Opta (Stats Perform) and StatsBomb have done an incredible job pushing the data analysis industry forward in the last 15 years or so. Their suite of tools offered to clubs privately and the broader analysis community via websites have brought data into mainstream conversations.
The bigger leagues around the world have been the focus for the major companies. They have to go where the fan engagement happens and where money is on the club side.
What's been left behind is a large gap between the clubs and leagues that want to use data, but don't have the coverage. Sure, you can login to Wyscout and grab some, but a subscription with data access is expensive, and it's a daily or weekly battle to keep updating the data. Definitely not an easy environment!
This is where Win Factory shines. Our data is updated live, and while we also cover the 100+ men's leagues captured by the big 2, and the 14 women's leagues StatsBomb, we have an additional 100 men's leagues in our database and 50 more for women.
With that in mind, here's an example Win Factory use case:
We're going to look for women's players in non-StatsBomb leagues who might be a good addition to a North American club given the recent explosion of opportunity there.
NWSL has announced another expansion franchise, the USL have recently launched a women's league that's already expanding, and Canada's Northern Super League kicks of in the spring of 2025, with clubs already signing players. European players will be heading across the Atlantic.
Miljana Ivanovic - Lillestrom
First, one that got away. Miljana Ivanovic moved from Lillestrom to London City Lionesses this off season after putting up huge numbers in the Norwegian first tier. Our worlwide club ranking model rates Lillestrom significantly stronger than the Lionesses, but the financial realities of women's soccer make this move understandable. As the Lionesses look to improve in the WSL, it seems a potentially smart move.
From a North-American perspective, Lillestrom are still weaker than the Houston Dash & Bay FC, but far stronger than the whole of the USL Womens Super League and likely Canada's Northern Super League when it kicks off. Ivanovic would've been a smart move for any of these teams. Our motto at Win Factory is to know more and know before. Could somebody have swooped in mid-season last year? Possibly.
Karina Saevik - Valerenga
Another impressive forward playing in Norway is Karina Saevik. She ranks in the 80th percentile for Expected Goals, leads the league in Expected Assists and has the underlying numbers to show sustainability on her output.
Saevik has been at Valerenga for two seasons and may be looking for one final move in her prime years, and should be high on any attacking lists for North American clubs.
With 54 caps for Norway she's not exactly unknown, but some hard data might be useful to protect a well-rounded recruitment department from any worries.
Samantha van Diemen - Glasgow City
For those who didn't know, there's a 22 year old Centre Back absolutely lighting it up in Scotland. And shes not playing for Celtic or Rangers.
It seems criminal she's only got three caps for the Netherlands despite her age and if you're looking for a ball playing defender in a team looking to build from the back there might not be a better one in Europe who's not already at a major club. Diemen surely won't be in Glasgow too much longer and any smart club looking to invest in a young player with some serious tools should have her high on their list.
Diemen, Saevik & Ivanovic are just a few examples of some of the brilliant players not being covered by mainstream data in women's soccer. Win Factory is already working with clients in North America & Europe who're tapping into our live player database to give themselves an edge in player recruitment.