The only hope I have is that we did actually play smarter in Seattle because we took the Reign seriously and weren't overcommitted in the attack all match.
Unfortunately can’t imagine her not starting this game just because it’s a “send-off” game for the internationals. Whatever excuse Norris can get to put her on the field, they’ll take.
I’m gonna be a tad contrary and say that I don’t know how much it matters who starts at the left 8 position, though I would obvs prefer Liv. Neither Moultrie or Sinc cover a ton of ground defensively, which is a real need against the diamond. At full strength, this would be a good Rocky game because of her defensive work, physicality, and ball retention.
Obviously fearful for the Rodman-Kling/Menges matchup, but if ole Mike doesn’t give Sam a little help in the midfield, I’m not sure it’ll matter. Could see another 3-3 in the cards.
Gonna be fun! Parsons also said that Portland is the best place to play woso in the world yesterday, so let’s give him a rude return pls. Late Friday night starts are always a good time.
Of course, Rocky would be the ideal. Liv is just more mobile and can do more defensively. Even if it’s not as much as we’d like, more is better and that’s what Norris should be doing. Ashley Sanchez is gonna need to have pressure on her in the midfield, otherwise she’s just gonna be serving up dimes to Rodman and Hatch all night. Or, she’ll have all the time to take a crack herself. With a diamond, it’s hard not to get overran, but with only 2 players able to apply any pressure in our midfield, I think it’s could be messy.
Rodman vs. Kling and Menges really has me worried though lmao. Morgan Weaver is gonna need to play a lot of defense.
If Norris doesn’t adjust the fullback and midfield balance, though, that’ll be the nail in the coffin no matter who we have on the field.
Yeah! She’s actually back in training as of pics yesterday! She had an MCL sprain, and I don’t think she even required surgery. About 6-8 wk recovery and we’re nearing the 6 week mark. She’s on the WC roster for Costa Rica and will be heading out to join them maybe a little later than all the other int’ls, but still going nonetheless. She’ll def be back post-WC. I’m not sure CR will even get out of the group stage, unfortunately, so she may not be gone that long.
Do we have any players sitting on four yellows? I start thinking of these things come mid-season, and recall Natu collecting more than one, for example. Heck, that menace Hina even has some!
Now that I think of it, I imagine we def see a Sinclair start tonight. Besides it being an “int’l send-off” game, we have a CC game on Wed against OL Reign. Norris is gonna keep Moultrie on ice until that game since all the int’ls will be gone.
I don’t see any lineup changes and that…is scary lol.
This could be a barn burner! I think both teams will be up for this one, and I hope the Thorns defense is ready. I have to believe there will be multiple goals in this one.
Big game, statement game. On the one hand, we know how Parsons does in big game situations. OTOH, that’s gonna be one PO’d Hatch coming to town. Throw in Rodman against out left side defense…could be a long night.
Rodman is capable of torching our outside left on pace (although Weaver may be able to stay with her if she has a chance to track back in time), which is going to put pressure on Menges. If Em can shake off the last of the rust, we may be fine. If not...
I think our attacking front line is capable of tearing their defense apart, though. It's going to depend on the service forward AND on how positionally fluid the Dunn/Sugita pairing is able to be (something they've been getting better at with every game).
I'd love to see Hogan between the sticks, but I doubt Norris is willing to do that and basically torpedo Bixby's chances of getting her confidence and focus back. A 'keeper switch right now would very possibly become permanent.
And yeah, Hatch is going to have a big chip on her shoulder...but so is Sam Coffey!
Thrilled with a win, happy with a draw, prepared for a loss. That's how I enter tonight's match.
The only hope I have is that we did actually play smarter in Seattle because we took the Reign seriously and weren't overcommitted in the attack all match.
Maybe move Sinc to the back line, just to shake things up.
Since she played 75 minutes on Sunday she really shouldn’t start.
Unfortunately can’t imagine her not starting this game just because it’s a “send-off” game for the internationals. Whatever excuse Norris can get to put her on the field, they’ll take.
With their young and quick midfield, I shudder…
Goalkeeper, perhaps?
Lol
We have meaningless sports award nominations. Sophia Smith has two ESPY nominations.
BEST SOCCER PLAYER
Aitana Bonmatí, Spain/Barcelona
Erling Haaland, Norway/Manchester City
Lionel Messi, Argentina/PSG
Sophia Smith, USWNT/Portland Thorns
BEST ATHLETE, WOMEN’S SPORTS
Mikaela Shiffrin, Ski
Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns
Iga Świątek, Tennis
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
I’m gonna be a tad contrary and say that I don’t know how much it matters who starts at the left 8 position, though I would obvs prefer Liv. Neither Moultrie or Sinc cover a ton of ground defensively, which is a real need against the diamond. At full strength, this would be a good Rocky game because of her defensive work, physicality, and ball retention.
Obviously fearful for the Rodman-Kling/Menges matchup, but if ole Mike doesn’t give Sam a little help in the midfield, I’m not sure it’ll matter. Could see another 3-3 in the cards.
Gonna be fun! Parsons also said that Portland is the best place to play woso in the world yesterday, so let’s give him a rude return pls. Late Friday night starts are always a good time.
But whatever happens, at some point we've got to have a Moultrie-Ricketts matchup.
Of course, Rocky would be the ideal. Liv is just more mobile and can do more defensively. Even if it’s not as much as we’d like, more is better and that’s what Norris should be doing. Ashley Sanchez is gonna need to have pressure on her in the midfield, otherwise she’s just gonna be serving up dimes to Rodman and Hatch all night. Or, she’ll have all the time to take a crack herself. With a diamond, it’s hard not to get overran, but with only 2 players able to apply any pressure in our midfield, I think it’s could be messy.
Rodman vs. Kling and Menges really has me worried though lmao. Morgan Weaver is gonna need to play a lot of defense.
If Norris doesn’t adjust the fullback and midfield balance, though, that’ll be the nail in the coffin no matter who we have on the field.
Rocky has not received SEI designation; can she possibly return, healthy, this season?
Yeah! She’s actually back in training as of pics yesterday! She had an MCL sprain, and I don’t think she even required surgery. About 6-8 wk recovery and we’re nearing the 6 week mark. She’s on the WC roster for Costa Rica and will be heading out to join them maybe a little later than all the other int’ls, but still going nonetheless. She’ll def be back post-WC. I’m not sure CR will even get out of the group stage, unfortunately, so she may not be gone that long.
I have a bad feeling about this one, tbh.
I had a bad feeling about playing Reign at the CLink.
Do we have any players sitting on four yellows? I start thinking of these things come mid-season, and recall Natu collecting more than one, for example. Heck, that menace Hina even has some!
Hubly has four. Nobody else w more than three.
Okay, thanks. Knew somebody had kept track. :-)
Now that I think of it, I imagine we def see a Sinclair start tonight. Besides it being an “int’l send-off” game, we have a CC game on Wed against OL Reign. Norris is gonna keep Moultrie on ice until that game since all the int’ls will be gone.
I don’t see any lineup changes and that…is scary lol.
Unfortunately that all seems defensible
Do we think the national teamers (on both sides) will play much? They're probably on requested "minute-restrictions" from Vlatko, no?
With this being such an important match, if that's the request, I hope Norris tells him to pound sand.
And yeah, I'm in the "club over country" camp... ;)
This could be a barn burner! I think both teams will be up for this one, and I hope the Thorns defense is ready. I have to believe there will be multiple goals in this one.
Big game, statement game. On the one hand, we know how Parsons does in big game situations. OTOH, that’s gonna be one PO’d Hatch coming to town. Throw in Rodman against out left side defense…could be a long night.
Rodman is capable of torching our outside left on pace (although Weaver may be able to stay with her if she has a chance to track back in time), which is going to put pressure on Menges. If Em can shake off the last of the rust, we may be fine. If not...
I think our attacking front line is capable of tearing their defense apart, though. It's going to depend on the service forward AND on how positionally fluid the Dunn/Sugita pairing is able to be (something they've been getting better at with every game).
I'd love to see Hogan between the sticks, but I doubt Norris is willing to do that and basically torpedo Bixby's chances of getting her confidence and focus back. A 'keeper switch right now would very possibly become permanent.
And yeah, Hatch is going to have a big chip on her shoulder...but so is Sam Coffey!
Yep, but we also got a PO’d Coffey. WC Snub Darby?