11 Questions with Matthew Wiltse

The pursuit of wisdom in any walk of life quickly reveals that what you think you know is not nearly enough to get you to where you want to go. As I'm starting out in my football scouting journey I challenged myself to reach out to those already working in various roles in football to answer a short list of questions. My goal wasn't to get answers but relevant perspectives on the game within the game.

Here is Matt Wiltse:

How did your first opportunity in football come about? 

I played the game my whole life and was fortunate enough to be called up to the US youth national team at the U15 and U18 levels. I played club for PDA, and went to Villanova University where I played at the US Collegiate Division 1 level. That "footballing resume" allowed me to get my foot in the door with a group like Managing Madrid where I have taken my healthy obsession with the game and channeled it into more analytical perspectives. 

What attracted you to data/media/etc? What’s more intriguing now names or numbers?  

I felt I could offer different perspectives and believed in my writing-skills and and analytical skills enough to push for a role with Managing Madrid. As for what's more intriguing these days, I am an avid believer that "names" or the on-field performance and aesthetics, some dub 'the eye test', is why we all in fall in love with the game. It is certainly the more intriguing. But, with the growing field of data analytics, you can map out the true quality of a performance or an individual vs their peers which helps to take away our own personal biases. 

What player or concept  fascinates you? What caught your eye?

A player I simply enjoy watching is Martin Odegaard. He's elegant yet still efficient. He always seems to be thinking two steps faster than the player marking him and his eye for a defense-splitting vertical pass is unparalleled.  

What is the biggest misconception you’ve found in this space? 

In terms of analyzing the game, I think far too many base their analysis strictly off the numbers rather than watching the game and allowing the numbers to either confirm or deny your assumptions or point out measurements that the eye-test may have missed. In essence, data should be used as a tool to build off of a base, not to form the base. 

 

If you could start over what skill would you build on first? 

How to properly break down game film -- what tactical patterns to look for, diligent note-taking, slicing clips, adding visuals, and properly extrapolating on those clips.  

What is more important player development or recruitment? Why? 

I think it depends on the club - for a club like Real Madrid, recruitment is more important. A player can be developed to their highest potential, but if their highest potential is not Real Madrid quality, then you have to recruit. It's why so few players from the "Cantera" - Real Madrid's youth academy- make it through to the first team, despite being very talented and despite having years of development under the most elite environments.  

What is your favorite sports moment? Why? 

This is an easy one, 92:48, Sergio Ramos' header to equalize in the 2014 Champions League final vs Atletico Madrid in Lisbon to help Madrid secure the coveted La Decima. After 12 years of waiting, 6 years of round of 16 knock-outs, 3 consecutive semi-final losses including on penalty kicks to Bayern Munich, and then some 90 minutes of suffering in the final -- it was all worth it for that moment.  

What coach/player/team inspires you? Why? 

I will always reference Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane oozes class. His serene demeanor and his confident aura are some of the intangibles that anyone would be inspired to mimic. He has handled unrelenting pressure his entire career and does so with a smile and positive mindset. I can think of no better example to follow. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into this space? 

Trust your instincts and be yourself. If you are analyzing a game and have a different opinion to the "majority", trust it. Find the patterns or the match evidence to back up your assertions. Have your own voice and allow your personality to come through in your writing.  

Who is your favorite athlete? Why?  

David Beckham - I was growing up when he was at the peak of his powers. I had blonde hair as a kid and everyone said I played like him. He became my role model - his relentless work ethic, his professional attitude, and his family-first mentality always resonated with me. 

What is your favorite quote or saying? 

"Football is the most important of the unimportant things in the life." - Sacchi said it first, but Ancelotti has gone on to use this one as well.