The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary cover image

The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary

Latest episodes

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Jun 14, 2017 • 54min

Reconciling love for the game with the complicated social issues that come with it

The two Mikes are joined by Shireen Ahmed of the Burn It All Down podcast to discuss the early success of the podcast, which examines the intersection of feminism and sports, plus a few interesting social topics floating in and around and through the beautiful game. To set the table, the guys do a quick review of the 1-1 draw that's left the U.S. in a solid World Cup qualifying position. Editor's note: The amount of Ronaldo's reported settlement is incorrectly noted in this discussion. It was actually reported as being $375,000. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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Jun 8, 2017 • 1h 1min

A closer look at where the USMNT stands in WC qualification, plus mailbag questions!

When it comes to the U.S. Men's National Team, everything should probably now be built around Christian Pulisic, but that creates a few hurdles. The two Mikes talk about those hurdles, the current SPI probabilities, and then turn their attention to the mailbag. In it, they find questions about Liverpool's apparent failure to land Virgil van Dijk from Southampton and the meltdown it caused amongst the LFC faithful, whether statistical insights at one level of soccer (Premier League) apply to other levels (women's or college soccer), and whether Chelsea and/or City are addressing their needs thus far in the transfer market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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Jun 5, 2017 • 1h 5min

Real Madrid won the Champions League, and thus Ronaldo is better than Messi

Now that we've got your attention, let's talk about every magic moment from Saturday night in Cardiff. From diabolical deflections, to the mystical Manzukic, to that roustabout Ramos — and we haven't even gotten to Ronaldo's frosted tips! — the match had a little bit of something for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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May 23, 2017 • 58min

Previewing the Europa League final with Priya Ramesh

Priya Ramesh writes about Dutch football for Benefoot, StatsBomb, FourFourTwo, The Guardian, Bleacher Report, and more. So who better to interview on the eve of the Europa League final? The conversation leaves no stone unturned, from Ajax's young stars to Jose Mourinho's use of the dark side of the force (it'll make sense when you hear it). You can find Priya on Twitter: @Priya8Ramesh.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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May 19, 2017 • 59min

The worst predictions the Double Pivot made this season

The two Mikes review some of their worst assessments over the course of the 2016-17 season. Topics include: David Moyes, Claudio Bravo, Chelsea, Barcelona, Spurs, Daniel Sturridge, Manchester United, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcus Rashford. The surprise twist: Sometimes when they're wrong, they're not wrong at all (or something like that). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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May 12, 2017 • 1h 3min

Who is the worst player getting minutes on a Top 6 PL club? Mega mailbag time!

Buckle up, because we're covering a lot of ground in this week's episode. In chronological order, here are all the questions the gents were able to get to: – What is Everton's best case scenario if they sell Lukaku and Barkley this summer?– What stops first, and when: Spurs 'competing with the top 4', or Spurs spending around half as much on wages as them?– Does Klopp's style of play have the capacity, with an improved squad, to consistently defeat low block counter-attack Premier League teams?– Back at the start of the PL season, you were high on Liverpool and Arsenal, low on Spurs. What do you think changed?– Should Stoke sack Mark Hughes?– Deviation from expectation(xG) is often been attributed to variation. How much of this is random & how much are factors we can't factor yet?– In your opinion, who is the worst player that consistently gets minutes for a Top 6 side? – What has made 3 at the back so successful this season in the premier league? What has changed from earlier years if anything?– How will China affect the summer transfer market? (Aka let us mourn the loss of Diego Costa on Chelsea)– Leicester - have they been all that different under Shakespeare than Ranieri (only Spurs have won more points in last 10)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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May 5, 2017 • 55min

The Champions League semifinals are suddenly boring! Plus, an Arsenal deep dive

The two Mikes discuss Higuain shaking off the "choker" label, Juventus holding off another great attacking side, and Atletico coming up empty at the hands of their rivals. Then, it's time for a long talk about what went wrong with Arsenal this year, what changes could mean (and whether they seem likely), and what the future holds for the club if it finishes sixth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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Apr 28, 2017 • 1h 2min

Breaking down huge matches in Manchester and Madrid – plus a mailbag!

Is it more of a Mourinho match if his team sets out to get a 0-0 result, or if it shouldn't set out to get a 0-0 result and still gets a 0-0 result? The two Mikes ponder this important question, then attempt to figure out what Real Madrid was doing in the waning moments of the most pivotal match of the season. Then, it's on to your questions, like... Do midfielders need to play with more grit or is it a trait from a bygone era that's no longer relevant? Coutinho or Eriksen? Who's your favorite fun player on a lower half PL side? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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Apr 21, 2017 • 55min

Have Monaco proven they're good enough to win the Champions League?

The Champions League is down to four teams, and the two Mikes posit whether Monaco's dream run can end with them lifting the cup. The F.A. Cup is also down to four clubs, and despite a bevy of jokes throughout the current season, the guys are actually going to talk about these two matches, and the implications surrounding the teams playing in them. Mostly Arsenal, but a little bit about everyone else, too. Due to a technical malfunction, Caley's audio is off a bit this week, so apologies in advance.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show
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Apr 14, 2017 • 55min

The fine margins exposed by this week's Champions League results

We're down to the finest of margins in the Champions League, and it shows. The two Mikes talk about whether one goal will be enough to see Atletico through or if Leicester can get lucky, whether Barcelona can mount another comeback or if it's time to talk about Juve as a favorite, and whether a Javi Martinez red card will define a season for one or two of the world's biggest super clubs. Plus, reaction to Dortmund having to play after the attack on their team bus, a potential shift in the CL power structure, and the relegation battle in the Premier League. Oh, and bible history corner. It's a 50th episode extravaganza, and it’s got everything!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

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