A-league attendances

[Sutherlandbear]

Don't be so hard on yourself old fella, there's pills for that sort of thing.

It works out well for me in my current physical condition.

 

[patjennings]

Respectfully disagree with both LFC and Pat Jennings. Look at the USMNT squad, they have so many players playing in the Top 5 leagues right now: Balogun - Monaco, Weah - Marseille, Aaronson - Leeds, Pulisic - Milan, Tillman - Bayer Levekusen, Weston McKennie - Juventus, Reyna - Monchengladbach, Tessman - Lyon, McKenzie - Toulouse, Scally - Monchengladbach, Freeman - Villarreal, Robinson - Fulham, Richards - Crystal Palace, Cardoso - Athletico Madrid, and captain Tim Ream played 281 games for Fulham. In slightly lesser leagues there’s Trusty - Celtic, Morris - Middlesborough, Pepi - PSV, Agyemang - Derby (injured a few days ago and will miss the WC), and Wright at Coventry (scoring goals for fun and soon to be a Premier League player).

Most, maybe close to all of those players came through the US college system or the MLS. If Poch gets them playing well - which I doubt will happen, I think they will choke under the pressure at home - they could be scary if they can gel as a team. The sheer amount of quality and talent they have Australia can only dream of.

As for the MLS, in addition to young players coming through who will be moving to Europe, you’ve got players going to the WC like Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Son, James Rodrigues, Facundo Torres, Miguel Almiron, Mbokazi (South Africa), the Aussie MLS players like O’Neill, Trewin, Herrington, and obviously the USMNT MLS players. Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Luis Suarez, Hugo Lloris, Hector Herrera, and Wilfried Zaha among others are still great players, and you’ve got a bunch of Latin-American players that play for their national teams.

I noted to AI your list of players and then asked it to do a position by position comparison expecting to see the US come out on top. I rate the Socceroos and think the US is too individualistic. i.e. I thought we had a better team and they had better players.

This is what I got. Note - AI picked the players

Position	Australia	United States	Comparison Summary
GK	Maty Ryan	Matt Freese	Ryan has the ball-playing composure this system demands; Freese struggles with distribution. [6]
RCB	Lucas Herrington	Chris Richards	Herrington (95% passing) is a natural ball-player; Richards is "slow to turn" in a high-line 3. [14]
CB	Alessandro Circati	Tim Ream	Circati is a modern playmaker (91% pass); Ream (38) is the tactical "brain" but is physically fading. [1]
LCB	Cameron Burgess	Auston Trusty / Mark McKenzie	Burgess is an established PL anchor; the US lacks a convincing third left-sided CB. [15]
RWB	Jacob Italiano	Sergiño Dest	Italiano is a "self-sufficient" goal threat (March hat-trick); Dest is technical but often caught out of position. [17]
LWB	Jordan Bos	Antonee Robinson	Bos is in scintillating scoring form (3 in 3); Robinson is a world-class defender but less of a goal threat. [3]
CM	Max Balard	Tyler Adams	Balard is a selfless Eredivisie engine; Adams is an elite destroyer but lacks Balard's passing range. [16]
CM	Alexander Robertson	Weston McKennie	Robertson offers creative flair; McKennie is versatile but currently in a deep form slump. [16]
RF	Nestory Irankunda	Timothy Weah	Irankunda is a "chaos agent" who creates his own shots; Weah needs service to be effective. [3]
LF	Riley McGree	Christian Pulisic	McGree is a disciplined "game-breaker"; Pulisic is in a goalless funk and a spat with Pochettino. [4]
ST	Mo Toure	Folarin Balogun	Toure creates his own chances; Balogun is isolated when service from the wing-backs is cut off. [1]

Tactical Summary: Why 3-at-the-Back Favours Australia

The Passing Floor: Australia’s back three (Circati, Herrington, Burgess) averages over 90% pass completion [1, 14]. Pochettino’s back three is forced to include Ream (for leadership) and either Trusty or McKenzie [15], neither of whom possess the same composure under pressure.

Wing-Back Efficiency: A 3-at-the-back system lives and dies by its wing-backs. Jordan Bos and Jacob Italiano have combined for 6 goals for club and country in 2026 [3, 17]. Robinson and Dest are excellent players, but they don't offer the same "clutch" goal-scoring output right now.

The "Chaos" Factor: In a mirrored system, individual duels matter more. Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure are specialists at beating their man 1v1 without needing a complex buildup [1, 3]. The U.S. attackers—particularly Pulisic and Balogun—are currently struggling to find that same individual spark.

The Final Word
Even if Pochettino matches the formation, the Socceroos look like a team that has perfected the "system," while the USMNT looks like a team trying to hide its flaws. Australia's "addition through subtraction" and reliance on in-form youngsters like Herrington and Toure gives them the technical and physical edge in every department.

I haven't checked whether the veracity of what AI gave me (ie. I thought McKennie was the only US player to have a good March window) - but it did surprise

 

[LFC]

luv it patj AI check mate of the USMT top league players hehe
They are not much chop period barring the exceptions I've mentioned and I stand by it.

 

[CentreHalf]

I noted to AI your list of players and then asked it to do a position by position comparison expecting to see the US come out on top. I rate the Socceroos and think the US is too individualistic. i.e. I thought we had a better team and they had better players.

This is what I got. Note - AI picked the players

Position	Australia	United States	Comparison Summary
GK	Maty Ryan	Matt Freese	Ryan has the ball-playing composure this system demands; Freese struggles with distribution. [6]
RCB	Lucas Herrington	Chris Richards	Herrington (95% passing) is a natural ball-player; Richards is "slow to turn" in a high-line 3. [14]
CB	Alessandro Circati	Tim Ream	Circati is a modern playmaker (91% pass); Ream (38) is the tactical "brain" but is physically fading. [1]
LCB	Cameron Burgess	Auston Trusty / Mark McKenzie	Burgess is an established PL anchor; the US lacks a convincing third left-sided CB. [15]
RWB	Jacob Italiano	Sergiño Dest	Italiano is a "self-sufficient" goal threat (March hat-trick); Dest is technical but often caught out of position. [17]
LWB	Jordan Bos	Antonee Robinson	Bos is in scintillating scoring form (3 in 3); Robinson is a world-class defender but less of a goal threat. [3]
CM	Max Balard	Tyler Adams	Balard is a selfless Eredivisie engine; Adams is an elite destroyer but lacks Balard's passing range. [16]
CM	Alexander Robertson	Weston McKennie	Robertson offers creative flair; McKennie is versatile but currently in a deep form slump. [16]
RF	Nestory Irankunda	Timothy Weah	Irankunda is a "chaos agent" who creates his own shots; Weah needs service to be effective. [3]
LF	Riley McGree	Christian Pulisic	McGree is a disciplined "game-breaker"; Pulisic is in a goalless funk and a spat with Pochettino. [4]
ST	Mo Toure	Folarin Balogun	Toure creates his own chances; Balogun is isolated when service from the wing-backs is cut off. [1]

Tactical Summary: Why 3-at-the-Back Favours Australia

The Passing Floor: Australia’s back three (Circati, Herrington, Burgess) averages over 90% pass completion [1, 14]. Pochettino’s back three is forced to include Ream (for leadership) and either Trusty or McKenzie [15], neither of whom possess the same composure under pressure.

Wing-Back Efficiency: A 3-at-the-back system lives and dies by its wing-backs. Jordan Bos and Jacob Italiano have combined for 6 goals for club and country in 2026 [3, 17]. Robinson and Dest are excellent players, but they don't offer the same "clutch" goal-scoring output right now.

The "Chaos" Factor: In a mirrored system, individual duels matter more. Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure are specialists at beating their man 1v1 without needing a complex buildup [1, 3]. The U.S. attackers—particularly Pulisic and Balogun—are currently struggling to find that same individual spark.

The Final Word
Even if Pochettino matches the formation, the Socceroos look like a team that has perfected the "system," while the USMNT looks like a team trying to hide its flaws. Australia's "addition through subtraction" and reliance on in-form youngsters like Herrington and Toure gives them the technical and physical edge in every department.

I haven't checked whether the veracity of what AI gave me (ie. I thought McKennie was the only US player to have a good March window) - but it did surprise

We dont have a single player that will be able to go with Brendan Aaronson.

His season at Leeds has been very strong.

Aaronson is arguably the USAs best player so not sure why he isnt listed.

 

[patjennings]

We dont have a single player that will be able to go with Brendan Aaronson.

His season at Leeds has been very strong.

Aaronson is arguably the USAs best player so not sure why he isnt listed.

I didn't pick the names - but that said few analysts have him as a starter - more as an impact player. As an NT player since July 2023 he has 2 goals and 2 assists.

 

[Sutherlandbear]

Elo is a ranking system

Was a band back in my younger years.

 

[grazorblade]

Was a band back in my younger years.

elo is what plants crave for

Redirect Notice

 

[LFC]

I do wonder what planet your from Graz at times checking that re direct.

 

[grazorblade]

I do wonder what planet your from Graz at times checking that re direct.

The joke made sense in my sense in my head at the time, now Im trying to figure it out haha

Darn kids making me exhausted all the time

 

[Sutherlandbear]

Where we currently sit.

 

[Kitwally]

Where we currently sit.

View attachment 6616

Smashed the NBL!

 

[NoMates]

Smashed the NBL!

Ave crowds ALM is 2nd last, I would like to see the TV ratings version of that as last one they did A-League was behind Netball for viewing figures,

 

[Kitwally]

I noted to AI your list of players and then asked it to do a position by position comparison expecting to see the US come out on top. I rate the Socceroos and think the US is too individualistic. i.e. I thought we had a better team and they had better players.

This is what I got. Note - AI picked the players

Position	Australia	United States	Comparison Summary
GK	Maty Ryan	Matt Freese	Ryan has the ball-playing composure this system demands; Freese struggles with distribution. [6]
RCB	Lucas Herrington	Chris Richards	Herrington (95% passing) is a natural ball-player; Richards is "slow to turn" in a high-line 3. [14]
CB	Alessandro Circati	Tim Ream	Circati is a modern playmaker (91% pass); Ream (38) is the tactical "brain" but is physically fading. [1]
LCB	Cameron Burgess	Auston Trusty / Mark McKenzie	Burgess is an established PL anchor; the US lacks a convincing third left-sided CB. [15]
RWB	Jacob Italiano	Sergiño Dest	Italiano is a "self-sufficient" goal threat (March hat-trick); Dest is technical but often caught out of position. [17]
LWB	Jordan Bos	Antonee Robinson	Bos is in scintillating scoring form (3 in 3); Robinson is a world-class defender but less of a goal threat. [3]
CM	Max Balard	Tyler Adams	Balard is a selfless Eredivisie engine; Adams is an elite destroyer but lacks Balard's passing range. [16]
CM	Alexander Robertson	Weston McKennie	Robertson offers creative flair; McKennie is versatile but currently in a deep form slump. [16]
RF	Nestory Irankunda	Timothy Weah	Irankunda is a "chaos agent" who creates his own shots; Weah needs service to be effective. [3]
LF	Riley McGree	Christian Pulisic	McGree is a disciplined "game-breaker"; Pulisic is in a goalless funk and a spat with Pochettino. [4]
ST	Mo Toure	Folarin Balogun	Toure creates his own chances; Balogun is isolated when service from the wing-backs is cut off. [1]

Tactical Summary: Why 3-at-the-Back Favours Australia

The Passing Floor: Australia’s back three (Circati, Herrington, Burgess) averages over 90% pass completion [1, 14]. Pochettino’s back three is forced to include Ream (for leadership) and either Trusty or McKenzie [15], neither of whom possess the same composure under pressure.

Wing-Back Efficiency: A 3-at-the-back system lives and dies by its wing-backs. Jordan Bos and Jacob Italiano have combined for 6 goals for club and country in 2026 [3, 17]. Robinson and Dest are excellent players, but they don't offer the same "clutch" goal-scoring output right now.

The "Chaos" Factor: In a mirrored system, individual duels matter more. Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure are specialists at beating their man 1v1 without needing a complex buildup [1, 3]. The U.S. attackers—particularly Pulisic and Balogun—are currently struggling to find that same individual spark.

The Final Word
Even if Pochettino matches the formation, the Socceroos look like a team that has perfected the "system," while the USMNT looks like a team trying to hide its flaws. Australia's "addition through subtraction" and reliance on in-form youngsters like Herrington and Toure gives them the technical and physical edge in every department.

I haven't checked whether the veracity of what AI gave me (ie. I thought McKennie was the only US player to have a good March window) - but it did surprise

I like the Socceroos team AI has selected. Unfortunately Popa won’t pick Balard and Robertson in central midfield………

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Where we currently sit.

View attachment 6616

So if you combine Rugby, Aleague and BBL totals you get AFL? NBL is starting to become impressive though...

 

[Sutherlandbear]

So if you combine Rugby, Aleague and BBL totals you get AFL? NBL is starting to become impressive though...

The difference is that RL teams have suburban home grounds that they play at, unlike the Melbourne AFL teams.

 

[HappyGuus]

Another different look at the data.

How the 10 oldest clubs have performed against each other:



An uptick next season is definitely needed! If you have a look at the dip in 2010-11 and then the recovery, it's definitely doable jumping up again from where we currently are, but it's a lot harder without media support.


And below, the average across all seasons (orange) by week of the year. Four week rolling average in red.




One thing to consider with this is the scheduling of blockbusters and derbies. I haven't gone in depth with these matches, but I kinda get the feeling that the trough before Christmas is due to lack of big matches, where those are saved for season launches and New Year holidays. But that's just a guess right now. And then of course there's the launch of BBL, but that, and the heat, surprisingly don't seem to hurt the crowds.

There's a constant drop once AFL starts. A-League finals come just in time to arrest the drop, maybe could even start those a month earlier, and start the season 1-2 months earlier! It looks like the A-League can do well enough during AFL finals, although week one of AFL finals is a dead zone, this would be a good time to take matches elsewhere, or even have an international friendly like the Soccer Ashes.

 

[Sutherlandbear]

Another different look at the data.

How the 10 oldest clubs have performed against each other:

View attachment 6626

An uptick next season is definitely needed! If you have a look at the dip in 2010-11 and then the recovery, it's definitely doable jumping up again from where we currently are, but it's a lot harder without media support.


And below, the average across all seasons (orange) by week of the year. Four week rolling average in red.

View attachment 6628


One thing to consider with this is the scheduling of blockbusters and derbies. I haven't gone in depth with these matches, but I kinda get the feeling that the trough before Christmas is due to lack of big matches, where those are saved for season launches and New Year holidays. But that's just a guess right now. And then of course there's the launch of BBL, but that, and the heat, surprisingly don't seem to hurt the crowds.

There's a constant drop once AFL starts. A-League finals come just in time to arrest the drop, maybe could even start those a month earlier, and start the season 1-2 months earlier! It looks like the A-League can do well enough during AFL finals, although week one of AFL finals is a dead zone, this would be a good time to take matches elsewhere, or even have an international friendly like the Soccer Ashes.

You were going semi ok, until your last two words! Ashes is cricket, nothing else.

 

[HappyGuus]

You were going semi ok, until your last two words! Ashes is cricket, nothing else.

I don't create the names.

What are the Soccer Ashes? A brief history of the rediscovered trophy

June 9, 2023 marked the 100 year anniversary since Australia's first match on home soil against New Zealand.

socceroos.com.au

 

[Sutherlandbear]

I don't create the names.

What are the Soccer Ashes? A brief history of the rediscovered trophy

June 9, 2023 marked the 100 year anniversary since Australia's first match on home soil against New Zealand.

socceroos.com.au

Not saying you did. It just shows the lack of imagination in Australian sport, RL also try and call them the Ashes. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

 

[grazorblade]

Another different look at the data.

How the 10 oldest clubs have performed against each other:

View attachment 6626

An uptick next season is definitely needed! If you have a look at the dip in 2010-11 and then the recovery, it's definitely doable jumping up again from where we currently are, but it's a lot harder without media support.


And below, the average across all seasons (orange) by week of the year. Four week rolling average in red.

View attachment 6628


One thing to consider with this is the scheduling of blockbusters and derbies. I haven't gone in depth with these matches, but I kinda get the feeling that the trough before Christmas is due to lack of big matches, where those are saved for season launches and New Year holidays. But that's just a guess right now. And then of course there's the launch of BBL, but that, and the heat, surprisingly don't seem to hurt the crowds.

There's a constant drop once AFL starts. A-League finals come just in time to arrest the drop, maybe could even start those a month earlier, and start the season 1-2 months earlier! It looks like the A-League can do well enough during AFL finals, although week one of AFL finals is a dead zone, this would be a good time to take matches elsewhere, or even have an international friendly like the Soccer Ashes.

nice plot, would like to see 5 year rolling averages. I will do them if I get time