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.
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??
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.
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.
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...
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.
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??
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!
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.
I know I should temper my expectations because Houston, but this win has me excited.
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.
Yay Janine!
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
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?
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
Man, Sugita's gotten through clear like four times in this match, and every time the ball to her was overhit. =(
Is Chesky going to forget to send ordonez off???)?
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.
Hogan got away with one there.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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 Hogan!
Sinclair, you gotta actually get that.
When Becky comes up , she keeps not seeing a diagonal pass to weaver and settles for square to Reyes.
Poor Jane Campbell. I feel sorry for her.
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