John Morrissey
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usltactics.com
John Morrissey
@usltactics.com
Co-host of @theuslshow.bsky.social, contributor at @Backheeled.com. Did oppo scouting and data for the Sacramento Republic and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
New Mexico is perennially at the top of the USL’s attendance table, and they’re using that support as a recruiting tool.

On that (and more!) as I break down how United has become a self-sustaining power and a factory for MLS coaching talent. 🔗⬇️

backheeled.com/how-new-mexi...
November 14, 2025 at 10:43 PM
The upside of the move? I'm able to build out better roster tracker and depth chart tools, which I'll keep iterating on this offseason.

(and also Ghost takes less money, so...)
November 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
PSA: I've migrated the blog from Substack to Ghost. Hopefully that won't have an impact on any email subscribers, but check out the new look on usltactics.com.

(Also, the old Substack will stay up as an archive for anyone that needs it.)
November 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The format for voters isn't one-to-one with an actual XI, but here's who appeared on my ballot.
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
rory delap every single day
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 AM
LONG. THROW. GOAL.
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Looks like it's actually Sunday
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
UNREAL
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Brutal set piece defending to put OCSC down, can't have that in the playoffs.
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 AM
They’re having a dive-off
November 9, 2025 at 2:34 AM
The saddest last-ever goal North Carolina could give up...
November 9, 2025 at 2:03 AM
And THAT is why you bring Albert Dikwa in off the bench.
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 AM
More Moursou: super tidy reception under pressure, give-and-go, and cross for a guy that's ostensibly a holding mid.
November 9, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Jean-Eric Moursou is going to be a very good USL player (if he isn't already), and plays like this to recover from the pivot and stonewall Taylor Calheira are a major reason why.
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 AM
...and this is what you get as a result. Rhode Island came into this match knowing giveaways leading to Oalex Anderson breaks were their Achilles' heel, and that's exactly what happens here.
November 9, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Stronger pressure usual from NCFC tonight - doing well to stay tight up the middle and pursue backpasses, and Mikey Maldonado is *everywhere*
November 9, 2025 at 12:25 AM
They’re calling it the most watchable broadcast of all time
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Substack's very legitimate algorithm thinks I'm growing faster than Pablo Torre
November 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
November 6, 2025 at 11:54 PM
November 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Was 100% convinced Tunbridge was about to win this thing on the last kick
November 3, 2025 at 3:01 AM
This is the third or fourth time tonight Blake Willey has made a half-field dribble to move Sacramento into the attacking zone, the 18-year-old is such a stellar prospect in the midfield.
November 3, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Charleston's growth as a team that's more than a short-pass machine has been huge across 2025, and it seems like the only way they'll be able to break Rhode Island down today.
November 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
square up
November 2, 2025 at 3:37 AM
This level of off-ball movement up the left is what El Paso needs every single time they break upfield, stellar from Gabi Torres to knife in behind.
November 2, 2025 at 2:50 AM