FanGraphs Audio: Harrison Crow of American Soccer Analysis

by
August 24, 2018

Episode 831
Unlike the top European leagues, where a few wealthy clubs enter each season virtually assured of finishing atop their respective country’s tables, Major League Soccer offers considerable parity. On this edition of FanGraphs Audio, Harrison Crow of American Soccer Analysis addresses the implications of that parity, while also discussing certain notable concepts in soccer analytics and the players who best illustrate them — for example, Sebastian Giovinco and the myth of “finishing skill,” Ilsinho and what constitutes a successful dribble, and every player on Sporting Kansas City as they relate to the value of shot volume.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @cistulli on Twitter.

You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things.

Audio after the jump. (Approximately 1 hr 10 min play time.)

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Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.

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Spa City
7 years ago

Someday… an American Football Club will make the English Premier League. That day will be the dawn of a Golden Age for football in America.

And I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. “A team from outside England could not play in the English Premier League,” you say. But Cardiff City is in the Premier League, and Swansea City was in the Premier League last year (unfortunately relegated), and both of those clubs are from Wales. If Cardiff City can make the Premier League, then why not give Atlanta United or NYC FC a chance?

If the EPL is willing to take Welsh teams, then an American team should be eligible too. Imagine the benefits… The EPL would add hundreds of millions of fans (who would collectively spend billions of dollars on EPL kits, scarves, clothes, TV packages, etc) and US soccer would take off like never before.

Although you can buy almost anything on Amazon, you still cannot buy EPL kits. I had to order a Brighton & Hove Albion kit from the Seagulls Direct site and have it shipped from the UK. Sad.

My plan makes too much sense. And so therefore probably it will never happen.

-3
RobertMember since 2017
7 years ago
Reply to  Spa City

I’ve read some terrible, completely wrong opinions in the comment section on this website over the years, but this is the first one related to soccer.

-2
hokies311
7 years ago
Reply to  Spa City

By that logic, let’s go ahead and throw one KBO team into the MLB to mix those markets. Never mind the travel demands…

-3
dukewinslowMember since 2020
7 years ago
Reply to  Spa City

I doubt an MLS all star team would make the playoff positions in the Championship, let alone the EPL.

-5