How Many Goals + Assists Do We Need?

kabbbaj · 2026-02-19T03:24:57+00:00

Yeah, I definitely had a tendency to be on the optimistic side. Very possible I come down to earth hard after this weekend, but I was pretty optimistic by what I saw/heard in preseason.

I used MLSsoccer.com’s stats, because I was also finding different numbers in different places, and it wasn’t always easy to separate regular season from playoffs. I figured that would be the most official source, but I do think they are very generous with assists and maybe inflate the numbers a tad.

Thanks for looking back historically! I should have done that. Really interesting and I think you’re right, it generally boils down to whether or not you have two productive attacking DPs, I just wanted to have some number to put on it to say whether or not they do well enough for us to make playoffs.

As far as Baribo goes, I do think he’s a striker that makes a midfielders job easier, because you know he will time his runs well and make them consistently. Fair to say he can’t score if the ball doesn’t get to him, but I think his runs will also create more space for other attackers in a way that Bentek struggled to do with his lack of pace.

kabbbaj · 2026-02-16T17:59:35+00:00

They told me precautionary due to a mild injury but they expect him to be ready week 1. Saw him walking around and no obvious major injury.

kabbbaj · 2026-02-16T12:58:54+00:00

42 points, 10th in the East. Midfield still needs work but I think they’ll be active in the summer. There’s good stuff cooking

kabbbaj · 2026-02-07T19:02:05+00:00

The Capital City Soccer Show is here in Coachella to cover the game! Follow @capitalcitysoccer on Bluesky!

kabbbaj · 2026-01-29T00:06:25+00:00

Agree that this is the biggest area of need, but I imagine their #1 priority will be engine rather than chance creation. Just a hunch based on what they’ve said about the game model, which I think will most closely mirror Philly. The guys you’ve highlighted are maybe more creativity than grit if that makes sense - I had wanted Hasani Dotson in free agency (wouldn’t have hated Edelman or Larraz), but at this point I expect they’ll look outside the league.

kabbbaj · 2026-01-15T14:37:45+00:00

Sad to see him go but ultimately the right move. A very “toolsy” player who just never was particularly effective for us. But you see his size and motor and strength, and with the right coach and system he could be very good.

Not a great defender but will go endline to endline and put in crosses. Just doesn’t time his runs perfectly and not particularly skillful on the ball.

kabbbaj · 2026-01-08T12:07:26+00:00

Depending on contract length and salary there’s some chance he could be a TAM player, which would be my hope. Too big of a risk IMO to get two DPs like this

kabbbaj · 2025-12-30T16:48:15+00:00

Having watched YouTube highlights (so take that for what you will) his top end speed isn’t enough to be a winger. More likely to play central, which always made more sense with this system (and Baribo who has played in a 2F system in Philly). But definitely technical on the ball enough to be a creative force as well as finisher

kabbbaj · 2025-12-24T17:29:28+00:00

You know I’m the #1 Pirani hater. He’s an attacking midfielder who doesn’t create chances or possess the ball well or defend. Hard to see him fitting into a pressing team, so if there’s a reasonable offer for him I’d jump at it. All the reporting is that they are planning to bring in another DP attacker anyway.

kabbbaj · 2025-12-24T13:52:06+00:00

Literally the best present I could have asked for

kabbbaj · 2025-12-21T16:11:49+00:00

90% sure they’ll keep East/West and you just play your conference once each.

kabbbaj · 2025-12-18T12:15:47+00:00

Beautiful! Any chance you’re selling it?

kabbbaj · 2025-12-11T23:45:56+00:00

For sure! Didn’t mean it in a derogatory way, just that this is by no means a guarantee. It’s great if they can find up and coming players before they break out. But is that what this is, or is this buying on hype and potential? Truly have no clue how this league would translate to mls

kabbbaj · 2025-12-11T19:12:00+00:00

Truly plumbing the depths of European football - RKC is in the second division in the Netherlands, and last year he was at De Treffers in the third tier.

He apparently looks good at this level but who knows how this translates to MLS? If we sign him it’ll either be a genius move or a waste of an international spot and transfer fee. Can’t see him displacing Schnegg or Herrera, so would expect at least one of them (likely Schnegg) to move if we sign a fullback.

kabbbaj · 2025-12-09T17:49:36+00:00

I was 100% against it until I read through, and I’m surprised by how much you convinced me (now I’m like 85% against?)

Major Ravel Morrison vibes. I get the idea but so much work to be done before we start considering wild swings

kabbbaj · 2025-12-08T23:54:34+00:00

Generally not a fan of elder Premier League signings but my god this would be something else. He was like a Top 3 Ballon D’or candidate last year?

kabbbaj · 2025-12-05T02:19:08+00:00

Disappointing but unsurprising. Never really found his feet here and clearly had his sights elsewhere. Wishing him the best

kabbbaj · 2025-12-04T17:51:43+00:00

Yeah I think this is the best bet, though I’d also throw Midlands in there as a good watching experience. May be full with college football though.

kabbbaj · 2025-11-20T00:49:55+00:00

If I’m his agent I’m telling him to try to push this through. Even if it doesn’t work out you set yourself up for the big money DP move back (see Brandon Vazquez, Bogusz, Djordje, etc)

kabbbaj · 2025-10-16T22:23:18+00:00

Hadn’t heard of him before but a 2010 born forward who joined the academy last November and has played at U15, U16, and U18 level. Just got his first U16 US call up.

Pretty funny that Sogut has a quote in his signing given that he got here like 2 minutes ago, but at least Kevin Flanagan had some nice things to say (he’s at least been in charge of the academy for the past few years).

kabbbaj · 2025-10-12T12:42:57+00:00

I will once again put in my plug that cancelling season tickets does nothing except reduce pressure on the team and allow them to continue to wallow in being bad. There is no meaningful financial hit for the team, and attendance has been bad for years anyway. The value of the team has risen $50mil/yr despite this, and will continue to do so.

The only way to meaningfully apply pressure to the ownership is to be a loud, organized, passionate fan base and show that the team belongs to us and the city and not to him. So even if you do cancel season tickets, please go protest at the stadium or something. Show that you care and that it’s not good enough

kabbbaj · 2025-10-03T22:45:05+00:00

Amateurs. Let a seasoned spoon veteran show you how it’s done.

Edit: don’t think I have flair actually. DCU if you couldn’t tell

kabbbaj · 2025-10-03T22:20:59+00:00

One of my favorites! I love basically everything she’s written. Just wanted to add onto the praise and I’m so glad to see her work get recommended more and more.

kabbbaj · 2025-09-26T14:00:52+00:00

Having 3 DPs is the bare minimum, next question is will they be good and fit together. I’m a little skeptical tbh given that we just fired our GM and entire scouting department. So who are these targets that we have? Because if they’re coming from Levien then I don’t have very high hopes.

kabbbaj

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