I've attended 21 matches this season, 9 Thorns and 12 Timbers (including 3 on the road). Tonight's Thorns-Spirit was by far the most entertaining and one of the very best played. Sophie's first goal has to be best in the NWSL so far. Thorns offense was stellar. But to win the title, their defense, though better overall than the last few matches, must improve in the box.
WOTM is obviously accounted for, but HOT DAMN was Hina awesome tonight. Her ability to maintain technique and touch while killing herself physically is insane.
She was exceptional … very good on offense and defense. In the first half, she kept stealing the ball from Washington. In the second half, her assist on Smith’s third goal was incredible. You are correct that she had a WOTM performance without scoring a goal.
Soccer isn't a non-contact sport though -- or at least it isn't supposed to be. This may be the first NWSL game I've ever seen where the ref thankfully left their whistle in their pocket and let the game play.
Our defense has been hideous . As my high school coach said sometimes when our defense played like this "Our defense is our offense outscoring their offense."
Excellent, excellent half from an entertainment standpoint- Great atmosphere here as well, especially when Rodman went for a triple roll tumble on the Hubly challenge. Shaky first 20 or so, but the Thorns for a little control back in the second part....mostly down to Hina, who if Soph wasn’t walking on water would be the clear cut player of the half.
Think there’s a real chance this team plays better when they play a team who wants the ball. It forces them to sit a little deeper and reduces their worst tendencies to commit too many forward. Saw it against the Reign and again tonight.
She’s not. Hogan means Bixby is wrecked enough the Angerer sat her. That could easily mean she’s done for the season. After that shitshow in Chicago getting benched tonight is going to be a confidence killer.
Hogan did a nice job tonight. Neither of the concessions were her fault, she kept her composure despite some horrible defense in front of her, and that save on Hatch was epic.
I don't think Bixby is done for the season, but I do think she will have to earn her spot coming into next year. Hogan does some things that Angerer wants to see.
Now Kingsbury on the other hand... Holy sh!t was she bad tonight. Slow to read everything, slow to get down on everything, and also lucky to grab the shot from Dunn because she was slow to leave her feet. In the first half she kept talking to her backs after each concession or SOG, as if they were the reason. Washington's defense wasn't great, but Kingsbury was a tire fire.
Side note…watching Hogan warm up and she looked nerrrvous with her hands. Let in some really poor balls from Nadine. Very big game to throw her into…I think she’s only gotten one regular season start so far? I hope she’s can pull her nerves together!
I've attended 21 matches this season, 9 Thorns and 12 Timbers (including 3 on the road). Tonight's Thorns-Spirit was by far the most entertaining and one of the very best played. Sophie's first goal has to be best in the NWSL so far. Thorns offense was stellar. But to win the title, their defense, though better overall than the last few matches, must improve in the box.
Smith was incredible. Vlatko must be glad that he can count on her.
Kingsbury was hot trash. Vlatko must be relieved that he doesn't have to count on her.
TCOB Best win since Seattle.
Haven’t seen a call out for Dunn, but she was everywhere--in a very positive way.
Just like watching Brazil!
The best defense is a good offense.
Said that exact thing to my partner at the game!
WOTM is obviously accounted for, but HOT DAMN was Hina awesome tonight. Her ability to maintain technique and touch while killing herself physically is insane.
She was exceptional … very good on offense and defense. In the first half, she kept stealing the ball from Washington. In the second half, her assist on Smith’s third goal was incredible. You are correct that she had a WOTM performance without scoring a goal.
Shameless larceny on all those tackles for possession. Grand Theft Hina
The ball is absolutely glued to her feet, amazing to watch
Ah Soph that’s so so good there
Be OK Weaver please
What a save Shelby
Commence the battle of the teens!
Morgan Weaver is such an improved player, no way she makes that 2 years ago
The ref knows this is supposed to be a non-contact sport, right?
Soccer isn't a non-contact sport though -- or at least it isn't supposed to be. This may be the first NWSL game I've ever seen where the ref thankfully left their whistle in their pocket and let the game play.
Mostly agree except for the blatant grabbing and holding. Should be whistled every time
Definitely a rollercoaster but so much more fun to watch than Timbers this year (or last year).
Or most of 2021, until the last couple months.
The defense has no composure, no thought, no anything behind their clearances and passes. This isn’t tactical today- just godawful defending
Our defense has been hideous . As my high school coach said sometimes when our defense played like this "Our defense is our offense outscoring their offense."
ugh, then yay before I can really process. Nice little pass.
This is nuts
I have whiplash.
Hatty.
No words for either those hahahaha
Stupid defending.
Does Sinc get an assist on Wash goal?
For such an intelligent all-around player, Sinc is a surprisingly poor defender inside the 18.
https://twitter.com/OptaJack/status/1672443760788250624
Excellent, excellent half from an entertainment standpoint- Great atmosphere here as well, especially when Rodman went for a triple roll tumble on the Hubly challenge. Shaky first 20 or so, but the Thorns for a little control back in the second part....mostly down to Hina, who if Soph wasn’t walking on water would be the clear cut player of the half.
Think there’s a real chance this team plays better when they play a team who wants the ball. It forces them to sit a little deeper and reduces their worst tendencies to commit too many forward. Saw it against the Reign and again tonight.
Makes it even more frustrating to know they can play smarter but often choose not to and underestimate opposition
Have a half hina
Stg these refs have no clue what a yellow card looks like.
Feel like I'm watching Michael Jordan right now!!!
Also if I took a drink each time the color commentator used a cliche I would be hammered already
Why shouldn't you be? I guarantee you Sanderson herself is. (jk)
Someone needs to replace the magnets in Dunn's boots so she can hang on to the ball
Or Kuikka needs to time her passes a little better
Wow.
Absolutely outrageous....she’s gonna try to win this herself, Natu and Hubly be damned
Bro I’ve had enough of Natu what the hell is she doing
Crazy
Lmfao she’s unstoppable
You can say that again. Go ahead.
Believe in miracles tonight
I worship S. Smith.
You have my blessing
On brand for J. Christ reincarnate.
Hogan starts with a back 4 of
Reyes Menges Hubly Kuikka
Otherwise
Sinc, Coffey, Dunn, Smith, Hina, and Weaver in the starting lineup.
I *cannot believe* he actually made the keeper change. Performance aside, I hope Bella’s alright.
Reyes against Rodman sounds good in theory, but I’m not sure that she’s really fast enough to make a huge difference.
She’s not. Hogan means Bixby is wrecked enough the Angerer sat her. That could easily mean she’s done for the season. After that shitshow in Chicago getting benched tonight is going to be a confidence killer.
Hogan did a nice job tonight. Neither of the concessions were her fault, she kept her composure despite some horrible defense in front of her, and that save on Hatch was epic.
I don't think Bixby is done for the season, but I do think she will have to earn her spot coming into next year. Hogan does some things that Angerer wants to see.
Now Kingsbury on the other hand... Holy sh!t was she bad tonight. Slow to read everything, slow to get down on everything, and also lucky to grab the shot from Dunn because she was slow to leave her feet. In the first half she kept talking to her backs after each concession or SOG, as if they were the reason. Washington's defense wasn't great, but Kingsbury was a tire fire.
Hence the mostly scary feelings I feel lol. She doesn’t have the positional smarts that Kling has so I hope she stays home tonight.
Reyes marking Rodman is gonna be fun and also kinda scary if Norris has told her to get high still. Sinc, well…
And Hogan! Whew, needed to be done, but a lot riding on the decision for Bella and the future…very interested in what happens there…
Hope ur ready for the secret twist where Kuikka plays LB and Reyna plays on the right ;)
Lol. There’s still time for that to be realized…
Side note…watching Hogan warm up and she looked nerrrvous with her hands. Let in some really poor balls from Nadine. Very big game to throw her into…I think she’s only gotten one regular season start so far? I hope she’s can pull her nerves together!
Can’t imagine it can be worse than where Bella’s head must be at right about now tbf
As long as the Thorns don't give up a quick early goal, I think Hogan will grow into the game. Come on, Thornies!!!
If Reyes is marking Rodman tight enough to make sure she doesn’t end up 1 v 1 with Menges, she won’t be getting forward much at all.