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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

Seattle

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

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...

Marta Marta Marta !!!

Brazil get caught 2v2 at the back off a simple long ball in transition and that could be tournament. It's not the first time Brazil have been caught like this - Uruguay did it to them all game, Paraguay had some success. Difference is Colombia defend better and have more clinical forwards.

Amanda Gutierres strikes again! Why did Elias leave her out of the starting lineup?

To be honest, why did Lorena rush out like that?

Just considering this Brazil defence sans Tarciane

Instant reaction is: big signing for an English 2nd division team. Watched Grec a bit in the French league and was impressed. Struck me as a Millie Bright type of centre-back. Injuries have disrupted her since then, but still a big move for Newcastle.

Gutierres makes it 4-1 just as Uruguay were coming alive again. Whoosh.

Amanda Gutierres goal. Nice movement to stay on, stunning header.

3-0 Brazil at half-time, but Uruguay caused problems. Aquino lively up front, often 1v1 winning with speed, skill giving Uruguay a fast transition threat, requiring last-ditch blocks.

My Euro bext XI

On Team Hampton since Birmingham. (Not everyone was, to be honest.) Her ability to spread the field as a goalkeeper always stood out. (Also thought her command of the box was good.) Today it's her shot-stopping, which feels like it's improved a lot over the years.

Three years ago I interviewed Hannah Hampton for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social. We focused on her unique ball-playing ability. At the time she was showing promise with Aston Villa. Now she is England's penalty-saving star as they retain the European Championship. equalizersoccer.com/2022/03/16/h...

Wiegman's go-to last-ditch tactic is wingers on their 'weak' side, playing in-swinging crosses while loading the box to test the keeper and centre-backs of the opponent (winning & often defending deeper). It had an effect against Spain three years ago, and against Sweden and Italy at this Euro.

My latest for EQZ looks at how the Euro semi-finals were won. Includes: England's inswingers and Bonmati's genius.

Probably the last thing Germany's tired, stretched defence needed to see was the sight of Martin-Prieto readying for arrival 💪

Few times this tourney Buhl's 'setup' touch has been heavy. Running into traffic rather than setting up her shot.

Germany keeping a high line, but not really trying to press high. Spain not taking advantage...is their lack of runners in the frontline holding them back? Not just lack of pace, but players that actually want to run in behind. Mariona, Pina, even Esther, all tend to prefer ball to feet, not space.

Real Madrid's Yasmim scored two identical free kicks in the first half of Brazil vs. Paraguay

The simple truth is England can bring on a higher quality of substitute. It's not mystical late-game realisation, it's levels. Very few, if any, European teams have that creativity and firepower off the bench. And the in-swinging crosses Plan B worked again...

Funny bounces happen but do think russo off has weakened England's hopes here, given the type of game it's going to be from now on

Italy able to control tempo using back-pass, sideways pass via GK + 3CBs. Russo doing her best to cut lanes & rush them, wildly outnumbered. If can't stop the long ball up to Girelli, at least need to do better job on 2nd balls, see below. Change of formation for Eng or fresher legs, both?

Watched Larisey a good bit while she played for Celtic. She was too good for that league but obviously NWSL is a huge step up. She will offer Houston something they've missed in attack: pace and a threat in behind defences.

Just saw Sangaré signed for Paris FC. Big step up in her career. Excited to see how she does.

Short video on Camila Arrieta's performance for Paraguay v Colombia the other night. The 23-year-old played left wing-back in a 5-3-2. Good anticipation, a number of interceptions + some skill on the ball too. Plays club footy in Brazil for 3b da Amazonia (joined from Cruzeiro in February).

France are gonna France again aren't they

To be fair, of all the teams to handle a defender being sent off, Germany probably are up there. Keep the back 4, Hoffmann can be an great relief valve, while Brand & Buhl remain as they were- real threats on the counter.

The Franceiest thing France could do right now is turn a goal and player advantage into another quarter final defeat.

Worrying early signs for Switzerland that they are struggling to cope with the wide areas in the new back four formation. Spain keep getting a free player at the back post on crosses into the box. Wouldn't be surprised if Sundhage shifts back to the 3-5-2 at some point to simplify things.

Different formation for Switzerland. Defensive 4-4-1-1, Beney up front with Schertenleib supporting. Walti still in CM with Vallotto. Crnogorcevic at right-back.