The World Cup is over, and the Thorns are back! Portland picks up their NWSL campaign with a battle for first place with the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park. Come chat through it!
The first goal was crafted from four amazing touches:
1) Kuikka's lofted pass forward. Not only was it perfectly weighted to evade defenders, it had backspin so it landed short and didn't outrun Moultrie.
2) Moultrie's pass over the NC defender. She waited for the second bounce before making this pass, giving Betfort time to get into position for a run and then tapping it *just so* over the defender.
3) Betfort's scorpion-kick tap to set up her shot. Again this was masterfully done with perfect weighting so the ball was in front of her but didn't run to NC's keeper (Murphy).
4) Betfort's shot. I think this was done with the outside of her boot, surprising Murphy and giving her no chance at all of stopping it.
4) It's hard to be positive, but from the most zoomed in version of the replay I think she hit it with the inside of her right foot. In any case, what a calm and skillful sequence. Moultrie was excellent all game, and Betfort's future is looking brighter game by game.
I haven't been too happy with Mike Norris this year, but I have to give him some credit here. Sinc was the right person to sub off for a central defender (Nally) after Hubly's red card. With only 10 players, the Thorns were going to have to run fast a whole lot, and our 40-year-old was the right one to remove. Plus we played with more defensive grit than I've seen in a while, and some of the credit for that has to go to Norris.
Yeah, I'm done with Hubly. Way too many of those kinds of errors this season. Completely unnecessary, and basically stops what had been a really promising start by the Thorns - certainly the best they'd looked in weeks.
I think Hubs may have played herself to the bench. Assuming Becky comes back, I wouldn't be surprised if it's Becky and Menges back there to finish out the season.
On vacation in Croatia rn so had to donate the season ticket to my dad, but what a nice surprise to wake up to after seeing the Hubly red. Absolute must win, and to do it in *that* way is mighty impressive. Happy as hell for Soph too; you could almost see the spectre of the World Cup leave her foot on that tap in. Great reception from the crowd as well.
And....Gotta say, I’m getting closer and closer to issuing a full mea culpa on Betfort- That touch and finish were filthyy. She’s improved so much technically and has taken (a little of) the sting out of passing on Bright for Izzy. Still wanna see her keep it up in a sub role, but signs are promising!
Our schedule in the home stretch is pretty rough. All but two of our remaining games are against playoff teams, and those two (Louisville and Angel City) are both away games. But having the first game in the run be a down-a-player, come-from-behind victory is pretty sweet.
Really hope Reeba will be ready for some big minutes next weekend. Having Nally start makes me queasy. Sure she did well tonight against the non-stars, but we're talking about a very different attack vs Spirit. Prayer candles out all week for Broon...
Unless the stadium was literally on fire, there was no way I was going to miss what is almost certainly my last live Thorns match. They sure gave me one to remember!
You think it’s a 442 or is Sinc at the 9/false 9? Def a lot of slows against a very fit and fast team. Their passing needs to be sharp otherwise it could get ugly fast.
I'm gonna say Sinc as false 9, trying to set up Weaver and Betfort. I am really eager to see what Weaver and Betfort might look like flanking Smith, tho.
Would a starting front line of Weaver - Smith - Betfort make any sense? I'd love to watch how they defend Soph when she's protected by a brace of tall, rangy forwards who can score crazy goals themselves.
We now return you to the world we actually live in.
From seeing it live, she was lost the ball on a challenge in the Thorns penalty area, then made an ugly tackle to try and get the ball back as the NC player made a run right at Bixby, but it happened fast and we didn't get a replay in the stadium so I can't be sure. Sounds like the Paramount feed went out as well, so I don't know if the folks at home have any more clarity?
Hubly had a poor first touch on a backpass from Kuikka, and Victoria Pickett beat her to the ball. Hubly chased her and took her down with a sloppy sliding tackle (of the kind that she has executed perfectly so many times). The ref called a penalty, but VAR showed that the foul actually happened just outside the box, so the call was revised to DOGSO red and direct free kick.
I'm also unclear on Betfort's goal, which side of her foot she uses putting it in. Her controlling the pass was better captured and what a nasty bit of skill that was.
Wow. Could be a deal-maker. Huge gut-out win!
Whatever is to come, this squad has soul. So impressed tonight.
Yeah, they do. And I had begun to wonder about that with some of the folks, at least, during Challenge Cup.
Didn’t give up. That’s important …
Bixby has played big tonight. She's not facing world class attackers, but no matter. She has been decisive and quick to get down when needed.
The feel-good win of the season!
Folks, Betfort is going to be protected in expansion. Hubly is not.
The first goal was crafted from four amazing touches:
1) Kuikka's lofted pass forward. Not only was it perfectly weighted to evade defenders, it had backspin so it landed short and didn't outrun Moultrie.
2) Moultrie's pass over the NC defender. She waited for the second bounce before making this pass, giving Betfort time to get into position for a run and then tapping it *just so* over the defender.
3) Betfort's scorpion-kick tap to set up her shot. Again this was masterfully done with perfect weighting so the ball was in front of her but didn't run to NC's keeper (Murphy).
4) Betfort's shot. I think this was done with the outside of her boot, surprising Murphy and giving her no chance at all of stopping it.
The whole sequence was a joy to watch.
4) It's hard to be positive, but from the most zoomed in version of the replay I think she hit it with the inside of her right foot. In any case, what a calm and skillful sequence. Moultrie was excellent all game, and Betfort's future is looking brighter game by game.
I haven't been too happy with Mike Norris this year, but I have to give him some credit here. Sinc was the right person to sub off for a central defender (Nally) after Hubly's red card. With only 10 players, the Thorns were going to have to run fast a whole lot, and our 40-year-old was the right one to remove. Plus we played with more defensive grit than I've seen in a while, and some of the credit for that has to go to Norris.
Soph is gonna be in a BAD mood for the rest of this season.
Can't wait!
BET-F**KING-FORT!!!!
"Portland has looked really good right now, without Hubly..."
Hmmm....
I lol’d
Yeah, I'm done with Hubly. Way too many of those kinds of errors this season. Completely unnecessary, and basically stops what had been a really promising start by the Thorns - certainly the best they'd looked in weeks.
Not only that, but she hasn't been hustling consistently and she's been really casual in passing. Time to get some upgrades along the backline.
Yeah what a bummer for her team.
So... Nally WOTM?
Came on 22nd for Sinc, held it down for next 70 minutes as Thorns scored 2 and held NC scoreless for the remainder?
Joking, but still, she's gotta be given some love for helping out the effort.
From where I sat in the NE she looked like she had a decent shift. Pleasant surprise, we needed everyone to hold it down.
I think Hubs may have played herself to the bench. Assuming Becky comes back, I wouldn't be surprised if it's Becky and Menges back there to finish out the season.
as bad as Kelli has been, Nally literally cannot kick the ball
Need Becky to come back!
Yeah I don’t know why they didn’t move Natu inside and bring Reyes on. Prob bc Reyes is the eventual Kling sub…
On vacation in Croatia rn so had to donate the season ticket to my dad, but what a nice surprise to wake up to after seeing the Hubly red. Absolute must win, and to do it in *that* way is mighty impressive. Happy as hell for Soph too; you could almost see the spectre of the World Cup leave her foot on that tap in. Great reception from the crowd as well.
And....Gotta say, I’m getting closer and closer to issuing a full mea culpa on Betfort- That touch and finish were filthyy. She’s improved so much technically and has taken (a little of) the sting out of passing on Bright for Izzy. Still wanna see her keep it up in a sub role, but signs are promising!
Hope we carry this to Washington next week. Huge result tonight…IF we can internalize it…
For real... Courage play Chicago. We need to keep it up!
Our schedule in the home stretch is pretty rough. All but two of our remaining games are against playoff teams, and those two (Louisville and Angel City) are both away games. But having the first game in the run be a down-a-player, come-from-behind victory is pretty sweet.
100%
Really hope Reeba will be ready for some big minutes next weekend. Having Nally start makes me queasy. Sure she did well tonight against the non-stars, but we're talking about a very different attack vs Spirit. Prayer candles out all week for Broon...
You know I was going to post at halftime that Soph was gonna come on and win the match but I was afraid of jinxing it.
SAME! I wrote it out in a comment and then deleted it lol.
Omg I’m dying, my blood pressure y’all
Hubs owes all of her teammates a weekend at the beach if they bail her out and pull out the win here.
Holy shit, Smith!!!!
We've been -1 since the 19th and yet we have 21 shots at halftime. Crazy!
And 68% possession is nuts. NC aren’t playing that great honestly, if they can just get through the half…
Let's hope the subs hold the lead, because this one is a regular season all-timer for the Thorns.
What did that take, like 15 seconds for Sophia to score?
Gotta give full props to Morgan Weaver on that Smith goal too.
Therapist me: it's still okay to hate NCC.
LFG!
It’s never been not okay to hate the Damned.
The crowded table is a little less crowded...
1. POR 28/16
2. NC 26/16
3. NJY 25/16
4. WAS 25/16
5. OLR 24/16
6. SD 24/16
7. ORL 22/16
8. LOU 20/16
9. HOU 19/16
10. ACFC 18/16
11. KC 18/16
12. CHI 16/16
Remember when we all thought KC was a Death Star team at the beginning of the season, lol...
There's death of stars involved, to be sure.
Holy shit!
Smith in. I am guessing Soph has some things to prove. Do Thorns actually win this one?
Answer... YES!!!
So the Timbers gang in our section of 109 jokes that every time i use the can a Timber scores. “G’wan, piss for a goal!” they kid me.
Tonight I needed more alcohol after Hubs got sent off.. So I went to get a beer…and I used the can.
As I’m washing up I hear a roar. I get back to 206 and my friends are like…”duuuude!” and nodding at my zipper.
So…there you have it. Betfort and me.
What a GD goal!
I keep hearing the Scottish guy I played indoor with shouting “ye’ve got magic in yer bladder mon! Howay w yer piss, mon!”
Betfort needs a ventilator!
Omg I am dead, this game!!!!!
What a nice little pass. Good finish.
Everybody else just go dark after Hubs's brainfarts gave the Courgettes a PK?
Yup. Wtffff
X2
Yup
Yep
OMMMG IM SO SAD I DIDNT GO
Unless the stadium was literally on fire, there was no way I was going to miss what is almost certainly my last live Thorns match. They sure gave me one to remember!
still the small matter of respiration...
Yeeeahhh, guess I’m happy with no more nosebleeds.
It’s really nasty. My eyes are sore from the smoke…
Ooooh mah.
If we can hang onto this point? I’ll be simultaneously pissed off and thrilled…
Hubly's facial expression was more one of embarrassment than genuine disagreement/disbelief.
God, if we can somehow get out of here with a point....
Fuuuuck yea! I’ll take the point!
Hell yeah.
Playing a lot better than I would have expected. They're playing with a lot of heart and energy. Let's see what this looks like in another 40 minutes.
I don’t understand why they didn’t put Reyes on and move Natu inside. Nally is so bad, we’ve literally not won 1 game when she’s played this season.
I'm guessing we'll see Reyes and Smith later in the match, up top, when Weaver and Betfort are gassed.
Everyone is gonna need an oxygen mask after this.
DURING this!
Who's up for the iron lung at halftime?
Good idea! Natu plays CB for her national team, but Nally is on the field where does she play?
With the way the table is shaking up (Orlando now on 22, in 7th place), we can't afford to keep dropping points.
Do they know a bunch of us just watched the Timbers and they're trying to save us?
Nally for Sinc is going help us not get run off the field 11 v 10???
Starters are Bixby Kuikka Hubly Menges Kling Betfort Sinclair Weaver Moultrie Rocky Coffey.
Not exactly the fleetest of foot, but not bereft of soccer nous. So, let's see what happens here. Assuming they can breathe.
You think it’s a 442 or is Sinc at the 9/false 9? Def a lot of slows against a very fit and fast team. Their passing needs to be sharp otherwise it could get ugly fast.
I'm gonna say Sinc as false 9, trying to set up Weaver and Betfort. I am really eager to see what Weaver and Betfort might look like flanking Smith, tho.
Yup Sinc in the 9/false 9.
Further evidence I'll not be a coach:
Would a starting front line of Weaver - Smith - Betfort make any sense? I'd love to watch how they defend Soph when she's protected by a brace of tall, rangy forwards who can score crazy goals themselves.
We now return you to the world we actually live in.
It would make sense, but a starting front line of Weaver - Smith - Dunn would make even more sense. Doesn't mean we're going to see it though.
While you're at it, start Sugita - Coffey - Rocky/Moultrie in midfield.
That's how I would be looking now, but then I need some subs on the wings too. And I still have the "problem" of what to do with Hina, Dunn, and Sinc.
Wow! Sounds like I missed a good one!!
I'm sure it's been posted about, so my apologies, but why did Hubs get a red so early?
From seeing it live, she was lost the ball on a challenge in the Thorns penalty area, then made an ugly tackle to try and get the ball back as the NC player made a run right at Bixby, but it happened fast and we didn't get a replay in the stadium so I can't be sure. Sounds like the Paramount feed went out as well, so I don't know if the folks at home have any more clarity?
Hubly had a poor first touch on a backpass from Kuikka, and Victoria Pickett beat her to the ball. Hubly chased her and took her down with a sloppy sliding tackle (of the kind that she has executed perfectly so many times). The ref called a penalty, but VAR showed that the foul actually happened just outside the box, so the call was revised to DOGSO red and direct free kick.
Never saw a definitive replay on Paramount+/-/+, but also did not stick with the teevee for the halftime summary, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Here is the sequence in the summary video. They do not have an isolated camera for a better replay.
https://youtu.be/6GU47vUp3QM?t=49
I'm also unclear on Betfort's goal, which side of her foot she uses putting it in. Her controlling the pass was better captured and what a nasty bit of skill that was.
Porter and Soph coming in! Simultaneously excitement and dread for me.
Lussi's goal was wicked.
This is gonna be a looooong ugly hour.
AQI around 160 and playing -1. What could go wrong?
But at least we can't SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR OURSELVES!!!
Seriously, more than 10 minutes without Paramount restoring the video?
Kinda wild since it never even went out on the stream on the NWSL website for viewers outside the US
Yeah. NWSL site says stoppage for "Contentious Referee Decisions"
Those were just VAR breaks. The broadcast didn't really stop.
(P+ broke but broadcast outside the US was fine.)
For reals?!
Yep. Says it at the 16th and the 20th. "Contentious Referee Decisions." That's the best!
Paramount minus