The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary

You might think you can learn a lot about a team by watching them play for 90 minutes, but when those are the first 90 minutes of the season, all bets are off. The two Mikes review the most interesting results from the Barclay's Premier League opening weekend, and decide which parts were worth filing away for later, and which were worth throwing out the minute the final whistle blew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

Get comfortable with life in the middle, as the two Mikes assess the dealings and futures of the "Middle 7" – teams that probably won't win the title, and probably won't get relegated. Much is covered, including: Liverpool’s favorable schedule, Spurs’ reinforcement of their core, Leicester City’s understandable variance, Southampton’s process, West Ham’s ugly numbers, Stoke’s lack of moves, and Everton’s perplexing moves. Then, it's time for the opposite of Hot Takes: it's Cold Gives. Which somehow translates to: What are the biggest question marks in the league for the 2016-17 campaign? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

The first installment of this preview covers the top 4 (teams with the best shot to win the title), and the bottom 9 (teams that will probably fight relegation). The two Mikes discuss Manchester City’s attacking options, Arsenal’s lack of significant upside, Chelsea’s seemingly perfect additions, and Manchester United’s high risk/high reward moves. Then the real fun starts with odes to the talents of Pardew and Moyes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

The only thing stranger than the players Barcelona has signed this summer is the fact that Real Madrid has signed so few. The two Mikes examine what those clubs and Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are building toward, and whether the pieces fit right now or down the road. They also welcome in their first-ever show guest, Stephanie Yang of Stars and Stripes FC, to break down the USWNT's chances at the impending Olympics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

Juventus looks like it's going to get a whole lot of money for Paul Pogba, and that's good because they've already spent all the money on Gonzalo Higuain. The two Mikes examine the domino effect of mega transfers, the pros and cons for all the clubs involved, and what these big money deals tell us about where world football might be headed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

Do you think the math in the Sadio Mané and the Henrikh Mkhitaryan transfers is a little fuzzy? Are you trying to figure out what the heck Borussia Dortmund and PSG are doing? Ever wonder what's really holding back Liverpool and Everton in the transfer market each year? The Two Mikes explore these conundrums and more in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

You could argue that France's approach in the Euro 16 final was right, it just wasn't right enough. It was also completely unnecessary. The two Mikes break down the final, remind you that the latest international tournament wasn't so bad (and you'll be excited about the next), and then spend some time breaking down how they evaluate managers. With club seasons approaching, they also ask: Why was the Premier League so weird last season? And will it be weird again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

Les Bleus faced their first true challenge and dismantled Die Mannschaft, while Portugal made sure Wales' greatest accomplishment of the tournament would be the quarterfinals win over Belgium. Now, Ronaldo's band of disruptors square up with the first squad that may be up to the task of running straight at them for 90 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

The two Mikes keep riding with Portugal (who, along with Ronaldo, is getting a bad wrap), while Wales made Caley look prescient, Germany vs. Italy wasn't the chess match we were looking for, and Iceland's dream died an honorable death. Plus: Will Germany be able to adapt with so many missing pieces against France, and can Wales keep the miracle run going against Portugal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show

The two Mikes tackle a number of misconceptions including: Poland might be doing well because their best player is struggling, Belgium has at least one really great tactic, Italy is not a defensive team in the way that many are saying, and France is actually the underdog against Iceland (ok, we lied about the last one). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport the show