Marc Machado
@marcmachado.bsky.social
📤 435
📥 145
📝 201
Analytics & Recruitment
@chicagofire.bsky.social
https://mbmachado.substack.com/
pinned post!
I don't post personal updates often, but for those who follow my Substack/have noticed my inactivity there, I wanted to share that I've joined the Chicago Fire as a data analyst/scout. Grateful for everyone who read/supported my work, dating back to my time with B&RU. Excited for what's ahead! 🔥🆙
16 days ago
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Chicago Fire FC
7 days ago
🗣️ Because maybeeeeeee Robin is in Chicago babyyyyyyy And after alllllll We signed Robin Lodddddddd 🗣️ We have acquired Finland National Team midfielder Robin Lod as a free agent.
#cf97
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I don't post personal updates often, but for those who follow my Substack/have noticed my inactivity there, I wanted to share that I've joined the Chicago Fire as a data analyst/scout. Grateful for everyone who read/supported my work, dating back to my time with B&RU. Excited for what's ahead! 🔥🆙
16 days ago
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Marc Machado
Chicago Fire FC
21 days ago
Thank you for everything, Guti 👏 We have transferred Chicago native and Homegrown midfielder Brian Gutiérrez to LigaMX side Club Deportivo Guadalajara for a multi-million-dollar transfer fee.
#cf97
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Marc Machado
John Muller
29 days ago
Just give Doyle and Wiebe a small budget and complete editorial freedom to make 10 hours of stuff worth watching on Apple TV every week, it would transform MLS overnight
add a skeleton here at some point
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Tom Bogert
about 2 months ago
MLS plans to extend transfer windows a bit beyond when major European windows close after the schedule flips in summer of 2027. MLS also has gotten green light from FIFA and Concacaf to include the three Canadian MLS teams as domestic, so all 30 MLS clubs will be aligned.
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Joseph Lowery
2 months ago
Without spending big, the Seattle Sounders have assembled an all-time MLS roster to withstand one of the busiest seasons ever. “Our fourth DP is our development system,” general manager Craig Waibel told me. “That’s where we choose to spend the money because it’s working.” For
@backheeled.com
⤵️
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How the Seattle Sounders turned smart spending into an all-time great MLS roster
MLS is keeping its teams busier than ever, so the Sounders are looking inward to create an elite squad.
https://www.backheeled.com/how-seattle-sounders-mls-turned-smart-spending-into-all-time-great-roster/
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Matthew Doyle
2 months ago
Free Newsletter: Best XI, Awards Ballot & final Power Rankings vote of the year! This is the longest newsletter I will ever write (b/c I should've put out the awards ballot as a separate post last week... oh well!)
open.substack.com/pub/tacticsf...
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Best XI, Awards Ballot & final Power Rankings vote of the year!
This is the longest newsletter I'll ever write. I am sorry.
https://open.substack.com/pub/tacticsfreezone/p/best-xi-awards-ballot-and-final-power?r=1089y&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
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Alexander Abnos
3 months ago
Pochettino: "Cristian Roldan is maybe an example of if you want to build your perfect player...he has a little bit of everything."
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Tom Bogert
3 months ago
BREAKING: Columbus Crew midfielder and MLS legend Darlington Nagbe is retiring after the 2025 MLS season, per sources. Nagbe, 35, is a four-time MLS Cup winner (2015, 2018, 2020, 2023) with three clubs (Portland, Atlanta, Columbus). One of MLS's best-ever midfielders 👏
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MLS Communications
3 months ago
With three goals in the first half tonight, Chicago Fire FC have now scored 39 road goals this regular season, which is the second most in a single season in MLS history (44, LA Galaxy in 1998).
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Marc Machado
The District Press
4 months ago
It's been a disappointing DC United season, and the owners are finally speaking up about the club's struggles. @blazindw.bsky.social sits down with
#DCU
owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan for an in depth interview on what the club's path forward will be to rebuild the trust of the fans.
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DC United owners Jason Levien, Steve Kaplan speak candidly on team struggles, need to rebuild support
DC United is entering the final few weeks of what has been a very disappointing 2025 season. They were the first team to be eliminated from contention for the MLS Cup playoffs, marking the sixth straight season that they will miss out on the postseason. In July, they fired head coach Troy Lesesne, bringing in René Weiler after a month of having academy director Kevin Flanagan serve as the interim coach until the visa process could be finalized.
https://thedistrictpress.com/2025/09/16/dc-united-owners-jason-levien-steve-kaplan-speak-candidly-on-team-struggles-need-to-rebuild-support/
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Joseph Lowery
4 months ago
At first glance, Charlotte FC look unremarkable. A longer look, however, paints them as a legit trophy threat. I dive into Sir Minty's boys + soccer injustice that was done in San Diego, LAFC's new look, DC United's latest low & more. For Backheeled ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/mls-winners-...
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MLS Winners and Losers: LAFC's "no-brainer", Charlotte FC's hot streak & more
LAFC tried a new look, Charlotte FC wrote their name in the record books, the Vancouver Whitecaps didn't play with their food, and more.
https://www.backheeled.com/mls-winners-and-losers-lafc-son-bouanga-charlotte-fc-win-streak-record-more/
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Jamon M - MLS and footy analysis
4 months ago
Friday Stat Dump: This week we are looking at "Positive Possessions". Positive Possessions are those which end at a point further up the pitch than they started. Seems simple enough? Let's get into it. Possessions by themselves are neither good nor bad. It matters more what you do with them. 1/
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Jason Anderson
5 months ago
Mateusz Klich signed with KS Cracovia today, but per D.C. United this *does not* open up a Designated Player slot for them.
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As of May 1, TFC had no GAM remaining (and one of the ugliest cap situations in the league). They’ve since accumulated $900k in 2025 GAM through trades, while generating an additional $200k in guaranteed 2026 GAM. Factor in the DP moves, and it feels like a page is being turned in Toronto.
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5 months ago
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Marc Machado
Tom Bogert
5 months ago
Fluminense have officially signed Colombian attacker Santi Moreno from the Portland Timbers. Transfer fee around $6m. Timbers will net north of $5m. Fluminense and America de Cali found solution to lower Cali’s sell-on % from initial deal.
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Gregory Roche
5 months ago
Here's a fun fact: DCU's Academy GK coach left the club over the winter and they didn't hire a replacement until the summer. The interim GK coach for the Academy? Jordan Farr.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Marc Machado
Tom Bogert
5 months ago
🚨🇰🇷 BREAKING: LAFC & Tottenham in advanced talks over potential fee in ballpark of $20m (£15m) for Son Heung-Min, per sources - Personal terms close to being finalized - Spurs asked for £30m when Saudi asked - Deal could conclude quickly w/
@jacobsben.bsky.social
www.givemesport.com/lafc-son-heu...
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Exclusive: LAFC, Tottenham in advanced talks over $20m fee for Son
LAFC and Tottenham are in advanced talks over a deal worth around $20 million to sign Son Heung-Min, per sources.
https://www.givemesport.com/lafc-son-heung-min-transfer-tottenham-sources/
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Marc Machado
Donald Wine II
5 months ago
Eyob Joe Mamo, part owner of
#DCU
, says at the press conference for the friendly against the Ethiopian national team that he hopes the club pursues “older Premier League players” and has spoken with Jason Levine about pursuing those kind of players.
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Seth
5 months ago
Matt Turner will be loaned to the New England Revolution with an option to buy, according to L’Equipe
#NERevs
add a skeleton here at some point
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Marc Machado
Tom Bogert
5 months ago
🇩🇪🇨🇦 Sources: The Vancouver Whitecaps are closing in on total agreement on personal terms with legend Thomas Müller. Only final details remain. TAM in 2025, DP in 2026 ➕ Vancouver still in negotiations w/ Cincinnati for discovery rights w/
@jacobsben.bsky.social
www.givemesport.com/thomas-mulle...
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Vancouver Whitecaps nearing total agreement on personal terms with Thomas MĂĽller: Sources
The Vancouver Whitecaps are nearing a total agreement on personal terms with free agent forward Thomas MĂĽller, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.
https://www.givemesport.com/thomas-muller-vancouver-whitecaps-sources/
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Marc Machado
Tom Bogert
5 months ago
🚨 BREAKING: Vancouver Whitecaps in talks with Müller, per sources. Whitecaps in talks with FC Cincinnati over discovery rights too. Nothing agreed yet, but update follows Müller confirming his next club is "across the pond". With
@jacobsben.bsky.social
✍️
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5 months ago
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Tom Bogert
5 months ago
🇺🇸 Sources: The Colorado Rapids have acquired USYNT center back Noah Cobb from Atlanta United. Deal is a loan thru the season with a purchase option. Cobb, who just turned 20, had made 40 first team apps for Atlanta.
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Marc Machado
Michele Giannone
5 months ago
After my postgame interview with Club América HC André Jardine
@mls.bsky.social
I kinda jokingly said “We are waiting for you here in MLS”… he replied: “I think it’s going to happen” I don’t know but I think there’s a certain team in SoCal looking for a new HC.
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Marc Machado
Paul Tenorio
5 months ago
LAFC is pushing hard to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min in this summer window, according to multiple sources briefed on talks. No major progress as yet, but LAFC trying hard to get the South Korean superstar for 2025 and beyond.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
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Sources: LAFC eyeing Son Heung-min for summer transfer splash
LAFC has two open designated player spots and is eyeing the Tottenham and South Korea star for one of them
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6510015/2025/07/23/lafc-son-heung-min-summer-transfer-mls-tottenham/
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HAR JOURNALIST
5 months ago
#VWFC's
Ranko Veselinović has suffered a season-ending injury. An ACL tear in his left knee during the first half of last Saturday's match at San Diego. The club’s medical team, along with Veselinović, will determine next steps in the coming days.
#MLS
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Marc Machado
American Soccer Analysis
5 months ago
We had our say on the state of analytics in MLS. Now the staffers get theirs'. Here's the 2025 MLS analytics survey:
www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2025/7/21/2025-mls-analytics-survey
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2025 MLS Analytics Survey — American Soccer Analysis
Every year, we update the State of MLS Analytics by putting teams into tiers based upon how many analytics staff they have. However, the number of analytics staff members doesn’t necessarily say a...
https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2025/7/21/2025-mls-analytics-survey
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Marc Machado
Minnesota United FC
6 months ago
The club has acquired $1.6 million from St. Louis CITY SC in a Cash for Player trade for forward Sang Bin Jeong. The club may receive an additional $400,000 if certain performance metrics are met, and retains a sell-on percentage on any future transfer of Sang Bin.
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Marc Machado
Tom Bogert
6 months ago
Sources: Atlanta United will receive $450k GAM + $350k add ons from Montréal for Efrain Morales. Atlanta retain sell on clause as well
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Tom Bogert
6 months ago
Sources: CF Montréal have reached an agreement to acquire center back Efrain Morales from Atlanta United. Morales, 21, has made 12 first team apps for Atlanta. Deal set as George Campbell leaves MTL for West Brom
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Burgundy Wave
6 months ago
BREAKING: Kévin Cabral waived by Colorado Rapids. Wow. Immediately frees up a DP slot/U22 slot. Working to get more details on what this means given LA Galaxy were paying roughly half of his salary. A show of intent financially by the club to cut bait now.
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Marc Machado
Brian McKay
6 months ago
If
@tombogert.bsky.social
is correct here that this is convertible to GAM, that would mean the LA Galaxy ownership didn’t allow the FO to convert all the Joveljic money. Which would have gone a long way towards preventing their disastrous season. Puts the whole situation in another light.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Gregory Roche
6 months ago
MLS Summer Transfer Window opens Thursday. No one knows what DCU will do (maybe not even the club), but what CAN they do?
@marcmachado.bsky.social
joins me to discuss DCU's cap situation and where all the winter GAM went.
www.buzzsprout.com/8793/episode...
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D.C. United's Summer Cap Situation - Pitch Pass
With the summer transfer window in MLS opening, what options does D.C. United have with regards to their roster flexibility? Marc Machado knows MLS numbers as well as anyone and he joins Roche to...
https://www.buzzsprout.com/8793/episodes/17525929-d-c-united-s-summer-cap-situation
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Tom Bogert
6 months ago
Sources: FC Nantes finalizing a deal to sign center back Chidozie Awaziem from the Colorado Rapids. L’Equipe first. Awaziem wanted to go back to Europe, his family isn’t in America. Colorado didn’t stand in his way, did right by the player.
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Tom Bogert
6 months ago
Update on Rodrigo De Paul: The current plan being communicated is that De Paul will NOT be a designated player for rest of 2025 while on loan That would mean Inter Miami's DPs remain: Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba TAM includes Luis Suarez & De Paul With
@jacobsben.bsky.social
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Marc Machado
Darnay Tripp
6 months ago
Milan Iloski’s run with San Diego FC is over. With no agreement on an extension the sides agreed on a mutual loan termination. Iloski scored 12 goals in 15 total games, including four at Vancouver to help SDFC reach first place. Escondido native returns to FC Nordsjælland.
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Arman Kafai
6 months ago
They have no idea how to intertwine the two and it was obvious in 2024. They won MLSNP with an older roster and touted as a huge result… when winning may not really be as much of a priority at that stage. They’re not tough to play, don’t have fun tactics, and aren’t known for anything special.
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Marc Machado
Tom Bogert
6 months ago
Sources: St. Louis City are finalizing deals to acquire Sang Bin Jeong and Devin Padelford from Minnesota United. Sang Bin is a cash trade and Padelford is a loan. Both players were left out of Minnesota's matchday squad last night.
www.givemesport.com/st-louis-to-...
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St. Louis to acquire two players from Minnesota United: Sources
St. Louis City are finalizing deals to acquire attacker Sang Bin Jeong and defender Devin Padelford from Minnesota United, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.
https://www.givemesport.com/st-louis-to-acquire-two-players-from-minnesota-united-sources/
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Tom Bogert
6 months ago
🇨đź‡âš«ď¸Ź BREAKING: D.C. United have agreed to terms with Swiss manager RenĂ© Weiler to become the club's next head coach. Weiler previously managed Anderlecht, Al Ahly, Servette and more.
www.givemesport.com/sources-dc-u...
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Sources: DC United to name Rene Weiler new manager
D.C. United have agreed to terms with Swiss manager René Weiler to become the club's next head coach, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.
https://www.givemesport.com/sources-dc-united-to-name-rene-weiler-manager/
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Steven Goff
6 months ago
Update, per sources: Kevin Flanagan, director of DCU academy and player development, is the interim coach until the permanent replacement, presumably from abroad, is cleared to take over.
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Brief thoughts on Lesesne news: 1) He isn’t solely (or even primarily?) to blame for how the season has gone. 2) His preferred structure did not align with the personnel (e.g., insistence on back four). 3) His inability to develop/improve the guys on the roster further limited the team’s ceiling.
6 months ago
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Marc Machado
Steven Goff
6 months ago
D.C. United just fired head coach Troy Lesesne and top assistant Zach Prince, per two sources. DCU has agreed to terms with an unidentified replacement, per sources.
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Marc Machado
US Open Cup News
6 months ago
This is the most goals @dcunited have ever given up in a
#USOpenCup
match. Ever.
#USOC2025
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After Peglow’s debut in March, I told
@joeclowery.bsky.social
that was the best I’d seen Schnegg in a DCU shirt. In hindsight, I don’t think that wasn’t a coincidence. With his off-ball positioning, speed to react/re-press, and combination play, Peglow offers Schnegg the cover/support he needs (1/)
6 months ago
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Not sure if anyone has this on hand, but is this the first time this year that all of DCU’s (active) DPs/U22s/TAM players are starting? Can’t think of another instance off the top of my head.
6 months ago
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John Muller
6 months ago
Minnesota United became the most aggressive set-piece team on the planet with old-fashioned tactics backed by new analytics — and now they can’t stop scoring from it. My first for The Guardian:
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The most aggressive set-piece team in the world plays in Minnesota
Under the guidance of a former Manchester United assistant, Minnesota United are finding MLS success with a surprising tactic
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/09/minnesota-united-set-pieces-throw-ins-free-kicks-tactics
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Matthew Doyle
6 months ago
Kossa-Rienzi to Rothrock. I'm not gonna lie: I think teams that ignore the draft are dumb.
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Jeremiah Oshan
6 months ago
Working to confirm but
@andrew-wiebe.bsky.social
just reported that the Sounders have already triggered Obed Vargas’ 2026 option and are working on a two-year contract extension. I assume he’d be a U22.
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Goal aside, difficult to overstate Ennali’s importance to the Dynamo. He presents that threat in behind that all possession-based teams need to create that extra space for the guys below. HOU hasn’t been afraid to play that slightly bit more direct tonight, and they’ve looked dangerous each time.
6 months ago
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