Now that I've had a dog walk to think about it, I AM happy for this signing. It's always good when we upgrade any position, even if this first signing seems confusing at the present moment. No doubt it means that we're shedding 3 GK's. My guess? Bella is retiring, we're losing one of Kozal/Asman, and one of Hogan/Alvarado (prob Alvarado.…
Now that I've had a dog walk to think about it, I AM happy for this signing. It's always good when we upgrade any position, even if this first signing seems confusing at the present moment. No doubt it means that we're shedding 3 GK's. My guess? Bella is retiring, we're losing one of Kozal/Asman, and one of Hogan/Alvarado (prob Alvarado.) Macca is no doubt the #1. I kinda feel bad for Hogan (who seems to be rising up all of the GK metrics), but my guess is she remains the #2 and still gets the rest of the minutes for the other cups, ect... Having an int'l GK (esp from AUS) means she'll be gone for all major tourneys and int'l windows, and so having a strong-ish #2 with pro minutes will be good. I do wonder if Alvarado, Asman, or Kozal heads to the new USL because they're currently roster-building and start next month!
Do we have any int'l spots left now? Maybe one? They NEED to use that in the attack, and I hope they don't keep Dias so we can have 1 additional int'l spot to use at CB. We don't need Dias and D'Aquila.
I would imagine, too, that despite our questioning of KK, she personally holds very high standards for the GKs in our club. So even if it's not our position of greatest need, KK feels like the Thorns should have a AAA caliber keeper regardless.
Agreed. She's probably one of the best 15-20 or so established keepers in the world. Good upgrade, if not an *elite elite* player.
Honestly, this feels most relevant to Bixby. She's not going to have a place next season, which makes me think she might just end up retiring. I figure either Hogan or Alvarado are traded in the offseason, or both Asman and Kozal are let go- Both could be pretty easily bought out this season if necessary.
They do have one more international spot. I'd hope they use that on their biggest signing this summer and then re-evaluate on Dias in the offseason. Also, I'd hope Fleming or Hina can get a green card (Orlando has done this with some of their internationals).
Hogan is from Massachusetts and I’d bet she’d be thrilled to be the GK for the new Boston expansion side. That isn’t until 2026, though, so could be nice to keep her here and then send her to Boston in ‘26 for immunity from the expansion draft. In the meantime she can hone her craft here as the #2 and get those cup minutes.
Bella also posted something on her socials saying she had her first run postpartum (in her Thorns shirt) and was excited for the comeback season, so seems like she’s not really going anywhere…
Now that I've had a dog walk to think about it, I AM happy for this signing. It's always good when we upgrade any position, even if this first signing seems confusing at the present moment. No doubt it means that we're shedding 3 GK's. My guess? Bella is retiring, we're losing one of Kozal/Asman, and one of Hogan/Alvarado (prob Alvarado.) Macca is no doubt the #1. I kinda feel bad for Hogan (who seems to be rising up all of the GK metrics), but my guess is she remains the #2 and still gets the rest of the minutes for the other cups, ect... Having an int'l GK (esp from AUS) means she'll be gone for all major tourneys and int'l windows, and so having a strong-ish #2 with pro minutes will be good. I do wonder if Alvarado, Asman, or Kozal heads to the new USL because they're currently roster-building and start next month!
Do we have any int'l spots left now? Maybe one? They NEED to use that in the attack, and I hope they don't keep Dias so we can have 1 additional int'l spot to use at CB. We don't need Dias and D'Aquila.
I would imagine, too, that despite our questioning of KK, she personally holds very high standards for the GKs in our club. So even if it's not our position of greatest need, KK feels like the Thorns should have a AAA caliber keeper regardless.
Agreed. She's probably one of the best 15-20 or so established keepers in the world. Good upgrade, if not an *elite elite* player.
Honestly, this feels most relevant to Bixby. She's not going to have a place next season, which makes me think she might just end up retiring. I figure either Hogan or Alvarado are traded in the offseason, or both Asman and Kozal are let go- Both could be pretty easily bought out this season if necessary.
They do have one more international spot. I'd hope they use that on their biggest signing this summer and then re-evaluate on Dias in the offseason. Also, I'd hope Fleming or Hina can get a green card (Orlando has done this with some of their internationals).
Could also see them keeping Bixby as the backup with one of the last couple of draft picks, and looking to move Hogan.
Hogan is from Massachusetts and I’d bet she’d be thrilled to be the GK for the new Boston expansion side. That isn’t until 2026, though, so could be nice to keep her here and then send her to Boston in ‘26 for immunity from the expansion draft. In the meantime she can hone her craft here as the #2 and get those cup minutes.
Bella also posted something on her socials saying she had her first run postpartum (in her Thorns shirt) and was excited for the comeback season, so seems like she’s not really going anywhere…
i mean she's out of contract at the end of the season
Yeah, good point. I hadn't looked at the contract status of the GK's lately...better to move her on when we can get value, then.
I suppose it's possible Bixby had already told the team she was going to retire after her maternity leave runs out.