Excited for this one. Nervous for this one. Suuuuper curious what becomes of Sinc. Especially since she started last game but didn't get to play (and she started in a central/withdrawn F spot, which Soph will re-take.) I still kinda feel like she's going to retain a starting spot but he'll have to move her back to midfield to do so....just never sure Norris will have the gumption to sit her again after taking her out last game. Could be that Norris goes with the 4222 that it kinda looked like at the beginning of last game, with Sinc AND Liv starting as the top of the box midfield with Smith/Weaver up top and Betfort dropped to the bench. Smith hasn't really played in a 2-front, though.
Don't agree with this starting lineup though. No way Weaver starts on the bench for a Reyes in midfield (?) I think it could also be more of a 433 with Coffey/Rocky in the 6-6/6-8 and then Moultrie (or Sinc?) at the 10. A flat 442 doesn't really square well with this group at all imo, but the box could maybe work....but if we're getting only 2 up top, it's gonna be Weaver/Smith and Betfort gets dropped to the bench. With her defensive efforts and recent form? Start her with Weaver and Smith up top. Have Liv in the 10, in either a 433 or a 4231, and then have Rocky and Coffey in the 6/8 or 6/6. The non-negotiable for me is having both Coffey and Rocky on the field. And I would rather Moultrie over Sinc- at least while Hina and Dunn are working their way back in.
What would be REALLY nice? Becky is back and totally ready for a start. Her and Menges have a great partnership, and her and Kling just mind meld when their out there together. Against Hatch, Sanchez, and Rodman? Could be no worse game to have Nally start and play significant minutes. She is just gonna get roasted out there. Sure she played fine against a totally inept Courage attack, but that's not what we'll get tomorrow.
What's all y'alls preferred lineups (with ALL 11 players this time)?
There's a chance Norris matches the Parsons diamond with a box....but I really hope not cause I *do not* like Soph in a front 2. Betfort is a potential variable tho- Do they reward her form and play her at RW to get her in the team? Or play her up top next to Soph and switch formation? I don't think you can get Smith, Weaver, and Betfort in the same team, so I think Betfort goes back to the bench. Agree that the double pivot is the best idea.
They're giving it another shot now, 30 minutes later. Heat index caused the delay. Hard to see how coming out again at 3:15PM local time will make a sufficient difference for the rest of the match.
OT: David, I hope you're not watching NC/CHI, because the announcing team are taking turns butchering the pronunciation of "Matsukubo."
I don't know why, but Narumi's facial expressions remind me of Buddy Hackett. There was an extended shot of her during the Thorns match in which she was sticking her tongue out over her lower lip, and another moment when she made an exaggerated gesture with her eyes when she pulled up her sock to cover the cut on her leg. She was just cracking me up.
We have to escape DC with at least a point because the table is absolutely packed.
Today's worst-case scenario, which is also a very real possibility, is Thorns fall into a 3-way tie with NJY and DC for 2nd behind NC and just 1 point ahead of both SD and OLR.
I'd take a point. The table is so packed that you really just don't want to give up 6 point swings against shield rivals. A win would be huge, obviously, given the minimal amount of games left.
OT. Entire Spanish WNT coaching staff, except Jorge Vilda, have resigned. List of players refusing call-ups is now 81, including many on the men's team.
J. Hermoso issued a very blunt statement calling out RFEF and their president for pressuring her and her family to exonerate Rubiales. Also for putting words in her mouth. She said unequivocally that they are lies and she never consented to anything.
These suits are unbelievable scum. I wonder if they might be prosecuted as criminals. They are government employees, so surely subject to some limits on personal misbehavior.
With respect to prosecution.... I'm no legal expert, but making up things Hermoso said - i.e., lying in a way that hurts someone else - would be fraud, wouldn't it?
At least it's been an education for the rest of the world on how bad the women there have it. Hopefully the bright lights shining can bring real change.
From the "it's always something" list. we have no interwebs nor teevee streaming. I'm hotspotting via my phone ATM and was told "there was a fire" after 2.5 hours on hold w/ our ISP. Not the standard "dude with a backhoe." Entire metro area is down.
Anyhoo, maybe we watch and maybe we don't. "Fire" has so many possible meanings.
Fox just got hit with a straight red on a DOGSO, 18th minute. In this case, Fox had a mistouch, NC was just up too high, St Georges went blowing by Fox, and Fox pulled her down from behind via the jersey. Boade, who scored the opener, just subbed off for Pickett. They're going with the strategy Portland used against them. Let's see how it goes.
That is.....an extremely odd predicted Thorns 11 given:
1. A healthy Morgan Weaver starts 99% of the time (she's not injured, to my knowledge).
2. Neither Moultrie or Reyes are wide midfielders and Reyes wouldn't play in a box.
3. Smith should not play (and hasn't really played) in a front 2.
I imagine we see a return to the 4-3-3, ideally with a Coffey-Rocky double pivot. More likely it's the classic Norris hyper-attacking 4-3-3 with Sinc and Moultrie in front of Coffey. Maybe Betfort starts outside of Smith if Hina isn't ready to go?
Not according to the published availability report. Only Beckie and Hubly unavailable for the trip to DC. That doesn't mean everyone else is ready for 90 minutes or even a start.
Excited for this one. Nervous for this one. Suuuuper curious what becomes of Sinc. Especially since she started last game but didn't get to play (and she started in a central/withdrawn F spot, which Soph will re-take.) I still kinda feel like she's going to retain a starting spot but he'll have to move her back to midfield to do so....just never sure Norris will have the gumption to sit her again after taking her out last game. Could be that Norris goes with the 4222 that it kinda looked like at the beginning of last game, with Sinc AND Liv starting as the top of the box midfield with Smith/Weaver up top and Betfort dropped to the bench. Smith hasn't really played in a 2-front, though.
Don't agree with this starting lineup though. No way Weaver starts on the bench for a Reyes in midfield (?) I think it could also be more of a 433 with Coffey/Rocky in the 6-6/6-8 and then Moultrie (or Sinc?) at the 10. A flat 442 doesn't really square well with this group at all imo, but the box could maybe work....but if we're getting only 2 up top, it's gonna be Weaver/Smith and Betfort gets dropped to the bench. With her defensive efforts and recent form? Start her with Weaver and Smith up top. Have Liv in the 10, in either a 433 or a 4231, and then have Rocky and Coffey in the 6/8 or 6/6. The non-negotiable for me is having both Coffey and Rocky on the field. And I would rather Moultrie over Sinc- at least while Hina and Dunn are working their way back in.
What would be REALLY nice? Becky is back and totally ready for a start. Her and Menges have a great partnership, and her and Kling just mind meld when their out there together. Against Hatch, Sanchez, and Rodman? Could be no worse game to have Nally start and play significant minutes. She is just gonna get roasted out there. Sure she played fine against a totally inept Courage attack, but that's not what we'll get tomorrow.
What's all y'alls preferred lineups (with ALL 11 players this time)?
If-I-were-coach (lol) lineup
Bixby
Kuikka - Menges - 'Brunn - Kling
Coffey - Rocky
Hina
Dunn - Soph - Weaver
What I want (If Becky's ready):
Kuikka-Menges-Becky-Kling
Coffey-Rocky
Moultrie
Hina-Smith-Weaver
What I predict:
Kuikka-Nally-Menges-Kling
Coffey
Moultrie-Sinc
Hina-Smith-Weaver
There's a chance Norris matches the Parsons diamond with a box....but I really hope not cause I *do not* like Soph in a front 2. Betfort is a potential variable tho- Do they reward her form and play her at RW to get her in the team? Or play her up top next to Soph and switch formation? I don't think you can get Smith, Weaver, and Betfort in the same team, so I think Betfort goes back to the bench. Agree that the double pivot is the best idea.
NWSL always find a way to show us something new...
Heat delay in Cary at the hydration break. Both teams just went into the locker room. The fans, however, are left to sit and bake in the sun.
Um, couldn't someone have looked at the hourly forecast and pushed this match back about 5 hours?
They're giving it another shot now, 30 minutes later. Heat index caused the delay. Hard to see how coming out again at 3:15PM local time will make a sufficient difference for the rest of the match.
OT: David, I hope you're not watching NC/CHI, because the announcing team are taking turns butchering the pronunciation of "Matsukubo."
I don't know why, but Narumi's facial expressions remind me of Buddy Hackett. There was an extended shot of her during the Thorns match in which she was sticking her tongue out over her lower lip, and another moment when she made an exaggerated gesture with her eyes when she pulled up her sock to cover the cut on her leg. She was just cracking me up.
We have to escape DC with at least a point because the table is absolutely packed.
Today's worst-case scenario, which is also a very real possibility, is Thorns fall into a 3-way tie with NJY and DC for 2nd behind NC and just 1 point ahead of both SD and OLR.
I'd take a point. The table is so packed that you really just don't want to give up 6 point swings against shield rivals. A win would be huge, obviously, given the minimal amount of games left.
OT. Entire Spanish WNT coaching staff, except Jorge Vilda, have resigned. List of players refusing call-ups is now 81, including many on the men's team.
J. Hermoso issued a very blunt statement calling out RFEF and their president for pressuring her and her family to exonerate Rubiales. Also for putting words in her mouth. She said unequivocally that they are lies and she never consented to anything.
These suits are unbelievable scum. I wonder if they might be prosecuted as criminals. They are government employees, so surely subject to some limits on personal misbehavior.
With respect to prosecution.... I'm no legal expert, but making up things Hermoso said - i.e., lying in a way that hurts someone else - would be fraud, wouldn't it?
At least it's been an education for the rest of the world on how bad the women there have it. Hopefully the bright lights shining can bring real change.
Cartoon villain levels of evil with these dudes lol
Bixby
Reyes Kuikka Menges Klingenberg
Coffey Rodriguez
Moultrie
Hina Smith Weaver
This is the one
OK, Chicago did their job in drawing NC. LFG, Thorns!
CHI with the equalizer. Great header by Milazzo off the corner. 63rd minute.
Ends a draw. Thorns still on top
From the "it's always something" list. we have no interwebs nor teevee streaming. I'm hotspotting via my phone ATM and was told "there was a fire" after 2.5 hours on hold w/ our ISP. Not the standard "dude with a backhoe." Entire metro area is down.
Anyhoo, maybe we watch and maybe we don't. "Fire" has so many possible meanings.
I demand my Betfort Moment of Zen.
LFG!
Reminded of this: https://youtu.be/zLjccAhdhL4?t=37
Fox just got hit with a straight red on a DOGSO, 18th minute. In this case, Fox had a mistouch, NC was just up too high, St Georges went blowing by Fox, and Fox pulled her down from behind via the jersey. Boade, who scored the opener, just subbed off for Pickett. They're going with the strategy Portland used against them. Let's see how it goes.
Chicago are worse than useless; NCC have been much the better team since the RC. No faith they'll get anything from the match.
OT: .... and Vilda finally speaks up, but not before 11 other coaches resigned.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38269525/spain-coach-jorge-vilda-slams-luis-rubiales-inappropriate-hermoso-kiss
Given how many players are back and available, here's a best guess at the Matchday 18:
GK: Bixby, Hogan
D: Kuikka, Sauerbrrun, Menges, Klingenberg, Reyes, Nally
M: Dunn, Hina, Rocky, Coffey, Moultrie, Sinclair, Vasconcelos
F: Weaver, Betfort, Smith
I left off D'Aquila in favor of Nally because we may need a CB in case Becky's minutes are limited
That's a pretty formidable group. Now, let's see if they can play together.
That is.....an extremely odd predicted Thorns 11 given:
1. A healthy Morgan Weaver starts 99% of the time (she's not injured, to my knowledge).
2. Neither Moultrie or Reyes are wide midfielders and Reyes wouldn't play in a box.
3. Smith should not play (and hasn't really played) in a front 2.
I imagine we see a return to the 4-3-3, ideally with a Coffey-Rocky double pivot. More likely it's the classic Norris hyper-attacking 4-3-3 with Sinc and Moultrie in front of Coffey. Maybe Betfort starts outside of Smith if Hina isn't ready to go?
Is Weaver injured?
Not according to the published availability report. Only Beckie and Hubly unavailable for the trip to DC. That doesn't mean everyone else is ready for 90 minutes or even a start.