Three Things: After a half of optimism, USMNT get a painful lesson from Belgium

Mauricio Pochettino tossed the dice on a new (old) tactical approach and, after a halftime adjustment, Belgium forced the US to pay the price

Charlotte aim to be Sounders-East & more | Thursday Round-Up

CSO Zoran Krneta sat down with Backheeled's Joe Lowery and plotted a course, plus some reading recs from around US (and Canadian) soccer

USMNT: Three Things I'm Watching in the Belgium & Portugal friendlies

Poch has finally got his core group – shhh! – together and it's time to see how they adapt to his new tactical approach

Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 5

The underlying numbers warned us about the Quakes' rise and FC Cincy's demise, plus a Rapids team whose improvement I'm buying

FC Dallas show control in chaos, Rapids run through Sporting & more from MLS | Matchday 5

Miami head back to the well, CCC teams struggle with the workload and warning sirens are starting to blare for Cincy

Cavan Sullivan had his coming out party; Bradley Carnell cut it short | Thursday round-up

MLS adventures in CCC play, a rundown of transfer window needs for all 30 teams & lots of USMNT talk

One Week Left in the Transfer Window: Roster Needs for All 30 MLS Teams

There's a few teams who should be vying to bring home a US U-20 star, while the Chucky situation remains unresolved in San Diego

Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 4

The gap between the haves and have-nots is showing, even as CCL play takes its toll

Things come undone for Columbus while Portland's struggles continue | Matchday 4

The Crew's disappointing devolution, Portland's basic mistakes, and don't read too much into teams tired from CCC play!

Banks makes his choice, CCC(L) woes, Óscar goes | Thursday round-up

Kicker is reporting Banks is focused on representing Germany; what are the odds of upgrading Pareja?

USMNT depth chart & predicting Poch's March roster

It's last chance saloon for USMNT hopefuls with the final set of friendlies before the World Cup

Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 3

Home field advantage dies a quick death because MLS will never stop being hilarious

Nashville's continuing evolution, NYCFC's catalyst & more from Matchday 3

Miami's expensive new star is fizzling, RSL's is shining & the 'Caps are just a level above

Sargent arrives, the Fire break ground & more

Is "hopeful trepidation" a thing? That's how I feel about this signing

Home field advantage in MLS was never a mystery – but its sudden return is

For the past five years, home field advantage in MLS had been fraying. Suddenly, over the past two weeks, it's back – and bigger than ever

Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 2

The top 8 stays the same, but there are shake-ups in the middle

#PlayYourKids hits new heights, Quakes get their star & more from Matchday 2

Set pieces proliferate and Concacaf Champions Cup takes its toll

West Offseason Grades: The rich get richer, the best get better (probably)

No reason to think the big dogs won't keep hunting

East Offseason Grades: I can finally give out some Fs

NYCFC, Montréal, Philly... c'mon guys. You play to win the game!

Power Rankings, 1-30 | Matchday 1

I thought this was an astute and probably accurate take from Sam, who is the lead data guy for US Soccer (and was responding to this tweet of mine): Not directly related to this game but I have a theory that if all pundits had to re-do preseason predictions after

LAFC send a message, Cincy shine without their star & more from Matchday 1

Here we are, the first Sunday column of the year. And yes, as promised, this is the first column/coverage of any sort that’s going behind the paywall here at the Tactics Free Zone. For those who missed it, here’s the content plan as originally announced just under

My final, official 2026 MLS standings predictions (and thank you!)

When you're holding my feet to the fire after the season, use these

Ranking all 30 MLS teams by tier for 2026

These are NOT the Power Rankings! They are way, way WAY MORE IMPORTANT!!!

Would you like to play a game? Rank all 30 new MLS kits

A fun new game for people who desperately need to touch grass