Soccer
Below is a running soccer diary with occasional post-match notes. I have been a fan of the Beautiful Game for quite some time, but only recently started tracking my experience watching matches. I support FC Dallas, Tottenham, and the US National Teams.
I have no expectation that this log will be of interest to anyone but me, but to borrow a line from Field Notes: “I’m not writing it down to remember it later, I’m writing it down to remember it now.”
🏟️ Watched In Person 📺 Watched Live on TV 📼 Recorded to Watch Later 🖥️ Watched Highlights
November 2025 Update
- After a great late-season surge to qualify, FC Dallas ended their playoff run with a loss in penalties at home. Rowan and I were there. I hate penalty shootouts, especially when the 30 additional minutes are skipped in favor of jumping straight to penalties. That being said, first-year coach Eric Quill did more than I think most could have with the squad this season. Looking forward to his second year at the helm. 🏟️
- Tottenham is not exciting. But they are still out-punching their squad under Frank. I miss Ange. But I don’t miss 17th place in the Premier League. 📺
August 2025 Update
- My predictions/dreams for Tottenham can be found here.
- FC Dallas ended their Lucho Acosta experiment refreshingly early. He never quite clicked, and by all accounts was a drain on team culture. (This was certainly visible from the stands this season.) They need a good run to make the playoffs. Here’s hoping for that run to happen.
July 2025 Update
- Rowan and I watched the USMNT lose the Gold Cup Final to Mexico at Cosm. Interesting experience to be sure; not sure how frequently we will pay that much to not be in person. 🏟️-ish?
June 2025 Update
- I miss Ange, but remain hopeful about Frank.
- Watching the Spurs win Europa while on a camping vacation in the American Southwest was a dream.
- I continue to go to most FC Dallas matches, mostly with my kids.
- The whole family enjoyed a visit to AT&T Stadium to watch the final Group Stage match for the USMNT against Haiti. 2-1 USMNT. 🏟️
May 2024 Update
- Clearly I do not log everything I watch…
- Tottenham year in review in short: Up with Ange! Better overall season than I expected in his first season, especially in light of losing Kane days before the season began. Excited for the years to come!
- I am very curious about Dallas Trinity FC, the new USL Super League (Tier 1 Women’s Soccer in America) team coming to Dallas this fall.
January 2024
- Tottenham vs Man U (Premier League, Sunday 1.14.24, 📼)
- Several holes in that starting 11 due to the international break, injuries, and illness, but Angeball is here to stay and I could not be more thrilled. 2-2 at Old Trafford.
December 2023
- USWNT vs China (Friendly, Tuesday 12.5.23, 🏟️ with Zoe in Frisco, TX)
- I was excited to take our oldest daughter to the match, but we had to cancel… because of our youngest daughter’s ballet recital.
November 2023
- USMNT vs T & T (Nations League Quarterfinal, Thursday 11.12.23,🏟️ in Austin, TX)
- 0-0 until the 83’. US scored 3 in a matter of minutes! Worth the drive down and back. Great company along the way!
October 2023
- FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids (MLS, Thursday 10.4.23, 🏟️)
- Match never started. Rain delay. Good time was had by most in the stands. (Except the guy who got hit by part of the Toyota Stadium sign blowing around the park…)
September 2023
- Tottenahm vs Arsenal (Premier League, Sunday 9.24.23, 📺)
- FC Dallas vs Columbus Crew (MLS, Saturday 9.23.23, 🏟️)
- Tottenham vs Sheffield United (Premier League, Saturday 9.16.23, 📺)
- Watched at the Irishman with the Dallas Spurs. Latest comeback in Premier League history! Goals in 97’ and 100’ to win 2-1.
- Tottenham vs Burnley (Premier League, Saturday 9.2.23, 📺)
- Watched at home while cleaning out the garage. Son is back; Angeball remains. A fun 5-2 thrashing.
August 2023
- Tottenham vs Fulham (EFL Cup, Tuesday 8.29.23, 📼)
- An overly-rotated (9 changes) squad … got knocked out of the Cup.
- FC Dallas vs Austin FC (MLS, Saturday 8.26.23, 🏟️)
- Tottenham vs Bournemouth (Premier League, Saturday 8.26.23, 📺)
- Watched at home with the kids @ 6:30am. 2-0 good guys, again!
- Tottenham vs Manchester United (Premier League, Saturday 8.19.23, 📺)
- Angeball is here. Angeball is fun. 2-0 good guys!
- FC Dallas vs Inter Miami (Leagues Cup Knockout Round, Sunday 8.6.23, 🏟️)
- FCD lost in penalties after a riveting 4-4 90 minutes. Messi is unreal. One for the ages!
- FC Dallas vs Mazatlán (Leagues Cup Knockout Round, Wednesday 8.2.23, 🏟️)
- Took my daughter to the match. Dallas won… Messi is coming!
- USA Women vs Portugal (World Cup, Tuesday 8.1.23, 📼)
- The USA certainly deserved to lose this one, but came out with a draw that sends them through to the knockout rounds. Portugal—who has still never scored against the USA in 11 matches—came out strong and looked better the whole time.
July 2023
- Barcelona vs Real Madrid (Friendly, Saturday 7.29.23, 🏟️)
- What an experience. 82,000+ in attendance at AT&T Stadium for a friendly that was anything but!
- Tottenham vs Lion City (Friendly, Wednesday 7.26.23, 🖥️)
- USA Women vs Netherlands (World Cup, Wednesday 7.26.23, 🖥️)
- FC Dallas vs Nexaca (Leagues Cup, Tuesday 7.25.23, 🏟️)
- The good guys won 3-0. Glad to see some key players return from injury. Secured a spot in the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup.
- Tottenham vs Leicester City (Friendly, Sunday 7.23.23, 📺)
- Cancelled, due to rain. (I found this out after waking up at 5am to watch.)
- FC Dallas vs Charlotte FC (Leagues Cup, Friday 7.21.23, 🏟️)
- First ever Leagues Cup tournament featuring MLS and Liga MX teams. Disappointing loss in penalties. Had opportunities to put the game away in the second half, but let Charlotte back in it during stopage time. Will need to win vs Nexaca to advance to the next round.
- USA Women vs Vietnam (World Cup, Friday 7.21.23, 📼)
- Great start in the World Cup for the USWMT. Vietnam’s defense was resilient but couldn’t match the quality of the US.
- Tottenham vs West Ham (Friendly, Tuesday 7.18.23, 📺)
- First match under new coach Ange Postecoglou. I am very excited to have him on board. Wonderful attacking soccer. Finishing was lacking, but Tottenham was fun to watch again. Need a CB or two before the season begins. Potentially among the final Tottenham matches for Harry Kane?