This isn't even the most important NWSL match this season, let alone in league history. Today's match is going to be shaped by weather and injury conditions that won't be in effect come November.
Now... I would say the most important match in league history was September 11, 2019, because it was supposed to be a preview of the expected Championship trilogy -- NC v Portland. We beat them for the Championship in 2017, they beat us for the Championship in 2018, and the bad blood went back to the Marco Vega screwjob/2016 semifinal against Riley's Western NY side at Providence Park.
At that point in 2019, we were atop the table by 2 points, with NC in 2nd, 36-34.
What actually happened? The Courage destroyed Portland 0-6 at Providence Park.
That match was the exclamation mark to NC's reign of terror (which Portland ended in the 2020 Challenge Cup), a brutal call-back to the 0-3 beatdown at Providence Park in the 2018 Championship, and payback for the Thorns' fluky 2-1 win at Providence Park on two Courage own-goals just one month earlier.
I stayed for the entire 0-6 defeat, sitting right behind the goal for 3 of NC's 6 on the night. It was like nothing I've ever seen before or since. Just complete and utter unraveling by a collection of elite athletes, getting up in their heads, getting pissed off, quitting on their teammates, you name it. It was bad.
In sum, when we were at full strength they ripped out our heart, showed it to us, then scored 3 more times. (Well, full strength minus Sonnett, who picked up a stupid red in the previous match, against Utah, the night when Becky scored against us).
That match, and the whole "Black Autumn" collapse, as Chief has called it, kicked off what he dubbed "The Rebuildening."
We scored 1 goal and picked up 4 points in our last 5 matches, finishing 3rd on 40 points.
Chicago went screaming past us, scoring 12 goals and picking up 15 points in their last 5 matches, the final days of Kerr's illustrious NWSL career. Chicago finished 2nd on 44 points.
Meanwhile, the Courage were a wrecking crew from late-June onward, winning 13 matches and losing only 3 (including 2-1 losses to Chicago and Washington, and our fluky win), no draws. Three nights after eviscerating us, they went home and beat Orlando 6-1. They won the Shield on 49 points, and they're still the only team in league history to win both the Shield and the Championship in the same season, doing it in 2018 and 2019. God they were terrifying!
So, with all due respect, Orlando actually need to win something before they become eligible for "biggest match in league history" status.
I’ll be fine with a scoreless draw. Hines’ attackers scare the living shit out of me. While our team defense has looked better under Gale we still give opponents their looks and unlike Houston and Seattle Orlando will sink their putts. So limiting those chances will be key.
I'm really looking forward to this one! Lets hope Smith is okay and can go, even if she doesn't start. Orlando will be a test, but one we can pass. Go Thorns!
This isn't even the most important NWSL match this season, let alone in league history. Today's match is going to be shaped by weather and injury conditions that won't be in effect come November.
Now... I would say the most important match in league history was September 11, 2019, because it was supposed to be a preview of the expected Championship trilogy -- NC v Portland. We beat them for the Championship in 2017, they beat us for the Championship in 2018, and the bad blood went back to the Marco Vega screwjob/2016 semifinal against Riley's Western NY side at Providence Park.
At that point in 2019, we were atop the table by 2 points, with NC in 2nd, 36-34.
What actually happened? The Courage destroyed Portland 0-6 at Providence Park.
That match was the exclamation mark to NC's reign of terror (which Portland ended in the 2020 Challenge Cup), a brutal call-back to the 0-3 beatdown at Providence Park in the 2018 Championship, and payback for the Thorns' fluky 2-1 win at Providence Park on two Courage own-goals just one month earlier.
I stayed for the entire 0-6 defeat, sitting right behind the goal for 3 of NC's 6 on the night. It was like nothing I've ever seen before or since. Just complete and utter unraveling by a collection of elite athletes, getting up in their heads, getting pissed off, quitting on their teammates, you name it. It was bad.
In sum, when we were at full strength they ripped out our heart, showed it to us, then scored 3 more times. (Well, full strength minus Sonnett, who picked up a stupid red in the previous match, against Utah, the night when Becky scored against us).
Here's the match recap: https://fbref.com/en/matches/fdd56674/Portland-Thorns-FC-North-Carolina-Courage-September-11-2019-NWSL
That match, and the whole "Black Autumn" collapse, as Chief has called it, kicked off what he dubbed "The Rebuildening."
We scored 1 goal and picked up 4 points in our last 5 matches, finishing 3rd on 40 points.
Chicago went screaming past us, scoring 12 goals and picking up 15 points in their last 5 matches, the final days of Kerr's illustrious NWSL career. Chicago finished 2nd on 44 points.
Meanwhile, the Courage were a wrecking crew from late-June onward, winning 13 matches and losing only 3 (including 2-1 losses to Chicago and Washington, and our fluky win), no draws. Three nights after eviscerating us, they went home and beat Orlando 6-1. They won the Shield on 49 points, and they're still the only team in league history to win both the Shield and the Championship in the same season, doing it in 2018 and 2019. God they were terrifying!
So, with all due respect, Orlando actually need to win something before they become eligible for "biggest match in league history" status.
I’ll be fine with a scoreless draw. Hines’ attackers scare the living shit out of me. While our team defense has looked better under Gale we still give opponents their looks and unlike Houston and Seattle Orlando will sink their putts. So limiting those chances will be key.
I wish I had more confidence in Fleming.
If this team keeps a clean sheet against Orlando on the road I'll be downright shocked....and that's not even meant as a knock on the Thorns.
I'm really looking forward to this one! Lets hope Smith is okay and can go, even if she doesn't start. Orlando will be a test, but one we can pass. Go Thorns!
Very much hoping Soph still is able to play in this one!
You don't want to see a Beckie-Dias-Sinc front three in the heat?
No Smith and Sinclair for her, um, pressing.
No, I don't hate the Pride, but I pity the fools, and the Thorns will destroy any team that tries to take what they've got.
Finally, an answer to "What fresh hell?" Orlando--
"This Afternoon: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. North northeast wind around 5 mph.
"Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight."
Current humidity a meager 48%. No thunderstorms so they won't be kicking off at 11:30.
It looks like temps will be mostly be in the upper 80s for the game, and not too humid. Can't really hope for better conditions in Orlando.
I think it will be a draw, and I think a real barn burner of a game. Luckily, Chesky is not reffing this game.