...
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
🧵 Thread: I recently looked into the concept of escaping pressure 👇
1️⃣ 3rd player, up-back combos are the most efficient at escaping pressure
🔷 I defined a press-escaping situation as a pass that found a free player (not pressured in 3 seconds), after 2 consecutive ball carriers were pressurized
1️⃣ 3rd player, up-back combos are the most efficient at escaping pressure
🔷 I defined a press-escaping situation as a pass that found a free player (not pressured in 3 seconds), after 2 consecutive ball carriers were pressurized
December 17, 2025 at 3:18 PM
🧵 Thread: I recently looked into the concept of escaping pressure 👇
1️⃣ 3rd player, up-back combos are the most efficient at escaping pressure
🔷 I defined a press-escaping situation as a pass that found a free player (not pressured in 3 seconds), after 2 consecutive ball carriers were pressurized
1️⃣ 3rd player, up-back combos are the most efficient at escaping pressure
🔷 I defined a press-escaping situation as a pass that found a free player (not pressured in 3 seconds), after 2 consecutive ball carriers were pressurized
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
Check out @americansocceranalysis.com
for this year's edition of my MLS Superdraft Big Board. This year, there's more depth and more room for discovery. Also, for college soccer fans it includes ALL Division 1 players regardless of draft eligibility.
There's some exciting players coming in 👀
for this year's edition of my MLS Superdraft Big Board. This year, there's more depth and more room for discovery. Also, for college soccer fans it includes ALL Division 1 players regardless of draft eligibility.
There's some exciting players coming in 👀
The 2026 MLS SuperDraft ASA Big (Dash)Board — American Soccer Analysis
By Paul Harvey The MLS Superdraft in many ways kicks off the offseason, as most teams have yet to make any real signings. Even though many of the draft picks will never play for their respective fi...
www.americansocceranalysis.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Check out @americansocceranalysis.com
for this year's edition of my MLS Superdraft Big Board. This year, there's more depth and more room for discovery. Also, for college soccer fans it includes ALL Division 1 players regardless of draft eligibility.
There's some exciting players coming in 👀
for this year's edition of my MLS Superdraft Big Board. This year, there's more depth and more room for discovery. Also, for college soccer fans it includes ALL Division 1 players regardless of draft eligibility.
There's some exciting players coming in 👀
If you enjoy checking this document, then I have good news. I have updated this document to include everything I've written, including a piece about who's to blame for Liverpool's struggles. Hint: it's not Salah or Slot. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
OHanlon-ESPN-2025
Ryan O’Hanlon, ESPN Archive: 2025 There’s no great way to see everything I’ve written (or said (publicly)) over the past few weeks, let alone the whole year. So, I’ve decided to copy my buddy Bill Co...
docs.google.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
If you enjoy checking this document, then I have good news. I have updated this document to include everything I've written, including a piece about who's to blame for Liverpool's struggles. Hint: it's not Salah or Slot. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I wrote about the birth and the death of the Group of Death: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
How the 2026 World Cup already killed the 'group of death'
Everyone wants to know: which teams are in the group of death for the 2026 World Cup? Well, the "group of death" may be officially dead.
www.espn.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I wrote about the birth and the death of the Group of Death: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
⚽️ Just launched xstandings.com
Inspired by FiveThirtyEight, xStandings simulates the rest of the season to forecast final standings:
✅ Title, playoff, relegation odds
✅ Match-by-match win/draw/loss predictions
✅ “What if” explorer for upcoming games
Inspired by FiveThirtyEight, xStandings simulates the rest of the season to forecast final standings:
✅ Title, playoff, relegation odds
✅ Match-by-match win/draw/loss predictions
✅ “What if” explorer for upcoming games
xStandings — Predict Soccer Standings
xStandings simulates every match to forecast league standings. Explore your team’s chances for top 4, title, or relegation — updated weekly.
xStandings.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
⚽️ Just launched xstandings.com
Inspired by FiveThirtyEight, xStandings simulates the rest of the season to forecast final standings:
✅ Title, playoff, relegation odds
✅ Match-by-match win/draw/loss predictions
✅ “What if” explorer for upcoming games
Inspired by FiveThirtyEight, xStandings simulates the rest of the season to forecast final standings:
✅ Title, playoff, relegation odds
✅ Match-by-match win/draw/loss predictions
✅ “What if” explorer for upcoming games
Seven Total Shots, Six Total Cards: The 2025-26 Premier League season
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Seven Total Shots, Six Total Cards: The 2025-26 Premier League season
Really tough result for Liverpool. You just can’t afford to lose a relegation six-pointer at home.
November 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Really tough result for Liverpool. You just can’t afford to lose a relegation six-pointer at home.
Reposted by Ryan O'Hanlon
Cristiano Ronaldo is so desperate to enter a US market that he has been kept out of for nearly a decade that he's now shilling for not one but two of the worst autocrats in the world newrepublic.com/article/2033...
November 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo is so desperate to enter a US market that he has been kept out of for nearly a decade that he's now shilling for not one but two of the worst autocrats in the world newrepublic.com/article/2033...
Outside of one or two seasons, pretty much every Liverpool-City game since 2018 has been the same: City control the game, both teams create a similar amount of chances, and whoever kicks/heads the ball better wins.
November 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Outside of one or two seasons, pretty much every Liverpool-City game since 2018 has been the same: City control the game, both teams create a similar amount of chances, and whoever kicks/heads the ball better wins.
A cagey, tactically complex first half where both teams played pretty well? Back in my day, every Liverpool-Real Madrid game ended up with Liverpool outshooting Real Madrid, 45-1, and Madrid winning, 2-0.
November 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
A cagey, tactically complex first half where both teams played pretty well? Back in my day, every Liverpool-Real Madrid game ended up with Liverpool outshooting Real Madrid, 45-1, and Madrid winning, 2-0.