After coming off their worst performance on the 2023 season, Portland Thorns have a chance to get back on track against the team on the bottom of the NWSL table.
"Must win" in the sense of shaping the second half of the season, imo. Dropping two matches in a row to poor teams is the kind of thing that can get into a team's head, collectively. They need to make sure that doesn't happen. That said, no team can be overlooked (see: today's SD v ACFC match).
I think they need to stay right with Washington, too (who I expect to beat KC, but who knows?). We want that match on the 23rd to be for top of the table!
It'd be a good time for Norris to display a lick of tactical sense, too...but don't want to ask for the moon, I guess.
Think the most likely outcome is that he doesn't adjust tactically, they win anyways, and then we see the same issues against the next competent team they play.
Hell, I'd take a reporter screen-sharing Dror's pass maps over the post game zoom if nothing else!
Yes, essentially the cyclical decision-making we’ve seen all season…
I sure hope Norris realizes that what works against a very poor Chicago team will not be the same things that works against Spirit on Friday. He just seems to do the same thing every week, and sometimes it works because we have enough individual talent to score more goals than we concede (or the opposing team is just that dire.)
Oh, that's right: the Washington match is on Friday. That would normally be a real p.i.t.a. for me: I live well outside of Portland and would have to deal with Friday PM rush hour to get there. Fortunately. my wonderful day job has half days every Friday for the summer. I can head up there early and goof off 'til game time! =)
Tyranny of low Norris expectations perhaps, but if he makes tactical adjustments that mean 90+ of solid midfield and backline play? I’ll be okay. Not thrilled…but okay.
So…limit turnovers, stick marks, cover runners, move to space to give your backs an inlet pass…y’know, Soccer 101.
If fricking Chicago can smoke us in transition I’ll be seriously chapped.
Exactly, just need to get the job done as other top teams still have Chicago on their schedule. We have already played Chicago 2x after tmrw, Orlando 2x, and kcc once
Kinda glad they played the weaker teams at full strength, tbh- The gap between the top and the bottom --which isn't gigantic already game-to-game-- closes drastically when the WC begins. I think I'd rather play the better teams during the WC break.
Your point still stands, though- The Thorns last 6 is bruuuutal: Spirit (A), Louisville (A), SD (H), Gotham (H), ACFC (A)
Looks like the the only three league games during the WC break are KC, Gotham, and NCC (maaybe the Spirit too depending which teams make the final) with CC games against all three group opponents).
Yeah the fact we play NC (home) and Gotham (away) during the WC break is a really good thing imo. Also nice to play KC at home sans Debinha, but they really don’t lose that many other players…could be a tough game.
At least 25 degrees cooler and lower humidity than Orlando mean the Thorns should thrive and not fall apart as the match goes on. Their worst performances were in steam-bath Orlando and Houston.
-They've always been PTFC kryptonite and I was relieved when they whiffed on making the playoffs last year.
-Their bizarre draft and captain Erceg's reaction made it seem like they were spiraling into oblivion, cemented by Debinha's departure along with Abby. Then Kerolin happened.
-Their form since the 3-3 draw in Cary has been ridiculous--4-1-1, 12 goals scored, 1 allowed.
We'll see if this form holds but they have returned as my Team of Most Concern, ahead of Reign, for now.
Thorns are in 5th place and 1 game short of possibly falling out of the playoff race. If we drop points tomm and then lose to Spirit on Friday, it’s very possible. Against a team bleeding 3-4 goals every game? Yes, this should be a must win. Looking at our remaining games, you can’t drop points tomorrow, imo. Anything less is just not up to snuff for this club, this will be the “easiest” game they have for the rest of the season.
Reign have now had two games where they’ve played a team who’ve received a red card very early in the game and still couldn’t get 3 pts in either game.
To be fair, Houston still should’ve won that game. Reign looked to be the one with only 10 on the field…
1 point out of first place in the table, on a 3 game road trip, and with a game in hand? No, not a must win. Sure, you want to take all the points from the teams at the bottom, heck you want to win them all, but it isn't win or go home.
Definitely didn’t mean it in that sense. I meant more of the opportunity they have against an opponent who has the worst goal differential and are super short handed.
Top teams in the table have games against Chicago and kcc still so it’s a huge chance for the team to pick up points on Portland if they can’t get the job done tmrw
Absolutely true. That said, a convincing win while playing well would provide a good springboard of confidence heading into next Friday’s game against Washington followed by weeks of playing without their internationals.
"Must win" in the sense of shaping the second half of the season, imo. Dropping two matches in a row to poor teams is the kind of thing that can get into a team's head, collectively. They need to make sure that doesn't happen. That said, no team can be overlooked (see: today's SD v ACFC match).
I think they need to stay right with Washington, too (who I expect to beat KC, but who knows?). We want that match on the 23rd to be for top of the table!
It'd be a good time for Norris to display a lick of tactical sense, too...but don't want to ask for the moon, I guess.
Think the most likely outcome is that he doesn't adjust tactically, they win anyways, and then we see the same issues against the next competent team they play.
Hell, I'd take a reporter screen-sharing Dror's pass maps over the post game zoom if nothing else!
Yes, essentially the cyclical decision-making we’ve seen all season…
I sure hope Norris realizes that what works against a very poor Chicago team will not be the same things that works against Spirit on Friday. He just seems to do the same thing every week, and sometimes it works because we have enough individual talent to score more goals than we concede (or the opposing team is just that dire.)
Oh, that's right: the Washington match is on Friday. That would normally be a real p.i.t.a. for me: I live well outside of Portland and would have to deal with Friday PM rush hour to get there. Fortunately. my wonderful day job has half days every Friday for the summer. I can head up there early and goof off 'til game time! =)
Glad you'll be able to make it to the game!
Shaaaa….
Just my luck, six-pointer and it’s also setup night for the kendo taikai! Cheer extra loud for me…
Tyranny of low Norris expectations perhaps, but if he makes tactical adjustments that mean 90+ of solid midfield and backline play? I’ll be okay. Not thrilled…but okay.
So…limit turnovers, stick marks, cover runners, move to space to give your backs an inlet pass…y’know, Soccer 101.
If fricking Chicago can smoke us in transition I’ll be seriously chapped.
I think they need this for team mojo. A second loss against an inferior opponent would be devastating.
No weird lineup, coach to win.
Not a must win in traditional sense, more a "let's hope the team are furious at what happened last week and play like it" game.
Exactly, just need to get the job done as other top teams still have Chicago on their schedule. We have already played Chicago 2x after tmrw, Orlando 2x, and kcc once
Kinda glad they played the weaker teams at full strength, tbh- The gap between the top and the bottom --which isn't gigantic already game-to-game-- closes drastically when the WC begins. I think I'd rather play the better teams during the WC break.
Really good point, I didn’t even think about that!
Your point still stands, though- The Thorns last 6 is bruuuutal: Spirit (A), Louisville (A), SD (H), Gotham (H), ACFC (A)
Looks like the the only three league games during the WC break are KC, Gotham, and NCC (maaybe the Spirit too depending which teams make the final) with CC games against all three group opponents).
Those last 6 games are insane...
Yeah the fact we play NC (home) and Gotham (away) during the WC break is a really good thing imo. Also nice to play KC at home sans Debinha, but they really don’t lose that many other players…could be a tough game.
At least 25 degrees cooler and lower humidity than Orlando mean the Thorns should thrive and not fall apart as the match goes on. Their worst performances were in steam-bath Orlando and Houston.
70s and partly cloudy ftw!
Dunno but having grown up in Chicago the summers can get pretty humid. Obviously not Orlando-humid, but stuffier than here.
Looking at the availibility report. CRS missing even more key players. Nagasato and Krueger out. This could be an interesting match.
https://twitter.com/statsandedits/status/1670269525152120832
Courage at top of the table currently. Who saw that coming?
Wow, that list...
Couple, okay, three things about the Courage:
-They've always been PTFC kryptonite and I was relieved when they whiffed on making the playoffs last year.
-Their bizarre draft and captain Erceg's reaction made it seem like they were spiraling into oblivion, cemented by Debinha's departure along with Abby. Then Kerolin happened.
-Their form since the 3-3 draw in Cary has been ridiculous--4-1-1, 12 goals scored, 1 allowed.
We'll see if this form holds but they have returned as my Team of Most Concern, ahead of Reign, for now.
They've beaten Chicago, Orlando, and KCC last 3 games tho.
Not taking anything away from them, but want to see that against the top of the table too.
Thorns are in 5th place and 1 game short of possibly falling out of the playoff race. If we drop points tomm and then lose to Spirit on Friday, it’s very possible. Against a team bleeding 3-4 goals every game? Yes, this should be a must win. Looking at our remaining games, you can’t drop points tomorrow, imo. Anything less is just not up to snuff for this club, this will be the “easiest” game they have for the rest of the season.
Jeez, Houston collects the rare red card against Reign just before halftime.
They will now deploy Houston heat to fill that spot.
Reign have now had two games where they’ve played a team who’ve received a red card very early in the game and still couldn’t get 3 pts in either game.
To be fair, Houston still should’ve won that game. Reign looked to be the one with only 10 on the field…
Wonder if some of that is missing Fishlockz? They seem much less dangerous without her steel…
It's night and the heat index is >100 F.
People volunteer to live there?
I am shocked they didn’t play even later, the play on the pitch suffered as a result too
1 point out of first place in the table, on a 3 game road trip, and with a game in hand? No, not a must win. Sure, you want to take all the points from the teams at the bottom, heck you want to win them all, but it isn't win or go home.
Definitely didn’t mean it in that sense. I meant more of the opportunity they have against an opponent who has the worst goal differential and are super short handed.
Top teams in the table have games against Chicago and kcc still so it’s a huge chance for the team to pick up points on Portland if they can’t get the job done tmrw
Absolutely true. That said, a convincing win while playing well would provide a good springboard of confidence heading into next Friday’s game against Washington followed by weeks of playing without their internationals.