Last night was my first opportunity to watch Obaze in person. Although I think I was among the first to hear she was coming here, I really didn't know what to expect. I was very happy with what I saw. She didn't face too many difficult moments, although she did handle Alozie well in one of those moments. Rather, what really struck me is that she's smooth, calm, efficient, and knows her role. Hard to believe she's only 21 and doesn't have a huge amount of international experience behind her. That was just her third match (all starts) in NWSL, and she looked far better back there than Hubly, and far better mate for Sauerbruun. Hats off to Mike Smith for spotting her, and good recovery by the club when we lost Sevecke.
She's only going to get better with more playing time. She was mostly really good last night and I think it relaxed Becky and she too had her best game of the young season last night. (Quality of opponent noted)
Something I found a little strange: no sign of Karina tonight?
I have been to every home game since she was hired and she has done that walk around pre-match with her daughter and then she goes and stands in the same spot every game, in eyesight of where I sit. Didn’t do the walk before the game, and didn’t see her on the sidelines at all during. Was she around at all after??
Yeah, not drumming up any conspiracies or anything, just thought it was note-worthy. I've never not seen her out there at all, but yeah, could've been out sick!
Good god did they need that. Good god, did I need that.
So happy for the squad, next week should feel like unicorns crapped rainbows and gold nuggets all around the park while they were out. Now please cleanse these Kansas City fever dreams haunting me ATM.
Alvarado has to push Hogan for the starting job asap. The latter just isn't a starter, alas.
All the field players had good games, some of them even great ones.
Was really happy with Obaze. Would be thrilled never to see Hubly start again.
Muller is fantastic.
Fleming looked much better tonight. Now I'd like to see her do it with Moultrie out there and without having to run Sinc 60 minutes in the attack for Fleming find her comfort zone. Sinc looked utterly gassed when she came off, and it's not good for Moultrie's development -- and our future -- to have her coming on as Fleming's sub to see out matches.
Where do you put Moultrie, though? In pen starters are Müller, 'Brunn, Obaze, Coffee, Hina, Smith, probably Weaver, and maybe Reyes. That leaves the 10 and one (maybe two) wings and a fullback open to tinkering. I don't see how you put both Moultrie and Flemming on the field without benching a better option on the wing.
At some point, you have to rip off the band-aid. Fleming has to learn how to play with Moultrie, not Sinclair, and vice versa.
For all the folks who are saying -- I'm paraphrasing here -- "it's fine for Moultrie to sit and if she decides she doesn't want to do that then she can take her chances on getting playing time elsewhere," I would offer this:
(1) There are now a few young Americans (apologies to Bowie) of the USWNT variety testing out Europe: Albert, Gaetino, Yohannes. I'm quite sure that Moultrie could find a club in Europe that would be more than happy to give her lots of playing time and a meaningful role. All we would get in return is the transfer fee despite Portland having invested a tremendous amount in Moultrie's development since she was 13.
(2) It's no better of a look to bury Moultrie as Fleming's late-match replacement when she's getting senior NT call-ups than it would be to bring Fleming off the bench or limit Jessie to 45 minutes per match.
(3) Like Liv, Fleming was once a wunderkind. Sam Mewis tells the story of Dahlkemper, Dydasco, and she being pulled into recruiting Fleming to UCLA when Jessie was 16 and being told "(Fleming) is the most important recruit we've ever had at UCLA." Well, Moultrie signed a letter of intent with UNC when she was 11, and then turned around 2 years later and signed a 9-year, 9-figure deal with Nike and surrendered her college eligibility. My point is that young Moultrie was every bit the tantalizing prospect that Fleming was, and that she's not much older now than Fleming was when UCLA was trying all to get Fleming to come there. But here's the thing: Fleming is now in her mid-career prime, while Moultrie is still a wunderkind. She's 8 years younger than Fleming and on her way up.
So, my position is this: We should not sacrifice Moultrie's development or send her the message that she's always going to have to wait her turn. In essence, I think we're at risk of taking Moultrie for granted.
They could play with 4 in the middle w/a box and have both Fleming and Moultrie out there, but that sits Beckie because Smith/Weaver are the two F's. Or, you sit one of the two of Fleming/Moultrie (assuming Hina is central) and play a 4231 with Beckie on the RW. Kinda the best options. I really like Hina in the midfield the best, but she's also an option for an inverted RW if you wanna put both Fleming and Moultrie in the middle. Inverted RW tucks in and kinda becomes a second 10 anyways when Hina plays there. Then it would be a kind of asymmetrical box anyways....
Well, yes. I’m not sure we have the FB’s to maintain width in a narrow formation like a box or a diamond. You just asked how we could get them all on the field…
I think we have the FBs, but we definitely don't have the CBs/DMs. Reyes and Müller have jets and cross reasonably well. I think such a narrow formation would also really hamper Weaver's game as it currently exists.
Agree there re:Weaver. Getting wide and getting to the end line is her bread and butter. I don’t think Reyes is particularly quick, though, and she’s also not a great passer yet… turnovers deep could be disastrous if she’s caught out. Müller is a bit quicker and technically better than Reyes. And our central defense isn’t fast and/or experienced enough for me to be comfortable with that. But, it was still a way to get all 4 midfielders on the field. Pros and cons to every formation, of course. I personally think a 4231 best suits our roster.
If you are going to play Sugita at the 8, Moultrie is a sub. With the way Beckie has played, I think she’s deserved to start and I like Linnehan as her primary backup.
Fleming looked much better tonight, but look how much we have to do to accommodate her. We've already talked about all the other changes that have been made, but now -- and this is no coincidence -- she's finally looking comfortable with Sinc out there in front of her. That's not a solution or a plan. That will work against a team as dire as Houston is, and when Sinc can turn back the clock, but it won't more widely.
How far has our bar for Fleming fallen. For that to be considered a good performance. For the 500k we paid I would expect her creating multiple opportunities and being dangerous throughout. I will admit she was at least not completely invisible, but a far cry from anything but pedestrian. Hina was a monster, Olivia came in and was immediate impact.
So starting Sinclair is not an issue we’ve been discussing with every coach since her decline and is now an accommodation to Fleming?
The open challenge is Sinclair is respected by every player in that clubhouse but her speed makes for less spacing offensively and less ability to press defensively, That has nothing to do with Fleming.
Not sure which observation is worse. This one or suggesting she can’t play with Coffey?
Fleming looked good out there tonight just like she did when they put her with Sugita against Louisville. I like her as the 10 if we aren’t going to put Sugita there.
Yes, Fleming played very well on the whole. As did the entire team and each individual.
I am saying, to repeat, that it's not coincidence that Fleming finally played well with so many adjustments being made for her, including her old captain Sinclair (with whom she's played about 120 times since 2013) being RE-inserted into the starting lineup.
I am on record here that I don't think Sinc should be a starter any longer and don't want to see her playing more than 30 minutes a match or taking time from Moultrie. But Sinc turned back the clock last night and gave us our first lead of the season on the kind of goal that I think only she and Sugita, at present, could score for us. Classic Sinc poach with the fantastic finish. And, on the whole, that's probably the best I've seen Sinc look in at least a year. We can't count on that kind of performance from Sinc on a regular basis.
What I saw last night only makes me more worried that Moultrie will ask for a trade or seek a transfer in order to get more time so that she can continue to develop for national team opportunity.
I've made no suggestion that Fleming can't play with Coffey. What I have said is that I didn't want to see her play a duplicate of Coffey in a dual pivot or have to rely on taking on some of Sam's roles and responsibilities in order to be successful. Last night, she didn't do those things. That's great, But there's a difference between what I said and what you interpreted me to say.
And, no, I still do not consider this a positive transaction thus far, when I know that Rocky was traded to make room and free up funds for Fleming, that Moultrie first has gone to the bench so that Fleming can be more effective on the field and now is serving as Fleming's backup, and that Fleming is most effective on a night when Sinclair turned back the clock.
I like Moultrie’s talent, but see zero issue with her developing as a primary backup with an occasional start at her age. If she leaves for a “better” league, she is in for a rude surprise about her playing time. It should be easy to manage. She’s a top backup for a good team at this stage in her career.
Sinclair is playing because she is still a presence in the clubhouse just like the last three years. The player she took out of the lineup was Beckie who probably has the best on field chemistry with Fleming on the team. That isn’t a concession. It’s a coaches decision to continue to play Sinclair, which was the same issue as last year.
With your commentary on Coffey/Fleming, it’s out in left field even when you try to explain it again. A decent coach can pair these two skill sets easily together without diminishing the other player. Just because we had the one coach who couldn’t is more an indictment on him than the players.
The trio of Fleming, Hina, Coffey with Moultrie as the primary backup should be among the best in the league in terms of quality and complementary skill sets.
Let's try one more time. I'm doing this because I appreciate and respect your point of view. And this is the last I'm going to say on it.
Although I arrived at this conclusion on my own, I have since had occasion to speak with someone who watched a lot of Fleming at Chelsea, as well as the top European women's leagues, the UWCL, etc. This is a former footballer who holds a UEFA A license.
That person's view?
Portland "overpaid" for "Sinclair's friend" and that, on the whole, she was not good in her "four years at Chelsea."
Now, you can take that any way you like, but this person actually *knows* football from the inside, not as a fan like you and me. Knows the women's game intimately and works in it currently.
That's not some personality issue. Everybody loves Fleming's personality. She's very hard not to like.
It's also not a skill issue. Clearly, she's a really, really good player.
Rather, it's a performance issue and a fit issue.
Excuse me for saying so, but even Emma Hayes couldn't figure out how to integrate her into an all-world lineup -- she had one very good season, one good-ish one, and two ineffective ones.
Hayes also pointed to Fleming's difficulty with the "physicality" of the WSL. Well, how is that supposed to be any different, or better, in the NWSL context?
Now, the only time *recently* when I have seen Fleming be effective prior to yesterday was the second half of the Brazil match, and in that match -- while she was playing the 6 and roaming the entire field -- she was handling roles and responsibilities that are Sam's. She was taking all the corners and free kicks, for example.
What I do not want to see here, as I have said, is having to carve off some of what Sam does for us in order to make Fleming comfortable and more effective. She needs to elevate, not have us make lots of room and adjustments for her.
We've already seen that the club is making lots of accommodations and adjustments affecting other players to try to help Fleming fit in... which I see as a problem because Fleming's job -- both as a midfielder and as a player with 280 high-level matches under her belt, 3 WWCs, 1 Olympic Gold, a national captaincy, and playing for NCAA championships -- is to make all the other players around her better.
As I said, I was very pleased by what I saw from Fleming yesterday. But I note that if it depends on playing with Sinc, that's not a sustainable solution. Sinc will wilt, as she has every single year for the past several years. Sinc is still a wonderful contributor to the entire program, but as a player she's hit that "late Ichiro" phase; occasionally she still has a little bit of magic left and can remind you of that previous greatness, but it's not there on a regular basis.
Back to Fleming... yesterday's 70 minutes were a far cry better from how she has looked for much of the season, when at times she has looked absolutely lost in how to contribute offensively.
The first half against Gotham is Exhibit A. That was as poor of a showing from an in-prime world-class midfielder as you will ever see. Granted, no one played particularly well, but I am not alone in concluding that, at times, Fleming switched off and didn't even attempt to go for passes made to her when she was unmarked, simply because she wasn't expecting the ball. These were passes from players like Smith. It happened on multiple occasions in that first half. As well, it looked very much like Fleming didn't know how to play next to Coffey, not that the problem was one of having Moultrie on the pitch.
Yes for what we paid Fleming has not passed the quality test. As I posted above is that performance we are accepting as good then we are not getting our money's worth. Thos idea that there needs to be some big adjustment period is a bit silly. Look at other recent transfers they seem to be stepping right into their roles. Castellon, Chawinga, Kundananji, Bahr. All have moments so far where you can see how they can impact game.
Alvarado came on the field after the game and she has an immediately apparent powerful presence. Excited for her to take over, and I think it will be soon.
If you watch the Thorns Instagram story with Beckie giving a speech, she is a few to the left of Beckie in an oversized black jacket with a white stripe. Then in the same story when the scene switches, she is just to the right of Smith. She participated in the Rose ceremony line and also hugged a lot of dash players. It’s not so obvious in the videos, but in person she was a very intimidating physical presence.
Oh I’ll check em thanks! I hope they all welcomed her even though they just beat her team lol. Curious if she wanted this trade or how she feels about it…I imagine she’s prob happy after experiencing the night lol.
I think Alvarado wanted more of an opportunity according to Phuoc and she’s about ready to get it.
Going back to her TCU games, she was the player that stood out the most on a team with Yaz Ryan and Messiah Bright, but good goalies can stand out in terms of volume. Plus, I think Ryan’s best development came under the Thorns especially with Wilkinson as her coach
I remember during her draft year pointing Alvarado out as someone we could bring in even though we had a numbers problem back then
Was kind of sad to see Grace Collins decide soccer wasn’t her career, because she was right up there in terms of ability.
Oh chit that’s interesting. Didn’t see that. Wonder how she felt about coming to the Thorns with how the season has started lol…well, she knows she’s got a chance at starting lol
I was high on life and just watching everyone immediately after it was over but we didn’t stay for the rose ceremony. Didn’t see her though. Was she with the Thorns or with Houston? What a weird scenario for her lol.
Not enough to wholly put everyone at ease given the temporary coach situation, but it's a get right game against the worst team in the league, so no complaints. Kick out some demons, gel a little better, keep grinding and get to work for next week!
She was excellent!! Oh man I’m excited for her and I’m happy we have her to challenge Beckie AND Weaver for a starting spot. I like her a lot, and she looks like she looks to pass first and picks ‘em well, which I appreciate. She was smart in her movement also…
Yeah, Sandy was a good dude (except when he'd get distracted and Playboy Buddy Rose would cheat), but I couldn't think of another ref w/ Portland ties at that moment.
But now I can. Jake O'Donnell (and his bizzare anti- Blazer/Drexler bias). That guy was a straight-up asshole.
Dad dragged me to a match long ago. Buddy Rose was playing dead laying ON my feet but peeking to see when Dutch Savage would drag him back into the ring.
This double pivot is unsurprisingly doing wonders for Fleming. Midfield still looks like they have some chemistry to develop, but MILES better overall. Love love love Hin at the 8.
Houston also switched to a 4-back for the last 15 or so. Something to watch for sure.
the one where she has pulled out of several tackles, has dribbled our of bounds with little to no pressure and has not successfully played a penetrating pass. like I said pedestrian
Yeah, KK either didn't want to pay what Natu was asking, or she screwed up the process (this happened over the Christmas holiday and KK was on a family visit so she may have been distracted). Either way, we lost her to free agency and Chicago picked her up. I am not terribly upset. Kuikka was not improving and Muller has been absolutely outstanding in her place. If Kuikka were still here, she'd be on the bench. Upsetting as it may have been, Kuikka seems to be thriving in Chicago so maybe it was a win-win in the end.
Ohh that’s a can of worms lol. Kk basically lost her by accident bc she didn’t know the restricted FA rules. That’s kinda all I can say, but Kuikka wanted to stay in Portland. KK lost her for nothing…
I think they just didn’t re-sign her IIRC. But good question. I think our fullbacks are going to be lacking on offense, especially with Kling in a reserve role now.
Reyes is definitely playing as an inverted fullback which is a new wrinkle. It puts a lot of pressure on the remaining three but she's been useful in the attack
To my surprise (given how much "play her at the 10!" screeching I've done), I really like Hina in this box-to-box mid role. It _shouldn't_ be a surprise, given her demonstrated versatility, though.
Dangit, I just realized this match and the Tokyo Verdy Beleza match are gonna overlap a bit. Ah, well...that's why web browsers have multiple tabs...
Nice! I coudl probably do something like that, too. I use my TV as my main monitor for my lappy. I could just drag one of the tabs over to the laptop screen.
Last night was my first opportunity to watch Obaze in person. Although I think I was among the first to hear she was coming here, I really didn't know what to expect. I was very happy with what I saw. She didn't face too many difficult moments, although she did handle Alozie well in one of those moments. Rather, what really struck me is that she's smooth, calm, efficient, and knows her role. Hard to believe she's only 21 and doesn't have a huge amount of international experience behind her. That was just her third match (all starts) in NWSL, and she looked far better back there than Hubly, and far better mate for Sauerbruun. Hats off to Mike Smith for spotting her, and good recovery by the club when we lost Sevecke.
She's only going to get better with more playing time. She was mostly really good last night and I think it relaxed Becky and she too had her best game of the young season last night. (Quality of opponent noted)
Something I found a little strange: no sign of Karina tonight?
I have been to every home game since she was hired and she has done that walk around pre-match with her daughter and then she goes and stands in the same spot every game, in eyesight of where I sit. Didn’t do the walk before the game, and didn’t see her on the sidelines at all during. Was she around at all after??
And the Bhathals WERE there, talking to "VIP" fans before the game.
Oh yeah? That's great, I sure hope they enjoyed the show last night. It's how it usually is at PP!
Yeah, she wasn’t there, I definitely noticed too!
Hopefully out on a coach finding mission?
I just assumed COVID or under the weather, but maybe it’s more.
Yeah, not drumming up any conspiracies or anything, just thought it was note-worthy. I've never not seen her out there at all, but yeah, could've been out sick!
Palate cleanser/amuse bouche—deploy.
Good god did they need that. Good god, did I need that.
So happy for the squad, next week should feel like unicorns crapped rainbows and gold nuggets all around the park while they were out. Now please cleanse these Kansas City fever dreams haunting me ATM.
LFG
The Houston Dash-acting as your league's palate cleansers for ten years!
For real lmao
Really fun win, alas almost equalized by Hogan.
Alvarado has to push Hogan for the starting job asap. The latter just isn't a starter, alas.
All the field players had good games, some of them even great ones.
Was really happy with Obaze. Would be thrilled never to see Hubly start again.
Muller is fantastic.
Fleming looked much better tonight. Now I'd like to see her do it with Moultrie out there and without having to run Sinc 60 minutes in the attack for Fleming find her comfort zone. Sinc looked utterly gassed when she came off, and it's not good for Moultrie's development -- and our future -- to have her coming on as Fleming's sub to see out matches.
Where do you put Moultrie, though? In pen starters are Müller, 'Brunn, Obaze, Coffee, Hina, Smith, probably Weaver, and maybe Reyes. That leaves the 10 and one (maybe two) wings and a fullback open to tinkering. I don't see how you put both Moultrie and Flemming on the field without benching a better option on the wing.
My thinking is this:
At some point, you have to rip off the band-aid. Fleming has to learn how to play with Moultrie, not Sinclair, and vice versa.
For all the folks who are saying -- I'm paraphrasing here -- "it's fine for Moultrie to sit and if she decides she doesn't want to do that then she can take her chances on getting playing time elsewhere," I would offer this:
(1) There are now a few young Americans (apologies to Bowie) of the USWNT variety testing out Europe: Albert, Gaetino, Yohannes. I'm quite sure that Moultrie could find a club in Europe that would be more than happy to give her lots of playing time and a meaningful role. All we would get in return is the transfer fee despite Portland having invested a tremendous amount in Moultrie's development since she was 13.
(2) It's no better of a look to bury Moultrie as Fleming's late-match replacement when she's getting senior NT call-ups than it would be to bring Fleming off the bench or limit Jessie to 45 minutes per match.
(3) Like Liv, Fleming was once a wunderkind. Sam Mewis tells the story of Dahlkemper, Dydasco, and she being pulled into recruiting Fleming to UCLA when Jessie was 16 and being told "(Fleming) is the most important recruit we've ever had at UCLA." Well, Moultrie signed a letter of intent with UNC when she was 11, and then turned around 2 years later and signed a 9-year, 9-figure deal with Nike and surrendered her college eligibility. My point is that young Moultrie was every bit the tantalizing prospect that Fleming was, and that she's not much older now than Fleming was when UCLA was trying all to get Fleming to come there. But here's the thing: Fleming is now in her mid-career prime, while Moultrie is still a wunderkind. She's 8 years younger than Fleming and on her way up.
So, my position is this: We should not sacrifice Moultrie's development or send her the message that she's always going to have to wait her turn. In essence, I think we're at risk of taking Moultrie for granted.
They could play with 4 in the middle w/a box and have both Fleming and Moultrie out there, but that sits Beckie because Smith/Weaver are the two F's. Or, you sit one of the two of Fleming/Moultrie (assuming Hina is central) and play a 4231 with Beckie on the RW. Kinda the best options. I really like Hina in the midfield the best, but she's also an option for an inverted RW if you wanna put both Fleming and Moultrie in the middle. Inverted RW tucks in and kinda becomes a second 10 anyways when Hina plays there. Then it would be a kind of asymmetrical box anyways....
That seems like it would play narrow as hell, lol...
Well, yes. I’m not sure we have the FB’s to maintain width in a narrow formation like a box or a diamond. You just asked how we could get them all on the field…
I think we have the FBs, but we definitely don't have the CBs/DMs. Reyes and Müller have jets and cross reasonably well. I think such a narrow formation would also really hamper Weaver's game as it currently exists.
Agree there re:Weaver. Getting wide and getting to the end line is her bread and butter. I don’t think Reyes is particularly quick, though, and she’s also not a great passer yet… turnovers deep could be disastrous if she’s caught out. Müller is a bit quicker and technically better than Reyes. And our central defense isn’t fast and/or experienced enough for me to be comfortable with that. But, it was still a way to get all 4 midfielders on the field. Pros and cons to every formation, of course. I personally think a 4231 best suits our roster.
If you are going to play Sugita at the 8, Moultrie is a sub. With the way Beckie has played, I think she’s deserved to start and I like Linnehan as her primary backup.
Fleming looked much better tonight, but look how much we have to do to accommodate her. We've already talked about all the other changes that have been made, but now -- and this is no coincidence -- she's finally looking comfortable with Sinc out there in front of her. That's not a solution or a plan. That will work against a team as dire as Houston is, and when Sinc can turn back the clock, but it won't more widely.
How far has our bar for Fleming fallen. For that to be considered a good performance. For the 500k we paid I would expect her creating multiple opportunities and being dangerous throughout. I will admit she was at least not completely invisible, but a far cry from anything but pedestrian. Hina was a monster, Olivia came in and was immediate impact.
So starting Sinclair is not an issue we’ve been discussing with every coach since her decline and is now an accommodation to Fleming?
The open challenge is Sinclair is respected by every player in that clubhouse but her speed makes for less spacing offensively and less ability to press defensively, That has nothing to do with Fleming.
Not sure which observation is worse. This one or suggesting she can’t play with Coffey?
Fleming looked good out there tonight just like she did when they put her with Sugita against Louisville. I like her as the 10 if we aren’t going to put Sugita there.
Yes, Fleming played very well on the whole. As did the entire team and each individual.
I am saying, to repeat, that it's not coincidence that Fleming finally played well with so many adjustments being made for her, including her old captain Sinclair (with whom she's played about 120 times since 2013) being RE-inserted into the starting lineup.
I am on record here that I don't think Sinc should be a starter any longer and don't want to see her playing more than 30 minutes a match or taking time from Moultrie. But Sinc turned back the clock last night and gave us our first lead of the season on the kind of goal that I think only she and Sugita, at present, could score for us. Classic Sinc poach with the fantastic finish. And, on the whole, that's probably the best I've seen Sinc look in at least a year. We can't count on that kind of performance from Sinc on a regular basis.
What I saw last night only makes me more worried that Moultrie will ask for a trade or seek a transfer in order to get more time so that she can continue to develop for national team opportunity.
I've made no suggestion that Fleming can't play with Coffey. What I have said is that I didn't want to see her play a duplicate of Coffey in a dual pivot or have to rely on taking on some of Sam's roles and responsibilities in order to be successful. Last night, she didn't do those things. That's great, But there's a difference between what I said and what you interpreted me to say.
And, no, I still do not consider this a positive transaction thus far, when I know that Rocky was traded to make room and free up funds for Fleming, that Moultrie first has gone to the bench so that Fleming can be more effective on the field and now is serving as Fleming's backup, and that Fleming is most effective on a night when Sinclair turned back the clock.
I like Moultrie’s talent, but see zero issue with her developing as a primary backup with an occasional start at her age. If she leaves for a “better” league, she is in for a rude surprise about her playing time. It should be easy to manage. She’s a top backup for a good team at this stage in her career.
Sinclair is playing because she is still a presence in the clubhouse just like the last three years. The player she took out of the lineup was Beckie who probably has the best on field chemistry with Fleming on the team. That isn’t a concession. It’s a coaches decision to continue to play Sinclair, which was the same issue as last year.
With your commentary on Coffey/Fleming, it’s out in left field even when you try to explain it again. A decent coach can pair these two skill sets easily together without diminishing the other player. Just because we had the one coach who couldn’t is more an indictment on him than the players.
The trio of Fleming, Hina, Coffey with Moultrie as the primary backup should be among the best in the league in terms of quality and complementary skill sets.
Let's try one more time. I'm doing this because I appreciate and respect your point of view. And this is the last I'm going to say on it.
Although I arrived at this conclusion on my own, I have since had occasion to speak with someone who watched a lot of Fleming at Chelsea, as well as the top European women's leagues, the UWCL, etc. This is a former footballer who holds a UEFA A license.
That person's view?
Portland "overpaid" for "Sinclair's friend" and that, on the whole, she was not good in her "four years at Chelsea."
Now, you can take that any way you like, but this person actually *knows* football from the inside, not as a fan like you and me. Knows the women's game intimately and works in it currently.
That's not some personality issue. Everybody loves Fleming's personality. She's very hard not to like.
It's also not a skill issue. Clearly, she's a really, really good player.
Rather, it's a performance issue and a fit issue.
Excuse me for saying so, but even Emma Hayes couldn't figure out how to integrate her into an all-world lineup -- she had one very good season, one good-ish one, and two ineffective ones.
Hayes also pointed to Fleming's difficulty with the "physicality" of the WSL. Well, how is that supposed to be any different, or better, in the NWSL context?
Now, the only time *recently* when I have seen Fleming be effective prior to yesterday was the second half of the Brazil match, and in that match -- while she was playing the 6 and roaming the entire field -- she was handling roles and responsibilities that are Sam's. She was taking all the corners and free kicks, for example.
What I do not want to see here, as I have said, is having to carve off some of what Sam does for us in order to make Fleming comfortable and more effective. She needs to elevate, not have us make lots of room and adjustments for her.
We've already seen that the club is making lots of accommodations and adjustments affecting other players to try to help Fleming fit in... which I see as a problem because Fleming's job -- both as a midfielder and as a player with 280 high-level matches under her belt, 3 WWCs, 1 Olympic Gold, a national captaincy, and playing for NCAA championships -- is to make all the other players around her better.
As I said, I was very pleased by what I saw from Fleming yesterday. But I note that if it depends on playing with Sinc, that's not a sustainable solution. Sinc will wilt, as she has every single year for the past several years. Sinc is still a wonderful contributor to the entire program, but as a player she's hit that "late Ichiro" phase; occasionally she still has a little bit of magic left and can remind you of that previous greatness, but it's not there on a regular basis.
Back to Fleming... yesterday's 70 minutes were a far cry better from how she has looked for much of the season, when at times she has looked absolutely lost in how to contribute offensively.
The first half against Gotham is Exhibit A. That was as poor of a showing from an in-prime world-class midfielder as you will ever see. Granted, no one played particularly well, but I am not alone in concluding that, at times, Fleming switched off and didn't even attempt to go for passes made to her when she was unmarked, simply because she wasn't expecting the ball. These were passes from players like Smith. It happened on multiple occasions in that first half. As well, it looked very much like Fleming didn't know how to play next to Coffey, not that the problem was one of having Moultrie on the pitch.
That's all.
Yes for what we paid Fleming has not passed the quality test. As I posted above is that performance we are accepting as good then we are not getting our money's worth. Thos idea that there needs to be some big adjustment period is a bit silly. Look at other recent transfers they seem to be stepping right into their roles. Castellon, Chawinga, Kundananji, Bahr. All have moments so far where you can see how they can impact game.
Alvarado came on the field after the game and she has an immediately apparent powerful presence. Excited for her to take over, and I think it will be soon.
To quote Lyle Lovett, she's a long, tall Texan. 5'11".
I know what you mean, she looked big and intimidating in her black outfit
What do you mean by that? Like big?
And she came on with the Thorns? Or Houston?
If you watch the Thorns Instagram story with Beckie giving a speech, she is a few to the left of Beckie in an oversized black jacket with a white stripe. Then in the same story when the scene switches, she is just to the right of Smith. She participated in the Rose ceremony line and also hugged a lot of dash players. It’s not so obvious in the videos, but in person she was a very intimidating physical presence.
Oh I’ll check em thanks! I hope they all welcomed her even though they just beat her team lol. Curious if she wanted this trade or how she feels about it…I imagine she’s prob happy after experiencing the night lol.
I can’t remember where I read it, but someone said she requested a trade when Sanchez did
I think Alvarado wanted more of an opportunity according to Phuoc and she’s about ready to get it.
Going back to her TCU games, she was the player that stood out the most on a team with Yaz Ryan and Messiah Bright, but good goalies can stand out in terms of volume. Plus, I think Ryan’s best development came under the Thorns especially with Wilkinson as her coach
I remember during her draft year pointing Alvarado out as someone we could bring in even though we had a numbers problem back then
Was kind of sad to see Grace Collins decide soccer wasn’t her career, because she was right up there in terms of ability.
Oh chit that’s interesting. Didn’t see that. Wonder how she felt about coming to the Thorns with how the season has started lol…well, she knows she’s got a chance at starting lol
Oh you didn’t see her? Let’s see if I can find a pic….
I was high on life and just watching everyone immediately after it was over but we didn’t stay for the rose ceremony. Didn’t see her though. Was she with the Thorns or with Houston? What a weird scenario for her lol.
I know I should temper my expectations because Houston, but this win has me excited.
Not enough to wholly put everyone at ease given the temporary coach situation, but it's a get right game against the worst team in the league, so no complaints. Kick out some demons, gel a little better, keep grinding and get to work for next week!
The game became a track meet once Sinclair went out and our horses are way better than theirs.
Trade Linnehan for Sinclair and I like that starting 11 a lot.
She looked excellent!
Linehan looks speedy.
Yay Janine!
I do not know how they run and kick that ball. I can barely walk and chew gum. Love those women
Yaaaaaassssss. I'm here for the party in Portland. So to speak.
Oh man. I wish Linnehan made that. That would've been a prefect start for her.
I would like to see a lot more of Ms. Linnehan pls and thx
She was excellent!! Oh man I’m excited for her and I’m happy we have her to challenge Beckie AND Weaver for a starting spot. I like her a lot, and she looks like she looks to pass first and picks ‘em well, which I appreciate. She was smart in her movement also…
She was terrific with Sam at PSU.
Same! Holy cow she's good.
Also carrying on tradition of the bubble braid now that Soph has moved on.
Sophia! You have to make that.
So heady
Beautiful play! Nice finish, Liv.
Beautiful! Go Moultrie
Gawd, Hogan not ready for prime time.
Shelby why the fuck are you so slow on the ball there?
That elicited a primal scream from me in the east stands. I was a nervous wreck until Liv iced it.
Same in 113 lol. Def pulled my sweatshirt over my face to hide
Jiminy cricket. Yikes
Muller’s super fun
Chesky...FFS.
Wow. That's a bad no call.
I forgot how much I fucking hate Chesky, glad she’s reminding me
The closest thing PDX has to a designated ref-as-villain since Tim Donaghy? Sandy Barr?
Marco Vega 100% hands-down worst Thorns villain-with-a-whistle.
Hey now, what's this about Sandy Barr? I might be a little biased because he took a picture with me and signed my autograph book when I was a kid.
Yeah, Sandy was a good dude (except when he'd get distracted and Playboy Buddy Rose would cheat), but I couldn't think of another ref w/ Portland ties at that moment.
But now I can. Jake O'Donnell (and his bizzare anti- Blazer/Drexler bias). That guy was a straight-up asshole.
Dad dragged me to a match long ago. Buddy Rose was playing dead laying ON my feet but peeking to see when Dutch Savage would drag him back into the ring.
Did you get bullied for being a nerd when you brought your referee signature to show and tell?
Man, Sugita's gotten through clear like four times in this match, and every time the ball to her was overhit. =(
Yeah, and I saw too many basic passes that were overhit, misread, not anticipated, etc. Lotta technical stuff to correct.
Definitely. The kind of things that good teams make you pay for.
Is Chesky going to forget to send ordonez off???)?
I guess one of those yellow cards was for someone else?
Yeah they just announced the first one got changed to to Rubensson? I thought it was Ordonez but maybe I’m wrong
Post hoc
That would've been incredible.
Linnehan!
Soccer ball looks like a baseball
Are Beckie and Moultrie not available? Crazy one of them isn’t in the game.
Your second half of your wish has also been granted.
Your wish is half granted
Should have been done at half.
Ok here we go
Hogan got away with one there.
Yeah, that was an odd decision.
Z
Wonder if the coach still thinks the tactics are sound?
Nasty little deflection sent Hogan the wrong way. It was the first cross from our left side that set it all up.
Yeah. Hogan's momentum doomed her on that. Not much she could do.
As a former keeper I approve this statement haha
Aaaand back to the clown-tier defense. *sigh*
Cringe. Yikes.
This team looks good for the first 45 minutes. I worry that the constant counterpress is going to tire them out and let Houston back into the game.
I think Sinclair had an ok half. Not epic, but not terrible. But I would love to see Beckie come on and slide Soph into the middle.
Obaze has been doing pretty well albeit not much has been asked of her.
Thought sinc was legit good. The Dash is a perfect matchup for her, but her combo play with Fleming and smith has been nice.
That's fair. I'm probably judging some of the turnovers she caused by not being quick enough to get there a bit harshly.
Always a bit of a trade-off, though. She misses a lot of plays due to being really slow.
Hogan had a really nice save and much better distribution so far. Which is encouraging.
The heat is on her to respond to the trade.
I was thinking after that one that Shelby really needed that confidence booster. Good stuff.
This double pivot is unsurprisingly doing wonders for Fleming. Midfield still looks like they have some chemistry to develop, but MILES better overall. Love love love Hin at the 8.
Houston also switched to a 4-back for the last 15 or so. Something to watch for sure.
MF does look Good but fleming is so underwhelming. a big nothing burger. still waiting to see the quality
Don’t know what game you’ve been watching brother
I read "brother" in Hulk Hogan voice.
the one where she has pulled out of several tackles, has dribbled our of bounds with little to no pressure and has not successfully played a penetrating pass. like I said pedestrian
There's more space in that area especially since Sinclair just isn't there half the time. Fleming, like Smith, enjoys more space.
Lots of high fives from the bench for the players coming off at half. They were also very hyped about Shelby's save (as they should be)
Good half. They are doing some experimenting and Houston is a good club to experiment on.
Why did they trade Kuikka?
Yeah, KK either didn't want to pay what Natu was asking, or she screwed up the process (this happened over the Christmas holiday and KK was on a family visit so she may have been distracted). Either way, we lost her to free agency and Chicago picked her up. I am not terribly upset. Kuikka was not improving and Muller has been absolutely outstanding in her place. If Kuikka were still here, she'd be on the bench. Upsetting as it may have been, Kuikka seems to be thriving in Chicago so maybe it was a win-win in the end.
Ohh that’s a can of worms lol. Kk basically lost her by accident bc she didn’t know the restricted FA rules. That’s kinda all I can say, but Kuikka wanted to stay in Portland. KK lost her for nothing…
I think they just didn’t re-sign her IIRC. But good question. I think our fullbacks are going to be lacking on offense, especially with Kling in a reserve role now.
Reyes is definitely playing as an inverted fullback which is a new wrinkle. It puts a lot of pressure on the remaining three but she's been useful in the attack
They've been up to the task so far.
Mueller especially has had some great moments, I’m really enjoying her development so far
Likewise. I’ve been kind of focusing in on her and she’s really doing well.
Fully agree. She's done really well.
To my surprise (given how much "play her at the 10!" screeching I've done), I really like Hina in this box-to-box mid role. It _shouldn't_ be a surprise, given her demonstrated versatility, though.
Dangit, I just realized this match and the Tokyo Verdy Beleza match are gonna overlap a bit. Ah, well...that's why web browsers have multiple tabs...
Told ya ;)
I go laptop + TV or two laptops with one to TV via HDMI.
Nice! I coudl probably do something like that, too. I use my TV as my main monitor for my lappy. I could just drag one of the tabs over to the laptop screen.
Yeah, much easier when one is on regular TV like KC/Bay was earlier at the same time the Timbers were playing.
Nice Hogan!
Sinclair, you gotta actually get that.
That was tough. I thought she did well to get a touch on it.
Oh. Not the shot. I thought that was well done. The play before when Soph passed her the ball and she jogged after it out of bounds.
Oh right. Yeah, there’s a lot of those with her.
When Becky comes up , she keeps not seeing a diagonal pass to weaver and settles for square to Reyes.
I'm with the crowd. I want Becky to shoot the ball.
Agree. I wasn’t talking about that play. A few others
Poor Jane Campbell. I feel sorry for her.
I wish we could’ve gotten her in this window!
Houston is awful, but mannn this is nice to see
SOPH!!!!!!
I know we shouldn't get too excited because it's Houston, but thank goodness.
Nice Muller! Playing the entire length of the pitch