joeclowery.bsky.social
โฝ๏ธ @backheeled.com
๐๏ธ ESPN, The Guardian, The Athletic
๐๏ธ TV analyst for Phoenix Rising FC
๐ฃ๏ธ Total Soccer Show
511 posts
6,356 followers
309 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
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i've just been reminded that Francisco Calvo exists, so safe to say i'm shaking off the early season rust
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Too kind!
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With Stuart Armstrong, the Whitecaps had a case to be one of the four best teams in the West.
Without him? It's back to more of the same for Vancouver.
www.backheeled.com/vancouver-wh...
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It's been five seasons since Toronto FC had a double-digit goalscorer. Five seasons! Maybe that will change this year.
Or, after a quiet offseason, maybe it won't. This team needs new pieces. Badly.
www.backheeled.com/toronto-fc-2...
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I'm just stoked for another year of Eduard Lowen, who just might be the best No. 8 in all of MLS. The dude is amazing.
I hope Olof Mellberg's desire to use a bit more of the ball unlocks Lowen even further.
www.backheeled.com/st-louis-cit...
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Adding Jesus Ferreira to this team just makes so much sense. And if PDLV does just about anything this season? The Sounders are going to be a problem.
Even with their packed scheduled.
www.backheeled.com/seattle-soun...
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If Hernan Lopez and Daniel are both great, the Quakes will probably make the playoffs.
Oh, and I *really* hope we see this 3-4-1-2 with Chicho and Josef up top together on the regular. Maybe not good, but so fun.
www.backheeled.com/san-jose-ear...
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There's a non-zero chance that Chucky Lozano and Anders Dreyer end up as the best winger pair in all of MLS.
Plus, SDFC's commitment to using the ball makes them must-watch.
www.backheeled.com/san-diego-fc...
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So glad heโs okay. Thanks, Tom.
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I'm strapped in and ready for the Diego Luna show in 2025. It sure seems like his development + how/when RSL use that second DP spot will define most of their season.
www.backheeled.com/real-salt-la...
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Why is it always "Evander this, Evander that" and not "Jimer Fory might be the most fun under-the-radar signing of the offseason"?!
www.backheeled.com/portland-tim...
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Pressing is back on the menu, folks. I've got my eyes on that tactical shift and a great crop of young players in Philly.
www.backheeled.com/philadelphia...
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Go ahead and mark me down as a Marco Pasalic skeptic. Would love to be wrong, though.
www.backheeled.com/orlando-city...
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I'm utterly fascinated by Sandro Schwarz's desires to turn this Red Bulls team into a capable possession outfit. We saw glimpses of it early last year. Much more to come.
Also, Noah Eile rules.
www.backheeled.com/new-york-red...
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Gotta admit: I'm worried that City Football Group is going to replace Sani Rodriguez with yet another young player, instead of an in-prime DP.
www.backheeled.com/new-york-cit...
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Thanks for reading, Tom!
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did i just finish writing the last preview? yes, yes i did
is the google doc more than 100 pages long? yes, yes it is
no i remember what outside looks like? no, no i don't
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It's been five years since an MLS team has returned fewer minutes than this year's Revs team. A whole lotta pressure on Caleb Porter now.
"This is my team. These are, these are my players. I've picked them."
www.backheeled.com/new-england-...
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No team in MLS scouts and signs players from Scandinavia like Nashville. Very curious to see how Yazbek, Tagseth, and Qasem perform in 2025.
Could be a promising market for MLS teams.
www.backheeled.com/nashville-sc...
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I absolutely love that Montreal have loaded up on undervalued young talents from around North America. I'm buying my Corey Wray stock now.
www.backheeled.com/cf-montreal-...
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Eric Ramsay asks his center backs to do a bunch of fun stuff and I love it.
This team is also still at least one star away from being a true trophy threat.
www.backheeled.com/minnesota-un...
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Miami probably won't break the points record again this year, but if one of Max Falcon or Gonzalo Lujan turns out to be a high-end MLS center back, they'll be a better team anyways.
www.backheeled.com/inter-miami-...
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I care far less than many of my peers about Steve Cherundolo's disdain for possession. This team is stacked and will be elite in 2025.
www.backheeled.com/lafc-2025-ml...
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i ran out of soccer friends
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Even with Riqui injured + Dejan, Delgado, Brugman, and Neal traded, I can't shake the idea that this LAG team is going to be *really* good.
Helps to have maybe the best center back in MLS! That's right, it's Emiro Garces szn.
www.backheeled.com/la-galaxy-20...
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checkโs in the mail, g
(thank you for the kind words)
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With two new DPs in the door, SKC's multi-window rebuild has begun quicker than I expected.
I'll be watching to see just how good Manu is at AM -- and how much (or little) Joveljic upgrades at ST.
www.backheeled.com/sporting-kan...