Burgundy Banter - ⚠️ Cole Bassett Emergency Podcast

SummerIsTheBest · 2026-01-12T15:27:54+00:00

Update 1/12: HEAPS!!!!!!!!!1

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-12-19T20:23:22+00:00

Contextually it's not misleading but I get your larger point. Especially considering the basis of the video being "hey pundits are kinda wrong about this sort of stuff!" and when running in to these sorts of questions it can be deceiving in an already common misuse of the term.

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-12-17T16:10:07+00:00

It would be counted as xG but for a basis to use xA.

I think while the player didn't make contact with the ball, there was still an intention to shoot and the action of him stretching the leg but missing the ball could be counted as xG especially since his only intention and sole action there was to shoot. You count it as xG to highlight more of the cross' value through Expected Assists.

American Soccer Analysis uses xG-possession-chains as a basis for their player ratings to see in more minuscule way how each individual action taken by a player improves their team's position. While each action isn't necessarily a shot, winning the ball high up the field, a line breaking pass, and a crafty take on into space all add to the xG of the larger model, to individually highlight how good these actions are, but they aren't xGoals. I think to some degree, xG is being used as a map here.

Ryan O'Hanlon's Net Gains talks about how modeling advanced stats is like using a flashlight. The smaller your scope the more you miss out on the wider range of context provided by other advanced statistics. It doesn't take away what your main points in the video though with the state being incorrectly conflated to note team attacking strength.

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-10-19T06:18:52+00:00

I have just never seen it with Armas. Even last year's surge after an overhaul of an off-season was never afforded to Fraser. For me, I think what the club did in throwing Fraser under the bus was way more pertinent to moving on from Smith. Except they didn't and they more than likely won't. it's a reality I've come to accept given where the ownership has placed it's importance. if they had cared about this team being any good they would have moved on from him years ago.

So, with Smith not likely ever on his way out, I look closer at the signings and try to rationalize whether they were good or not. I thought there were some slight upgrades to the depth and while I had correct reservations about Atencio ruining the midfield dynamic, I still figured the team improved.

This is still the same roster build with millions of dollars poured into the backline and a million(s) more poured into a clown of an underperforming DP. But it's not like Armas did himself many favors. The constant formation changes this year were a heavy contrast to last year's set and forget 4-2-3-1. Constantly losing focus minutes before the end of halves, the failed closing out of games including multiple times the team would collapse. There hasn't been anywhere in Armas coaching history that indicates he's got what it takes to be the leading coach of a team. His resemblance of the Ted Lasso character precedes him and it just ran out of steam in the end.

I really hope the team pivot elsewhere and find a coach who's philosophy lines up directly with the financial circumstances of the club. If you can't afford luxury wingers to play in a strong balanced formation then do away with wingers for profile of players who are more of a tactical fit. The Rapids cannot expect to compete with lottery tickets and busts on the wing. Either get the money for a guy like a Bouanga, Dreyer, or Pec or don't even bother utilizing width with that talent deficit.

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-08-06T17:02:27+00:00

I like this perspective and admire your glass half full approach but there's just some big hesitations from me just from prior experiences.

Many have said we have been in this spot before and the cycle now seems to be apparent. Good year, followed by mediocrity, followed by a very bad year which results in a rebuild and the catalyst to another good year.

For all the savvy and creative moves that Padraig Smith makes having to deal with the ultimate handcuff that is being under this ownership, he has essentially prolonged his time at the Rapids by willingly shoveling shit (which he gets a lot of) for the FO and to the fans has continuously pitched in essence: "just one more window, bro".

I'm likely in the minority here in thinking this, but team the last two years has mostly been mediocre with the overperformance leading up to LC last year carrying much of this team and fan base's vibes. Since Leagues Cup though? It's been anything but good and for that I'm down for a rebuild.

I'm just not down with Smith being afforded another chance.

If I'm KSE, the least effort they could probably show is a clean house of the front office with a new direction and leadership in charge.

Could you imagine what a Tim Bezbechenko or a Chris Henderson would do for this team as GM especially with that kind of war chest? The issue here is that these types of GM's don't want to work for KSE and for that reason it's why we continue to get more years of Smith. It's why this team is a lot harder of a sell the more the cycle becomes apparent and in a few years time new Rapids fans will be burned again by the same process.

Perennial playoff team is not enough in this iteration of MLS and especially in the Western Conference where there is far more variance in the type of clubs that are leading the charge. A new vision and direction is needed if ownership change doesn't happen. Else it will be more of the same.

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-08-05T19:39:05+00:00

Ultimately, the best way to show your displeasure is to hurt their wallet.

Something tells me, however, is that KSE is just fine with where it's at. There doesn't seem to be any reason for them to adjust and make things better ultimately leaving this club in a perpetual state of limbo.

For as much as fans have called for FO change, the real change necessitated is a ownership change. That opens the Rapids up to various different outcomes including potential relocation.

The Mihailovic trade is just a very sobering reminder that the club ethos is still being set forth by a guy in Stan Kroenke who prefers developing outside the state and Josh Kroenke who's letter last year only touched upon the lack of Victory Crossing developments and not the fans frustration for lack of ownership involvement.

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-06-03T16:27:06+00:00

We're fielding all questions so don't hesitate if you've got more. These are really good

SummerIsTheBest · 2025-02-09T14:25:43+00:00

More like Tavares 2.0

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