The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary

Latest Episodes:

Yan Diomande and Real Madrid, and Why the Transfer Market Seems Clogged Jul 31, 2026

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All the big attacking signings are delayed, and we have a charming metaphor to describe it. What would it mean if Real Madrid finalize the Yan Diomande signing, where will he fit in their system, who will he displace, and will this finally get the transfer market moving again? Plus a little bit on Bradley Barcola.

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World Cup Final Thoughts, or Spain: Pretty Good Team Jul 21, 2026

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One more proper World Cup podcast before it's gone. We break down how Spain dominated this match front to the back, the seven minutes where they didn't and how that brief run by Argentina explains what happened in the rest of the match, how often even a great performance like this goes unrewarded, Pedri's game, and more.

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World Cup Semifinals: How Spain Won It, Did England Blow It? Jul 17, 2026

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The World Cup semifinals are complete and it's PADDLIN' 2, Our lyin' eyes 0. How Spain controlled the match tactically (and got a little lucky with a penalty), how if at all this makes us reconsider this France side, and then on to Argentina-England. Argentina-England. Hoo boy. The first 60 and final 40 minutes of this match were both journeys, and we break it all down, and ask where we would pinpoint England's and Tuchel's key errors.

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World Cup Semifinals Preview: France-Spain Jul 12, 2026

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The two best teams at this World Cup -- certainly the two teams that have played the best soccer at this World Cup -- square off. We're worried it's going to be pretty bad.

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The USMNT have a bad night in Seattle Jul 08, 2026

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The United States came up short in the round of 16, in the sense that they got boatraced by Belgium. We discuss the game, offer Rudi Garcia an apology, talk about what to say about a thoroughly bad game, and discuss the state of the USMNT talent pool and the occasional doubts one hears about player quality.

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Round of 16 Preview, Part 3: Spain-Portugal and USA-Belgium Jul 04, 2026

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The Round of 16 preview extravaganza continues with the big matches on July 6. How Portugal's tactical system continues to try and fail to work around Ronaldo's limitations, what we want to see from Spain in this match, the importance of the Spanish fullbacks, and then of course the USMNT preview. How Pochettino will likely approach this match against an opponent that will seek to control possession, why Jeremy Doku terrifies us and how Belgium's attacking band is supposed to work, and the inexplicable tactical decisions of Rudi Garcia and how they could give the US an advantage.

The other Round of 16 previews, are on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/doublepivot

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Bracket Breakdown Jun 30, 2026

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The dynamics of the entire bracket, from Argentina's cakewalk to the interesting but different tests for Brazil and England, to Spain's good path and their fitness and tactical issues, a little model breakdown on Colombia, why the draw for African teams means we shouldn't read too much into the results, and more.

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Limited World Cup Drama, Raphinha Out, Tuchelball, and More Jun 26, 2026

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The World Cup continues and so we did more podcasting about it.

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World Cup Potpourri: FIFA Victorious, The Ronaldo Problem, Spuruguay and More Jun 23, 2026

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There's so much football and we are not happy about recognizing FIFA for it. But we've got what's wrong with Portugal (mostly Ronaldo), what's gone right for Ivory Coast (both players and coaching), Caley explains "Spuruguay," and we try to figure out Belgium.

The Henry segment on Ronaldo: https://bsky.app/profile/dreyesceron.bsky.social/post/3moj2hwalms2e

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In Which We Rave About England Jun 19, 2026

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England won 4-2 over Croatia, dominated the xG, and generally looked like a real football team and a real World Cup contender. We have some slightly different takes on the first half, we get into questions about the PADDLIN' model and England, and of course Marouane Fellaini is discussed in some depth.

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