Wow, that convo of Becky and Mewis. Becky talked about the specialness of playing here, what the club means to her, and the fact that she's lived here for longer than she played here and has deep roots here. RAJ needs to find an organizational job for her, as soon as she's ready to take one on.
The Bruun-Mewis Pod is my new Happy Sad Happy place.
What a loss, of people in the locker room and on the pitch, going into 2025 without Sincy and Bruun (and one has to imagine Kling might not be far behind).
Yeah I think the moratorium goes into effect today at 3pm and goes until next Friday. So doesn't necessarily mean they have to be announced today, but if they get any across the line it would be weird if they made us wait!
Sounds nice, but that's reeeally not enough time for a new GM to get a new coach in and also make signings to rebuild a roster. A new coach is what I'm most concerned about though. Signings only have to happen before the season starts so we have more leeway there....we may just be missing the boat on certain players if we're starting that late.
Ideally it would be announced before Christmas, and that new GM is using their holiday break to actually get some work done.
And the squad is scheduled to play at the Great Carrot Festival in Coachella in mid-February. Meaning the camp needs to open sometime in January. Not much time for a new gaffer..!
As I said on the earlier thread; if the RAJ FO knew or even suspected this was coming it makes the slow-walking the GM/HC replacement less acceptable and the low-bar CB signings more questionable. Hiatt at least seems your Basic NWSL starter quality. But with only Hubly and Daiane to bulwark Obaze? That’s pretty shifty, and without a better gaffer than Ken to rebuild this fixer-upper..?
With all these retirements (and the cap going up in '25), we should've theoretically been able to find some elite CB with the $$$ we should now have freed up. More low ambition signings when both captains and the best CB of the group retires isn't really acceptable. Hiatt was a good pickup, but in hindsight isn't enough. And now we have 1 int'l spot left. Two CB signings and I feel like our CB group is less than or equal to last season, but without quality leadership and experience.
And last season wasn’t great for the backline! So “less than” is not a good trajectory!
My heartburn is that the slow move to get a better GM pushed the HC replacement back. And the lack of a better head in the coaching staff - whether Smith, Norris, Gale or some combination of all three - means the lack of ambition seems traceable to a “we don’t have a plan because we don’t have a planner” situation.
And yup, should've had a GM in already and they should be the one rebuilding this roster. More KK/Norris/Gale hires will doom us for another season (at least!) I don't know why they gave Daiane a 2 yr deal. And we've only got Soph and Sam for 1 more season. Trying not to get too down, but I don't see how our CB situation improves much now....still will hang all hopes on getting solid college CB like Reale. But that won't pay off in '25...
But we WEREN'T actually one of the worst backlines in the league; far from it in fact. As Chief points out, we were about as distinctly average as it could have gotten.
The defensive issue is mostly structural to me. New coach and I feel fine about the personnel. No new coach, and it probably doesn't matter who gets brought in.
Well...not as bad as all that; sixth of 12 in GA, sixth in GD. Not good, not bad, just meh. But that means the point is to make it BETTER, not swap 'Brunn for Hiatt and Hubly for Daiane. We're sort of running in place at the moment...
And worth noting that Norris’ 2023 GA was an utter trashfire; 10th of 12. His squad rode Smith like a government mule. Ken’s squad wasn’t great but it was head-and-shoulders better than that…
Given what Becky said in the Mewis podcast, you'd have to think there was some sort of end-of-season exit interview, and probably even some informal conversation before that.
It gets said a lot but Becky is truly one of the greatest of all time. The organization would be stupid not to welcome Becky back to the organization in any way she wants. She’s an outstanding human and player and is what this organization needs more of. We were so blessed to have witness greatness at Providence Park. It was an honor and a privilege to have Becky as a thorn.
It's Christmas, so I'm not going to relitigate all that transpired two Novembers and Decembers ago and the decisions our FO made in handling, subsequent hirings, etc.
I liked Rhian and I think she was growing in the job. Tough coaching the player you idolized. She was beginning I think to figure things out near the end of her tenure but she lost some of the fans and then she lost the locker room. But I am happy she is still coaching and her and Menges have committed to each other.
Well, after nearly a year the RAJ people finally took over the STH management. Got my official RAJ ticket rep today. Seems like such a nice person I can't bring myself to start our relationship by demanding WHY TF WAS THERE NO POST-SEASON PRESSER??!!
I'm beginning to feel like Charlie Brown with the football. Every day I check Thorns websites thinking there will be some news about a GM, head coach, player signings ... SOMETHING. "Surely," I think, "with practice for next season starting in a month or so, things will get going today!" But no, every time there's just more radio silence.
Apparently I have to adjust my expectations. Hopefully that won't mean adjusting the expectation that the Thorns will return to being a top-tier team, but with time running short, I'm not so certain anymore.
A nice little Thorns write-up from Chris Rifer, who is doing his own blog @ the Morrison Report again. I always enjoyed hearing his clear-eyed opinions (even if I think him and Ryan Clarke were a bit late to the party when chatting Thorns on "Soccer Made In Portland.")
Been an honor and a treat to watch Becky at the office, there at Providence. A pro's pro, a compelling leader, a powerful advocate, a delightful person. Would I follow Becky up that hill? You know I would.
Cherry on top was watching her score against Orlando. Peak Becky.
We brought in Sam & Daiane, but we desperately need a Coach. Woody-level decisions by our FO are the Norm. We also have an on-again, off-again thing with goalkeepers. I fear we're heading off a Cliff.
Goodnight, everybody! Frasier has left the building. Scrambled eggs all over my face. What is a poor boy to do?
Have loved watching Becky play over all these years, kind of knew that she would step away as she's done and without fanfare. A class act on and on the field, a leader among even the amazing women in her sport.
Whatever path she chooses next, and it's important to remember that she's still young, I only wish the best for her.
(I want to be hopeful, I want to be hopeful, I want to be hopeful…)
It does sound like a targeted message for fans, but I also feel like Charlie and the football and I will not get my hopes up until there’s actually proof of this club doing something right and making decisions that a “top club” would make….
Bixby signed through 2025 with club option for 2026
Arnold signed through 2026 with mutual option for 2027
Hogan signed through 2025 with club option for 2026
3 keepers all of whom expect to be starters, 2 of whom have 1-year make-good deals, 1 of whom is a local, 1 of whom is an international, 1 of whom has more upside. What's going to happen here?
Someone's got to go...and I have about as much confidence in this "organization" (to abuse the term) getting that call right as I have in gas station sashimi.
There's the thing: I'd actually trust the sashimi at gas stations* and actually _do_ eat it from the konbini (convenience markets) here. But I live in Japan, so...
* Gas stations out in the countryside here often have little food sections (less common in cities). Haven't noticed sashimi at one, but I'd trust it. I mean...this is Hokkaido. It's going to be fresh.
My guess? Ken will start Arnold because 1) she's the "bigger" name, 2) his GK coach is an Australian and probably stans for her, and 3) her technical metrics were better (the only genuine reason to do so). The others will ride the pine and get starts in Cup ties and other non-league fixtures.
Eventually one (at least) will get frustrated enough to force a loan or trade (or sale).
Good people. Am eager to see how well she's returned to form and perhaps also shed some nagging injuries she might have been carrying over time. Also, Moose has a little sister!
Wow, that convo of Becky and Mewis. Becky talked about the specialness of playing here, what the club means to her, and the fact that she's lived here for longer than she played here and has deep roots here. RAJ needs to find an organizational job for her, as soon as she's ready to take one on.
The Bruun-Mewis Pod is my new Happy Sad Happy place.
What a loss, of people in the locker room and on the pitch, going into 2025 without Sincy and Bruun (and one has to imagine Kling might not be far behind).
Let’s collectively manifest a good Thorns signing into existence today.
Ok squinting really hard, did it work? No?
Yeah I think the moratorium goes into effect today at 3pm and goes until next Friday. So doesn't necessarily mean they have to be announced today, but if they get any across the line it would be weird if they made us wait!
Maybe it will be a Christmas Eve present for the fans!
Sounds nice, but that's reeeally not enough time for a new GM to get a new coach in and also make signings to rebuild a roster. A new coach is what I'm most concerned about though. Signings only have to happen before the season starts so we have more leeway there....we may just be missing the boat on certain players if we're starting that late.
Ideally it would be announced before Christmas, and that new GM is using their holiday break to actually get some work done.
And the squad is scheduled to play at the Great Carrot Festival in Coachella in mid-February. Meaning the camp needs to open sometime in January. Not much time for a new gaffer..!
gotta be honest here: i don't think we're getting a new coach
Oh wait the moratorium means no announcement until next Friday.
I doubt that applies to FO hires....think that's just for players.
Ok Lucy! I'm in!!
As I said on the earlier thread; if the RAJ FO knew or even suspected this was coming it makes the slow-walking the GM/HC replacement less acceptable and the low-bar CB signings more questionable. Hiatt at least seems your Basic NWSL starter quality. But with only Hubly and Daiane to bulwark Obaze? That’s pretty shifty, and without a better gaffer than Ken to rebuild this fixer-upper..?
Not reassuring.
With all these retirements (and the cap going up in '25), we should've theoretically been able to find some elite CB with the $$$ we should now have freed up. More low ambition signings when both captains and the best CB of the group retires isn't really acceptable. Hiatt was a good pickup, but in hindsight isn't enough. And now we have 1 int'l spot left. Two CB signings and I feel like our CB group is less than or equal to last season, but without quality leadership and experience.
And last season wasn’t great for the backline! So “less than” is not a good trajectory!
My heartburn is that the slow move to get a better GM pushed the HC replacement back. And the lack of a better head in the coaching staff - whether Smith, Norris, Gale or some combination of all three - means the lack of ambition seems traceable to a “we don’t have a plan because we don’t have a planner” situation.
Yeah, one of the worst backlines in the league!
And yup, should've had a GM in already and they should be the one rebuilding this roster. More KK/Norris/Gale hires will doom us for another season (at least!) I don't know why they gave Daiane a 2 yr deal. And we've only got Soph and Sam for 1 more season. Trying not to get too down, but I don't see how our CB situation improves much now....still will hang all hopes on getting solid college CB like Reale. But that won't pay off in '25...
But we WEREN'T actually one of the worst backlines in the league; far from it in fact. As Chief points out, we were about as distinctly average as it could have gotten.
The defensive issue is mostly structural to me. New coach and I feel fine about the personnel. No new coach, and it probably doesn't matter who gets brought in.
Depends on who the HC is, mind. Hard to believe as it might be but I'll bet there's worse out there than Ken...
Well...not as bad as all that; sixth of 12 in GA, sixth in GD. Not good, not bad, just meh. But that means the point is to make it BETTER, not swap 'Brunn for Hiatt and Hubly for Daiane. We're sort of running in place at the moment...
Not great, Jerry!
And worth noting that Norris’ 2023 GA was an utter trashfire; 10th of 12. His squad rode Smith like a government mule. Ken’s squad wasn’t great but it was head-and-shoulders better than that…
and with the massive increase in ticket prices
Given what Becky said in the Mewis podcast, you'd have to think there was some sort of end-of-season exit interview, and probably even some informal conversation before that.
It gets said a lot but Becky is truly one of the greatest of all time. The organization would be stupid not to welcome Becky back to the organization in any way she wants. She’s an outstanding human and player and is what this organization needs more of. We were so blessed to have witness greatness at Providence Park. It was an honor and a privilege to have Becky as a thorn.
Menges and Rhian Wilkinson have, apparently, been married!
happy for them, sad for what came of our team since then.
What became of our team is not their fault.
Technically how a manager handled it was Rhian’s fault,but atleast something good came from it
It's Christmas, so I'm not going to relitigate all that transpired two Novembers and Decembers ago and the decisions our FO made in handling, subsequent hirings, etc.
Oh come on, family arguments are what Christmas is for.
It's FESTIVUS!
I liked Rhian and I think she was growing in the job. Tough coaching the player you idolized. She was beginning I think to figure things out near the end of her tenure but she lost some of the fans and then she lost the locker room. But I am happy she is still coaching and her and Menges have committed to each other.
Well, after nearly a year the RAJ people finally took over the STH management. Got my official RAJ ticket rep today. Seems like such a nice person I can't bring myself to start our relationship by demanding WHY TF WAS THERE NO POST-SEASON PRESSER??!!
But I want to. I'm kind of a bastard.
I also notice they secured the perennial fake TV number 5555
Klondike 5-5555?
I'm beginning to feel like Charlie Brown with the football. Every day I check Thorns websites thinking there will be some news about a GM, head coach, player signings ... SOMETHING. "Surely," I think, "with practice for next season starting in a month or so, things will get going today!" But no, every time there's just more radio silence.
Apparently I have to adjust my expectations. Hopefully that won't mean adjusting the expectation that the Thorns will return to being a top-tier team, but with time running short, I'm not so certain anymore.
They should rename the comments section "group therapy "
The Doctor is In. 5 cents, please!
Final final grades piece: https://rivetingpdx.com/2024/12/18/2024-final-grades-the-coaches-trainers-and-management/
A nice little Thorns write-up from Chris Rifer, who is doing his own blog @ the Morrison Report again. I always enjoyed hearing his clear-eyed opinions (even if I think him and Ryan Clarke were a bit late to the party when chatting Thorns on "Soccer Made In Portland.")
Anyways, his first Thorns post:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-153315834#footnote-anchor-2-153315834
My level of respect for Becky makes me believe she can do whatever she puts her mind to and excel.
Been an honor and a treat to watch Becky at the office, there at Providence. A pro's pro, a compelling leader, a powerful advocate, a delightful person. Would I follow Becky up that hill? You know I would.
Cherry on top was watching her score against Orlando. Peak Becky.
Thanks, queen.
Cheers in 2025:
We brought in Sam & Daiane, but we desperately need a Coach. Woody-level decisions by our FO are the Norm. We also have an on-again, off-again thing with goalkeepers. I fear we're heading off a Cliff.
Goodnight, everybody! Frasier has left the building. Scrambled eggs all over my face. What is a poor boy to do?
And a very Happy New Year to you!
Have loved watching Becky play over all these years, kind of knew that she would step away as she's done and without fanfare. A class act on and on the field, a leader among even the amazing women in her sport.
Whatever path she chooses next, and it's important to remember that she's still young, I only wish the best for her.
Bella bixby re-signed.
Interesting that the final line is “Stick with us, good things are coming.”
https://x.com/thornsfc/status/1871327612246913532?s=46&t=Xqcn-ILJiYl3NWCnoazg7A
(I want to be hopeful, I want to be hopeful, I want to be hopeful…)
It does sound like a targeted message for fans, but I also feel like Charlie and the football and I will not get my hopes up until there’s actually proof of this club doing something right and making decisions that a “top club” would make….
FO: "Stick with us, good things are coming."
Me:
FO: "Really. No shit! Pinky swear."
Me:
FO: "...what?"
Me: "THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT KEN! WHO'S THE GM? WTF? WHY DO I HAVE TO GET MAD ABOUT THIS??!!"
FO: "Well! No wonder I don't talk to you people!"
Bixby signed through 2025 with club option for 2026
Arnold signed through 2026 with mutual option for 2027
Hogan signed through 2025 with club option for 2026
3 keepers all of whom expect to be starters, 2 of whom have 1-year make-good deals, 1 of whom is a local, 1 of whom is an international, 1 of whom has more upside. What's going to happen here?
Someone's got to go...and I have about as much confidence in this "organization" (to abuse the term) getting that call right as I have in gas station sashimi.
Your gas stations have sashimi? Ours just have cholera.
There's the thing: I'd actually trust the sashimi at gas stations* and actually _do_ eat it from the konbini (convenience markets) here. But I live in Japan, so...
* Gas stations out in the countryside here often have little food sections (less common in cities). Haven't noticed sashimi at one, but I'd trust it. I mean...this is Hokkaido. It's going to be fresh.
My guess? Ken will start Arnold because 1) she's the "bigger" name, 2) his GK coach is an Australian and probably stans for her, and 3) her technical metrics were better (the only genuine reason to do so). The others will ride the pine and get starts in Cup ties and other non-league fixtures.
Eventually one (at least) will get frustrated enough to force a loan or trade (or sale).
Good people. Am eager to see how well she's returned to form and perhaps also shed some nagging injuries she might have been carrying over time. Also, Moose has a little sister!
Is Coffey the captain now?
Becky with the good career. Was a privilege to watch her to what did.
We've lost two all-time great people, leaders, and players this offseason.