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TacticsFreeZone™

The place for high-level MLS and USMNT analysis. And scotch. ©2026.

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MLS Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 19

Still a lot of post-World Cup sorting happening, but I'm clearly buying what I've seen from the Crew, while alarms should be sounding in a few spots out West

Lewy's first, Evander ascends & everyone's mad about penalties | Matchday 19

From Atlanta's disaster act to Evander's one-man wrecking crew in Cincy, plus the penalty calls nobody can agree on – everything from Matchweek 19 before I disappear for two weeks.

MLS 3.0 means a new salary cap, plus problems in Atlanta & more | Mailbag

Sorting out what to expect from the meeting this week that could mean a vastly different salary cap & roster building structure

MLS Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 18

Welcome back. It is time, once again, for the most important article in the history of the world. At least until next week. A reminder to folks who are new here: the Power Rankings are not they standings. They are a combination of: How well they've played lately

Coaching changes spark turnarounds for Philly, Portland & the Crew | Matchday 18

The kids are breaking through in Philly, the sun's shining for Portland, no Lewy bump for Chicago and more from Matchday 18

Transfer Window Guide: Each Western Conference team's status & needs

Another season of disappointment in LA, a tipping-point reached in Seattle, and Seb Berhalter about to cross the pond?

Transfer Window Guide: Each Eastern Conference team's status & needs

The window's been open for a week and a number of teams have been cooking already. Some others, though...

The final numbers: Where MLS ranks for minutes, goals & more at the 2026 World Cup

The numbers don’t lie: by virtually every metric, MLS was the 6th-most successful league at this World Cup

Pay-to-play, MLS academies and the growth of the US player pipeline: Have we reached a tipping point?

Forget ending pay-to-play nationwide. Our real path to global relevance lies in expanding free, pro-scouted pipelines at the exact moment other sports steal our best talent.

Wishcasting one *realistic* World Cup signing for each MLS team

From DP-slot logjams to sub-DP bargains, matching 30 World Cup performers to the 30 MLS teams that could realistically sign them

What went wrong vs. Belgium & a look-ahead to the 2028 Copa América

Nine years after Couva, the USMNT finally looked like the team we were promised — for a month, anyway. On the difference between disappointment and despair

Tactical Preview: USMNT go for history – and some revenge – against Belgium

A full-strength US side have a chance to make history, and a familiar foe to do it against.

Player Ratings: No panic in this US group as they strangle the life out of Bosnia's attack

This US team has hit a level of talent, structure and execution that's making it fair to dream of a run to the quarters – or beyond

Tactical Preview: For the first time ever, USMNT go into a knockout round game as favorites

The USMNT have spent decades chasing respect. Now they have to carry expectation.

From 2022 to 2026: Tracking the Growth of MLS on the World's Biggest Stage

The numbers don’t lie: MLS ranks 7th in group stage minutes and 6th in goals, proving the league's global quality is rising.