As a former ESPN data analyst raised in Brooklyn, I’ve watched L.A. FC’s fall from dominance with cold precision. Their roster—built on French international talent and outdated tactics—is now a ghost of its former self. Meanwhile, Flamengo’s Brazilian fury, refined by elite structure and tactical evolution, exposes the systemic flaws in modern football. This isn’t about stars. It’s about systems failing. I’ve seen it too often: emotion without data is blind faith.