It’s Decision Day in the NWSL, and the Thorns are in LA with a chance make amends from last year and clinch the NWSL Shield. Come talk through the action the match thread!
I think the thing that's bugging people is the weird swings in form; going from the sorts of performances the squad put up against Seattle and Gotham to the trashfires of San Diego and this one.
If the team was just Chicago...yeah. That's simply a "start from scratch" rebuild.
But it's trying to figure out how to get the same group that tears it up to do that every match instead of yo-yo-ing from cream to crap. IMO that's coaching, and I think a good HC with a genuine vision could sort this group out. But...at this point we have no idea who that might be.
Tweed's CV is a lot longer than Norris', though, so I'm not surprised. And she has a lot of assistant coach and head coaching experience, starting in 2010....albeit, a lot of it is youth level (but for both club and country.) As for Norris? The breadth of his experience was as a GK/set piece coach, before he was Rhian's assistant for 1 season....and then became a HC after never having been one ever before. Can't expect magic from him, unfortunately...we can't even get GK-ing or set pieces right lol.
Most interims don't excel; it's a tough gig. Sometimes there's an uptick in form if the old gaffer had lost the locker room and ANY change looks good...
Looked at slightly differently, this was a team that was talented enough to finish second with an FO and a HC who knew all year long that they are probably on their way out (unless Sinc is part of the new ownership group), with a lot of roster pieces that don't fit, with evident deficiencies, with a franchise up for sale, with an owner who wasn't willing to spend, and with having permanently lost an elite 8 who is also captain of the USWNT.
Frustrating year for what might have been, but coulda been a lot worse, and still have a chance to go win 2 in a row in November, hopefully with a healthy Soph.
Not convinced management even conducted a coaching search, they just looked around the office, asked "who's second in charge?" and decided "Okay, you're up."
So yeah, it's like completing a very long drive with the compact spare mounted to the car. Should have not worked, but here we are.
Yeah, that was the word. Not sure whether the players went to management or the other way around. but the decision was to give Norris the job based on desire for "continuity."
Expansion will come first. That's what I'm worried about. We really don't have a lot that other teams will want, and we have a few free agents. This time, I think it's gonna cost us something good.
Missed the match due to a family event. No regrets. What a stinker. Weird thing is ACFC needed all those goals to get GD above the other 31 point teams for a playoff spot. They got them. Crazy! Almost feels like the whole thing was scripted for a Hollywood ending.
Also the Thorns finished the season with the best goal difference, but only by one (1) goal (over SD). Remember when we were leading that stat by, like, 10 goals? But that was then, and this is now, when we lose games by 4 goals.
We’ve had more goals scored against us than any team in the league (other than us) has scored. This is not the team I know.
As CW said down below, this game was over when the roster was announced. I’m not sure this exact lineup and formation has been fielded all season. Who does that when the Shield is on the line?!? Norris must go.
Sinc is no longer the GOAT to me, as the greatest would know when it’s over, and know that continuing to ignore this fact is hurting her teammates, club, and fans. She must retire.
Saddens me to say that Bella & Hubs may need to go as well.
Hubly does not appear any longer to be the heir apparent at the center back role. All those trips to the vineyard and repping American Aviatin probably aren't helping.....
I always see her posting ab out wine sponsorships and drinking wine and I’m always like…? Can a pro athlete (one who has Graves’ disease, also)…do that, stay healthy, and perform at a top level? Usu thyroid problems and alcohol don’t mix well in a non-pro athlete…
Well, LeBron James is a noted consumer of the squished grape, and he's fanatical about taking care of his body for longevity. But, as for the other health conditions you mention, I don't know.
Yeah, Hubly has spoken about being diagnosed with Graves disease in college on a podcast within the last few years. She had to take time away from sport for a while because of it. With any hyper- or hypo- thyroid issue (Graves OR Hashimotos) drinking should be done with careful moderation...Anyways, totally not my business who drinks what, I just wonder how that affects how she feels daily as a pro athlete.
Yeah, jeezus. 10th place in goals against. A far cry from the Thorns of just a couple years ago. Only Kansas City (36) and Chicago (50) are worse. Without Sophia, I fear this team, as currently coached, would be mid-table and struggling to make the playoffs.
Yeah I saw Sinc’s name and I felt defeated before the game started. She played 20 minutes last game looking like, well, a 40 yr old trying to play soccer, and he decides we need 90?! Unfortunately the respect I had for Sinc has eroded greatly over the years. There is no universe where she should be taking minutes from anyone…I would literally rather have D’Aquila or Natalie Beckman on the field…and Beckman isn’t even a 9. Don’t care! Yet, we haven’t heard anything about retirements. I would remain unsurprised if she was here next year to try to make that Canada roster for Olympics. The roster is small, though and I’m not sure even Canada would waste the valuable spot…this off-season is gonna need to be an efficient one otherwise next year could be a rebuilding year for real.
Meh. While it's evident that she is done playing at an elite level, it's still the manager who makes the roster and minutes decisions. It's not up to a player to pull themselves. So, I put that on Norris all the way. Now, make the decision to retire? Absolutely.
That's what I was referring to...I've already voiced my opinion here but her continuation has already harmed club and country.
When you have two Canadian buddies of Sinclair currently in charge, well...they'll still do anything they can to get her on the field.
Only a month and a half longer to find out who the new owners are! How many folks here think that the Sinclair retirement could come concurrently with a new investor announcement?
He just had to go back to the single pivot with (basically) two 10s, because that really worked before the double pivot right? Poor Sam Coffey, on a damn island again…why did we abandon the double pivot so soon?
I’ll be surprised if the turnover numbers don’t exceed the San Diego game. And I don’t recall thinking that LA was pressing all that high. It looked to me like pure unforced errors.
Again…it’s really disturbing how these professionals so often do simple basic things like moving quickly to space, passing precisely, marking tightly, so poorly. Sinc? Yeah, that’s on her. But when you have five, six players giving four or five dangerous passes away in a match?
That’s why I think it really comes down to coaching, and why I think even if this squad wins out after this the new owners need to hire outside this organization…
56 turnovers in 82 minutes. Yep, folks, we have a new record!
I get how it's wonderful to lay this on Norris' playing Sinc for 90+. Because if that's the problem, then no Sinc, no problem!
But this ain't just Sinc, folks. There's some sort of deep-seated training, coaching, and team cohesion issues in this club. A solidly managed, well-organized outfit shouldn't have these weirdly wild swings from champs to chumps.
I think the new ownership has got some real headspace and timing issues to solve.
Not just Sinc, obv. I never said it was her in isolation. It’s just one of the more persistent frustrations I have, with multiple coaches over the years. And with her. A coaching and training prob first and foremost. That’s a given. What I’ve been saying…is that playing Sinc for 90 is just a symptom (of many!) of bad coaching. We won’t retain our best players if Norris sticks around…players wanna play for a good coach who improves them. If they are regressing individually, well…. 56 turnovers is painful, though. They looked like a bottom feeder team yesterday…
The thing is that I "get" the Sinc thing. It's a very unusual, very specific-to-Sinc problem that only happens with truly great players who outrun their greatness. I've seen it before (Abby Wambach was the standout example before Sinc). But she's literally sui generis for the club, and gets treated in ways no other player does. Yes, playing her is a failure of coaching...but more a failure of ownership and the GM, who have failed to sit her down and explain that she's hurting her own club.
My big issue is that this club shows signs of worse issues, both technical (failure to execute simple soccer techniques and tactics) and mental (swings from excellence to yesterday's disaster).
The coaching fail with Sinc is unusual and a product of 1) the FO/GM/owner issues, 2) her status with the club vs. Norris' stature, and 3) her own idiosyncracy as a person and a player.
The coaching fails with the whole squad, though?
THOSE are truly concerning; indications of a manager whose grasp not only of tactics and strategies but very basic, fundamental understanding of the game is flawed.
That's why I wanted to step away from Sinc. Her issues are linked, but not inseparable, from Norris other issues - meaning if Sinc hung 'em up tomorrow we STILL have things to think about...
Yeah, I totally agree. If we had Casey Stoney or Emma Hayes or Pep Guardiola or *insert any new coach*, this team would (hopefully) look different, regardless of if Sinc retired or not. First, she'd be on the bench. But second, you'd HOPE all the garbage tactics and individual issues would be resolved in training....the team as a whole was just horrendous, even with 15k per person on the line.
This season has given me whiplash. One wild swing after another, and another, and another....ultimately we agree, though. The coach (and the GM/FO) are the root, and the problems just cascade from there...
(But while we're at it, can we burn those away jerseys and sage the locker room or something? Did we ever get 3 points in those?)
I was just thinking about that! One of the end-of-season highlights is that soon we'lll never have to see the tattoo kit on the pitch again. Hell, yesterday might well have been their last appearance.
Don't they keep each one for two seasons, though? And it's staggered so that we either get a new home, or a new away each season....We're up for a new home kit after the terrible (imo) ones they have now. Maybe new owners will want to start fresh and get two new kits, but I'm not sure if they have a choice in the matter? Would love someone more knowledgeable than I to answer that...I think kit designs are put in like a year prior. Another season in that atrocity is not the fresh start this group needs, especially because I don't think they ever won in them lol.
Already 33 turnovers in the first half alone. Weaver with eight, Sinc five, three with four (Kling, Kuikka, Moultrie). And the season low until today was San Diego with 49 over the full match so, yep, this one's probably the new low...
“Just a tough one to figure out,” Thorns coach Mike Norris said. “First 15, 20 was a tight, tense game for what it was, then we give away a poor goal. We knew what a threat they were in the wide areas, so it’s not like we conceded goals we didn’t expect. We lost the game in two different five-minute spells: after the water break and right after halftime.”
It wasn't the inability to generate any offense having no pressure up top? Or the inability to control the middle sans Rocky? Incredible he wouldn't run out a better scheme with the shield on the line.
With new ownership, I don't even think winning would be a guarantee. If I was hiring, he would have to bring a very thorough, detailed assessment of his plan to address the inconsistency.
Seems to me like the sale has fallen apart no movement at all. Probably the lack of facilities and 200 million it would take to develop one, plus the lack of central space. go far east lose a bunch of weatsie fans, go to far west lose east side fans, go to far south, lose seats and west.
With the sale taking so long, it will be a challenge to replace the GM and the coaching staff plus other roles in time for next season. The smart play is to replace Norris and keep Karina and evaluate her.
But as you suggest, she might already be looking elsewhere.
This game should put an end to any chance of Norris coaching here next year. Tactically he’s far too slow to adjust, and there’s a huge degree of naïveté.
The new ownership group have to bring their own FO and head coach. The thorns should’ve been far and away the best team in the league this season. The simple fact is this team hasn’t won two consecutive games since June.
They could still win the Championship. It’s a cup competition and they have the best player. But the performance of that player has covered up major holes that cannot be ignored.
I mean, whatever on Sinc. By the time subs were being made might as well leave her out. The halftime subs were a nonsense, though. No idea why Moultrie came off.
But it’s not though. It is maybe the first time he does it and bombs a game. But this is like, the nth time it’s happened. There’s no excuse for her playing a full 90 anymore, no sane coach would do it. There multiple are probs but the treatment of Sinc is one of them. She did nothing but jog in circles for 90 mins. Couldn’t even draw a defender to make space for any of her teammates….15k per player was on the line here.
That we were in contention for the Shield today, given the team's inconsistent, unfocused season, is testament to just how far the league has dropped off. To some degree for a couple-three seasons...and precipitously this year. I once dismissed the notion that the NWSL could become a mere feeder league for Europe. I don't do that any more.
Which is quite honestly why you should reseed when single table and you give byes (very possible to have a 1v4 or 1v5 and 2v6 semi). Won’t matter if the thorns play like some of these stinkers recently, they will lose whether NCC or Gotham. Lol, looked at NWSL standings 5 min after all matches done and showed everyone with 22 GP but hadn’t updated points for each team I guess.
Menges would have to no longer be a Portland Thorn, honestly, for it to even be considered. There's an imbalance in the relationship that would cause a power dynamic and it's a *huge* conflict of interest. Absolute no-no.
Yes...yes we do, and it pains me no end to have to type that. But _chronic_ mental focus problems in a 'keeper are a dealbreaker. At the very least, Hogan needs to be at the top of the depth chart there.
What a shambolic end to the regular season. Norris has done a great job “caretaking” this team, but that better be all it was. One year of caretaking and then we go get a coach that isn’t beholden to specific players or has an ounce of common sense when setting a starting lineup. So frustrating to watch.
I think the thing that's bugging people is the weird swings in form; going from the sorts of performances the squad put up against Seattle and Gotham to the trashfires of San Diego and this one.
If the team was just Chicago...yeah. That's simply a "start from scratch" rebuild.
But it's trying to figure out how to get the same group that tears it up to do that every match instead of yo-yo-ing from cream to crap. IMO that's coaching, and I think a good HC with a genuine vision could sort this group out. But...at this point we have no idea who that might be.
And we know that this HC was an unexpected hire, based on keeping continuity.
Only Becki Tweed has done well as an unexpected replacement.
Tweed's CV is a lot longer than Norris', though, so I'm not surprised. And she has a lot of assistant coach and head coaching experience, starting in 2010....albeit, a lot of it is youth level (but for both club and country.) As for Norris? The breadth of his experience was as a GK/set piece coach, before he was Rhian's assistant for 1 season....and then became a HC after never having been one ever before. Can't expect magic from him, unfortunately...we can't even get GK-ing or set pieces right lol.
Most interims don't excel; it's a tough gig. Sometimes there's an uptick in form if the old gaffer had lost the locker room and ANY change looks good...
Looked at slightly differently, this was a team that was talented enough to finish second with an FO and a HC who knew all year long that they are probably on their way out (unless Sinc is part of the new ownership group), with a lot of roster pieces that don't fit, with evident deficiencies, with a franchise up for sale, with an owner who wasn't willing to spend, and with having permanently lost an elite 8 who is also captain of the USWNT.
Frustrating year for what might have been, but coulda been a lot worse, and still have a chance to go win 2 in a row in November, hopefully with a healthy Soph.
Not convinced management even conducted a coaching search, they just looked around the office, asked "who's second in charge?" and decided "Okay, you're up."
So yeah, it's like completing a very long drive with the compact spare mounted to the car. Should have not worked, but here we are.
Yeah, that was the word. Not sure whether the players went to management or the other way around. but the decision was to give Norris the job based on desire for "continuity."
Odds of new ownership and management being in place for the 2025 draft?
Expansion will come first. That's what I'm worried about. We really don't have a lot that other teams will want, and we have a few free agents. This time, I think it's gonna cost us something good.
Of course then the question is why he didn’t implement a plan to address the inconsistent during the season. It’s been evident pretty much all season.
"Well, I hope you got that out of you systems."
"What if we wanted that IN our systems?"
Management 205
Missed the match due to a family event. No regrets. What a stinker. Weird thing is ACFC needed all those goals to get GD above the other 31 point teams for a playoff spot. They got them. Crazy! Almost feels like the whole thing was scripted for a Hollywood ending.
Also the Thorns finished the season with the best goal difference, but only by one (1) goal (over SD). Remember when we were leading that stat by, like, 10 goals? But that was then, and this is now, when we lose games by 4 goals.
We’ve had more goals scored against us than any team in the league (other than us) has scored. This is not the team I know.
As CW said down below, this game was over when the roster was announced. I’m not sure this exact lineup and formation has been fielded all season. Who does that when the Shield is on the line?!? Norris must go.
Sinc is no longer the GOAT to me, as the greatest would know when it’s over, and know that continuing to ignore this fact is hurting her teammates, club, and fans. She must retire.
Saddens me to say that Bella & Hubs may need to go as well.
Hubly does not appear any longer to be the heir apparent at the center back role. All those trips to the vineyard and repping American Aviatin probably aren't helping.....
was thinking more of the distraction than the health, I am assumming/hoping as a smart athlete she is taking care of her body.
I always see her posting ab out wine sponsorships and drinking wine and I’m always like…? Can a pro athlete (one who has Graves’ disease, also)…do that, stay healthy, and perform at a top level? Usu thyroid problems and alcohol don’t mix well in a non-pro athlete…
Well, LeBron James is a noted consumer of the squished grape, and he's fanatical about taking care of his body for longevity. But, as for the other health conditions you mention, I don't know.
Yeah, Hubly has spoken about being diagnosed with Graves disease in college on a podcast within the last few years. She had to take time away from sport for a while because of it. With any hyper- or hypo- thyroid issue (Graves OR Hashimotos) drinking should be done with careful moderation...Anyways, totally not my business who drinks what, I just wonder how that affects how she feels daily as a pro athlete.
Yeah, jeezus. 10th place in goals against. A far cry from the Thorns of just a couple years ago. Only Kansas City (36) and Chicago (50) are worse. Without Sophia, I fear this team, as currently coached, would be mid-table and struggling to make the playoffs.
Yeah I saw Sinc’s name and I felt defeated before the game started. She played 20 minutes last game looking like, well, a 40 yr old trying to play soccer, and he decides we need 90?! Unfortunately the respect I had for Sinc has eroded greatly over the years. There is no universe where she should be taking minutes from anyone…I would literally rather have D’Aquila or Natalie Beckman on the field…and Beckman isn’t even a 9. Don’t care! Yet, we haven’t heard anything about retirements. I would remain unsurprised if she was here next year to try to make that Canada roster for Olympics. The roster is small, though and I’m not sure even Canada would waste the valuable spot…this off-season is gonna need to be an efficient one otherwise next year could be a rebuilding year for real.
Wanna really make yourself sad? Go tally the goal differential in the wins vs. the losses.
We had a much bigger goal differential in the wins, but we still got our butts kicked in the losses.
Meh. While it's evident that she is done playing at an elite level, it's still the manager who makes the roster and minutes decisions. It's not up to a player to pull themselves. So, I put that on Norris all the way. Now, make the decision to retire? Absolutely.
That's what I was referring to...I've already voiced my opinion here but her continuation has already harmed club and country.
When you have two Canadian buddies of Sinclair currently in charge, well...they'll still do anything they can to get her on the field.
Only a month and a half longer to find out who the new owners are! How many folks here think that the Sinclair retirement could come concurrently with a new investor announcement?
I see two possibilities:
1) She announces retirement right after season's end, whenever that comes.
2) She announces retirement at same time new ownership is announced, because she's part of it.
I just don't know whether she wants to continue playing (if so, then the new Canadian league and the Vancouver franchise are the place).
He just had to go back to the single pivot with (basically) two 10s, because that really worked before the double pivot right? Poor Sam Coffey, on a damn island again…why did we abandon the double pivot so soon?
https://x.com/tayvincent6/status/1713731914287485088?s=46&t=e8Gx9bM3HEyE6UzYl-Lilw
Because our coach has the tactical acumen of a cabbage.
Hey!
The cabbage is a noble creature, from which you can enjoy such treats as cole slaw and kimchi.
Mike Norris, OTOH, is a gormless Geordie prat.
Okonomayaki ftw!
Mike Norris ftl!
I’ll be surprised if the turnover numbers don’t exceed the San Diego game. And I don’t recall thinking that LA was pressing all that high. It looked to me like pure unforced errors.
Again…it’s really disturbing how these professionals so often do simple basic things like moving quickly to space, passing precisely, marking tightly, so poorly. Sinc? Yeah, that’s on her. But when you have five, six players giving four or five dangerous passes away in a match?
That’s why I think it really comes down to coaching, and why I think even if this squad wins out after this the new owners need to hire outside this organization…
56 turnovers in 82 minutes. Yep, folks, we have a new record!
I get how it's wonderful to lay this on Norris' playing Sinc for 90+. Because if that's the problem, then no Sinc, no problem!
But this ain't just Sinc, folks. There's some sort of deep-seated training, coaching, and team cohesion issues in this club. A solidly managed, well-organized outfit shouldn't have these weirdly wild swings from champs to chumps.
I think the new ownership has got some real headspace and timing issues to solve.
Not just Sinc, obv. I never said it was her in isolation. It’s just one of the more persistent frustrations I have, with multiple coaches over the years. And with her. A coaching and training prob first and foremost. That’s a given. What I’ve been saying…is that playing Sinc for 90 is just a symptom (of many!) of bad coaching. We won’t retain our best players if Norris sticks around…players wanna play for a good coach who improves them. If they are regressing individually, well…. 56 turnovers is painful, though. They looked like a bottom feeder team yesterday…
N.B.: it got worse.
The thing is that I "get" the Sinc thing. It's a very unusual, very specific-to-Sinc problem that only happens with truly great players who outrun their greatness. I've seen it before (Abby Wambach was the standout example before Sinc). But she's literally sui generis for the club, and gets treated in ways no other player does. Yes, playing her is a failure of coaching...but more a failure of ownership and the GM, who have failed to sit her down and explain that she's hurting her own club.
My big issue is that this club shows signs of worse issues, both technical (failure to execute simple soccer techniques and tactics) and mental (swings from excellence to yesterday's disaster).
The coaching fail with Sinc is unusual and a product of 1) the FO/GM/owner issues, 2) her status with the club vs. Norris' stature, and 3) her own idiosyncracy as a person and a player.
The coaching fails with the whole squad, though?
THOSE are truly concerning; indications of a manager whose grasp not only of tactics and strategies but very basic, fundamental understanding of the game is flawed.
That's why I wanted to step away from Sinc. Her issues are linked, but not inseparable, from Norris other issues - meaning if Sinc hung 'em up tomorrow we STILL have things to think about...
Yeah, I totally agree. If we had Casey Stoney or Emma Hayes or Pep Guardiola or *insert any new coach*, this team would (hopefully) look different, regardless of if Sinc retired or not. First, she'd be on the bench. But second, you'd HOPE all the garbage tactics and individual issues would be resolved in training....the team as a whole was just horrendous, even with 15k per person on the line.
This season has given me whiplash. One wild swing after another, and another, and another....ultimately we agree, though. The coach (and the GM/FO) are the root, and the problems just cascade from there...
(But while we're at it, can we burn those away jerseys and sage the locker room or something? Did we ever get 3 points in those?)
I was just thinking about that! One of the end-of-season highlights is that soon we'lll never have to see the tattoo kit on the pitch again. Hell, yesterday might well have been their last appearance.
Don't they keep each one for two seasons, though? And it's staggered so that we either get a new home, or a new away each season....We're up for a new home kit after the terrible (imo) ones they have now. Maybe new owners will want to start fresh and get two new kits, but I'm not sure if they have a choice in the matter? Would love someone more knowledgeable than I to answer that...I think kit designs are put in like a year prior. Another season in that atrocity is not the fresh start this group needs, especially because I don't think they ever won in them lol.
Already 33 turnovers in the first half alone. Weaver with eight, Sinc five, three with four (Kling, Kuikka, Moultrie). And the season low until today was San Diego with 49 over the full match so, yep, this one's probably the new low...
Some good news: Sophia held on to win the Golden Boot, Sam had the most assists, and the Thorns had the most goals and most assists.
What on earth ?
My cat coughs up better hairballs that that.
March 28-April 1, 2023: Thorns open season by beating Pride and Current 8-1
October 15, 2023: Thorns close season by losing to Angel City 1-5.
“Just a tough one to figure out,” Thorns coach Mike Norris said. “First 15, 20 was a tight, tense game for what it was, then we give away a poor goal. We knew what a threat they were in the wide areas, so it’s not like we conceded goals we didn’t expect. We lost the game in two different five-minute spells: after the water break and right after halftime.”
It wasn't the inability to generate any offense having no pressure up top? Or the inability to control the middle sans Rocky? Incredible he wouldn't run out a better scheme with the shield on the line.
Rodriguez had no impact after she did come on.
Some players had a real bad day (Bixby, Kuikka, Sinc…) but this was a comprehensive team failure…meaning a matchday management/coaching fail.
So, who are the coaches most likely to be cleaning out their desks?
In order of odds, I'd say it's Sjöblom, Björkegren, Norris, Parsons, Harvey. Only winning the Championship would save Norris.
In my book it wouldn’t; winning a two-match tournament doesn’t erase the all-too-many dropped points and poor performances this squad has turned in.
That said, I get what you mean.
The difference here is the sale. There’s no reason an ambitious new owner group wouldn’t prefer their own choice. I know I would.
With new ownership, I don't even think winning would be a guarantee. If I was hiring, he would have to bring a very thorough, detailed assessment of his plan to address the inconsistency.
Seems to me like the sale has fallen apart no movement at all. Probably the lack of facilities and 200 million it would take to develop one, plus the lack of central space. go far east lose a bunch of weatsie fans, go to far west lose east side fans, go to far south, lose seats and west.
They also need to see if Karina has a detailed plan for making key trades and other player moves to correct glaring weaknesses.
I'm sure she has a detailed plan for walking around the pitch, child in hand, waving to the crowd.
I would be surprised if she sticks around. Maybe it's being hamstrung by the FO, but I haven't been impressed.
With the sale taking so long, it will be a challenge to replace the GM and the coaching staff plus other roles in time for next season. The smart play is to replace Norris and keep Karina and evaluate her.
But as you suggest, she might already be looking elsewhere.
Your unofficial first round draft order for the 2024 NWSL Draft
1. URFC
2. BAY
3. CHI
4. KC
5. NC (from HOU)
6. LOU
7. WSH
8. ORL
9. GFC
10. ORL (from AC)
11. WSH (from RGN)
12. NC
13. POR
14. SD
Now the pressure of having to win 4 in a row is off. Just have to win 2 in a row now!
This game should put an end to any chance of Norris coaching here next year. Tactically he’s far too slow to adjust, and there’s a huge degree of naïveté.
The new ownership group have to bring their own FO and head coach. The thorns should’ve been far and away the best team in the league this season. The simple fact is this team hasn’t won two consecutive games since June.
They could still win the Championship. It’s a cup competition and they have the best player. But the performance of that player has covered up major holes that cannot be ignored.
Not only that, but there HAS to be a winner at the end of the match. That matters.
Naivete that experience is enough to win matches
To late to bring in someone for the playoffs?
Asking for a friend.
The thing that boggles my mind is the thorns were getting cooked before the hydration break and the response was to…change nothing?
They started off with a handicap brought by the coaching staff.
And leave Sinc on for 90?!? Like??? The fact she played beyond halftime said everything we already knew…
And Bella, lawd…
I mean, whatever on Sinc. By the time subs were being made might as well leave her out. The halftime subs were a nonsense, though. No idea why Moultrie came off.
But it’s not though. It is maybe the first time he does it and bombs a game. But this is like, the nth time it’s happened. There’s no excuse for her playing a full 90 anymore, no sane coach would do it. There multiple are probs but the treatment of Sinc is one of them. She did nothing but jog in circles for 90 mins. Couldn’t even draw a defender to make space for any of her teammates….15k per player was on the line here.
I mean the game was lost by 50’. That’s the thing. I’m more bothered by her starting a crucial game upfront.
What a horrid way to lose the shield. We hardly deserve a playoff spot with that performance.
What a bummer of a way to win the golden boot for Soph, also…
We've hardly deserved a playoff spot all season. So much self-inflicted pain this season.
True. We've largely limped into the playoffs.
That we were in contention for the Shield today, given the team's inconsistent, unfocused season, is testament to just how far the league has dropped off. To some degree for a couple-three seasons...and precipitously this year. I once dismissed the notion that the NWSL could become a mere feeder league for Europe. I don't do that any more.
Im-plo-sion. Would have been better off keeping the players home this week. Could have saved on gas.
Different Topic: I think Trinity Rodman is going to be eligible for a trade. After a terrific 2021, she's not progressing in Washington. Just sayin'.
Not a single chance she’s traded. Counting stats not great, but she’s been real good for them.
More importantly, she’s the face of their franchise.
They'd want Smith. Hard nope.
Gotham got Lynn Williams for Michelle Cooper. You never know.
No way Soph is staying if they keep this coaching staff.
Two years in a row, a complete bed-crapping on Decision Day. Wow.
Bye all and goodby Shield.
Thank goodness it's over.
You know that if Sophia comes back in goblin mode and drives them to another championship people are going to think everything's alright.
Let this sink in:
In a 22-match season, 2nd place Portland finished 4 points ahead of Angel City, Gotham, and Orlando.
Hello First Leather
Treasure that stoppage time, Thorns.
Man I'd hate to be on that flight ✈️
Sinc's going 96 today!
But she didn't look a day over 60!
Courtesy wheelchair and early boarding, assured.
The skycap is already waiting for her!
Playing the winner of Gotham-NCC as it stands. Not sure it matter too much.
Gotham will be without Trinity Rodman who Gott a red card today.
I thought if we’re 2nd seed we play winner of 4 v 5? Which, would be Reign or LA lol. Not sure which mode of death I prefer lol…
Two seed usually plays the winner of 3-6 because the goal is to get the one seed against the lowest possible seed.
In other words, if both higher seeds won, it would be 1v4 and 2v3
Which is quite honestly why you should reseed when single table and you give byes (very possible to have a 1v4 or 1v5 and 2v6 semi). Won’t matter if the thorns play like some of these stinkers recently, they will lose whether NCC or Gotham. Lol, looked at NWSL standings 5 min after all matches done and showed everyone with 22 GP but hadn’t updated points for each team I guess.
Ooooh Intrigue! Orlando finally scored.
But they're going to fall short on GD.
At least this gives our new owners a head start in finding a new coach…
Parsons probably available.
Kang would pay us to take him.
Unless Sinc is part of the ownership group, which is what I suspect.
I swear if I have to see Bev Priestman’s tactics at PP….
Serious question: Would you take Rhian back?
no and no tactical nightmare, watching her teams was cringeworthy. we won despite....
There's no chance given the reason for her departure.
Maybe. Things are out in the open. But much would depend on Menges's status and her status with Menges.
Menges would have to no longer be a Portland Thorn, honestly, for it to even be considered. There's an imbalance in the relationship that would cause a power dynamic and it's a *huge* conflict of interest. Absolute no-no.
After this shitshow it’s hard not to say I wouldn’t prefer anyone better, but I’d prefer more ambition from a new FO.
And obv not taking into account why she left….
Good news - we have 3 weeks to get Soph back to full health and integrated with the fast kids.
We need a new keeper my gawd. They’ll never do it though…
Yes...yes we do, and it pains me no end to have to type that. But _chronic_ mental focus problems in a 'keeper are a dealbreaker. At the very least, Hogan needs to be at the top of the depth chart there.
Their Christmas list is long.
A player wide open on the left beats Bixby to the near post
Kuikka's mark was, um, unmarked.
Ouch. Utter disaster
I never want to see Bella Bixby in goal ever again
Was she in goal today? I didn't see her.
Her one and and only strength is on reaction saves and she’s so poor everywhere else it doesn’t come close to compensating.
Eh, just give her a far post to mind and she's fine.
Oh wait, she conceded to that post too.
Sweet! 5-1. Is our backline in LA today? I haven't seen them all day.
On LA evidently.
Bless our Hina.
Yaaay HINA!
At least Betfort gives a crap
And Hina!
Darndumbdodgers. Darndumbthorns(coach).
Two years in a row. Imagine what that's likefor, for example, Gabby P. Seeing $26k in bonuses pissed away. She could have bought a nice Kia.
Last year more egregious because it was 3-1 Thorns. This one is more of an embarrassment
Can you imagine the vibe in SD right now? They're up 2-0, we're down 0-4, and they have home field throughout.
Irrelevant this season, but the higher seed should get to host the championship every year imo.
NWSL just isn’t ready for that logistically I suppose.
We will be the #2 seed so wouldn't have to play SD until the final which is somewhere else.
The final is at Snapdragon Stadium.
Oh of course
Mandy isn’t as physically dominant or as willing to attack as she once was, but MAN she’s still got most of what made her great for so long.
I think Mandy is still working into fitness, but she's got all the skill, knowledge, and ideas as before.
You know what this smells like? 2-0-1-9. A team that is almost at the top of the standings but completely out of form going into the playoffs.
Loving field general Sinc still out there.
She's soaking in every minute of her final regular season match ever.
My only explanation for today is shield doesn't matter. If I'm wrong then Sinc starts the playoff and it's one and done.
In many ways it doesn't. It's just pride and we don't seem to have much. They are a top two seed either way.
So, assuming results hold, do we know yet who the Thorns draw for their first playoff game (after the buy)?
Winner of Orlando at OL Reign, right?
What a shambolic end to the regular season. Norris has done a great job “caretaking” this team, but that better be all it was. One year of caretaking and then we go get a coach that isn’t beholden to specific players or has an ounce of common sense when setting a starting lineup. So frustrating to watch.
Truly do not understand how this team collapsed this badly. Even with bad coaching, the team has just not been applying the fundamentals.
Too many aging players getting worse and not enough young players getting better because they play, see Reyes for example
Because they DON'T play that is.
And in the game no one gives a shit about, ORL v HOU is 0-0.
If Smith gets hurt during garbage time somebody needs to be fired on the spot.
Speedy Gonzalez Betfort in for Slow Poke Rodriguez Sinclair.
Fishlock scored too. That's 3-0 now.
Good they’re the only team I feel confident about playing in the playoffs lmao