Instant reaction: Portland Thorns 1 - 0 San Diego Wave
Sending the Olympians off with a win.
Both teams went to this match wanting to turn a page.
Soccer has become something heavy for the Wave this season. After two good years, they’re having an off year — not just on the field. They’re trying to find a new identity after the departure of its sporting director while trying not to be affected by the allegations against the club’s president. Moreover, one of its main stars is trying to shake off negative feelings after not being included in the USWNT Olympic roster.
In the case of Portland, they were trying to find a good stride again and send the Olympians off in the best way possible. It seems the pixie dust brought by the new interim coach has run off by now and they’re trying to find more.
A key player was absent in this game due to yellow card accumulation. So instead of Kelli Hubly, Isabella Obaze went back to the starting XI and joined Becky Sauerbrunn in the centreback position. However, that changed in the second half when Meaghan Nally finally got some minutes.
After Ana Dias got her chance to start the last match, she was benched for this one, and coach Rob Gale put Christine Sinclair in her place while Janine Beckie started in place of Payton Linnehan.
Once again, Sophia Smith was being tasked with dribbling through defenders and carrying the ball either for her teammates or for her to take the shot.
It was a frustrating half for Portland. With no Thorn who can feed balls to Smith, she’s forced to feed herself or her teammates. The thing is, even promising chances didn’t find the back of the net. It was the seventh time Portland went to halftime scoreless, and that needs to change in the second part of the season and beyond if the Thorns are generating quality chances.
Although San Diego had its moments in the first half, Portland was in the driver’s seat in the second half. The visiting goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan, played a huge part in keeping the home team scoreless.
It was a frustrating night until Izzy D’Aquila and Janine Beckie combined to beat Sheridan and give the entire team a sigh of relief in the 85’ when it looked as if the team was going to be held scoreless again.
Instant reaction dictates that I write about the vibes this game gave me, and I felt very frustrated to see this team full of talent not being able to put the ball against the back of the net until very late in the match and more so when they were creating promising chances.
If the Wave’s defense hadn’t been so bad, the Thorns likely would’ve divided spoils just like they did with Utah. The only difference — a very important one — would’ve been that they played better this time. However, I couldn’t help myself but feel like Christine Sinclair while watching this match.
It was a relief to see D’Aquila coming from the bench and impacting the game like that so I hope we can see that more often after the Olympic break. One thing is certain: coach Rob Gale has a ton of work to do in the offense.
Somewhat encouraging performance, if only to enter the break on a high.
- First game where I really recognized *the* Jessie Fleming I feel like I've watched for years. Covered an insane amount of ground as usual --she was playing as a second striker, 10, and 8 all in one thanks in large part to Sinc's nothingness-- but the quality and confidence on the ball was there the entire game too, instead of just in spurts. Dropped a few long diagonal dimes as well. Really, really good, clear WOTM.
- Roller coaster of a Beckie game: Horrendous miss, about 20 bad giveaways, but should have had a hat trick of assists and was dangerous throughout.
- Obaze is already quite good and will be very good. I'm pretty confident about that.
- That was a very Santa Clara poacher-Izzy goal (and the exact Beckie ball that Sinc was too slow to multiple times in the first half). Happy she got her first rose!
- SD's interim hasn't changed a thing. Someone rescue Jaedyn pls.
- Soph just can't get Girma lol, Naomi knows aalllll her tricks!
- Good on the ref for sticking with her on-field decision on the VAR check. Should happen more.
Not sure if anyone mentioned Reyes, but I thought she had a pretty good game also. She looked confident and was just plowing through folks lol…it was entertaining to watch because she was on my side of the field for the first half. She’s a tank! Still think she can level up a few parts of her game for me to call her an in-pen starter (Reyna- shoot lower and not right at Sheridan!), but thought she had a good game after a kinda poor outing against Utah. Having her and Payne battling for the start is a good thing for both of them.