My semi-optimistic take on this is that it reminds me very much of Soph's injury last season, so I'll hope it's something like a bad strain as opposed to something worse.
Barbra Banda is breathing down her neck though: 3 goals in 3 games, and one of those games (her first) was only 30 minutes. The eye test says she'll compete for the Golden Boot.
Not only somehow managed to win this game but have now won 3 in a row for the first time since the 2021 season. Digging hard for a silver lining, especially after seeing Weaver carried off.
I'd guess Weaver was a pre-planned sub on. It looks a lot like Gale rotated players to keep the troops fresh for Saturday. At least that's the only explanation I can come up with for both the initial lineup and the subs (like, why else sub two defenders?).
The Thorns seem perfectly happy with just the two goals and are content to let Bay FC control the ball. They need to keep attacking and keep Bay FC on their heels, the way they did against Houston especially.
Omg please take Kling and Hubly off! This defense is terrifying against even just Kundananji.
Moultrie seems to have disappeared for much of the game. Might just be a game we win ugly from here on out, but we gotta change personnel in the back. Beckie has been a turnover machine per usual also.
Likely that BFC are gonna bring on Dydasco, Oshoala, and Boade. We can’t just roll out the same…
Yeah, when I said below "OMG, this is like what Loovull did to us. Hope we can hold onto it better than Loovull did," I didn't mean to speak that into existence!
This team doesn’t have the defensive discipline or personnel to sit in a low block for 80 minutes. You have an elite attacking group and your opponent is starting a late round rookie at both the six and RB. Attack them!
I don't have CBS sports, but following the game stats it sure felt like we parked the bus after going up two. I hope we go more in the second half and get a few more goals.
They only showed the full play live and one replay, but Hubly was lunging for the pass that fed into the box. She seemed out of position but that may not be the case bc I think she’d moved up for the previous build up. I didn’t see it well enough to see whether she should have been in a better defensive spot by the time the pass went past her.
That’s definitely a big part of it, but Hubly is also just a dreadful technical passer. Even when she has all the time in the world, the pass is often either hit too hard or played off target. She also takes sooo much time to play the passes that they’re telegraphed every damn time.
Just found this image of Weaver being carried off. If I'm not mistaken, she looks like she's crying. Poor kid.
https://www.henryherald.com/fieldlevel/nwsl-portland-thorns-fc-at-bay-fc/image_1745a498-173d-540d-bae5-9a92411ffc86.html
My semi-optimistic take on this is that it reminds me very much of Soph's injury last season, so I'll hope it's something like a bad strain as opposed to something worse.
My thoughts are with Morgan. Hopefully she is OK and escaped a major injury.
Oh no, I hope that doesn't mean it's her ACL. Please no.
Smith is up to 7 goals in 7 games. That's, um, ... (pulls up calculator app) ... 1 goal per game.
Barbra Banda is breathing down her neck though: 3 goals in 3 games, and one of those games (her first) was only 30 minutes. The eye test says she'll compete for the Golden Boot.
Orlando is looking scary this year.
Yeah that Barbra Banda-Ally Watt combination is lethal. You can't leave any space behind or they'll run right past your defenders into it.
Give this man a Fields Medal!
Omg here I am commenting from the afterlife, but we did it.
Now about the Spirit game lol…
Not only somehow managed to win this game but have now won 3 in a row for the first time since the 2021 season. Digging hard for a silver lining, especially after seeing Weaver carried off.
And it only cost us Weaver to dig it out...
And breathe.
Hopefully Weaver is alright.
She's toast. That sucks...
Looked non contact to me
Totally non-contact
That's what Twitter was saying. Speculation of overwatering due to slips and falls. Hate to see it.
Landed awkward on her knee after shooting. Hopefully not serious.
Twitter says she's on crutches. 😭
And she only had to sub on because we f-ed around and didn't put the game away.
She’d have come on regardless
I'd guess Weaver was a pre-planned sub on. It looks a lot like Gale rotated players to keep the troops fresh for Saturday. At least that's the only explanation I can come up with for both the initial lineup and the subs (like, why else sub two defenders?).
Of all the things I believe Rob has done right, most of it has to do with roster mgmt. I think he has a good idea of when players need a break.
Not saying it isn't our doing too but the crappy ref isn't doing us any favors either.
Everyone just keeps going backwards and then losing it
oh good!!!
God, these substitutions! It's "Open Mic Night at the Apollo," isn't it?
Sheva is an attacking mid also so means Coffey will be marooned again bc Moultrie doesn't do defense.
Beckie (a forward) was our best defender tonight.
Soph doing Soph things
(But our defense needs some work)
omg sopppppppppphia we don't deserve lmao
Smith to the rescue. Try to hold the lead now
Hopefully we'll be able to have more than * checks notes * 2 shots this half.
Well, ask and I shall receive. Yay Smith!
Morgan just literally walking while play runs by her.....wt actual fuck
Lucky not to be down yet.
Well, the good news is that the global search for a new coach will continue...
I want Deyna here.
Call this the "midweek trap game" and "looking ahead to the next opponent game"
With all due respect, I didn't think we were good enough to have a "looking forward to next opponent game."
er, "midweek crap game"
This is turning into a Thorns derp fest.
We only have Weaver, Dias, and Sinclair whom we could reasonably bring on and hope to gin up some offense.
Please end it now lol
https://youtu.be/nJwn6VAAkZM?t=17
We all saw this coming when the Thorns packed it in starting in the seventh minute.
Well, now we'll see if Gale can scramble and figure out how to get the lead back.
So bad omg
You know, sometimes I really hate being right. But this one had Loovull potential all over it.
Not Becky’s best match
Not Hina's either
Hina got wrecked
We're losing this aren't we?
Hey defense, the second half has started. Look alive
God, this one is just there for the taking... unlike Saturday night. Just don't give away 2 or all 3 points here, Thorns!
The Thorns seem perfectly happy with just the two goals and are content to let Bay FC control the ball. They need to keep attacking and keep Bay FC on their heels, the way they did against Houston especially.
Omg please take Kling and Hubly off! This defense is terrifying against even just Kundananji.
Moultrie seems to have disappeared for much of the game. Might just be a game we win ugly from here on out, but we gotta change personnel in the back. Beckie has been a turnover machine per usual also.
Likely that BFC are gonna bring on Dydasco, Oshoala, and Boade. We can’t just roll out the same…
Is Deyna out there for them?
Yeah, when I said below "OMG, this is like what Loovull did to us. Hope we can hold onto it better than Loovull did," I didn't mean to speak that into existence!
This team doesn’t have the defensive discipline or personnel to sit in a low block for 80 minutes. You have an elite attacking group and your opponent is starting a late round rookie at both the six and RB. Attack them!
I don't have CBS sports, but following the game stats it sure felt like we parked the bus after going up two. I hope we go more in the second half and get a few more goals.
That's not good. Who was responsible for the concession? Why do I fear the answer is Hubly?
They only showed the full play live and one replay, but Hubly was lunging for the pass that fed into the box. She seemed out of position but that may not be the case bc I think she’d moved up for the previous build up. I didn’t see it well enough to see whether she should have been in a better defensive spot by the time the pass went past her.
A Hubly pass into midfield is just an automatic giveaway. The biggest difference between her and Obaze rn
It's astonishing that a 21 year old can be so much more composed than a 29 year old, but there it is.
That’s definitely a big part of it, but Hubly is also just a dreadful technical passer. Even when she has all the time in the world, the pass is often either hit too hard or played off target. She also takes sooo much time to play the passes that they’re telegraphed every damn time.
They've been pros for essentially the same amount of time and one is a phenom while the other is a walk-on.
True, literally and figuratively. Hubs was an NRI who worked her way into the club, but she's not a savant.
OMG, this is like what Loovull did to us. Hope we can hold onto it better than Loovull did.
SOPH TO LINNEHAN LINNEHAN TO SOPH IT’S MAGIC
They are gonna be so fun!!
So. Too early to predict Linnehan as rookie of the year contender?
Oh she's already a contender, clearly. She really has a nice touch on her passes and her shots.
The idea of her and Sophia up front (and Weaver too) should be frightening to NWSL defenses.
Yes because Croix Bethune and it’s not close…..but it’s definitely not too early to say she’s gonna have a starting spot sooner rather than later
There you go Payton, and nice assist from Soph
Guys I might be in (soccer) love with Linnehan
Soph is just like FINALLY
She’s super fast
2 minutes in and up 1. Way to go, rook! Way to go, Soph!
Really strange starting XI, but I assume it's done to keep players frresh for Saturday night.
Can jump into tie for 5th with Chicago with a win tonight.
Thorns are ahead of Chicago on goal differential - finally it's positive!
I'm surprised to see Orlando take it to North Carolina like that. I hope we can do the same (but keep a clean sheet).
Soph v Jen Beattie could be fun lol :)