I was floored when Turner didn't start. The TV announcers said Rob didn't think she had been with the team long enough. I might be very wrong, but to that I would think that center forward is not particularly the rocket science position. Midfield, yes. Defense certainly.
I'm new to Stumptown Footy, but I'll have to risk any flack I'll get when I say that, as good as she was in the past, Christine Sinclair should never be a starter at this point. She is just not quick enough to run a press, as the Thorns have done for the past 3 or 4 years.
Today's midfield looked especially directionless. I was hoping that, without Coffey, Fleming would be the master of that line.
I don't recall ever seeing the Thorns in a 4-4-2. Would it have mattered with the same starting personnel?
> but I'll have to risk any flack I'll get when I say that, as good as she was in the past, Christine Sinclair should never be a starter at this point.
Naw, you're good, boo... You're with your people here.
Starter? Poor Sinc isn't even an impact sub at this point.
I think Ken ran them out in some sort of weird formation in the Seattle Cup tie, that sort of morphed from a 3-4-3 to a 3-5-2 and occasionally looked very 4-4-2-ish. But not since Parsons, really, and even then he didn't use it much. RW and Norris didn't, at all; Wilkinson going from 3-5-2 to 4-2-3-1 (mostly) and Norris never straying from the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.
Reality is she shouldn’t even be a backup at this stage. She’s a team leader who would be better off taking Rob’s old slot as a coach than be on the field at this stage of her career. She still does something’s well, but the pace has lapped her.
The problem isn't even whether she does anything well (she does). The problem is that her presence on the field changes the game in ways that mostly negate the strengths of the other players. The team has the skill and pace to give opposing defenses fits, but having to constantly slow down and wait takes away the transition game and throws everyone's rhythm off.
Totally agree. Between Weaver, Smith, and Turner … they will have three burners out there with Linnehan also high up on that skill set. Add Sugita and Fleming with plus athleticism, they really could do a lot of their coach just acknowledged that Sincy probably doesn’t warrant playing now
That is a good summation of what I was trying to say (at least in part). We could say that she does some things well, but not the things the team needs. Perhaps if Sinclair buried a header off of a corner kick once every game, then I'd say, "OK. Let everyone else be fast and excellent on the ball." But she's no longer that kind of player (if she ever was a fantastic set piece header a'la' Wambach.)
STF reporters...it would be lovely if y'all could start asking the club/coach some hard questions when you have the chance. Y'all are the only voice the fans have (and kinda the only accountability for the club), and there are lots of questions surrounding this club right now...
Hi there! Site Manager/Editor in Chief/Guy who is in charge I Guess Sam here.
I completely understand your frustration. This Thorns season has been bumpy, and we have tried to reflect that in our coverage. We try our best to have our coverage and questions cover the general sentiment of the fanbase, while also balancing our jobs as media to be objective, fair, and honest.
Ultimately we aren’t going to be able to ask every single question that fans might want answered. We try our best to be critical when it is called for, and ask hard questions when they are warranted. Without going into too much detail, we have a duty to share the stories and information about the team and get the big questions answered, while also respecting the relationships we have with the club(s). That's not taking sides - it's just a reality of this job (which btw none of us do for a living).
Ultimately, I will back our beat writers and their perspective and what they want to ask or not. Phuoc, Melina, Wilder, et al have all been doing a fantastic job covering the Thorns this year, and I’m proud of their work - especially as essentially the only folks on full-time local coverage. I support them 100% and what they choose to ask or not ask. I hope that our coverage still gives you an insight into the team and helps share their stories, and I hope that you will still follow along.
Please keep the feedback coming! We’re still trying to grow this thing into something that is important and beneficial to you all, and we will continue to strive to do so.
Hi Sam!I appreciate the response. I wouldn't say that was a frustration post, just moreso a request to ask some different types of questions than we usually hear, which are kinda light "how do you feel" types of questions (which do have their place also!)
When I mentioned asking harder questions, what kielbj mentioned is on the newest thread (https://stumptownfooty.substack.com/p/busy-summer-window-and-welcome-back/comments) is what I meant! I should've been more specific initially. To add to what he also said...less flowery and more football related questions would be helpful, and if the FO is in the building, more questions about what their specific vision is for the club going forward into the future, especially in response to player acquisition and player profile. Some other ideas...It would be nice to hear specifics on their plan for scouting going forward with the draft now gone. Would also love to know how we make (or keep) Portland a viable option for top players going forward....how do we separate ourselves?
I often hear "we want good people" in regard to players wanted, but, it would be nice to hear about the on-field sport side of things also. Are they looking for tactically astute? Technical? Athletic? Fast? "Young" seems to be the only throughline. What are we looking for? Obviously there is a time and place for these types of questions with the FO and not in a post match, but a lot of info can be gained from the coach in a post match also about how and why he chose the lineup and the way they played. It doesn't have to be hostile...it's just a question about tactics or lineup.
What all of you do is super appreciated(!), I guess at least from the superfans, most of us are very interested in the on-field side of things. Most of the choices from the FO and the coach has been kind of an enigma because questions have just not been asked since we've had KK as GM or new owners, or followed up on if a question is asked but isn't really answered. We know their vague aspiration off-field to "be the best in the world"...but what does that specifically mean and how do they get there? Both off-field and on-field. I understand y'all have to walk a line and not be hammering them with a ton of intense questions, lest you lose access. But again, questions themselves aren't hostile! Or, they don't have to be...! It just helps the entire fanbase understand, and that's healthy for the club and the sport as a whole.
The Vox/Peregrine-STF was pretty paranoid about losing access. I was repeatedly rapped on the knuckles for pissing off players or management by writing that their last match/deal/draft had been less that perfect.
But Peregrine was shitty like that, and Vox was all about "access journalism".
Now? My thought is, why not? This is a fan blog. It should reflect the fans' viewpoints. We all question Sinclair starting at CF; what harm in asking why?
Phuoc, Sam, Melina- would one of you mind answering this question? please? Are you restricted in some way from asking critical questions of the team/staff?
I don’t understand Rob . That midfield is not getting any better. If anything it’s a big red flag that they are still so messy and unclear on what they should be doing . And why does he love to play with one winger only. The players in the second half should have started and it’s so clear but there’s a high chance that Rob does it again.
One thing about him is easy to understand: he has no business being a hc. He’s an assistant to an assistant, each of whom got the job by default, each of whom wouldn’t be on any other NWSL team’s short list to be hc.
He’s not one of the best coaches but if he was just willing to admit he was wrong and adapt this team could be slightly better. Don’t be afraid to change things that clearly aren’t working. Instead it’s just doubling down on mistakes. Starting 11 matters and if things aren’t working he needs to change things. Who he picks to start in the front impacts all lines. Who he picks to start in the midfield also impacts the forwards and the defense. He needs to adapt
2020/21: Smith, Weaver, Sauerbruun, Rocky, Dunn (2021) Coffey (2021 draft)
We also got pretty lucky with the 2018 dispersal draft, snagging Salem and Purce.
We've also been ambitious - moving up to try to get Pugh (unsuccessfully), getting Moultrie here (successfully), getting Carpenter here (successfully for a time), trying to get Diani (unsuccessfully).
Even our efforts to make lemonade out of lemons made some sense, although they didn't work out (e.g., trading a deeply disgruntled Long for Foord).
I can't help but notice that all those things happened when Merritt and Gavin were in place.
Yes, the pocketbook was frozen for two years while the ownership situation remained in stasis. Yes, Karina is onto the 3rd coach during her watch. So, I don't quite mean to be blaming Karina here.
What I'm trying to say is that, going forward, I think we're gonna need an infusion of the quality of 2013, 2016, and 2020/21 to get back to the top, and that's on Karina and the Bhathals.
Anything less than that, under the changed landscape of the NWSL, and I think we're probably mid-tier.
Agree. I'm thinking ownership is just observing the soccer end the first year while they get the business end going. At least I remember something like that being said. I hope ownership will jump into the soccer end more aggressively this off season with a massive talent infusion to compliment Soph & Sam. At least 2 starting level center backs, a 10, maybe 8 and a forward with some experience.
One more thing worth considering - our ambitions, and our abilities, in attracting a top gaffer.
Parsons was on his way up when he came here, having led Washington into playoffs in 2014 and 2015. By the time he left here, no matter whether he was the wrong choice for the job, the Orange thought enough of him to make him their national team coach. That he flamed out in Washington, I think, has more to do with his affect (i.e., in-match screaming) given that those players had been through life with Burke and Ward before him. Say what you will about Kang, but she goes after players and coaches whom she thinks will bring success.
What have we replaced him with? Rhian, interim Norris, HC Norris, interim Gale, HC Gale. None of them having the resume even of Parsons *when he started out here* and certainly no one who would attract the attention of a top-level national team program or the likes of Kang.
I believe GM competence is a bigger piece of the Thorns' problem than coach competence. If you look around at other successful teams, their coaches aren't necessarily the ones with the best LinkedIn pages:
Seb Hines' last job before joining the Pride was coaching in the Orlando City Youth leagues.
Juan Carlos Amoros got fired from his last two gigs when he couldn't win in the English or Spanish top leagues.
BUT
Hines benefitted from Marta and shit-hot Pride GM Haley Carter convincing half the Brazilian National Team to come play in Orlando, and then going out and signing perhaps the best striker in WoSo. Meanwhile, Amoros has GM Yael Averbuch furnishing him with half the USWNT for his game-day roster decisions.
Similarly, if the Thorns had been able to sign another, say, top international winger and a top CB? Who knows, maybe "bringing the Kenergy" would be enough to make Gale look every bit as smart as Hines.
So, I'd argue the real drop off for the Thorns wasn't from Parsons to Gale- it was from Wilkinson to LeBlanc.
Granted, Wilkinson had the advantage that he was probably taking alot of other team's newbie GM's lunch money back when the NWSL was starting. And maybe LeBlanc would have flourished, too, as an NWSL GM in 2013 back when nobody else knew what they were doing.
But while other teams have gotten more sophisticated and the quality of league front offices has improved overall, it doesn't appear that LeBlanc has the skills to keep up with that.
I don't think it's primarily Gale's fault the Thorns aren't signing big-name talent like other NWSL clubs in this new gold rush, nor is it Gale's fault that the team's only "splash" signing in the past couple of years played a position that was already filled in the starting 11.
Also not his fault that Sophia Smith and the team's great core of young players (thanks again to Parsons/Wilkinson) have had to adapt to 4 coaches in 4 years (though it is, partially, his fault that it will probably end up being 5 coaches in 5 years).
I believe that replacing LeBlanc ought to be a higher priority than replacing Gale. Without that change (or a miraculous awakening/acquiring of talents LeBlanc hasn't shown so far), I think the Thorns will have trouble keeping up with the better run teams in the improving league.
**Disclaimer, for kielbj et al: No, i do not have first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the front offices of various NWSL teams, nor am I privy to any metric that measures GM competence, aside from talent signings, roster construction and league standings. I have no evidence to present. I've never met LeBlanc nor do i dislike her personally. This is only one fan's opinion based on what's available for us all to see and read casually**
LeBlanc should be head of community development or something similar. She is (or was) well-liked by the fan base, and that kind of thing seems to be her strong suit.
Rhian at least was 1. recruited and 2. successful, landing the ship. The other two were choices of convenience/desperation.
One of the world's elite clubs settled. Kind of get Norris due to the ownership situation but Gale? As noted by someone else, his early win streak seems to have blinded people in charge to things they should have seen. e.g., yesterday's starting XI. Not the first nor the last time we're going to see SurrenderBall. The players deserve more.
I remember his arrival after 2015 as a big question mark. He'd rebuild Washington after their disaster of 2013 but then seemed to have issues getting to the top step. Could he do that here?
Of course he could, helped by his (and GW's) huge 2015 draft/deals. Should have taken the league in 2016 (dam you, Vega!), got revenge the following season...then kinda did the same thing he'd done in Washington; got outcoached by Riley (spit!) in 2018 and 2019, and got kinda owned by Vlatko, too, in 2021. I think he'd kind of gotten tuned out by his squad at that point, just like he did in Holland and Washington 2.0.
That said...Wilkinson was IMO a bit of a reach (her c.v. was pretty lean) and Norris was a panic hire. Ken is...well, what he is.
But when you look at what Amoros is doing, or Hines, or Giraldez? Yeah...the progression here reeks of mediocrity.
It’s really interesting to see the family members of players on the team liking comments on social media criticizing KK’s decision-making (re: keeping Gale and roster-building)as well as comments about Gale being a poor coach with poor tactics…
Coming from what I know about how most of the players feel about KK (what I’ve heard has been mostly personality-based), I’m curious what they think about her as a GM…Regardless, it’s not great when multiple players’ family members seem to agree with the public criticisms of the club/FO/coaching. I'm not a fan of family members getting involved, not at all, but it can maybe signal something more behind the scenes.
I can't get too invested in this team until KK and Gale are gone. Feels like just a waste of time with certain disappointment waiting for me at the end. It won't be long before this feeling enters the minds of free agents if it hasn't already.
Your last point, which Thornando mentioned elsewhere in this thread, is one of my key concerns—-especially given the obvious positional needs we need to fill.
Yeah, nothing on twitter this time because, as you've noted, you can't see likes anymore...although before likes were private, Moultrie's uncle routinely voiced displeasure (via likes, comments, and his own posts), especially concerning the coaching/tactics and the starting of Sinclair. It was more during the Norris era, though. I'm on twitter less, so I haven't seen anything lately, but he used to pop up on IG also.
On instagram, it's been in the comments of posts, as well as the Riveting FB group...where Weaver's mom routinely pops up liking and/or commenting on somewhat controversial comments...I've seen it here and there for like the last 2 years honestly.
I also know through a direct player that KK is not well-liked in the locker room among many players...so it does make me curious about what the general opinions are of her from GM standpoint (again, most of it has been personality-based) from players and their families (who have obvious influence.) It's not even really a surprise though, if you remember the players having to go above her and write that letter to the league saying they felt unsafe with how the Rhian thing was being handled...it's prob still floating around out there, I've found it multiple times.
There's folks on this blog that have insight to inside info in various ways, but I'm guessing like myself, a lot of it kinda has to remain at least somewhat vague. Likes and comments are obv small potatoes, but it still can signal displeasure somewhere. In this specific instance that prompted my comment, it was under comments on IG.
I didn’t expect much, given the starting XI, but Ken’s “tactics” manage to underperform my lowest expectations.
The real mess is in midfield. Without Coffey this squad can NOT play a single pivot. The forwards? Of course that’s what you get when you put D’Aquila wide and Sinc at CF. Even Spaanstra couldn’t make anything out of that. But the tale of the Cup was that taking the interim shackles off had liberated Ken’s inner tactical genius. Yet he went with a squad that was perfectly incapable of succeeding in his same-old 4-3-3.
Credit to ‘Brunn (tho brutally outworked on the Stevens goal) for not giving up…but the defense as a unit? Waayyyy too much ballwatching, failure to close attackers down, and missing marks. Hogan played Arnold into the starting spot, between turning the ball over and that soft second goal.
Well…that’s what this squad and coach are. To me the big question is; what will the owners do about that? We won’t know until the offseason, tho, and we’re going to enjoy a whole lot of mediocrity between now and then. Let’s hope for a bright spot here and there to lighten the slog.
When your quality players look "lost", and out of sinc (no pun intended) that is bad coaching in my book. No one seems to know where to be or where anyone else is going to be. Why that is acceptable for newbies, Hina, Fleming and Liv should be meshing this long into the season. Honestly.
Agree. What I see is a midfield lacking roles. Everyone is trying to do a bit of everything and end up getting in each other’s way while leaving other areas open. That’s entirely on the coach.
I’m hardly confident in Arnold’s skillset but very confident that the FO wouldn’t have signed her unless they wanted her to start given the ridiculous swarm of keepers already here.
Had Hogan played a blinder she might have made the case for staying with her. She didn’t, so I think that’s all it’ll take.
Both but she’s prone to mistakes the only thing that she’s right off the bat better in is her long distance passing. Distribution is better and what all other gks lack but not sure her shot stopping is better tbh
One thing I've noticed in the short time I've seen her play is that she bobbles the ball a lot more than you'd expect a good GK to do...like she looks like she has butter fingers. Is this just small sample size on my part, or something that is more a problem? Not having good hands is something independent of a bad defense and something that I think could be brutally punished in this league, even more so than in the WSL.
I thought the play improved once they removed Sinclair and D’Aquila from the forward slot, but the. It became about quality and Lavelle/Ryan just took the game over. I can’t tell tactically whether he’s inept or is it more the composition of the IX he’s choosing or some combination of both,
It didn't. Look at the xG plot. The Thorns had nothing going forward with Sinc (shocked? Yeah, me too...) and nothing going forward after she and D'Aquila came off.
Which, given what you'd suspect re: the relative skillsets of the forwards, screams "coaching fail" to me. It's both; his "tactics" don't work against a moderately-clever opposing gaffer AND they don't work with his roster as he's using it.
Amused with others at the announcer pushing the idea of substituting in Kling yesterday, on account of her shooting skills, I looked: 8 seasons 0 goals. So Becky has more goals than Kling.
22 assists though, perhaps the best tool in her toolkit. That said, slowing down things further was not what Portland required.
Dahlkemper.... all SD got was $50K in allocation money? For the first player they ever signed, just two years ago? For someone who got called into USWNT camp not that long ago? For Girma's sidekick?
And, ok, she's from the Bay Area, but why on earth would she want to not be Girma's sidekick? I can only surmise that things in SD just aren't good.
Yeah I think it was some post match interview from Abby after their loss to ACFC and her tone was pretty contemplative and low. Just mentioned a few times how much change was happening there right now and how the team just has to stick together for each other or something. I was like, ohhhh that doesn’t sounds good…
It appears so, but a team is never in that bad a shape when they have a Chawinga on the team.
The Thorns should be able to beat Bay City, a team I expected to be way better.
But damn I hope Gale starts a fast team and Soph and Sam should be back. I am liking what I have seen from Turner and Spaanstra; oh and of course Linnehan. But will Weaver play this season?
Yep, we can still beat up on most of the teams behind us on the table, but we'll also draw them or lose to them on occasion. Sometimes we'll beat a team ahead of us on the table. But, when it comes to teams on the table who are ahead of us, in general they beat us almost every time and there are more of them who do that.
OT: given that we're going into the last week of the open summer transfer window, anytime I see the availability report for this matchweek and there is an "excused absence" next to a player's name (besides obvious Olympians), I go "hmmmmm...maybe they're heading elsewhere"...
Thought that about CeCe Kizer after rumblings about her leaving Houston already, and just again after seeing Olivia Van der Jagt listed as such.
Speaking of, Olivia Van der Jagt is from Washington and I'm very curious, what with Howell now there, as well as Quinn and James-Turner...that she isn't potentially on her way out as well after being basically 4th now on the depth chart in defensive mid. She's not a game-changer obv and it's not a flashy signing, but it sure would be nice to have a competent backup 6 who could maybe let Sam play less than 90 sometimes, for once. Sure she smells like Seattle, but she'd be fine depth from a domestic player somewhere that we need it.
Great idea I think Van der Jagt would be a great add; better to be second on the depth chart than fourth or fifth. But I wonder if Harvey is planning a more attacking role for Howell.
I doubt that for Howell honestly...she's kinda the exact prototype of a solid 6, and they already have others who can play 8/10 roles.
But yeah, she's like the 4th 6 on their roster now...we could def use her to fill out depth needs. KK needs to be doing both....building better depth AND getting top talent back here.
Eh, a loss always stinks but I’m not that beat up about it? As has been noted this is a soft rebuild year, we’re seeing the last gasps of the (very) old guard and have brought in lots of young talent who I’m excited for, plus between Smith, Coffee, and Weaver we’re missing some pretty important pieces at the moment. On the whole KK is striking me as a thoroughly okay GM, not a world class manager but has as many ups as downs, and Gale is too much a question mark at this point to be too mad at. I’ve followed some very bad teams, and one that’s “just” in the middle of the playoff pack is fine by me.
KK (or ownership or both) are rubbish. She isn't signing high quality players from wsl or Spain like the big dogs of the league are. Our big window was another keeper and a couple rooks. We only got smith for one more year. Why waste time on developing. Bring in instant impact players to complement the MVP.
I understand this logic, but there’s no rationale for hiring a coach who routinely makes a not-great situation worse. Today’s starting lineup in a key game was a joke, and they were completely directionless and uninspired.
Even with Coffey that midfield has not performed to the level it should. It’s just not working. They shouldn’t look so messy and confused about where they should be. And it’s not youth the players in the midfield are experienced enough they should be more cohesive. So either it’s the players or coaching maybe a bit of both. However it’s basically the same midfield from last year( minus Dunn) but they look significantly worse.
I’m willing to chalk a lot of that up to Fleming and Sugita having to cover a ton of extra ground to make up for a lack of speed or positioning from Sinc and Izzy, definitely some sloppy passes but hard to be tidy when running wind sprints all match. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of room to improve, I’m just not in panic mode yet, like you said we’ve seen them do well before so I’ve got faith they’ll be able to settle in a bit once the pieces around them are a little more solid.
So, I've thought a lot about that dynamic, but the reality is that Fleming has lots of experience covering a ton of extra ground playing behind Sinc. It's one of the things that actually works for Canada -- Fleming roams the entire pitch, including covering for Sinc while Sinc was still on the national team. But here, it just doesn't work. And, of greater concern to me, we have a midfield that is far less than the sum of its parts. On paper, a midfield that includes Coffey, Fleming, Sugita, and Moultrie ought to be pretty damn incredible. In reality, it ain't.
I'm 100% on board with the midfield comment. That is a solid 4, with each player bringing some strength to the game. For them to struggle to make an impact simply doesn't make sense, and that is on the coaching staff.
The hardest thing for me to understand about the game was thinking that we were a player slow transitioning to offense, and then a player slow transitioning to defense. That simply should never happen.
Thank you for this treasure trove of information. I don't know why I haven't looked at these in the past but it will definitely be a part of my soccer consumption routine now.
Does Gale feel pressure from above, maybe unspoken but still present, about playing Sinc? I'm sure she's in KK's pantheon, as she should be. Or does he honestly think Sinc should be starting up top when Smith is absent??
Hard to tell. Could be some of each plus Sinc must have a pretty huge rep inside the club. Think Abby Wambach on the Nats and how long past her prime she kept starting. It can take a pretty tough and confident coach to sit down a legendary figure - who’s seen (and possibly sees herself) - as the heart of the team and tell her she’s done. I don’t see Gale (or Norris, or Wilkinson, for that matter!) as that coach.
Honestly think it probably used to be that way, but in this case against Gotham I just think we didn’t have options and Gale went conservative with who has been there practicing the whole time (Sinc and D’Aquila) rather than 2 obvious upgrades (Spaanstra and Turner) because they had been at the club for like 2 days lol. I’m sure this last game was all the data he needed to see what he should be doing going forward.
I imagine we don’t see much of Sinc at all now going forward tbh…Sinc is like the 4th in the list of 9s now, but more importantly we also have multiple wingers so that we can be more flexible with combinations now…if we do continue to see Sinc starting, I will be loudly hitting the WTF button lol.
I mean, the Thorns don't exactly come away smelling like roses with Dunn, Kuikka, and the whole Wilkinson stuff.
To a lesser extent because they were more just bad GM attempts at upgrades but I'll throw in Rocky and Ryan. Was Rocky any less of a team and fan favorite than Balcer? And she can still ball (I actually think she's just what the Thorns need).
Partially correct and a part of the story, but it’s worse than that lol…a comedy of errors from our FO for what should have been a very easy re-signing for a player who wanted to be in Portland long-term with her partner. Wanted a pretty modest salary as well.
I was floored when Turner didn't start. The TV announcers said Rob didn't think she had been with the team long enough. I might be very wrong, but to that I would think that center forward is not particularly the rocket science position. Midfield, yes. Defense certainly.
I'm new to Stumptown Footy, but I'll have to risk any flack I'll get when I say that, as good as she was in the past, Christine Sinclair should never be a starter at this point. She is just not quick enough to run a press, as the Thorns have done for the past 3 or 4 years.
Today's midfield looked especially directionless. I was hoping that, without Coffey, Fleming would be the master of that line.
I don't recall ever seeing the Thorns in a 4-4-2. Would it have mattered with the same starting personnel?
> but I'll have to risk any flack I'll get when I say that, as good as she was in the past, Christine Sinclair should never be a starter at this point.
Naw, you're good, boo... You're with your people here.
Welcome, we here at STF have been complaining about Sinc starting for at least 3 years now lol
Starter? Poor Sinc isn't even an impact sub at this point.
I think Ken ran them out in some sort of weird formation in the Seattle Cup tie, that sort of morphed from a 3-4-3 to a 3-5-2 and occasionally looked very 4-4-2-ish. But not since Parsons, really, and even then he didn't use it much. RW and Norris didn't, at all; Wilkinson going from 3-5-2 to 4-2-3-1 (mostly) and Norris never straying from the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.
Reality is she shouldn’t even be a backup at this stage. She’s a team leader who would be better off taking Rob’s old slot as a coach than be on the field at this stage of her career. She still does something’s well, but the pace has lapped her.
The problem isn't even whether she does anything well (she does). The problem is that her presence on the field changes the game in ways that mostly negate the strengths of the other players. The team has the skill and pace to give opposing defenses fits, but having to constantly slow down and wait takes away the transition game and throws everyone's rhythm off.
Totally agree. Between Weaver, Smith, and Turner … they will have three burners out there with Linnehan also high up on that skill set. Add Sugita and Fleming with plus athleticism, they really could do a lot of their coach just acknowledged that Sincy probably doesn’t warrant playing now
Think we have to see what the lineup is in a week or so. Ultimately you don't make the move to get Spaanstra and Turner to have both of them sit.
That is a good summation of what I was trying to say (at least in part). We could say that she does some things well, but not the things the team needs. Perhaps if Sinclair buried a header off of a corner kick once every game, then I'd say, "OK. Let everyone else be fast and excellent on the ball." But she's no longer that kind of player (if she ever was a fantastic set piece header a'la' Wambach.)
STF reporters...it would be lovely if y'all could start asking the club/coach some hard questions when you have the chance. Y'all are the only voice the fans have (and kinda the only accountability for the club), and there are lots of questions surrounding this club right now...
And, of course, thank you!
Hi there! Site Manager/Editor in Chief/Guy who is in charge I Guess Sam here.
I completely understand your frustration. This Thorns season has been bumpy, and we have tried to reflect that in our coverage. We try our best to have our coverage and questions cover the general sentiment of the fanbase, while also balancing our jobs as media to be objective, fair, and honest.
Ultimately we aren’t going to be able to ask every single question that fans might want answered. We try our best to be critical when it is called for, and ask hard questions when they are warranted. Without going into too much detail, we have a duty to share the stories and information about the team and get the big questions answered, while also respecting the relationships we have with the club(s). That's not taking sides - it's just a reality of this job (which btw none of us do for a living).
Ultimately, I will back our beat writers and their perspective and what they want to ask or not. Phuoc, Melina, Wilder, et al have all been doing a fantastic job covering the Thorns this year, and I’m proud of their work - especially as essentially the only folks on full-time local coverage. I support them 100% and what they choose to ask or not ask. I hope that our coverage still gives you an insight into the team and helps share their stories, and I hope that you will still follow along.
Please keep the feedback coming! We’re still trying to grow this thing into something that is important and beneficial to you all, and we will continue to strive to do so.
Hi Sam!I appreciate the response. I wouldn't say that was a frustration post, just moreso a request to ask some different types of questions than we usually hear, which are kinda light "how do you feel" types of questions (which do have their place also!)
When I mentioned asking harder questions, what kielbj mentioned is on the newest thread (https://stumptownfooty.substack.com/p/busy-summer-window-and-welcome-back/comments) is what I meant! I should've been more specific initially. To add to what he also said...less flowery and more football related questions would be helpful, and if the FO is in the building, more questions about what their specific vision is for the club going forward into the future, especially in response to player acquisition and player profile. Some other ideas...It would be nice to hear specifics on their plan for scouting going forward with the draft now gone. Would also love to know how we make (or keep) Portland a viable option for top players going forward....how do we separate ourselves?
I often hear "we want good people" in regard to players wanted, but, it would be nice to hear about the on-field sport side of things also. Are they looking for tactically astute? Technical? Athletic? Fast? "Young" seems to be the only throughline. What are we looking for? Obviously there is a time and place for these types of questions with the FO and not in a post match, but a lot of info can be gained from the coach in a post match also about how and why he chose the lineup and the way they played. It doesn't have to be hostile...it's just a question about tactics or lineup.
What all of you do is super appreciated(!), I guess at least from the superfans, most of us are very interested in the on-field side of things. Most of the choices from the FO and the coach has been kind of an enigma because questions have just not been asked since we've had KK as GM or new owners, or followed up on if a question is asked but isn't really answered. We know their vague aspiration off-field to "be the best in the world"...but what does that specifically mean and how do they get there? Both off-field and on-field. I understand y'all have to walk a line and not be hammering them with a ton of intense questions, lest you lose access. But again, questions themselves aren't hostile! Or, they don't have to be...! It just helps the entire fanbase understand, and that's healthy for the club and the sport as a whole.
Again, thank you for all you do!
The Vox/Peregrine-STF was pretty paranoid about losing access. I was repeatedly rapped on the knuckles for pissing off players or management by writing that their last match/deal/draft had been less that perfect.
But Peregrine was shitty like that, and Vox was all about "access journalism".
Now? My thought is, why not? This is a fan blog. It should reflect the fans' viewpoints. We all question Sinclair starting at CF; what harm in asking why?
Phuoc, Sam, Melina- would one of you mind answering this question? please? Are you restricted in some way from asking critical questions of the team/staff?
Just trying to bring more attention to ABell's comment: it's a big DITTO from me!
I don’t understand Rob . That midfield is not getting any better. If anything it’s a big red flag that they are still so messy and unclear on what they should be doing . And why does he love to play with one winger only. The players in the second half should have started and it’s so clear but there’s a high chance that Rob does it again.
One thing about him is easy to understand: he has no business being a hc. He’s an assistant to an assistant, each of whom got the job by default, each of whom wouldn’t be on any other NWSL team’s short list to be hc.
He’s not one of the best coaches but if he was just willing to admit he was wrong and adapt this team could be slightly better. Don’t be afraid to change things that clearly aren’t working. Instead it’s just doubling down on mistakes. Starting 11 matters and if things aren’t working he needs to change things. Who he picks to start in the front impacts all lines. Who he picks to start in the midfield also impacts the forwards and the defense. He needs to adapt
Over the years, Thorns have had a few great moments (and a few bits of luck) with roster construction.
2013: Sinclair, Heath, Morgan
2016: Klingeberg, Horan, Heath (again), Henry, Sonnett, Nadim, Franch, Raso, Dagny
2020/21: Smith, Weaver, Sauerbruun, Rocky, Dunn (2021) Coffey (2021 draft)
We also got pretty lucky with the 2018 dispersal draft, snagging Salem and Purce.
We've also been ambitious - moving up to try to get Pugh (unsuccessfully), getting Moultrie here (successfully), getting Carpenter here (successfully for a time), trying to get Diani (unsuccessfully).
Even our efforts to make lemonade out of lemons made some sense, although they didn't work out (e.g., trading a deeply disgruntled Long for Foord).
I can't help but notice that all those things happened when Merritt and Gavin were in place.
Yes, the pocketbook was frozen for two years while the ownership situation remained in stasis. Yes, Karina is onto the 3rd coach during her watch. So, I don't quite mean to be blaming Karina here.
What I'm trying to say is that, going forward, I think we're gonna need an infusion of the quality of 2013, 2016, and 2020/21 to get back to the top, and that's on Karina and the Bhathals.
Anything less than that, under the changed landscape of the NWSL, and I think we're probably mid-tier.
Agree. I'm thinking ownership is just observing the soccer end the first year while they get the business end going. At least I remember something like that being said. I hope ownership will jump into the soccer end more aggressively this off season with a massive talent infusion to compliment Soph & Sam. At least 2 starting level center backs, a 10, maybe 8 and a forward with some experience.
And a better domestic RB would be nice! I've really liked Ryan Williams for a long time now...and she's from CO. Does she wanna be closer to home?
One more thing worth considering - our ambitions, and our abilities, in attracting a top gaffer.
Parsons was on his way up when he came here, having led Washington into playoffs in 2014 and 2015. By the time he left here, no matter whether he was the wrong choice for the job, the Orange thought enough of him to make him their national team coach. That he flamed out in Washington, I think, has more to do with his affect (i.e., in-match screaming) given that those players had been through life with Burke and Ward before him. Say what you will about Kang, but she goes after players and coaches whom she thinks will bring success.
What have we replaced him with? Rhian, interim Norris, HC Norris, interim Gale, HC Gale. None of them having the resume even of Parsons *when he started out here* and certainly no one who would attract the attention of a top-level national team program or the likes of Kang.
I believe GM competence is a bigger piece of the Thorns' problem than coach competence. If you look around at other successful teams, their coaches aren't necessarily the ones with the best LinkedIn pages:
Seb Hines' last job before joining the Pride was coaching in the Orlando City Youth leagues.
Juan Carlos Amoros got fired from his last two gigs when he couldn't win in the English or Spanish top leagues.
BUT
Hines benefitted from Marta and shit-hot Pride GM Haley Carter convincing half the Brazilian National Team to come play in Orlando, and then going out and signing perhaps the best striker in WoSo. Meanwhile, Amoros has GM Yael Averbuch furnishing him with half the USWNT for his game-day roster decisions.
Similarly, if the Thorns had been able to sign another, say, top international winger and a top CB? Who knows, maybe "bringing the Kenergy" would be enough to make Gale look every bit as smart as Hines.
So, I'd argue the real drop off for the Thorns wasn't from Parsons to Gale- it was from Wilkinson to LeBlanc.
Granted, Wilkinson had the advantage that he was probably taking alot of other team's newbie GM's lunch money back when the NWSL was starting. And maybe LeBlanc would have flourished, too, as an NWSL GM in 2013 back when nobody else knew what they were doing.
But while other teams have gotten more sophisticated and the quality of league front offices has improved overall, it doesn't appear that LeBlanc has the skills to keep up with that.
I don't think it's primarily Gale's fault the Thorns aren't signing big-name talent like other NWSL clubs in this new gold rush, nor is it Gale's fault that the team's only "splash" signing in the past couple of years played a position that was already filled in the starting 11.
Also not his fault that Sophia Smith and the team's great core of young players (thanks again to Parsons/Wilkinson) have had to adapt to 4 coaches in 4 years (though it is, partially, his fault that it will probably end up being 5 coaches in 5 years).
I believe that replacing LeBlanc ought to be a higher priority than replacing Gale. Without that change (or a miraculous awakening/acquiring of talents LeBlanc hasn't shown so far), I think the Thorns will have trouble keeping up with the better run teams in the improving league.
**Disclaimer, for kielbj et al: No, i do not have first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the front offices of various NWSL teams, nor am I privy to any metric that measures GM competence, aside from talent signings, roster construction and league standings. I have no evidence to present. I've never met LeBlanc nor do i dislike her personally. This is only one fan's opinion based on what's available for us all to see and read casually**
Makes no sense to replace Gale first. Replace the Prez of Soccer, then let the new hire bring in a GM, who in turn makes the decision about the coach.
For the Thorns,
Prez of Soccer = GM = KK, right?
LeBlanc should be head of community development or something similar. She is (or was) well-liked by the fan base, and that kind of thing seems to be her strong suit.
Rhian at least was 1. recruited and 2. successful, landing the ship. The other two were choices of convenience/desperation.
One of the world's elite clubs settled. Kind of get Norris due to the ownership situation but Gale? As noted by someone else, his early win streak seems to have blinded people in charge to things they should have seen. e.g., yesterday's starting XI. Not the first nor the last time we're going to see SurrenderBall. The players deserve more.
Yeah, it sure does seem that way.
I can forgive it when it's unexpected/unplanned and when the franchise sale is dragging out.
I can't forgive it when the new owners are in place, the pocketbook is open, the change was intentional and many months were given.
But, maybe it's also a sign of how attractive the job is right now?
I remember his arrival after 2015 as a big question mark. He'd rebuild Washington after their disaster of 2013 but then seemed to have issues getting to the top step. Could he do that here?
Of course he could, helped by his (and GW's) huge 2015 draft/deals. Should have taken the league in 2016 (dam you, Vega!), got revenge the following season...then kinda did the same thing he'd done in Washington; got outcoached by Riley (spit!) in 2018 and 2019, and got kinda owned by Vlatko, too, in 2021. I think he'd kind of gotten tuned out by his squad at that point, just like he did in Holland and Washington 2.0.
That said...Wilkinson was IMO a bit of a reach (her c.v. was pretty lean) and Norris was a panic hire. Ken is...well, what he is.
But when you look at what Amoros is doing, or Hines, or Giraldez? Yeah...the progression here reeks of mediocrity.
That thief, Marco Vega. Good thing he's a very good person, because he's a very bad ref.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-v
It’s really interesting to see the family members of players on the team liking comments on social media criticizing KK’s decision-making (re: keeping Gale and roster-building)as well as comments about Gale being a poor coach with poor tactics…
Coming from what I know about how most of the players feel about KK (what I’ve heard has been mostly personality-based), I’m curious what they think about her as a GM…Regardless, it’s not great when multiple players’ family members seem to agree with the public criticisms of the club/FO/coaching. I'm not a fan of family members getting involved, not at all, but it can maybe signal something more behind the scenes.
I can't get too invested in this team until KK and Gale are gone. Feels like just a waste of time with certain disappointment waiting for me at the end. It won't be long before this feeling enters the minds of free agents if it hasn't already.
Your last point, which Thornando mentioned elsewhere in this thread, is one of my key concerns—-especially given the obvious positional needs we need to fill.
Can you be specific?
About? I thought I was pretty specific throughout (w/out obviously naming names...)...
I mean what are some of the posts and stuff? Likes are private now so it’s not like we’ll see who liked what
Yeah, nothing on twitter this time because, as you've noted, you can't see likes anymore...although before likes were private, Moultrie's uncle routinely voiced displeasure (via likes, comments, and his own posts), especially concerning the coaching/tactics and the starting of Sinclair. It was more during the Norris era, though. I'm on twitter less, so I haven't seen anything lately, but he used to pop up on IG also.
On instagram, it's been in the comments of posts, as well as the Riveting FB group...where Weaver's mom routinely pops up liking and/or commenting on somewhat controversial comments...I've seen it here and there for like the last 2 years honestly.
I also know through a direct player that KK is not well-liked in the locker room among many players...so it does make me curious about what the general opinions are of her from GM standpoint (again, most of it has been personality-based) from players and their families (who have obvious influence.) It's not even really a surprise though, if you remember the players having to go above her and write that letter to the league saying they felt unsafe with how the Rhian thing was being handled...it's prob still floating around out there, I've found it multiple times.
There's folks on this blog that have insight to inside info in various ways, but I'm guessing like myself, a lot of it kinda has to remain at least somewhat vague. Likes and comments are obv small potatoes, but it still can signal displeasure somewhere. In this specific instance that prompted my comment, it was under comments on IG.
(Also a lot of this isn’t really new, it’s mostly been said and discussed here prior)
I didn’t expect much, given the starting XI, but Ken’s “tactics” manage to underperform my lowest expectations.
The real mess is in midfield. Without Coffey this squad can NOT play a single pivot. The forwards? Of course that’s what you get when you put D’Aquila wide and Sinc at CF. Even Spaanstra couldn’t make anything out of that. But the tale of the Cup was that taking the interim shackles off had liberated Ken’s inner tactical genius. Yet he went with a squad that was perfectly incapable of succeeding in his same-old 4-3-3.
Credit to ‘Brunn (tho brutally outworked on the Stevens goal) for not giving up…but the defense as a unit? Waayyyy too much ballwatching, failure to close attackers down, and missing marks. Hogan played Arnold into the starting spot, between turning the ball over and that soft second goal.
Well…that’s what this squad and coach are. To me the big question is; what will the owners do about that? We won’t know until the offseason, tho, and we’re going to enjoy a whole lot of mediocrity between now and then. Let’s hope for a bright spot here and there to lighten the slog.
Yeah, lotsa problems here. Major needs include:
Better tactical coach
Better roster construction
Better cohesion among the pieces
When your quality players look "lost", and out of sinc (no pun intended) that is bad coaching in my book. No one seems to know where to be or where anyone else is going to be. Why that is acceptable for newbies, Hina, Fleming and Liv should be meshing this long into the season. Honestly.
Agree. What I see is a midfield lacking roles. Everyone is trying to do a bit of everything and end up getting in each other’s way while leaving other areas open. That’s entirely on the coach.
Esp when it's the entire team! When you make Hina look bad...it's you.
I watch West Ham I wouldn’t be that confident about Macca tbh . She was easily one of the bottom tiered gks in the wsl
Karina might be acquiring what she thinks may turn out to be undervalued assets. If they work out, great. If not, move them on.
This year she acquired Muller, Payne, Obaze, Fleming, Dias, Alvarado, Turner, Spaanstra, and Arnold. Am I forgetting anybody?
Can't say Karina hasn't been busy.
Muller has been a hit.
Payne is useful against certain opponents.
Obaze has looked good when played; unfortunately she's not geting played.
I like what we saw from Turner and Spaanstra yesterday.
She's already moved on from Alvarado and Dias.
Jury's still out on whether Fleming is a good fit here within the overall midfield mix.
I’m hardly confident in Arnold’s skillset but very confident that the FO wouldn’t have signed her unless they wanted her to start given the ridiculous swarm of keepers already here.
Had Hogan played a blinder she might have made the case for staying with her. She didn’t, so I think that’s all it’ll take.
Was that her defense or was that her own mistakes? She was bad in the Olympics, but I don't think her defense helped much.
Both but she’s prone to mistakes the only thing that she’s right off the bat better in is her long distance passing. Distribution is better and what all other gks lack but not sure her shot stopping is better tbh
One thing I've noticed in the short time I've seen her play is that she bobbles the ball a lot more than you'd expect a good GK to do...like she looks like she has butter fingers. Is this just small sample size on my part, or something that is more a problem? Not having good hands is something independent of a bad defense and something that I think could be brutally punished in this league, even more so than in the WSL.
I thought the play improved once they removed Sinclair and D’Aquila from the forward slot, but the. It became about quality and Lavelle/Ryan just took the game over. I can’t tell tactically whether he’s inept or is it more the composition of the IX he’s choosing or some combination of both,
It didn't. Look at the xG plot. The Thorns had nothing going forward with Sinc (shocked? Yeah, me too...) and nothing going forward after she and D'Aquila came off.
Which, given what you'd suspect re: the relative skillsets of the forwards, screams "coaching fail" to me. It's both; his "tactics" don't work against a moderately-clever opposing gaffer AND they don't work with his roster as he's using it.
Yeah he's def shifted the formation a bit and I'm not sure it suits the players we have (esp on defense.)
Amused with others at the announcer pushing the idea of substituting in Kling yesterday, on account of her shooting skills, I looked: 8 seasons 0 goals. So Becky has more goals than Kling.
22 assists though, perhaps the best tool in her toolkit. That said, slowing down things further was not what Portland required.
Dahlkemper.... all SD got was $50K in allocation money? For the first player they ever signed, just two years ago? For someone who got called into USWNT camp not that long ago? For Girma's sidekick?
And, ok, she's from the Bay Area, but why on earth would she want to not be Girma's sidekick? I can only surmise that things in SD just aren't good.
Yeah I think it was some post match interview from Abby after their loss to ACFC and her tone was pretty contemplative and low. Just mentioned a few times how much change was happening there right now and how the team just has to stick together for each other or something. I was like, ohhhh that doesn’t sounds good…
And then this…
Sad for Abby, I just wish the Thorns could swoop in and rescue Naomi. I have never liked Jill Ellis.
Are KC coming back to earth? Lost 4-1 today. I think Prince was their only Olympian. They've been playing together through the Summer Cup.
One thing I'll say for KC: I LOVE their Mascot of the Match dog animal adoption program.
It appears so, but a team is never in that bad a shape when they have a Chawinga on the team.
The Thorns should be able to beat Bay City, a team I expected to be way better.
But damn I hope Gale starts a fast team and Soph and Sam should be back. I am liking what I have seen from Turner and Spaanstra; oh and of course Linnehan. But will Weaver play this season?
Thorns 2024 record against the competition:
KC 0-0-2
Gotham 0-0-2
Orlando 0-0-1
Louisville 0-1-0
Utah 0-1-0
NC 1-0-1
Seattle 1-1-0
Chicago 1-0-0
Bay 1-0-0
Washington 1-0-0
SD 1-0-0
Houston 2-0-0
Angel City 0-0-0
So basically we have become louisville
Yep, we can still beat up on most of the teams behind us on the table, but we'll also draw them or lose to them on occasion. Sometimes we'll beat a team ahead of us on the table. But, when it comes to teams on the table who are ahead of us, in general they beat us almost every time and there are more of them who do that.
yes. 53 percent of available points screaming midtable
Y'all need to start asking for artisanal bourbon aged in kombucha barrels.
OT: given that we're going into the last week of the open summer transfer window, anytime I see the availability report for this matchweek and there is an "excused absence" next to a player's name (besides obvious Olympians), I go "hmmmmm...maybe they're heading elsewhere"...
Thought that about CeCe Kizer after rumblings about her leaving Houston already, and just again after seeing Olivia Van der Jagt listed as such.
Speaking of, Olivia Van der Jagt is from Washington and I'm very curious, what with Howell now there, as well as Quinn and James-Turner...that she isn't potentially on her way out as well after being basically 4th now on the depth chart in defensive mid. She's not a game-changer obv and it's not a flashy signing, but it sure would be nice to have a competent backup 6 who could maybe let Sam play less than 90 sometimes, for once. Sure she smells like Seattle, but she'd be fine depth from a domestic player somewhere that we need it.
Great idea I think Van der Jagt would be a great add; better to be second on the depth chart than fourth or fifth. But I wonder if Harvey is planning a more attacking role for Howell.
I doubt that for Howell honestly...she's kinda the exact prototype of a solid 6, and they already have others who can play 8/10 roles.
But yeah, she's like the 4th 6 on their roster now...we could def use her to fill out depth needs. KK needs to be doing both....building better depth AND getting top talent back here.
Eh, a loss always stinks but I’m not that beat up about it? As has been noted this is a soft rebuild year, we’re seeing the last gasps of the (very) old guard and have brought in lots of young talent who I’m excited for, plus between Smith, Coffee, and Weaver we’re missing some pretty important pieces at the moment. On the whole KK is striking me as a thoroughly okay GM, not a world class manager but has as many ups as downs, and Gale is too much a question mark at this point to be too mad at. I’ve followed some very bad teams, and one that’s “just” in the middle of the playoff pack is fine by me.
KK (or ownership or both) are rubbish. She isn't signing high quality players from wsl or Spain like the big dogs of the league are. Our big window was another keeper and a couple rooks. We only got smith for one more year. Why waste time on developing. Bring in instant impact players to complement the MVP.
I understand this logic, but there’s no rationale for hiring a coach who routinely makes a not-great situation worse. Today’s starting lineup in a key game was a joke, and they were completely directionless and uninspired.
Even with Coffey that midfield has not performed to the level it should. It’s just not working. They shouldn’t look so messy and confused about where they should be. And it’s not youth the players in the midfield are experienced enough they should be more cohesive. So either it’s the players or coaching maybe a bit of both. However it’s basically the same midfield from last year( minus Dunn) but they look significantly worse.
I’m willing to chalk a lot of that up to Fleming and Sugita having to cover a ton of extra ground to make up for a lack of speed or positioning from Sinc and Izzy, definitely some sloppy passes but hard to be tidy when running wind sprints all match. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of room to improve, I’m just not in panic mode yet, like you said we’ve seen them do well before so I’ve got faith they’ll be able to settle in a bit once the pieces around them are a little more solid.
So, I've thought a lot about that dynamic, but the reality is that Fleming has lots of experience covering a ton of extra ground playing behind Sinc. It's one of the things that actually works for Canada -- Fleming roams the entire pitch, including covering for Sinc while Sinc was still on the national team. But here, it just doesn't work. And, of greater concern to me, we have a midfield that is far less than the sum of its parts. On paper, a midfield that includes Coffey, Fleming, Sugita, and Moultrie ought to be pretty damn incredible. In reality, it ain't.
I'm 100% on board with the midfield comment. That is a solid 4, with each player bringing some strength to the game. For them to struggle to make an impact simply doesn't make sense, and that is on the coaching staff.
The hardest thing for me to understand about the game was thinking that we were a player slow transitioning to offense, and then a player slow transitioning to defense. That simply should never happen.
Spot on.
Match rant up: https://rivetingpdx.com/2024/08/27/thorns-fc-easy-to-be-hard/
Thank you for this treasure trove of information. I don't know why I haven't looked at these in the past but it will definitely be a part of my soccer consumption routine now.
No peaches, just meatloaf. Couldn't agree more.
Re starting Sinclair:
Does Gale feel pressure from above, maybe unspoken but still present, about playing Sinc? I'm sure she's in KK's pantheon, as she should be. Or does he honestly think Sinc should be starting up top when Smith is absent??
Hard to tell. Could be some of each plus Sinc must have a pretty huge rep inside the club. Think Abby Wambach on the Nats and how long past her prime she kept starting. It can take a pretty tough and confident coach to sit down a legendary figure - who’s seen (and possibly sees herself) - as the heart of the team and tell her she’s done. I don’t see Gale (or Norris, or Wilkinson, for that matter!) as that coach.
Honestly think it probably used to be that way, but in this case against Gotham I just think we didn’t have options and Gale went conservative with who has been there practicing the whole time (Sinc and D’Aquila) rather than 2 obvious upgrades (Spaanstra and Turner) because they had been at the club for like 2 days lol. I’m sure this last game was all the data he needed to see what he should be doing going forward.
I imagine we don’t see much of Sinc at all now going forward tbh…Sinc is like the 4th in the list of 9s now, but more importantly we also have multiple wingers so that we can be more flexible with combinations now…if we do continue to see Sinc starting, I will be loudly hitting the WTF button lol.
OT: Good article in the New Yorker puts the new CBA in context. Don't know if it's paywalled.
"How the Women of the N.W.S.L. Got Freedom That Their Male Counterparts Don’t Have"
https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/how-the-women-of-the-nwsl-got-freedom-that-their-male-counterparts-dont-have
Side note but this tea is lol:
https://x.com/zendayaspress/status/1828095938700992599?s=46&t=e8Gx9bM3HEyE6UzYl-Lilw
As team PR goes, this is like a hat trick of own goals.
Cripes, Reign are decaying before our eyes.
Shabby, shabby treatment of Balcer.
ETA, hey kids, let's play "who was Reign's top scorer the last five seasons?" Ready?
2019 Bethany Balcer-6
2021 Bethany Balcer-9
2022 (tie) Megan Rapinoe, Bethany Balcer-7
2023 Bethany Balcer-6
2024 Bethany Balcer-5
"Honoring club tradition since, er, once we choose to."
How I need to see Beckie and Balcer beat up on the Reign, if possible, at Lou… 🤝
I mean, the Thorns don't exactly come away smelling like roses with Dunn, Kuikka, and the whole Wilkinson stuff.
To a lesser extent because they were more just bad GM attempts at upgrades but I'll throw in Rocky and Ryan. Was Rocky any less of a team and fan favorite than Balcer? And she can still ball (I actually think she's just what the Thorns need).
I swear with Kuikka the FO had put a post-it on her "Re-sign" and it fell off. Letting her just separate stumps me yet.
I think KK just didn't know the rules until it was too late. Wasn't she hanging out in the Caribbean during that time? Not a good look for a GM.
Ironically, Kuikka is now playing CB which is what the Thorns need.
Partially correct and a part of the story, but it’s worse than that lol…a comedy of errors from our FO for what should have been a very easy re-signing for a player who wanted to be in Portland long-term with her partner. Wanted a pretty modest salary as well.
Sure looks that way from outside.