Sign in

Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe

@acquistapace.bsky.social
614 followers 641 following 2.5K posts

god, it’s brutal out here | two years away from being two years away | MLS sicko from another continent | anthropology student | knows definitely too much about sports | he/him Read my stuff here: medium.com/@alessandroacquistapace

PostsRepliesMedia
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
On the other hand: Italian speakers will find the game between Atlanta and NYCFC highly amusing because it featured starting on the same flank, but for opposing teams, a player named “horse” and another named “gallop”
A screenshot from @futi.live of the starting elevens of NYCFC and Atlanta. High kites are two players named Cavallo and Galoppo which in Italian mean respectively “horse” and “gallop”
020
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Went back to Stockholm to hear live my favourite singer of the past year, Veronica Maggio, play the Olympic Stadium (which is still as it was when it hosted them) and oh, she also brought out Håkan Hellstrom to play maybe my favourite Swedish song and oh… she also sang an Italian Classic??? Madness
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Loved this, I tried to imagine how it could work with dates. The Guardian mentions end of April as the start of the playoffs and 21st May as the MLS Cup Final date. You could also move Decision Day back a week and start the play-in on the 19th, but I love basically two weeks of soccer every day
A potential calendar for the new MLS Cup playoffs. All dates from 2028. Decision day on the 23rd of April, play-in between 26/27, first round between 28th and 1st of may, loser bracket on the 3rd and 4th of may, quarter finals on the 6th and 7th, emphasising the importance of winning the early round and not going through the loser bracket, semi finals on the 13tg and 14th, MLS Cup 21st of May
031
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
In vintage BennyBall style, the Dynamo are currently finding out how can a team manage to win a lot of games without a systematically competent offence (answer is: McGlynn and Guilherme have been great and those two have the skills to defeat numbers, to a degree)
Attack rating stats from @futi.live
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
This game was an absolute yikes for San José, who kind of look like a team spiralling. Timo Werner is on an island, losing Tsakiris off the field resulted in a disastrous offensive drought. Just not a lot to offer outside of occasional thunderbolts from Leroux
Pass networks for San José Earthquakes from @futi.liveStats from @futi.live on the 3-1 St Louis win over San JoséStats from @futi.live on the 3-1 St Louis win over San José
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I had another attempt that went really great but idk why the picture didn’t save well (prob my fault I’m on a train) but this was cool
My starting X of MLS players achieved a 27-8-3 record
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
There’s a guy in MLS named Lineker????
A SofaScore breakdown of the beautifully named Lineker Rodrigues
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
From the bad place: Carlos Cordeiro has resigned at FIFA and has released quite a damning statement on the whole operation. It confirms something that I thought: even if you’re thirsty for dollars and a turbo capitalist at heart, this deal never made any sense and only does if you see it as bribery
From sky news on Twitter: BREAKING: Gianni Infantino's senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, has quit in protest at moves by the FIFA president to sell off stakes in the World Cup and said it would be bad for football, Sky News can reveal. 

Sky's @RobHarris has more

As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.
Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.
Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected.
FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The FIFA President himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026. If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources. Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification.
Such economic success was not accidental. It was delivered by experienced football professionals who shattered FIFA's commercial records. Yet despite those achievements, FIFA is now being asked to believe that outside investors are needed to unlock greater value. I do not accept that proposition. The people who built this success have already demonstrated that FIFA possesses the expertise to continue growing both the game and its commercial future.
Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions. Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?
These questions remain largely unanswered, and yet Member Associations are be…
041
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Anyway, so here it is: Pirlo will coach the national team. There is just one little problem, initially floated by a small, liberal publication but which then gained steam in the public: through the owner of his Emirati club, Pirlo is the testimonial for a Russian betting company called Fonbet
Andrea Pirlo as testimonial of Russian betting company Fonbet
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Malagò’s first job was hiring the new head coach of the men’s soccer team. The Serie A teams have been asking (idk why they have a say in this but welcome to Italy) for Antonio Conte, while it was long rumoured that Malagò’s preference would be for his friend Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini and Giovanni Malagò playing for the same team in a 8-a-side football tournament in Rome, in July 2026, as this whole mess was unfolding (the team they were both playing was that of the Canottieri Aniene, a sports club from a wealthy northern Rome neighbourhood of which Malagò has been a member since his youth, playing for their futsal team and becoming their president. Under his tenure, a number of Italy’s biggest sportspeople, including Olympic golden medalist and world record holder swimmer Federica Pellegrini, became members of his club)
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
First thing: in June, Giovanni Malagò was elected head of the soccer federation. But who is Malagò? He’s an entrepreneur, former Futsal World Cup player and more importantly for the last 12 years he’s been the head of Italy’s Olympic committee+head of the host committee for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Giovanni Malagò as head of the CONI celebrating with Lamont Marcell Jacobs, the gold medal in the men’s 100m at the Tokyo Olympics. As head of the Italian Olympic committee, Malagò has found itself on top of a generational run of sporting success, with Italy beating record after record at the Olympics and in a number of sports outside of soccer and cycling, historically the biggest sports in the country
120
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
MLS has apparently changed the way red cards are shown on the score bug. This is on the surface a good idea,but imho it makes things worse and as soon as there’s a team suffering two red cards the flaws are going to be clear. Btw still hoping the score bug at some point will show subs available/used
The score bug for the MLS game between St Louis and Colorado (0-0 one red card for the away team)The score bug for the MLS game between San Diego and Vancouver (1-3 one red card for the home team)
130
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
oh no
Seattle Sounders’ passing network from @futi.live
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
I love it when a striker just gets people into the box
Passing dashboard for Justin Ellis vs Nashville from @futi.app
001
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
This is what the internet sounds to me on days like this one:
The Place, Japan meme but to argue their national team plays ultra defensive soccer
020
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
I’m sorry do you not see that according to your own line, Egypt’s defender’s foot is entirely behind the line while Iran’s attacker’s foot is clearly on top of it and past it?
A close up of Iran’s offside
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
This is offside. I can see it with my own eye. It’s close, but you can see the Iran attacker is clearly past the goalkeeper and that the edge of the foot is past the second-last defender, and that the last defender doesn’t count because you need to be behind two to be onside
Iran’s offside against Egypt
120
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
The things that Jesper Sorensen has done to this man, insane, just a whole different player from what he used to be
Pedro Vite’s passing map according to Futi
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Loved this from @futi.live and I think it shows what I want USMNT to be as opponents get tougher: keep pushing on the verticality pedal. Take risks. Stronger teams will expose some defensive liabilities bc that’s just going to happen. You best teams by scoring one goal more, not letting in one less
Progressing
Fast Break
Kickoff
Possession Freekick
Possession Throw In
Progression
Att
11
2
9
12
65
Won
5
0
6
3
42
1142
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
At a store in the Monte Mario neighbourhood of Rome you can buy t shirts of world famous brands such as Popeye, the Rolling Stones, Peanuts, Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls
A t shirt sale featuring brands like rock bands (Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, AC/DC) famous cultural products (Peanuts, Dragon Ball) and soccer teams (Inter Miami, RBNY)
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
At a vending machine at the Giulio Agricola metro station in Rome you can try your luck to pick up a few official MLS balls
MLS official balls in display in Rome
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Ah yes the conference league final
The Wikipedia page for Crystal Palace BaltimoreThe Wikipedia page for Rayo OKC
020
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
anyway: this is how I would drew it up:
My USMNT starting XI, a 3-4-3, from goalkeeper to onwards, from left to right:

Turner
Trusty Richards Freeman
Robinson Adams Berhalter Weah
Pulisic Balogun McKennie
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
It is Dr. Alessandro Acquistapace from now on folks
A graduation thesis and a crown of laurel leaves
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
I don’t like it when your supposed star player has to track back as much as Almiron has done to get the ball, it usually means there’s a general problem in progressing the ball cleanly. Esp bc the best version of Almiron is not really supposed to do that, you shouldn’t ask that of him
Heat map of Atlanta during the first half vs Cincinnati
010
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Honestly in 2026 if this is not the starting point of your politics you are doing politics wrong. This is the one non-negotiable we should start to enforce tbh
The corporate needs you to find the difference between this picture and this picture meme with Netanyahu and Putin
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
That’s former Italian NT player, but I’d argue more importantly minority owner of USL team New York Cosmos (formerly of recently deceased Rocco Benito Commisso) turning up in Democrats’ replies and revealing himself as a fascist!
Giuseppe Rossi responding “Values? Peace? Learn what the words "peaceful protest" mean before you tweet.” To Tim Walz
032
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Very interesting player. Once again seems to fit the ethos for LAFC midfielders, I feel like he could really feast with Son up top, but he does not scream to me “we’re going to be better with the ball”
Radar for Amin Boudri from: https://best11scouting.streamlit.app/
120
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
This guy has been signed to a U22 contract in the same spot where Atlanta has Pedro Amador (who is one of the few positives of this squad and also v good at crossing)
Elías de Jesús Báez (21, LB, 3481 mins.), San Lorenzo
2025 Argentina LPF Percentile Rankings & Per 90 Values Tackles
(pAdj)
Defensive
응
Duels Won
Defensive
Actions
10.8
0.8
100
80
60
40
20
Fouls Drawn
Cards
0.13
0.64
62.37
0.21
([pyd)
Aerial Duels
Won
8.12
0.01
0.35
55.56
57.25
1.49 25.0 Aerial
Win %
8.51
Expected
Assists Acceleration
with Ball
d°
Succes
Dribble
Long
Pass %
Crosses
Bars are percentiles | Values shown are per 90' values
All values are per 90 minutes | Data as of Dec. 30, 2025 Compared to Argentina LPF Fullbacks, 900+ mins Data: Wyscout | Twitter: @BeGriffis
Sample Size: 90 players
Black dot line = metric mean
Colored dot line = +/- 0.5 std.
deviations
Cross
Assists &
Completion % 2nd/3rd Assists
Carries
Pros
Passes
Created by Ben Griffis
best11scouting.streamlit.app
Elite (Top 10%)
Above Average (11-35%)
Average (36-66%)
Below Average (Bottom 35%)
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Idk, I feel like when a coach turns around and gets this type of record, he warrants a second chance even if his previous record was atrocious (especially if that record happened within the most dysfunctional of environments)
Raphaël Wicky head coaching record at Young Boys:

Young Boys

2 June 2022
4 March
2024
100 Games
59 W
22 D
19 L
218 GS
93 GA
+125 GE
59.00% W
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Swedish Vanni Sartini, many are saying it
About Henrik Rydstrom: He has held speeches for the Swedish Social Democratic Party. He stated in a podcast interview with local newspaper Sydsvenskan owned by Bonnier Group while manager for Malmö that he wants to "take the fight harder against the Sweden Democrats". 141 This statement stirred reactions from the Sweden Democrats in Malmö who accused him of "bullying and excluding their voter base from welcome to Eleda Stadion". [51 His statement furthermore marked a change in Malmö's neutral stance of outwards politics both regionally and nationally as a democratically membership owned football association as the press officer of Malmö attended the interview.
130
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
DC United: - signed a new DP striker -could very likely spend a #1 draft pick on a striker -have a striker-ish type in Murrell -has Dom Badji under contract in 2026 -takes a flier on a striker Erkut Sogut today said “we have a clear vision”
X to Doubt meme
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Sickos guy meme
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
IG gave me this ad for a clearly scammy app which apparently allows you to invest in “luxury goods”. The text says “Nancy Pelosi is one of our own”. The image seems to imply that Nancy Pelosi is actually that young woman in dreadlocks. I couldn’t find any information about dreadlocked Pelosi, though
An ad for an app saying (in Italian) “Nancy Pelosi is one of our own” and then putting the name Nancy Pelosi near a young white woman with dreadlocks
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
We’ll see what happens w/ that freed up U22 slot. Fire have some cap space+int’l slot (Barlow was on $300k+Gasper on $600k+Kouamé on TAM). Last year I thought they could take a big swing as 3rd DP (Neymar, or even a DM/CB!) bc Gutiérrez was so good, now they have a big gap at a DP friendly position
Roster profile for the Chicago Fire. Link:

https://mlssoccer.app.box.com/s/c2ok055zmdadejs5zfmhjaj9otkw7wmp
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
My Wikipedia year in review!! (Only had the app for three months, i am scared for the numbers that might come out in 2026)
#Wikipedia YearInReview
Articles I read the most
Wikipedia logo
1. Cuco Martina
2. Casale FBC
3. Mostro di Firenze
643
Thursdays
Minutes read
Favorite day to read
Articles read
Categories that interested me
1401
1. Men's association football forwards
2. Men's association football midfielders
3. Serie A players
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Have been doing research in basketball playgrounds across Rome, and since I spend a lot of time just out and about I have been trying some new gems. This place is in a dilapidated part of Rome, it’s locals only and, like, this whole lot of soup came up at 6€, just like a huge portion of fried rice!
Wonton soup :)
110
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
This quote here is particularly hilarious given that sure, EPL is no MLS-level parity, but it’s by far the league with the biggest parity among the top leagues and has achieved such dominant position *especially* because they focused on sharing their revenue more equally among teams
An NWSL GM saying “If you want to be the best league in the world, anybody who knows soccer would say that's the English Premier League in the men's game -- there's no parity."
041
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Because the temperatures in June, July, August are considered dangerous and not suitable to play in Barcelona and Rome, so why should they be suitable for two of the *coldest* cities in MLS. Look, a soccer league in the US is going to play in some shit weather! It’s both too hot and too cold!
Comparison of temperatures between Barcelona, St. Louis, Rome and Saint Paul
200
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Two astronauts looking at a planet earth tagged with the words “St. Louis’ new CSO” one holding a gun towards the other. The gun less one asks “wait, it’s all Diego Gigliani”. The other responds “always has been”
030
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
MLS punishments for the Leagues Cup brawl are totally appropriate and on par, if not way exceeding, what is the standard practice for violations committed in competitions outside those in which they are punished
Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom Of Speech”
130
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Hilarious penalty conceded by RBNY2 against Fire II (in a game tying the record for worst loss in MLSNP, 9-2 for Chicago). Shookalook only ever using his right foot like he’s going to be shot if he uses the left, the clear handball, the attempt at justifying the play with the ref. 10/10 no notes
020
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
this is what the official roster rules page says. So the ability to change roster construction models isn’t based on having the generic GAM funds (VWFC has $1.9m according to roster profiles) but on not having spend *that specific* GAM. Imho it’d be much simpler the other way (Link in alt)
Clubs will conditionally have the opportunity to update their roster construction model at midseason – between July 1, 2025, and the close of the Secondary Transfer Window on Aug. 21. Conditions for updating roster construction models at midseason:
Updates must be made between July 1, 2025 and the close of the Secondary Transfer Window (Aug. 21).
U22 Initiative Player Model to Designated Player Model – The club must have used $1 million or less of the additional GAM and have no more than three U22 Initiative Players on their roster as of their updated declaration.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/roster-rules-and-regulations
121
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Tobin Heath wearing a Manuela Giugliano jersey is just messing with my brain but makes me scream fuck yeah
Tobin Heath wearing a Manuela Giugliano jersey
020
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
A still of Brian Windhorst during his “why would the Jazz do that” on ESPN
000
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve seen a concert on my birthday I’d have two nickels which isn’t much but it’s weird that it has happened twice
The stage at a Tate McRae concert in Stockholm
100
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
I did not expect to see on a field during one of my many Swedish sports experiences former Portland Thorns Izzy D’Aquila. I had completely missed her move to Sweden. PSA: Malmö, despite being promoted, are good. They’re coming for Rosengard’s crown in the city (and in Sweden)
A picture from the stadium as AIK and Malmö play a game of women’s soccer
121
Alessandro Acquistapace-Volpe @acquistapace.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Lots of talk about the bad urbanism of US stadiums but possibly the greatest downgrade ever in the history of stadiums is what Messina did from the stadium on the left to the monstrosity on the side (you can see it from the highway above, it’s mostly dug into the ground, just ugly stuff)
The old Giovanni Celeste stadium in MessinaThe new stadio Franco Scoglio in Messina
000