A conversation with Jacob Cristobal of Ride of the Valkyries to preview Saturday's rivalry game + Mike Norris' shared his thoughts on his first Cascadia derby as head coach.
Like everyone here, I’m nervous as a cat; we always struggle in Seattle and (also as everyone has noted) there’s something off about the way Norris is running the defensive midfield and backline and as unpredictable as OLR has been their attacking midfield is coming around.
Form hasn’t held for either club so I honestly have no real sense for what we’ll see. Im just hopeful; c’mon you Thorns!
Because of our prior history of not winning away since 2017, I don’t feel particularly good about this one..but when I think about the form and weaknesses of both teams lately, I really have no damn idea. Our team has been an attacking machine. Can they do it in Seattle? Can they do it more than they concede to Seattle? Can or will Norris finally tweak his tactics so our fullbacks and the midfielders are better balanced?
If they can keep the ball on the left side of the field away from Huerta, as well as cut off the Fishlock to Rapinoe pipeline, you dry up 95% of their service. Gotham executed it perfectly. If not, well, Rapinoe will serve up assist after assist after assist. Natu will need to have a good game.
I know this is Norris’ first derby, but I hope he’s really treating it like a playoff game. The other side has said they prepare for these games as they would a championship game, so I hope for no less from our coach as well.
Feeling nervous that he’s gonna go for “leadership and history” with this rivalry, which means a Sinclair start. We’re at the end of a three game week…three of which she played, going 95 minutes just a few days prior. Last thing we need is heavy legs in central midfield with Fishlock cutting right down the middle. Pretty please give us the 17yr old for this one…and let Sinc close out the game. The other side didn’t rotate as much in their midweek game and it would be nice to exploit those tired legs of Sonnet, Cook, and Quinn specifically (who all went 60-90+ on Wed.)
Having Becky back is great, but is this the game we want her first minutes back in? A bit apprehensive with that as well…
Unfortunately the alternatives to Sauerbrunn are...not exactly tearing up the pitch. Menges has been really off form this season, Hubly has often reverted to the "high-risk" player of several seasons back, Nally and Provenzano are just depth. Against OLR's organized midfield we're going to need all hands (and feet) on deck, and Sauerbrunn's are the best we've got.
Oh I definitely agree. It just seems like a rough game for her to get her feet back under her. Of course, I prefer her overall, but could be real nervy putting a CB that’s been out for a month or two (?) into an away rivalry game at the 70th or so minute (when I assume she’ll be out in.) The game state could be quite rough at that point lol.
I almost would prefer she starts the game, if she can, so she has time to warm from the beginning rather than being thrown into chaos (although it’ll prob be chaos from the beginning)…but Mike mentioned mid-week that she’d be getting minutes this game, which to me insinuated sub minutes. If Menges or Hubly is majorly derping though? Yes let’s get her on asap!
Question: If Textor was able to sell PSWST so quickly, for such a tidy sum, and neatly navigate the DC Kang/OL Kang thing, then why is the Thorns sale proceeding so slowly?
I’m guessing the complexity/conditions difference between Seattle (stand-alone club, several reasonable venue options) and Portland (shared clubs, massive venue issues plus facilities, concessions, etc.).
The losing money part comes from Olympique Lyonnais feminine that have been signing top players for not cheap transfer fees in women's football, paying their relatively high salaries, to dominate the French League and the UEFA tournaments but is unable to bring fans to the stadiums (their average assistance were below 2500) the fact tickets for European leagues as far as I've seen is around 6 or 7 Euros and since not many ppl at the stadium I guess not much money from merchandising either. And part of the problem is the European leagues that are dominated by 1 or 2 teams fail to attract ppl compared to leagues with more parity, for example no team in Europe gets average attendances higher than 3000, while in England that has the more balanced league in Europe you can see many teams getting average attendances around 10k and the NWSL gets even higher numbers.
The other point of him losing money with women's team is Shittle, they are clearly near the ceiling of the Salary Cap, but again is a team failing to bring ppl to the stadium.
I saw several posts initially make an assumption it was past tense because of how Textor phrased it, but then the article was updated…I’m guessing because it got enough attention.
Could be because Textor has already given over the keys to the firm that’s selling it. Regardless, I do think it’ll be done asap because Textor and the men’s OL side will be hit will sanctions (incl possible relegation) if the debts aren’t paid…or something of that sort. So, imagine Textor wants that sale done yesterday and prob doesn’t care who buys them as long as he gets max $$$.
I saw Carmelina Moscato quit Tigres. She was actually the coach I thought we were pursuing before Wilkinson and after Wilkinson considering her history with KK.
Same. Yeah would love her to come here, but this seems like an unlikely time for another coach swap. Wondering if she’s headed to KC or to “Bay” FC (which, still sounds so stupid lol.)
After falling behind 0-2 Barca are running Wolfsburg ragged and lead 3-2 @ 84 minutes, in the Champions League final. At one point I swear they stitched 50 passes in a row.
I was watching that one (okay, switching between that and the FA Cup final...yay City!). Wolfsburg's back line made a couple horrendous mistakes with clearances, including flat out gifting Barca the go-ahead goal.
In other international WoSo news, Urawa clinched the WE League title with a win today putting it out of reach for Leonessa or Beleza. The latter's 3-3 draw Parceiro Nagano featured a fantastic goal by 19-year-old starlet Aoba Fushino (she had a brace), finding the far upper 90 from an acute angle. May have been intended as across from the wry smile on her face. ;) Rising star, that one...
My kid likes to call those shrosses! She’s put away a few shrosses in her time. She’s up in Seattle rooting for our favorite Portland sides. I feel sorry for those around her. She won’t be shy about being a visitor
I saw a stat that said we haven’t won away at Seattle since 2017! Haven’t beaten them period since 2019. Odds aren’t in our favor, but this is also kinda the weakest or most inconsistent I’ve considered the Reign in quite a long time. I really have no idea how this will go, but yeah, don’t feel super confident…
Pretty confident we have too much talent to get the shit kicked out of us by anyone, especially since Seattle hasn't been particularly convincing themselves.
Not confident about getting a good result, however.
I'm worried about this one. While its a rivalry game, I just feel that Portland is scuffling against the better teams in the league. We have gotten away with it with only one loss, but defensively we seem to give up goals at rough moments. On the other hand, we are due to put a full game together, and I can see Sophia going off after having a rough patch. I'm hoping for a barn-burner, because at least those are fun for the fans!
Honestly, we really haven't *played* the better teams in the league. SD is the only top 5 team the Thorns have played, and they probably should have gotten 3 points in that one.
That said, they traditionally struggle against Seattle. Gotta get Soph going- She's looked really uncertain over the last month and she definitely needs a goal. I really have no clue how this will go tbh
Like everyone here, I’m nervous as a cat; we always struggle in Seattle and (also as everyone has noted) there’s something off about the way Norris is running the defensive midfield and backline and as unpredictable as OLR has been their attacking midfield is coming around.
Form hasn’t held for either club so I honestly have no real sense for what we’ll see. Im just hopeful; c’mon you Thorns!
Because of our prior history of not winning away since 2017, I don’t feel particularly good about this one..but when I think about the form and weaknesses of both teams lately, I really have no damn idea. Our team has been an attacking machine. Can they do it in Seattle? Can they do it more than they concede to Seattle? Can or will Norris finally tweak his tactics so our fullbacks and the midfielders are better balanced?
If they can keep the ball on the left side of the field away from Huerta, as well as cut off the Fishlock to Rapinoe pipeline, you dry up 95% of their service. Gotham executed it perfectly. If not, well, Rapinoe will serve up assist after assist after assist. Natu will need to have a good game.
I know this is Norris’ first derby, but I hope he’s really treating it like a playoff game. The other side has said they prepare for these games as they would a championship game, so I hope for no less from our coach as well.
Feeling nervous that he’s gonna go for “leadership and history” with this rivalry, which means a Sinclair start. We’re at the end of a three game week…three of which she played, going 95 minutes just a few days prior. Last thing we need is heavy legs in central midfield with Fishlock cutting right down the middle. Pretty please give us the 17yr old for this one…and let Sinc close out the game. The other side didn’t rotate as much in their midweek game and it would be nice to exploit those tired legs of Sonnet, Cook, and Quinn specifically (who all went 60-90+ on Wed.)
Having Becky back is great, but is this the game we want her first minutes back in? A bit apprehensive with that as well…
Unfortunately the alternatives to Sauerbrunn are...not exactly tearing up the pitch. Menges has been really off form this season, Hubly has often reverted to the "high-risk" player of several seasons back, Nally and Provenzano are just depth. Against OLR's organized midfield we're going to need all hands (and feet) on deck, and Sauerbrunn's are the best we've got.
Oh I definitely agree. It just seems like a rough game for her to get her feet back under her. Of course, I prefer her overall, but could be real nervy putting a CB that’s been out for a month or two (?) into an away rivalry game at the 70th or so minute (when I assume she’ll be out in.) The game state could be quite rough at that point lol.
I almost would prefer she starts the game, if she can, so she has time to warm from the beginning rather than being thrown into chaos (although it’ll prob be chaos from the beginning)…but Mike mentioned mid-week that she’d be getting minutes this game, which to me insinuated sub minutes. If Menges or Hubly is majorly derping though? Yes let’s get her on asap!
If she's healthy, she should start and be subbed off if needed, not the other way around.
Anybody see the big news? Puget Sound WoSo Team have been sold.
The announcement came two hours ago:
https://twitter.com/tayvincent6/status/1665003995268804609?cxt=HHwWgsDT-fyTpJsuAAAA
Question: If Textor was able to sell PSWST so quickly, for such a tidy sum, and neatly navigate the DC Kang/OL Kang thing, then why is the Thorns sale proceeding so slowly?
I’m guessing the complexity/conditions difference between Seattle (stand-alone club, several reasonable venue options) and Portland (shared clubs, massive venue issues plus facilities, concessions, etc.).
Motivation? Textor, whoever that is, seems focused on bitching that the women are losing him hard cash. Eyes on the prize!
The losing money part comes from Olympique Lyonnais feminine that have been signing top players for not cheap transfer fees in women's football, paying their relatively high salaries, to dominate the French League and the UEFA tournaments but is unable to bring fans to the stadiums (their average assistance were below 2500) the fact tickets for European leagues as far as I've seen is around 6 or 7 Euros and since not many ppl at the stadium I guess not much money from merchandising either. And part of the problem is the European leagues that are dominated by 1 or 2 teams fail to attract ppl compared to leagues with more parity, for example no team in Europe gets average attendances higher than 3000, while in England that has the more balanced league in Europe you can see many teams getting average attendances around 10k and the NWSL gets even higher numbers.
The other point of him losing money with women's team is Shittle, they are clearly near the ceiling of the Salary Cap, but again is a team failing to bring ppl to the stadium.
Naw, they updated the wording in that article to “in the process of being sold.” Taylor posted an edit to her initial tweet.
Interesting.
There was also one many hours earlier than that, apparently, which appeared to say the same thing as what Taylor tweeted.
I saw several posts initially make an assumption it was past tense because of how Textor phrased it, but then the article was updated…I’m guessing because it got enough attention.
Could be because Textor has already given over the keys to the firm that’s selling it. Regardless, I do think it’ll be done asap because Textor and the men’s OL side will be hit will sanctions (incl possible relegation) if the debts aren’t paid…or something of that sort. So, imagine Textor wants that sale done yesterday and prob doesn’t care who buys them as long as he gets max $$$.
I saw Carmelina Moscato quit Tigres. She was actually the coach I thought we were pursuing before Wilkinson and after Wilkinson considering her history with KK.
Same. Yeah would love her to come here, but this seems like an unlikely time for another coach swap. Wondering if she’s headed to KC or to “Bay” FC (which, still sounds so stupid lol.)
Anyone think this team looks better now than they did last year at this time?
No Fishlock in the starting XI or the subs list? Seems like blasphemy but sure I’ll take it!
https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1665132227972218890?s=20
Ok ok we’re cooking with gas lfggg
Wonder if there's a chance we see Hina in midfield given Moultrie and Sinc both played 90 on Wednesday- Maybe Leon out right?
(Probs not)
Hina up front with Smith and Weaver
Dunn, Coffey, Moultre
Kuikka, Hubly, Menges, Kling
Bix
I'd trade a Timbers shellacking for a Thorns win but I'd love an away double!
After falling behind 0-2 Barca are running Wolfsburg ragged and lead 3-2 @ 84 minutes, in the Champions League final. At one point I swear they stitched 50 passes in a row.
Familiar face AMC has subbed in.
Yes, the passing and movement off the ball in that game were something most NWSL teams can only dream about.
Meanwhile the rest of the teams in the Spanish league are below average.
Barcelona had at some point more than 100 consecutive wins in Spanish competitions and of course fail to fill a stadium for only 5000.
I was watching that one (okay, switching between that and the FA Cup final...yay City!). Wolfsburg's back line made a couple horrendous mistakes with clearances, including flat out gifting Barca the go-ahead goal.
In other international WoSo news, Urawa clinched the WE League title with a win today putting it out of reach for Leonessa or Beleza. The latter's 3-3 draw Parceiro Nagano featured a fantastic goal by 19-year-old starlet Aoba Fushino (she had a brace), finding the far upper 90 from an acute angle. May have been intended as across from the wry smile on her face. ;) Rising star, that one...
My kid likes to call those shrosses! She’s put away a few shrosses in her time. She’s up in Seattle rooting for our favorite Portland sides. I feel sorry for those around her. She won’t be shy about being a visitor
I will put it more succinctly: We're gonna get the shit kicked out of us in Seattle.
I would like to be wrong about this. Please make me wrong about this.
Here's the run of form since mid-April:
1-1 Houston
2-0 Louisville
3-3 ACFCNFT
3-3 @ North Carolina
1-2 @ Houston
4-0 Chicago
1-1 @ San Diego
3-2 ACFCNFT (CC)
Not exactly Murderer's Row, is it?
We're 2-1-4 (3-1-4 including CC), since mid-April and it's taken us some pretty miraculous late goals to not to be 2-2-3 (2-2-4 including CC).
Crystal, Hina, Sam, Kling and Keli are fresh as daisies, maybe Becky returns. Since Thorns basically never win in Puget Sound, no worse than 3-2.
I saw a stat that said we haven’t won away at Seattle since 2017! Haven’t beaten them period since 2019. Odds aren’t in our favor, but this is also kinda the weakest or most inconsistent I’ve considered the Reign in quite a long time. I really have no idea how this will go, but yeah, don’t feel super confident…
Pretty confident we have too much talent to get the shit kicked out of us by anyone, especially since Seattle hasn't been particularly convincing themselves.
Not confident about getting a good result, however.
What worries me:
Seattle in Seattle.
Rapinoe does strange things to this club, as does Fishlock.
They're 4-1-0 at home, getting stomped by top-of-table Gotham.
We have too much talent to have these kinds of results against the mid-table and lower.
What reassures me somewhat:
PSWST have lost 3 matches already.
What leaves me less reassured:
Who has beaten them -- Washington 0-1 away, NC 0-1 away, and 1-4 Gotham home.
I could see Thorns losing 1-3 tomorrow. I would *love* to be eating a gigantic serving of crow tomorrow night.
I'm worried about this one. While its a rivalry game, I just feel that Portland is scuffling against the better teams in the league. We have gotten away with it with only one loss, but defensively we seem to give up goals at rough moments. On the other hand, we are due to put a full game together, and I can see Sophia going off after having a rough patch. I'm hoping for a barn-burner, because at least those are fun for the fans!
Honestly, we really haven't *played* the better teams in the league. SD is the only top 5 team the Thorns have played, and they probably should have gotten 3 points in that one.
That said, they traditionally struggle against Seattle. Gotta get Soph going- She's looked really uncertain over the last month and she definitely needs a goal. I really have no clue how this will go tbh