As always this season, what matters is which Thorns show up, and I have no real sense which that will be.
The last meeting the Good Thorns showed but neither side could create; I think between them they barely cleared 1xG over 90. If Smith can’t convert in her hour on the pitch..? Given Bixby, I reeeeeally don’t want this to go to PKs.
I've been contemplating sacrificing my perfect (so far) attendance record at language school to watch...but probably won't (I picked a pretty intensely-paced school...missing class is Not Good). I'd probably do it anyway if I could count on Good Thorns. But I trust Norris' lineup choices about as far as I could spit a Buick.
Don’t blame you. Priorities! I was distracted and Sensei had to whack me to get my focus on my kendo this morning; despite the saying, life IS more important than soccer.
Maybe I’m naive (and I’m usually pessimistic, in this regard) but I kinda don’t think Sinclair will start. He sat her for the last Gotham game, and she was gone for the int’l break (came back from Nova Scotia on the 1st) where she hardly played.
Hina is kinda the wildcard to me bc of all her travel, and I think she was prob the last player to join just a few days ago. If she’s a GO, then there’s likely one midfield spot left for Rocky, Moultrie, or Sinc to fill, depending on which midfield formation he goes with. Dunn has been an in-pen starter when she’s healthy, so, we either go more defensive/double pivot with Rocky, or we go more attacking with Moultrie or Sinc. The Sinc/Dunn double 10 has been horrendous every time we’ve seen it and it won’t work this time. It would be insane to start Sinc over Moultrie at this point imo. I also think Moultrie started in our game against Gotham a few weeks ago and she almost scored 5 minutes into that game.
If he starts Sinc, he will deserve it if it all falls apart. We have more than plenty veteran experience on the pitch, that excuse is so stale for me at this point. She really shouldn’t be seen until 80+ so she can help hold onto (hopefully) a lead. Lord help us though if we go to overtime with her on the field. Really think it needs to be Rocky or Moultrie as the midfield starter/sub.
As far as FB’s go…I doubt we see a changeup there unless Kuikka is seriously depleted. He hasn’t sat Kling most of the season and I don’t think he’ll start today.
Agree on all counts (including the disgust over getting Chesky...truly dismal ref).
I kind of expect Hina to start, but I think she'll need to come off at about 60. She didn't see huge minutes during her call-up, but that travel will have been brutal. I'd really like to see her in an attacking mid role, with Crystal on the right wing, and when that was FINALLY tried, it worked. Crossing my fingers. Any form of big minutes for Sinc tells me Norris knows he's not getting renewed next year and is just doing her a solid.
Anyhoo...all y'all cheer for me. I can't watch: kickoff almost exactly corresponds with the start of class at language school (and I can't miss classes...coursework's damned hard). Can't even check my phone...that's just not done in a Japanese classroom, even with adult students!
The weather doesn’t look good. Around 4 pm rain showers and lightning are expected through almost 6 pm then rain. Lightning doesn’t delay games here often but this could be different.
Somebody asked whether Gotham has the kind of speed to overwhelm our FB's. Their starting front line is probably Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, and Esther, so, resoundingly, yes.
Also, is this Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly's first time playing in Portland since 2015? If so, I hope for Thorns' karma's sake they don't end up getting in the game... (though, if this did turn out to be the last home game for the Thorns in the Paulson Era, an ending where Farrelly buries the winning PK and turns to give the owners box a middle finger salute would be kind of badass and wouldn't make me sad as a Thorns fan...
Norris kept the FBs home and had everyone forechecking like madwomen last time and Williams and the Gotham wingers got nothing until Williams’ 86th minute shot.
Unfortunately I think this is where coaching makes a difference. I think Amoros learns from the last match; Norris has never shown me a consistent learning curve from one match to the next.
So bottom line; I’m not confident that what worked last time will work again.
I'm not sure we will see the backups starting (Reyes, Betfort and Moultre). I fully expect Norris to go with his top 11, which will likely include Sinclaire. We are at the point where the coaches are going to go with who they think brought them to this point, and I agree with that mentality. While I think Moultre and Reyes should probably start, I just don't see it at this point.
Yep, I agree with all of this. However much I think Sinc should be a reserve, I don't have faith that Norris will see things that way. But I stand by the belief that the coaches should go with their top 11 players, even if it doesn't match what the fans want to see. I hope I'm wrong, and Sinc is a reserve for the next two games.
I don't think you start with Sophia on the bench. This team ain't good coming back from a deficit recently and it's better to grab a lead early then let her tap out if necessary, when it's time.
As to starting Sinc, or subbing her in prior to minute 80, it would be a "none of this matters" statement, like deciding the Shield is meaningless. Just no.
I like the idea of starting Reyes but at whose expense? Can Gotham exploit Kling's tired wheels like some other clubs? Then maybe you sit her.
It’s her worse side, but if Reyes is gonna start I think it has to be for Kuikka. She played a lot for Finland and looked pretty awful in LA. Not a good problem to have.
I think Norris and the FO see Sinc very differently than we do. “Veteran leadership” instead of “can be timed with a sundial”. Big match = need for veteran leadership, so…Sinc. Obviously I disagree, but I think starting her is the opposite of surrender in their view.
other veterans that being it. beckie, dunn, why hamstring your team. There is no way sinc should see the game in the first 60 if at all. would bring moutrie in before.
As always this season, what matters is which Thorns show up, and I have no real sense which that will be.
The last meeting the Good Thorns showed but neither side could create; I think between them they barely cleared 1xG over 90. If Smith can’t convert in her hour on the pitch..? Given Bixby, I reeeeeally don’t want this to go to PKs.
But it’ll be what it’ll be. C’mon you Thorns!
I've been contemplating sacrificing my perfect (so far) attendance record at language school to watch...but probably won't (I picked a pretty intensely-paced school...missing class is Not Good). I'd probably do it anyway if I could count on Good Thorns. But I trust Norris' lineup choices about as far as I could spit a Buick.
Don’t blame you. Priorities! I was distracted and Sensei had to whack me to get my focus on my kendo this morning; despite the saying, life IS more important than soccer.
NWSL Twitter mocking us with a "How to watch" post.
1. book flight.
2. see #1
It’s a joke.
Maybe I’m naive (and I’m usually pessimistic, in this regard) but I kinda don’t think Sinclair will start. He sat her for the last Gotham game, and she was gone for the int’l break (came back from Nova Scotia on the 1st) where she hardly played.
Hina is kinda the wildcard to me bc of all her travel, and I think she was prob the last player to join just a few days ago. If she’s a GO, then there’s likely one midfield spot left for Rocky, Moultrie, or Sinc to fill, depending on which midfield formation he goes with. Dunn has been an in-pen starter when she’s healthy, so, we either go more defensive/double pivot with Rocky, or we go more attacking with Moultrie or Sinc. The Sinc/Dunn double 10 has been horrendous every time we’ve seen it and it won’t work this time. It would be insane to start Sinc over Moultrie at this point imo. I also think Moultrie started in our game against Gotham a few weeks ago and she almost scored 5 minutes into that game.
If he starts Sinc, he will deserve it if it all falls apart. We have more than plenty veteran experience on the pitch, that excuse is so stale for me at this point. She really shouldn’t be seen until 80+ so she can help hold onto (hopefully) a lead. Lord help us though if we go to overtime with her on the field. Really think it needs to be Rocky or Moultrie as the midfield starter/sub.
As far as FB’s go…I doubt we see a changeup there unless Kuikka is seriously depleted. He hasn’t sat Kling most of the season and I don’t think he’ll start today.
In other news…WE GET CHESKY! Ugh.
Forty stitches or a gunshot or GTFO!
Agree on all counts (including the disgust over getting Chesky...truly dismal ref).
I kind of expect Hina to start, but I think she'll need to come off at about 60. She didn't see huge minutes during her call-up, but that travel will have been brutal. I'd really like to see her in an attacking mid role, with Crystal on the right wing, and when that was FINALLY tried, it worked. Crossing my fingers. Any form of big minutes for Sinc tells me Norris knows he's not getting renewed next year and is just doing her a solid.
Anyhoo...all y'all cheer for me. I can't watch: kickoff almost exactly corresponds with the start of class at language school (and I can't miss classes...coursework's damned hard). Can't even check my phone...that's just not done in a Japanese classroom, even with adult students!
Oh good, the one Thornandinha refers to as "the bad ref," as in "We got the bad ref again today."
Hogan
Reyes Sauerbrunn Menges Klingenberg
Coffey Rodriguez Moultrie
Dunn Smith Weaver
Starting lineup.
Hina, Sinclair, Bixby, Vasconcelos, Hubly, Nally, Kuikka, Befort and Porter on the bench.
Yup and front line of Dunn, Smith and Weaver then Moultrie Coffey and RockyReyes for Kuikka.
Hogan in goal!
????
Wow
That possible lineup is...interesting. Moultrie as a kind of false 9? Sugita as part of a deep-lying double pivot? Um...okay. ;)
Wherrre do you see a lineup already?!
I was referring to the possible lineup from the article.
Not up yet. Speculating, I think.
The weather doesn’t look good. Around 4 pm rain showers and lightning are expected through almost 6 pm then rain. Lightning doesn’t delay games here often but this could be different.
Somebody asked whether Gotham has the kind of speed to overwhelm our FB's. Their starting front line is probably Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, and Esther, so, resoundingly, yes.
Also, is this Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly's first time playing in Portland since 2015? If so, I hope for Thorns' karma's sake they don't end up getting in the game... (though, if this did turn out to be the last home game for the Thorns in the Paulson Era, an ending where Farrelly buries the winning PK and turns to give the owners box a middle finger salute would be kind of badass and wouldn't make me sad as a Thorns fan...
Norris kept the FBs home and had everyone forechecking like madwomen last time and Williams and the Gotham wingers got nothing until Williams’ 86th minute shot.
Unfortunately I think this is where coaching makes a difference. I think Amoros learns from the last match; Norris has never shown me a consistent learning curve from one match to the next.
So bottom line; I’m not confident that what worked last time will work again.
Both Farrelly and Shim subbed in late during our home game Gotham last month. They got huge ovations.
Shim and Farrelly both played in the Oct. 7 game. That was the first time back at PP for both.
Do we know who will start in goal for Gotham?
I know we can't count again today on facing a young keeper who was staring directly into the sun for the entire second half.
Not looking like sun will be an issue for either side.
Haught is a solid keeper, sun or no.
Bottom line is that neither side got good looks. Hina-san made a good back post run and converted, Bixby denied Williams, that was the difference
It’ll be Haught most likely. She’s been the starter every game. Betos hasn’t played most of the season and Abby isn’t back yet.
I'm not sure we will see the backups starting (Reyes, Betfort and Moultre). I fully expect Norris to go with his top 11, which will likely include Sinclaire. We are at the point where the coaches are going to go with who they think brought them to this point, and I agree with that mentality. While I think Moultre and Reyes should probably start, I just don't see it at this point.
Sinclair over Coffey Rodriquez Dunn Hina and weaver. in what world. if so Norris should immediately be fired
Yep, I agree with all of this. However much I think Sinc should be a reserve, I don't have faith that Norris will see things that way. But I stand by the belief that the coaches should go with their top 11 players, even if it doesn't match what the fans want to see. I hope I'm wrong, and Sinc is a reserve for the next two games.
Like, at halftime?
I don't think you start with Sophia on the bench. This team ain't good coming back from a deficit recently and it's better to grab a lead early then let her tap out if necessary, when it's time.
As to starting Sinc, or subbing her in prior to minute 80, it would be a "none of this matters" statement, like deciding the Shield is meaningless. Just no.
I like the idea of starting Reyes but at whose expense? Can Gotham exploit Kling's tired wheels like some other clubs? Then maybe you sit her.
No and Norris said she would play more minutes than she did for the Nats. That means more than 45.
I'm with you on starting Sophia. If she can go 60, let her go the first 60. If the staff thinks she can only go 45, then start her in the second half.
It’s her worse side, but if Reyes is gonna start I think it has to be for Kuikka. She played a lot for Finland and looked pretty awful in LA. Not a good problem to have.
I think Norris and the FO see Sinc very differently than we do. “Veteran leadership” instead of “can be timed with a sundial”. Big match = need for veteran leadership, so…Sinc. Obviously I disagree, but I think starting her is the opposite of surrender in their view.
other veterans that being it. beckie, dunn, why hamstring your team. There is no way sinc should see the game in the first 60 if at all. would bring moutrie in before.
Dude! Preaching, choir! If I was the gaffer Sinc would already be coaching.
I’m saying that Norris doesn’t see things that way. So unfortunately I can see him playing her and even starting her.