2023 Advent Calendar
Find links to each post, the original articles, and the extended excerpts below.
Come back each day for an excerpt from one of my top Total Football Analysis articles from the past four years.
All links are provided in the comments.
Is WSL the best league in the world?
I tried to look at the numbers behind what makes a league competitive & eventful
•WSL is very eventful but has a top group of teams above the rest
•NWSL is very balanced in both metrics
•Liga F is a fairly competitive w/o Barcelona
🇩🇪 Germany midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken says the Bundesliga is lagging behind the WSL as the gap between clubs is not as big in England and therefore the competition is a lot more even.
Will the Bundesliga struggle to stay competitive internationally if this trend continues?
Entering the 2026 season with a new goalkeeper union.
Read more on Kailen Sheridan, Madi White, and Molly Pritchard and how they are building the new Courage keeper room: nccourage.com/news/new-year-…
ALT Molly Pritchard, Kailen Sheridan, and Madi White pose for a photo on media day
Notifications are pouring in for Portugal vs France in the 2020 Euro semifinals. @FTFotMob, not I game I wanted to remember. fotmob.com/match/1006429?tz=…
Introducing Uno❕
We have acquired Japanese defender Uno Shiragaki via permanent transfer from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies and signed her through 2028.
📰 Read more: nccourage.com/news/nc-courag…
ALT Welcome Graphic with text "Welcome Uno Shiragaki, Defender" with photo of Uno
I am releasing my Complete Football Analytics in Python course on YouTube free to watch!
I created the course ~ 2 years ago and there is still a ton of great value in it, especially for learning the fundamentals of Python and football analytics.
With the changes in AI coding, my processes have changed a ton since i first made this, so I figured I'd make this free to watch.
Enjoy!
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL…
Welcoming Wickenheiser 👋
We have acquired Canadian international Carly Wickenheiser via permanent transfer from Swedish club BK Häcken and signed the midfielder through the 2027.
📰 Read more: nccourage.com/news/nc-courag…
ALT Welcome Carly Wickenheiser graphic with a headshot of her against a pink background
EVELYN ENTERS THE CHAT 💬
We have acquired Swedish international Evelyn Ijeh via permanent transfer from Italian club AC Milan. Welcome, Evelyn!
📰 Read more: nccourage.com/news/nc-courag…
ALT Welcome Evelyn Ijeh graphic with a headshot of her against a pink background
Yesterday's session was the last of the season.
Reflecting on the season, there's much to be proud of.
-2nd in NPxG (10th in 2024 with a 23% improvement)
-3rd in xG Difference (T-7th last year with a 0.37 P90 improvement)
-4th in NPxG Difference (8th in 2024, 0.28 P90 jump)
While there's still work to do, we're working hard in the background to ensure we build upon the performances of 2025.
As we wrap up the year, I have nothing but gratitude for my 1st season with the Courage and the people I work with each day.
Preseason and match days can't come soon enough.
In the meantime, we'll continue building, planning, and researching.
In our minds, 2026 has already begun. Let's get after it!
RECORD SHATTERED ⛓️💥 This Sunday’s home finale is completely sold out, surpassing the attendance record for professional women’s sports in North Carolina with over 11,000 tickets sold!
ALT Graphic featuring crowd photos and team celebration photo that reads, “11,000 TICKETS SOLD! Highest attended women’s professional sports event in North Carolina History.”
Youngest in charge, coldest on the pitch. 🥶
Manaka Matsulubo is the @att Player of the Week after dropping 3 goals in a 4-1 win to become the youngest player to score a hat trick in #NWSLHistory. 🎩 🪄