The Courgettes Ass-Kicking Machine is running apace. Up 4-0 on DC Kang, 73rd minute.
Also, DoorDash hold an early 1-0 lead on KCFUBAR. Franch in goal. At this point, I figure KC hope Franch regains some semblance of form so KC might entice Utah or BFD to go after her.
Speaking of the USWNT, absurd World Cup debut from Soph and high grades awarded to surprise late addition DeMelo. Girma looked superb. ETA, as did Fox, who I forgot also had her WWC debut. It looks bright: the future.
With Ertz back and looking like Ertz, TGH again gets to range box to box like her old, most-effective self. What a great stint for her.
Rodman kind of disappeared, but she'll get hers. Very, uh, relieved at our back line composition but it's not like they were tested, either. I think the first time I saw Naeher isolated on camera was around minute 80. Hoping she caught up on her sleep, you know how hard travel can be.
Yeah, it was good to see Naeher. I assume for most of the match she was sitting cross-legged in front of goal, picking dandelions, perhaps breaking up the monotony with the occasional grass angel.
"This isn’t the first time that Stoney has been issued a fine. Earlier this season, she received a fine after making comments about the quality of the Racing Louisville pitch. Last June, Stoney was fined for approaching officials during a match. She also has been critical of refereeing before, most recently last October when she called out a lack of protection for star striker Alex Morgan."
That was fun and good to see the squad look much more poised and confident. Couple of players (Betfort, Kling, Weaver) had excellent games.
Keep in mind that this year that form doesn’t hold with this club; after the season’s best outing against Washington they went to Orlando and shit the bed. I saw too many unforced turnovers to be comfortable that this was a feature not a bug. We’ll have to see how this group looks next match.
But if it was a bug? It was a hell of a fun bug. I really loved seeing Hannah Betfort the Beasr, and I hope she becomes the Queen Midge of ‘23 because she is just so happy when she’s on.
I think Portland actually made adjustments: I saw Porter deeper, almost a double pivot with Coffey, and notably the Thorns were much sharper on transitions. Also, it seemed to me Weaver was almost a default #10 with Moultrie drifting wide a lot. best game from Kling in a while, Reyes very good again, and just less derpy moments.
Big credit to Hannah Betfort. All around she was really good tonight. A little lucky with the "assist" but she was in the right place and she really worked hard. Great to see that rewarded.
Absolutely fun! The first half was a more even contest, but gosh the Thorns turned it up a notch in the second half. On that first goal it was great to see so many Thorns crashing towards the box. Hannah Betfort's size and speed is going to be valuable if she continues to show improvement. Also , Reyes proved she can cover the right as well as the left, because she looked good.
She seems not yet confident in her 1 v 1 and poaching skills.
But if she's tall, fast, super athletic, smiley, hard-working, no-shit-taking, happy-to-be-here, capable of scoring and assisting with some regularity, purveyor of the best celebration, and plays well with others?
Off an incredible rushing-toward-the-endline cross from who else but Betfort! She played a phenomenal match. Not just the highlight reel stuff, but her overall awareness, work rate, and composure. This was a legit breakthrough. She's gone from glimpses to putting something together.
I think starting on the wing really unlocked her talent. We’ve strictly seen her in the 9, but I feel like she was great on the wing. Major foot speed, and the strength to just muscle past fullbacks. She was bullying the hell outta fullbacks and even beat Po (!) with speed. She was able to round that shoulder of the defense and had some nice plays into the box. With a lack of wingers, this is great news. Would love to see her at the RW again. She was also able to drift into the box and be dangerous on those headers. 10/10 no notes Hannah!
Having not seen a whole lot of Betfort before last night I kept noticing when they were together "hey, she looks taller than even Morgan" and sure enough, 5'11". On a height-challenged Thorns squad that's not nothing.
Wonderful match and hopefully a breakthrough, because I'm thrilled anytime a bench-warmer becomes favored talent. Maybe she's our 2023 Midge.
Actually, you know what- After watching on my laptop instead of my phone, I think you might be right. If you watch the celebrations after, Betfort shrugs her shoulders and grins kinda sheepishly when Weaver asks “did you mean to pass that?" Not the look of someone who made an intentional pass lol
She's looking toward Weaver when she hits it, not toward the goal - I'd say it's a pass. She's been showing vision and awareness lately that I didn't think she had in her.
Now much more of a box/diamond 4-4-2 than the first half...I assume that’s an intentional adjustment, maybe to get Moultrie more involved and get more numbers in midfield.
Skipped the first half to watch Le Tour. Dropped in and skimmed through the half...hard to really generalize, San Diego is so poor. Weaver gonna Weaver (chip? round the keeper? Hello?), Betfort with a poacher's goal, Kling ballwatching on the Hill post (c'mon, Kling...you're a menace lately) and overall more of the rec-league vibe from these two clubs without their internationals.
Tough call on the soccer tonight; rec-league versus the USWNT doing the soccer equivalent of clubbing adorable baby seals (who are bunkered up with a six-player backline). Hmmm...
Time is definitely what she needs; she just hasn't adapted (yet?) to the speed of play. She doesn't anticipate that the opponent will anticipate her passes.
Totally agree. She muffed shots again tonight too. I'm willing to give her time.
Speaking of which, better efforts from Reyes and Porter tonight too. Looked more composed, both of them. Man, poor Barcenas. Reyes gave her a late-match "Welcome to the NWSL" shoulder hit while both of them sprinted for a loose ball. Barcenas, to her credit, was pretty much unfazed and kept battling.
Best challenge cup half of all year. And maybe a top 5 half all year. Betfort one poached goal 3 yards out. One header open goal just sends over the post and one strike right to the keeper. Weaver and Kling getting good looks that don't go in. Wished we were up more going into the half. Big Bixby save and big save from the post keeps us up 1-0. Stadium is not a big dip in attendance.
Surprisingly good turnout tonight. Great atmosphere. Fun evening of footy. Was a good game, or good enough game, for both until Portland seized control of it.
The Courgettes Ass-Kicking Machine is running apace. Up 4-0 on DC Kang, 73rd minute.
Also, DoorDash hold an early 1-0 lead on KCFUBAR. Franch in goal. At this point, I figure KC hope Franch regains some semblance of form so KC might entice Utah or BFD to go after her.
Speaking of the USWNT, absurd World Cup debut from Soph and high grades awarded to surprise late addition DeMelo. Girma looked superb. ETA, as did Fox, who I forgot also had her WWC debut. It looks bright: the future.
With Ertz back and looking like Ertz, TGH again gets to range box to box like her old, most-effective self. What a great stint for her.
Rodman kind of disappeared, but she'll get hers. Very, uh, relieved at our back line composition but it's not like they were tested, either. I think the first time I saw Naeher isolated on camera was around minute 80. Hoping she caught up on her sleep, you know how hard travel can be.
Yeah, it was good to see Naeher. I assume for most of the match she was sitting cross-legged in front of goal, picking dandelions, perhaps breaking up the monotony with the occasional grass angel.
With last night's loss, SD Champipple have only won TWICE in their last TEN matches, regular season and Challenge Cup.
They've lost 3 in a row in Challenge Cup after winning their opener, and they've lost 3 and drawn 2 since their last regular season win.
Is Stoney's act wearing thin?
Her sartorial game remains top-notch. I say, let it ride!
Unless proven otherwise, the decision is probably Alex Morgan's.
Soccer Spice on the sideline!
She looks so posh then speaking, I could envision her rebuilding the carbs on my TR-4.
Or maybe it's just Whinging Spice?
https://justwomenssports.com/reads/nwsl-casey-stoney-san-diego-wave-fine-referee-criticism/
"This isn’t the first time that Stoney has been issued a fine. Earlier this season, she received a fine after making comments about the quality of the Racing Louisville pitch. Last June, Stoney was fined for approaching officials during a match. She also has been critical of refereeing before, most recently last October when she called out a lack of protection for star striker Alex Morgan."
That was fun and good to see the squad look much more poised and confident. Couple of players (Betfort, Kling, Weaver) had excellent games.
Keep in mind that this year that form doesn’t hold with this club; after the season’s best outing against Washington they went to Orlando and shit the bed. I saw too many unforced turnovers to be comfortable that this was a feature not a bug. We’ll have to see how this group looks next match.
But if it was a bug? It was a hell of a fun bug. I really loved seeing Hannah Betfort the Beasr, and I hope she becomes the Queen Midge of ‘23 because she is just so happy when she’s on.
That was fun!
I think Portland actually made adjustments: I saw Porter deeper, almost a double pivot with Coffey, and notably the Thorns were much sharper on transitions. Also, it seemed to me Weaver was almost a default #10 with Moultrie drifting wide a lot. best game from Kling in a while, Reyes very good again, and just less derpy moments.
Big credit to Hannah Betfort. All around she was really good tonight. A little lucky with the "assist" but she was in the right place and she really worked hard. Great to see that rewarded.
Absolutely fun! The first half was a more even contest, but gosh the Thorns turned it up a notch in the second half. On that first goal it was great to see so many Thorns crashing towards the box. Hannah Betfort's size and speed is going to be valuable if she continues to show improvement. Also , Reyes proved she can cover the right as well as the left, because she looked good.
Hannah Freakin' Betfort. She had a MONSTER of a game.
I think the Chaos Muppet just found another playmate.
Utah and BFD should be looking at her.
I do wonder whether Norris will give Betfort and Moultrie more minutes, and Sinc less, as summer moves on.
And maybe that's Weaver's role on this team.
She seems not yet confident in her 1 v 1 and poaching skills.
But if she's tall, fast, super athletic, smiley, hard-working, no-shit-taking, happy-to-be-here, capable of scoring and assisting with some regularity, purveyor of the best celebration, and plays well with others?
I can live with that.
Confidence. Even if they go no further in the cup, the team needed this confidence boost without their international players.
What an improvement they've made. Still a long shot in this cup but good to see them play better.
Morgan Effing Weaver.
No clean sheet darn that tall girl.
Wouldn’t be a Thorns-Wave game without Hubly watching Kornieck put a header in the Thorns’ net
And I saw Betfort put some good marking on Kornieck too.
Moultrie did some fine set-piece marking on Kornieck prior to that.
Too bad but that's a Korniak goal for ya.
Unexpected this is.
Fucked Around, the San Diego defense. Found out, they did.
Gosh. I think they remembered how to score goals again!
Wow.
Now Kling dimes Reyes, and the clubbing of the San Diego Seals continues.
Off an incredible rushing-toward-the-endline cross from who else but Betfort! She played a phenomenal match. Not just the highlight reel stuff, but her overall awareness, work rate, and composure. This was a legit breakthrough. She's gone from glimpses to putting something together.
I think starting on the wing really unlocked her talent. We’ve strictly seen her in the 9, but I feel like she was great on the wing. Major foot speed, and the strength to just muscle past fullbacks. She was bullying the hell outta fullbacks and even beat Po (!) with speed. She was able to round that shoulder of the defense and had some nice plays into the box. With a lack of wingers, this is great news. Would love to see her at the RW again. She was also able to drift into the box and be dangerous on those headers. 10/10 no notes Hannah!
Having not seen a whole lot of Betfort before last night I kept noticing when they were together "hey, she looks taller than even Morgan" and sure enough, 5'11". On a height-challenged Thorns squad that's not nothing.
Wonderful match and hopefully a breakthrough, because I'm thrilled anytime a bench-warmer becomes favored talent. Maybe she's our 2023 Midge.
5'11" and she can jump. She's fast too.
Thorns score 7 in two hemispheres.
Amazing stat!
Betfort the Beast of the Brace!!!!
(Nice cross in from Kling, too.)
Hannah freakin Betfort takin her chance....good for her!
Nice buildup, tho. Kind of shocking to see, but nice.
Anyone willing to bet that Betfort intended to pass that to Weaver?
She absolutely did. She was looking for others all night long.
I certainly thought she did.
I actually think she did on replay. Looked like a miss-hit originally, but I do think she was trying to pass (tho she shouldn’t have been)
Don't buy it. Think she just scuffed at it, and I watched the replays repeatedly. Made up for it what that thumping header, tho, so it's all good.
Actually, you know what- After watching on my laptop instead of my phone, I think you might be right. If you watch the celebrations after, Betfort shrugs her shoulders and grins kinda sheepishly when Weaver asks “did you mean to pass that?" Not the look of someone who made an intentional pass lol
Regardless, great game from her.
Watch the last two angles of the goal here- sure looks like she’s shaping her body to pass with her left: https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1682599270086594561?s=20
Could just be a absolutely horrible mis-hit, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt based on how she played tonight
She looked POISED out there tonight. Really composed as the game went on. She found something tonight. Good for her! Good for us!
She's looking toward Weaver when she hits it, not toward the goal - I'd say it's a pass. She's been showing vision and awareness lately that I didn't think she had in her.
Yep, she also left Weaver a drop pass that Weaver couldn't convert on, and she had nifty little dummy in transition too.
Now much more of a box/diamond 4-4-2 than the first half...I assume that’s an intentional adjustment, maybe to get Moultrie more involved and get more numbers in midfield.
Weaver!
She needed that. Get her mojo back!
Skipped the first half to watch Le Tour. Dropped in and skimmed through the half...hard to really generalize, San Diego is so poor. Weaver gonna Weaver (chip? round the keeper? Hello?), Betfort with a poacher's goal, Kling ballwatching on the Hill post (c'mon, Kling...you're a menace lately) and overall more of the rec-league vibe from these two clubs without their internationals.
Tough call on the soccer tonight; rec-league versus the USWNT doing the soccer equivalent of clubbing adorable baby seals (who are bunkered up with a six-player backline). Hmmm...
Norris has seen enough of Izzy sadly lol
Izzy = Invizzy.
But, give her time.
Look how long it's taken Betfort to go from a glimpse or flash here or there to a match like tonight.
Time is definitely what she needs; she just hasn't adapted (yet?) to the speed of play. She doesn't anticipate that the opponent will anticipate her passes.
Totally agree. She muffed shots again tonight too. I'm willing to give her time.
Speaking of which, better efforts from Reyes and Porter tonight too. Looked more composed, both of them. Man, poor Barcenas. Reyes gave her a late-match "Welcome to the NWSL" shoulder hit while both of them sprinted for a loose ball. Barcenas, to her credit, was pretty much unfazed and kept battling.
What I saw of her she was her usual turnover-machine self, so not a shock...
Very much so....she was also playing right mid in 4-4-2, so he should have just started Vasconcelos to begin with.
Best challenge cup half of all year. And maybe a top 5 half all year. Betfort one poached goal 3 yards out. One header open goal just sends over the post and one strike right to the keeper. Weaver and Kling getting good looks that don't go in. Wished we were up more going into the half. Big Bixby save and big save from the post keeps us up 1-0. Stadium is not a big dip in attendance.
That was close
At both ends.
Ms Smith scoring two goals, and Horan another, the more 'interesting' Thorns game took precedence, methinks.
Soph involved in every goal.
Sophia with the assist on Horan's goal too. Woman of the match.
I hope the stadium isn't as deserted as the comment section
Surprisingly good turnout tonight. Great atmosphere. Fun evening of footy. Was a good game, or good enough game, for both until Portland seized control of it.
Just got in from the US game. How did we take the lead?
Weaver made a nice run and a cross that the SD keeper got a bit of, but it fell for Betford to put away.
Betfort drove one home
I'm glad to see her starting tonight.
Look at Norris changing formation! Good ole classic 4-4-2!
(Unfortunately we have no wingers so Izzy and Moultrie are out wide)
I will be very curious to see the starting line up. Let the kids play.
I’m pleased to report that Britt Eckerstrom is indeed the GK coach today
I love that!!
So it *was* her! Cool!