Marc Machado
@marcmachado.bsky.social
GW '25 | Former intern with D.C. United, YMU, USL, the Soccer Syndicate, and Per90 Sporting Advisory
https://mbmachado.substack.com/
https://mbmachado.substack.com/
Made this point on my Substack last month, but bears repeating: Cincy's done an excellent job of insulating the downside with their recent U22s. It's a model that more clubs should follow.
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
June 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Made this point on my Substack last month, but bears repeating: Cincy's done an excellent job of insulating the downside with their recent U22s. It's a model that more clubs should follow.
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
He was on the field for fewer than 15 minutes, but we got the full Pirani Experience™ tonight. Awful final-third decision-making one minute, left-footed banger to rescue a point the next.
Perfectly on brand.
Perfectly on brand.
May 29, 2025 at 1:54 AM
He was on the field for fewer than 15 minutes, but we got the full Pirani Experience™ tonight. Awful final-third decision-making one minute, left-footed banger to rescue a point the next.
Perfectly on brand.
Perfectly on brand.
The GAM-related figures support the notion that clubs were, in fact, more active within the league this winter than the previous two.
In total, 43(!) players were traded for GAM.
Factor in the eight C4P trades (for up to a combined $33.3m), and yeah, this was a significant window for MLS.
In total, 43(!) players were traded for GAM.
Factor in the eight C4P trades (for up to a combined $33.3m), and yeah, this was a significant window for MLS.
May 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The GAM-related figures support the notion that clubs were, in fact, more active within the league this winter than the previous two.
In total, 43(!) players were traded for GAM.
Factor in the eight C4P trades (for up to a combined $33.3m), and yeah, this was a significant window for MLS.
In total, 43(!) players were traded for GAM.
Factor in the eight C4P trades (for up to a combined $33.3m), and yeah, this was a significant window for MLS.
Wanna make sure I give Kijima his flowers here, too, since it’s his run off Maxso’s shoulder that forces Cannon to defend more narrow, rather than stepping out to challenge Schnegg in the air.
This type of movement/space recognition resulted in his game-winning goal half an hour later.
This type of movement/space recognition resulted in his game-winning goal half an hour later.
May 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Wanna make sure I give Kijima his flowers here, too, since it’s his run off Maxso’s shoulder that forces Cannon to defend more narrow, rather than stepping out to challenge Schnegg in the air.
This type of movement/space recognition resulted in his game-winning goal half an hour later.
This type of movement/space recognition resulted in his game-winning goal half an hour later.
All year, DCU has been trying to use the ball more effectively. In last night’s win over Colorado (their second in three games), it finally paid off.
May 4, 2025 at 3:05 PM
All year, DCU has been trying to use the ball more effectively. In last night’s win over Colorado (their second in three games), it finally paid off.
With Peltola starting as what appears to be the LCB in a back three tonight, worth mentioning that I think this is his best position in this system.
May 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
With Peltola starting as what appears to be the LCB in a back three tonight, worth mentioning that I think this is his best position in this system.
It’s little consolation after another multi-goal loss, but I thought DCU came into this one with a decent game plan. The build-up was designed to create space for Murrell to drop into, attracting Glesnes and opening lanes for runners in behind.
Again, tho, the lack of a 2nd-ary scorer was glaring.
Again, tho, the lack of a 2nd-ary scorer was glaring.
April 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
It’s little consolation after another multi-goal loss, but I thought DCU came into this one with a decent game plan. The build-up was designed to create space for Murrell to drop into, attracting Glesnes and opening lanes for runners in behind.
Again, tho, the lack of a 2nd-ary scorer was glaring.
Again, tho, the lack of a 2nd-ary scorer was glaring.
Good read. One minor note: Asher mentioned that Houston retains the flexibility to move guys around/add to their senior roster, which, when combined with the GAM from U22 Model + Micael’s sale, should give them the flexibility to add that LB you identified as a need.
April 9, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Good read. One minor note: Asher mentioned that Houston retains the flexibility to move guys around/add to their senior roster, which, when combined with the GAM from U22 Model + Micael’s sale, should give them the flexibility to add that LB you identified as a need.
With SD no longer building out in a back 3, Wolff became surplus centrally, as Austin's FWs could step to SD's CBs without ceding their cover shadows to Alvarado/Tverskov. Thus, Estevez switched to a 4-4-2 by pushing Wolff to the right, allowing his team to get more pressure to the ball out wide.
March 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
With SD no longer building out in a back 3, Wolff became surplus centrally, as Austin's FWs could step to SD's CBs without ceding their cover shadows to Alvarado/Tverskov. Thus, Estevez switched to a 4-4-2 by pushing Wolff to the right, allowing his team to get more pressure to the ball out wide.
You can see Austin's 4-3-1-2 against San Diego's 3+1 build-up structure here. Observe the narrowness of Austin's forward/midfield lines (+ Wolff's central positioning), as they sought to 1) limit Tverskov's influence on the game and 2) prevent LDLT/Dreyer from receiving in the pockets with time.
March 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
You can see Austin's 4-3-1-2 against San Diego's 3+1 build-up structure here. Observe the narrowness of Austin's forward/midfield lines (+ Wolff's central positioning), as they sought to 1) limit Tverskov's influence on the game and 2) prevent LDLT/Dreyer from receiving in the pockets with time.
A fun tidbit in the spirit of roster compliance: The PTW doesn't close for another two months, yet we've already seen more GAM change hands this winter than the previous two. In fact, ~30% of all possible GAM dealt since the summer of '22 has been traded in the past 2.5 months.
February 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
A fun tidbit in the spirit of roster compliance: The PTW doesn't close for another two months, yet we've already seen more GAM change hands this winter than the previous two. In fact, ~30% of all possible GAM dealt since the summer of '22 has been traded in the past 2.5 months.
Kudos to Nathan Crockford for beating Tom to the scoop.
Nothing like a LinkedIn announcement.
Nothing like a LinkedIn announcement.
January 15, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Kudos to Nathan Crockford for beating Tom to the scoop.
Nothing like a LinkedIn announcement.
Nothing like a LinkedIn announcement.
With this, Onstad mentioned that the club had to “pull forward” GAM to remain competitive in ‘24.
For context, MLS allows its clubs to take a set amount of the next year’s GAM and apply it against budget charges in the current year, as I wrote last month:
(1/3)
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
For context, MLS allows its clubs to take a set amount of the next year’s GAM and apply it against budget charges in the current year, as I wrote last month:
(1/3)
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
January 14, 2025 at 3:51 AM
With this, Onstad mentioned that the club had to “pull forward” GAM to remain competitive in ‘24.
For context, MLS allows its clubs to take a set amount of the next year’s GAM and apply it against budget charges in the current year, as I wrote last month:
(1/3)
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
For context, MLS allows its clubs to take a set amount of the next year’s GAM and apply it against budget charges in the current year, as I wrote last month:
(1/3)
open.substack.com/pub/mbmachad...
Yedlin's spot, meanwhile, was filled by Weigandt, who was acquired on loan. In addition to reaping the benefits of a likely salary split, the club paid no loan fee, meaning his budget charge was effectively just the portion of his salary owed by Miami. Compare his number to that of Yedlin... (4/)
December 16, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Yedlin's spot, meanwhile, was filled by Weigandt, who was acquired on loan. In addition to reaping the benefits of a likely salary split, the club paid no loan fee, meaning his budget charge was effectively just the portion of his salary owed by Miami. Compare his number to that of Yedlin... (4/)
To illustrate those nuances, Miami generated the largest trade surplus of guaranteed 2024 GAM (~$1.12m). Over half of their acquired GAM (~$673k) came from dealing Miller and Yedlin, both of whom played significant minutes in 2023. (1/)
December 16, 2024 at 7:14 PM
To illustrate those nuances, Miami generated the largest trade surplus of guaranteed 2024 GAM (~$1.12m). Over half of their acquired GAM (~$673k) came from dealing Miller and Yedlin, both of whom played significant minutes in 2023. (1/)
$100k is well below the going rate for an International Roster Slot at this point in the offseason, suggesting that no Crew players will be selected in Wednesday’s Expansion Draft.
December 9, 2024 at 9:22 PM
$100k is well below the going rate for an International Roster Slot at this point in the offseason, suggesting that no Crew players will be selected in Wednesday’s Expansion Draft.
Worth noting that even before this trade with SJ, the Revs had the largest surplus of guaranteed 2025 GAM.
December 2, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Worth noting that even before this trade with SJ, the Revs had the largest surplus of guaranteed 2025 GAM.
A look at the estimated numbers shows the work that went into assembling this year’s roster to ensure maximum flexibility heading into ‘25.
November 26, 2024 at 5:11 PM
A look at the estimated numbers shows the work that went into assembling this year’s roster to ensure maximum flexibility heading into ‘25.