Blair Newman
@secondball.bsky.social
Women's football. Write for The Equalizer. Guardian Top 100 panelist. Worked as next opponent scout for SPFL teams. PFSA Level 2 qualification: Talent ID, Technical scouting.
Best goal I've seen a Scotland player score, absolutely stunning.
Scott McTominay has scored one of Scotland's greatest goals.
His magnificent overhead kick might send his country through to their first men's World Cup since 1998.
His magnificent overhead kick might send his country through to their first men's World Cup since 1998.
November 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Best goal I've seen a Scotland player score, absolutely stunning.
Orlando happy to play long to no-one, play the game in Gotham's half, put pressure on and create something from a turnover of possession. I'd say they won the first half battle as we've seen little of Gotham's myriad creative players.
November 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Orlando happy to play long to no-one, play the game in Gotham's half, put pressure on and create something from a turnover of possession. I'd say they won the first half battle as we've seen little of Gotham's myriad creative players.
Remember reading an interview with Shaw in SheKicks (now HerGoal) where she talked about growing up playing lots of street football & believe she also said started out as a midfielder...it shows. Cannonball it at her and she'll find some body part, chest thigh foot head, to keep it in her vicinity!
Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Remember reading an interview with Shaw in SheKicks (now HerGoal) where she talked about growing up playing lots of street football & believe she also said started out as a midfielder...it shows. Cannonball it at her and she'll find some body part, chest thigh foot head, to keep it in her vicinity!
Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.
November 16, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Bunny Shaw's first touch is as good as you'll find among centre forwards. Can make it stick in a few different ways.
One to watch for sure
Deadline Day in Spain 🇪🇸
Real Madrid has signed Lotte Keukelaar from AFC Ajax until 2030! ✍️🇳🇱
Real Madrid has signed Lotte Keukelaar from AFC Ajax until 2030! ✍️🇳🇱
September 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
One to watch for sure
Happened in Celtic men's v Rangers, 2019. Celtic launched it out of touch to put pressure on from the first whistle. Won the game 2-0. Luis Enrique didn't invent this and it's not new. It's a tactic to use intermittently, as it's very easy for opposition to cotton on to.
Crazy or Genius, you tell us 🤔👇
Angel City has adopted a trending kick off strategy that forces their opponent into a throw-in deep in their own territory.
Angel City has adopted a trending kick off strategy that forces their opponent into a throw-in deep in their own territory.
September 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Happened in Celtic men's v Rangers, 2019. Celtic launched it out of touch to put pressure on from the first whistle. Won the game 2-0. Luis Enrique didn't invent this and it's not new. It's a tactic to use intermittently, as it's very easy for opposition to cotton on to.
This:
having a player sit on Keira Walsh is always a great way to nullify any team Walsh plays in #wsl-live
September 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This:
Bright can play. Needs ball into box. Dash one of the most patient attacking teams in the league. She can get 5-10 per season but only with service. Outside of that, a good target striker who knows how to use her body, good touch, works hard. Don't confuse stats and outcomes, she can play.
September 8, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Bright can play. Needs ball into box. Dash one of the most patient attacking teams in the league. She can get 5-10 per season but only with service. Outside of that, a good target striker who knows how to use her body, good touch, works hard. Don't confuse stats and outcomes, she can play.
Goodwin has ran the line as best she can, lacking quality service or link up with teammates. Some nice runs, but this isn't her game. Ultimately I see her as an Ellen White type, playing the width of the posts. She'll require more cross balls to attack (London City have played 4 all game, per BBC).
For all the new signings, the London City player I'm most intrigued by this season is Izzy Goodwin. 22-year-old striker who scored loads in the English second tier.
September 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Goodwin has ran the line as best she can, lacking quality service or link up with teammates. Some nice runs, but this isn't her game. Ultimately I see her as an Ellen White type, playing the width of the posts. She'll require more cross balls to attack (London City have played 4 all game, per BBC).
Precheur bringing player-marking defensive style from PSG to London City. It's rare to see in football today. Brazil and Wolfsburg perhaps the only recent exponents at the top level? Feels like Arsenal have figured it out as the game has gone on, but wouldn't surprise me if most WSL teams struggled
September 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Precheur bringing player-marking defensive style from PSG to London City. It's rare to see in football today. Brazil and Wolfsburg perhaps the only recent exponents at the top level? Feels like Arsenal have figured it out as the game has gone on, but wouldn't surprise me if most WSL teams struggled
For all the new signings, the London City player I'm most intrigued by this season is Izzy Goodwin. 22-year-old striker who scored loads in the English second tier.
September 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
For all the new signings, the London City player I'm most intrigued by this season is Izzy Goodwin. 22-year-old striker who scored loads in the English second tier.
The Vlatko Andonovski conundrum
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
The Vlatko Andonovski conundrum
Understanding Andonovski's success with Kansas City compared to failure with USWNT
equalizersoccer.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The Vlatko Andonovski conundrum
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social I explore why Vlatko Andonovski has been such a success back in the NWSL with Kansas City Current having fallen flat with the USWNT
equalizersoccer.com/2025/09/05/t...
Fox improved because Hayes streamlined her national team role. Heaps in my opinion became a worse player in a dominant side whose financial superiority begets a time on ball that hides bad habits. Lavelle sat on the bench for a rigid head coach with an eye for talent most on Bsky comfortably rival
You're correct. The whole "development" angle is a bit of a red herring, anyway. Easy to say, but what does it actually mean? I can't think of a single top American who has gone to Europe and become better, but that's just off the top of my head
September 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Fox improved because Hayes streamlined her national team role. Heaps in my opinion became a worse player in a dominant side whose financial superiority begets a time on ball that hides bad habits. Lavelle sat on the bench for a rigid head coach with an eye for talent most on Bsky comfortably rival
Best goalkeeper in the league...I think there's a case for best in the world too.
August 31, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Best goalkeeper in the league...I think there's a case for best in the world too.
Here's my piece on Louisville, and how Bev Yanez's search for marginal gains has made them the story of this NWSL season (so far). For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social:
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/28/w...
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/28/w...
Why Louisville are the story of the 2025 NWSL season (so far)
Last Sunday, Racing Louisville emerged from the toughest imaginable run of National Women’s Soccer League fixtures in a playoff position. Their slog, which took in two games apiece against Orlando Pri...
equalizersoccer.com
August 29, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Here's my piece on Louisville, and how Bev Yanez's search for marginal gains has made them the story of this NWSL season (so far). For @equalizersoccer.bsky.social:
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/28/w...
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/28/w...
Not many that fit the Louisville model more than Morris.
Racing Louisville FC has acquired versatile second-year player Makenna Morris in a trade with the Washington Spirit.
In exchange, Washington received $115,000 in allocation funds.
In exchange, Washington received $115,000 in allocation funds.
August 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Not many that fit the Louisville model more than Morris.
Racing Louisville the story of the season so far. Not sure Yanez could get much more out of the team than she has. It reminds me a bit of Hines' first year in Orlando.
August 25, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Racing Louisville the story of the season so far. Not sure Yanez could get much more out of the team than she has. It reminds me a bit of Hines' first year in Orlando.
Wheeler - back post goal threat
Players I'm intrigued to watch this year 2
Messiah Bright, target/channel runner with unique combo of physical + touch/skill, can help Houston up field + get goals if they put ball in box
Ellie Wheeler, excellent athlete, covers the whole flank from FB and can even offer goal threat at back post
Messiah Bright, target/channel runner with unique combo of physical + touch/skill, can help Houston up field + get goals if they put ball in box
Ellie Wheeler, excellent athlete, covers the whole flank from FB and can even offer goal threat at back post
August 24, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Wheeler - back post goal threat
Ovalle is a big signing and Orlando fans have a right to be excited, but I question whether she changes that game or proves a real success story. NWSL is multiple steps up, and she's at a stage where she is the player she is and needs to adjust very quickly. Timing is a factor.
August 22, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Ovalle is a big signing and Orlando fans have a right to be excited, but I question whether she changes that game or proves a real success story. NWSL is multiple steps up, and she's at a stage where she is the player she is and needs to adjust very quickly. Timing is a factor.
Seattle...too many players out of position to make this system work? A bit of shoehorning going on & you see it in moments, specifically in defence. I inherently like any team in any variation of 3-5-2, just inexplicable personal preference...but there are times Seattle's version looks bonkers.
August 19, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Seattle...too many players out of position to make this system work? A bit of shoehorning going on & you see it in moments, specifically in defence. I inherently like any team in any variation of 3-5-2, just inexplicable personal preference...but there are times Seattle's version looks bonkers.
I remember Fishlock at Reading, she was basically three players in one. From memory she often took goal kicks, then run into midfield, help build the attack, then she'd get into the final third and score/set up the odd goal. Don't think I've ever seen a "one player team" like that. Force of nature
August 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I remember Fishlock at Reading, she was basically three players in one. From memory she often took goal kicks, then run into midfield, help build the attack, then she'd get into the final third and score/set up the odd goal. Don't think I've ever seen a "one player team" like that. Force of nature
Mia McAulay, one to watch. Great movement, good speed, already has experience playing different positions, both wings. Of all the young Scottish players to break out last few years, she stands out to me.
Which talent will be the next to play in Europe’s top leagues? 💫
August 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Mia McAulay, one to watch. Great movement, good speed, already has experience playing different positions, both wings. Of all the young Scottish players to break out last few years, she stands out to me.
Copa America recap, my latest for EQZ
Brazil won but had their wobbles, Claudia Martinez is a star of the future, and my best XI picks:
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/04/c...
Brazil won but had their wobbles, Claudia Martinez is a star of the future, and my best XI picks:
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/04/c...
Copa América Femenina Analysis: How Brazil won, best players, stars of the future
Brazil lifted the Copa América Femenina once again, but it was anything but easy. Blair Newman recaps a thrilling Copa tournament.
equalizersoccer.com
August 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Copa America recap, my latest for EQZ
Brazil won but had their wobbles, Claudia Martinez is a star of the future, and my best XI picks:
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/04/c...
Brazil won but had their wobbles, Claudia Martinez is a star of the future, and my best XI picks:
equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/04/c...
Marta Marta Marta !!!
August 2, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Marta Marta Marta !!!