If there was ever a trap game, this is it. I am worried and would not be surprised if the Thorns lose. Immensely disappointed, but not surprised. Arguing against that is that the Thorns are coming off a loss and should be angry. A truly determined Thorns squad could grind the Red Stars into a smooth paste.
Agree. I have a feeling CRS are going to look a lot better than they have recently. Everyone wants to play their best against the defending champs. I hope Smith goes off and takes back the golden boot lead. She's looked a bit measured in her play lately. Being more of a playmaker than scorer. I'd like to see her do both in this game. Thorns got to get better defensively regardless.
You HAVE to not be lulled by your opponent's record.
1-6-3 Orange County visited this week and the still-undefeated Republic blinked, got behind 0-1 in the first 5, then dithered for 85 minutes, collected a red card (third of the season by my count), and took their season's first loss.
I blame Don Garber.
This kind of performance is unacceptable--doubly so at home--and yet, happens anyway. Don't blink, Thorns.
Statement win and a gaudy goal count are my expectations. Let's plug the leaky boat.
Followp: the boys righted the ship with a 3-1 win last night against closest (geographical) rival Oakland Roots. And no red cards either, but even factoring in my homer goggles, I felt like the ref did everything he could to keep the Bay Area lads in the match. Unless it changed this season, USL and NWSL refs come from the same pool--a pool with a broken filter and lots of rust.
That said, scoring without Swanson has been a huge part of the Red Stars’ problems. Hocking only has two, Stevens has two, nobody else has more than one. So Hocking is the danger woman, yes…but hasn’t been that dangerous.
Of course, Tiffany Salmon hadn’t been, either, and we managed to make her look like fucking Pele’…
Exactly how I’m feeling as well. Gotham was a season-long disaster last season, and yet, when a win would’ve meant the shield, we came home with a draw (after going up by two I think?) to lose the shield to maybe the worst team in the history of the Nwsl. It was the defense just crapping the bed in that one as well. We did have Porter playing that game (Sam was out for an injury)…but we still should’ve been able to put that away…
The defense has been pretty up and down for two seasons now, but yeah, has looked especially disorganized most of this season. Wouldn’t even begin to call anything a turnaround unless we see at least 4 goals and a clean sheet…and even then I’m still worried about San Diego and Ol Reign coming up.
Can I just say how much I’d love to have Savannah DeMelo on the Thorns? She just really proves how critical an 8/10 can be for connecting lines and creating.
And this is why you don’t want a 40yr old striker in that position: watching the LOU v KC game, and Carson Pickett was taking a corner for LOU. It’s quickly turned over and there’s a fast transition for KC headed the opposite direction. Pickett is caught way high near the corner flag, and on the opposite side of her usual LB position, and you see DeMelo quickly get back to cover Pickett’s LB position, keeping goal side of the running KC player and totally cutting off any service potentially for that player who would otherwise be wide open. Can you imagine Sinc ever doing this? Not in a million trillion years. Having quick-thinking and mobile midfielders is so so important…
Thing is, there's a precedent that Sinc could follow; Michelle Akers' arc for the Nats as she struggled with age and CFIDS.
Akers accepted that she couldn't move as she had before, and that she'd lost the burst speed and power to be an effective striker. So she worked on her defensive skills and became the Nats' midfield destroyer between '91 and her retirement. She's comparable to Sinc in being strong and tall; her Wiki entry says her role was "...anchoring the team's defense, dominating in the air, and playmaking out of the back to maintain possession and generate goal-scoring opportunities."
Could Sinc do that? Sure! But she'd have to commit to it, and give up trying a BTB role she's no longer suited for.
Watching LeBron James in these playoffs, I am seeing what's happened to Sinclair.
However, the media discussion is completely different.
The basketball podcasters for ESPN and other major outlets are openly stating that "38 year old LeBron isn't 2016 LeBron anymore" and commenting on how flat his shot is (meaning his legs are going) and how he is taking time off within the game to rest.
I think our backline is a shambles right now; demoralized and shaken by individual errors and disorganization, and I think Bixby’s issues aren’t helping.
So my guess is that a lot will depend on the midfield. Starting Sinc, and losing the midfield early, will be a disaster…so let’s hope for Moultrie and a solid midfield performance. If we can do that and ring one (or better, two) up early? I’ll feel more confident.
Because I agree with Richard; this has the makings of a classic “play down to the opponent” Thorns loss if they can’t put these poor jokers to the sword early…
I'm waiting to be pulled out of the "there are even more problems with this team than we're seeing" camp by an absolute evisceration of a bad Red Stars team. Hope I'm not waiting in vain...
If yet another staring 11 makes zero feckin' sense, I may be booking passage on the #NorrisOut train. Or maybe upgrading my ticket, as I've got at least one foot aboard already.
I'd love to see domination...but I expect calm competence and organization as a bare minimum. If we're a scrambling mess - even if we squeak through? - I'll join you on the footplate of the #NorrisOut engine.
So even if it DOES work, given the caliber of the opposition, this is not a "if it'd stupid and it works it's not stupid" game. It's gotta be a much more complete look that it's been lately, or I'm not going to be reassured...
The Riveters have a new limited edition scarf that they say came from Japan. Would love for anyone to tell me what they say on them! Selling at the new fanladen across the street from the stadium:
Being the otaku I am I couldn’t resist…and I have to tell you; this may be the weirdest, most unique scarf I’ve ever seen. For one, it’s made of some sort of terrycloth-like fabric. Lightweight and absorbent for hot and humid afternoons in Nagoya?
It definitely has a “towel” feel to it. IIRC the Timber-samas at Tokyo Yosaku had a run of what were outright terrycloth Timbers towel-scarves some years back, so maybe a Japanese soccer fan thing?
"this is a japanese towel scarf direct from japan. they are the only country to make scarves in this manner. the translation is base off baon and says 'whatever name you use to call it, a rose smells beautifully'"
Just found some pictures of them presenting Hina with one! Such a bummer we can't post pictures here and it's all just links. The joy on Hina's face in all of these!
David? Can you make this out? I think I recognize some of the characters (the smaller script along the top) for “ganbatte”, which makes sense here - it’s the polite version (ganbatte kudasai) of “ganbare” “let’s go!” or “fight hard!”, a common cheer element in sports fandom in Japan.
Well, either we have a QB controversy in KC or the controversy has now been resolved.
Cassie Miller starting in goal against Louisville, after Racing beat Franch and KC a few days ago.
Question: Should Portland bring back Franch? She's now a distressed asset and would cost less than Portland received for her in the KC trade, but if anybody can help Franch recover her form, it's the Ice Bear.
No. Drafted a promising keeper for Ice Bear Academy 101 indoctrination while Hogan is ready for her closeup and Bix isn't getting called up to the Nats. Who's ready to tell AD she's keeper #3 on the depth chart?
Also also, to further confuse things, here’s another “media/news” outlet saying that Horan is still due back to the Thorns, when someone asked about her status:
“Still due back in Portland in June once Lyon’s season is over. Unclear yet whether or not she will play for the Thorns at all before the USWNT are called into camp for the WWC.”
So, looking like she’s either A)staying in Lyon or, B) coming back lol. ::)
Well, technically Horan is “due back” here in June; she’s a loan and the loan ends when OL’s season ends and since they got knocked out of the CL that’s May 26(? I think. Last game’s late in May, anyway…)
Whether she hurries back here to get minutes before the WNT camp opens in June? Whether her long term plans include Portland, or Lyon, or a third venue in, say, the FAWSL? That’s a whole ‘nother thing, and as far as I know Horan herself has said nothing definitive one way or the other.
So the “due back” part doesn’t tell us much about whether Horan will ever play another minute here…
I think it's more like Schroedinger's Horan: right now she could be planning to pop up here the first of June...or planning to sign with Arsenal, and we won't know until the box is opened and she's here, or there, or somewhere else (anywhere but please not fucking Seattle, oh merciful Soccer Gods!!!) or not even committing to anything but the WNT until after the WC.
Obviously I'd love for her to want to be back here. I'm just not sure if there's a big enough draw. I know I keep saying this, but she's kind of punched every ticket in the NWSL; Shield, star, MVP...I guess she might want to be captain of another championship squad, but the armband is Sinc's until she retires, so that's not this season, anyway.
So what's frustrating is that I'm sure she has a plan. But she's not talking about it and we won't know until it happens...
As someone who covers Arsenal Women and knows enough people, I'd be shocked beyond shocked if Horan signed there. Doesn't fit the profile of player they're targeting or what they need.
The persistence of Sauerbrunn’s injury makes me wonder if it’s a lisfranc or some variation thereof. And if it’s turf related, as my guess is that Menges’ was last season. Lots of reasons to wish for a grass pitch, but all these foot injuries seem like one of them.
If there was ever a trap game, this is it. I am worried and would not be surprised if the Thorns lose. Immensely disappointed, but not surprised. Arguing against that is that the Thorns are coming off a loss and should be angry. A truly determined Thorns squad could grind the Red Stars into a smooth paste.
Agree. I have a feeling CRS are going to look a lot better than they have recently. Everyone wants to play their best against the defending champs. I hope Smith goes off and takes back the golden boot lead. She's looked a bit measured in her play lately. Being more of a playmaker than scorer. I'd like to see her do both in this game. Thorns got to get better defensively regardless.
Hocking has shown real biscuit-basketing ability, especially against porous defenses and keepers who keep making the same mistakes.
You HAVE to not be lulled by your opponent's record.
1-6-3 Orange County visited this week and the still-undefeated Republic blinked, got behind 0-1 in the first 5, then dithered for 85 minutes, collected a red card (third of the season by my count), and took their season's first loss.
I blame Don Garber.
This kind of performance is unacceptable--doubly so at home--and yet, happens anyway. Don't blink, Thorns.
Statement win and a gaudy goal count are my expectations. Let's plug the leaky boat.
Followp: the boys righted the ship with a 3-1 win last night against closest (geographical) rival Oakland Roots. And no red cards either, but even factoring in my homer goggles, I felt like the ref did everything he could to keep the Bay Area lads in the match. Unless it changed this season, USL and NWSL refs come from the same pool--a pool with a broken filter and lots of rust.
Is that a Baby Ruth I see out there?
That said, scoring without Swanson has been a huge part of the Red Stars’ problems. Hocking only has two, Stevens has two, nobody else has more than one. So Hocking is the danger woman, yes…but hasn’t been that dangerous.
Of course, Tiffany Salmon hadn’t been, either, and we managed to make her look like fucking Pele’…
Is a Tiffany Salmon an anadromous fish that swims upstream to a jewelry store to spawn?
Lol her name is Ebony Salmon, but Tiffany Salmon is a hilarious alias.
Pure brainfart, but the more I say it the more I like it. Mental image of a striker wrapped in a gaudy bijoux fish-scale outfit.
I hear Tiffany, I think of an 1980s Ogden, UT shopping mall concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Q3mHyzn78
Hey, maybe she could join the Utah Royals ownership group?
The more I see her play the more I wish we would’ve chosen her.
Smooth paste it is.
Exactly how I’m feeling as well. Gotham was a season-long disaster last season, and yet, when a win would’ve meant the shield, we came home with a draw (after going up by two I think?) to lose the shield to maybe the worst team in the history of the Nwsl. It was the defense just crapping the bed in that one as well. We did have Porter playing that game (Sam was out for an injury)…but we still should’ve been able to put that away…
The defense has been pretty up and down for two seasons now, but yeah, has looked especially disorganized most of this season. Wouldn’t even begin to call anything a turnaround unless we see at least 4 goals and a clean sheet…and even then I’m still worried about San Diego and Ol Reign coming up.
Can I just say how much I’d love to have Savannah DeMelo on the Thorns? She just really proves how critical an 8/10 can be for connecting lines and creating.
And this is why you don’t want a 40yr old striker in that position: watching the LOU v KC game, and Carson Pickett was taking a corner for LOU. It’s quickly turned over and there’s a fast transition for KC headed the opposite direction. Pickett is caught way high near the corner flag, and on the opposite side of her usual LB position, and you see DeMelo quickly get back to cover Pickett’s LB position, keeping goal side of the running KC player and totally cutting off any service potentially for that player who would otherwise be wide open. Can you imagine Sinc ever doing this? Not in a million trillion years. Having quick-thinking and mobile midfielders is so so important…
Thing is, there's a precedent that Sinc could follow; Michelle Akers' arc for the Nats as she struggled with age and CFIDS.
Akers accepted that she couldn't move as she had before, and that she'd lost the burst speed and power to be an effective striker. So she worked on her defensive skills and became the Nats' midfield destroyer between '91 and her retirement. She's comparable to Sinc in being strong and tall; her Wiki entry says her role was "...anchoring the team's defense, dominating in the air, and playmaking out of the back to maintain possession and generate goal-scoring opportunities."
Could Sinc do that? Sure! But she'd have to commit to it, and give up trying a BTB role she's no longer suited for.
Watching LeBron James in these playoffs, I am seeing what's happened to Sinclair.
However, the media discussion is completely different.
The basketball podcasters for ESPN and other major outlets are openly stating that "38 year old LeBron isn't 2016 LeBron anymore" and commenting on how flat his shot is (meaning his legs are going) and how he is taking time off within the game to rest.
Thorns defeatism aside, there are zero truly good teams in this league and that’s slightly comforting!
Yeah, at least as of this moment. And if it stays this way, 2024 with two expansion teams in the mix is going be *very* interesting.
KC: 4 straight losses, including 3 straight at home, and a QB Controversy between the woodwork.
Back up the moving truck, Camille Ashton.
You panicked and fired the coach who could have helped you weather all of this.
The spiral on your hands now? It's all yours.
Po just gave SD top of the table for now.
3 goals beyond. Portland could only manage 1. Sigh...
Woo Hoo Go Po!
I think our backline is a shambles right now; demoralized and shaken by individual errors and disorganization, and I think Bixby’s issues aren’t helping.
So my guess is that a lot will depend on the midfield. Starting Sinc, and losing the midfield early, will be a disaster…so let’s hope for Moultrie and a solid midfield performance. If we can do that and ring one (or better, two) up early? I’ll feel more confident.
Because I agree with Richard; this has the makings of a classic “play down to the opponent” Thorns loss if they can’t put these poor jokers to the sword early…
I'm waiting to be pulled out of the "there are even more problems with this team than we're seeing" camp by an absolute evisceration of a bad Red Stars team. Hope I'm not waiting in vain...
If yet another staring 11 makes zero feckin' sense, I may be booking passage on the #NorrisOut train. Or maybe upgrading my ticket, as I've got at least one foot aboard already.
Unless it works. It is ever thus...
I'd love to see domination...but I expect calm competence and organization as a bare minimum. If we're a scrambling mess - even if we squeak through? - I'll join you on the footplate of the #NorrisOut engine.
So even if it DOES work, given the caliber of the opposition, this is not a "if it'd stupid and it works it's not stupid" game. It's gotta be a much more complete look that it's been lately, or I'm not going to be reassured...
I have a feeling Soph and Dunn will get us on the board early. Maybe even Moultrie. But if that doesn't happen? We're looking at a long day.
Sharing for all you Hina/Japanese football fans:
The Riveters have a new limited edition scarf that they say came from Japan. Would love for anyone to tell me what they say on them! Selling at the new fanladen across the street from the stadium:
https://twitter.com/pdxrivetgear/status/1660077426150617088?s=46&t=e8Gx9bM3HEyE6UzYl-Lilw
Being the otaku I am I couldn’t resist…and I have to tell you; this may be the weirdest, most unique scarf I’ve ever seen. For one, it’s made of some sort of terrycloth-like fabric. Lightweight and absorbent for hot and humid afternoons in Nagoya?
Here's a few more pictures of it to see more of the characters!
https://twitter.com/pdxrivetgear/status/1660315116607504389
I agree it's super interesting...kinda looks like a towel?
It definitely has a “towel” feel to it. IIRC the Timber-samas at Tokyo Yosaku had a run of what were outright terrycloth Timbers towel-scarves some years back, so maybe a Japanese soccer fan thing?
Would love to know the story around that...!
FWIW, the Riveters merch person says it’s the “BAON” slogan in Japanese (“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet…”)
I love that! Did you get one?
I did. I’m kind of a scarf otaku.
The thread also says this:
"this is a japanese towel scarf direct from japan. they are the only country to make scarves in this manner. the translation is base off baon and says 'whatever name you use to call it, a rose smells beautifully'"
https://twitter.com/sato_monkii/status/1660676916066811904
Just found some pictures of them presenting Hina with one! Such a bummer we can't post pictures here and it's all just links. The joy on Hina's face in all of these!
https://twitter.com/sato_monkii/status/1660675525814403073
David? Can you make this out? I think I recognize some of the characters (the smaller script along the top) for “ganbatte”, which makes sense here - it’s the polite version (ganbatte kudasai) of “ganbare” “let’s go!” or “fight hard!”, a common cheer element in sports fandom in Japan.
PREEMIE POWER RANKINGS - IRRESPONSIBLY EARLY EDITION
Tier 1: Puget Sound WoSo Team
Tier 2: SD, Washington
Tier 3: Portland, Gotham
Tier 4: Louisville, North Carolina
Tier 5: Orlando, ACFCNFT
Tier 6: Houston, KC
Tier 7: Chicago
OMG, Gary Bailey, talking about Katie Lund's impending clean sheet against KC:
"Katie Lund, what has she done back there? Not a helluva lot, really."
But then she just made an incredible save in the 92nd minute.
Well, either we have a QB controversy in KC or the controversy has now been resolved.
Cassie Miller starting in goal against Louisville, after Racing beat Franch and KC a few days ago.
Question: Should Portland bring back Franch? She's now a distressed asset and would cost less than Portland received for her in the KC trade, but if anybody can help Franch recover her form, it's the Ice Bear.
Wow, KC is just a tire fire. They're looking dangerous tonight, but that defense? I've seen noodle strainers with fewer holes.
And.... DeMelo just scored a Ribbons Raso goal against KC, 13th minute.
Over on the NC v ACFCNFT stream, "I Love" Lussi is looking dangerous. Good for her!
Apparently Racing have as many internationals as Portland have Canadians: 10.
No. Drafted a promising keeper for Ice Bear Academy 101 indoctrination while Hogan is ready for her closeup and Bix isn't getting called up to the Nats. Who's ready to tell AD she's keeper #3 on the depth chart?
So in the “win and control your own destiny” file, if we win and OLR draws Gotham we go top on GD.
But if either of those two win we can’t go higher than second.
Tori Penso is our ref today. A throwback! Should be, uh….fun!
Wasn’t it Penso that gifted Seattle a PK on a shot that came off the Thorns player’s arms clutched tight into her chest back in 2021?
Was it Angela Salem? Goodness, I don't remember. She sure did miss a few yesterday though!
It was Salem.
Also also, to further confuse things, here’s another “media/news” outlet saying that Horan is still due back to the Thorns, when someone asked about her status:
“Still due back in Portland in June once Lyon’s season is over. Unclear yet whether or not she will play for the Thorns at all before the USWNT are called into camp for the WWC.”
So, looking like she’s either A)staying in Lyon or, B) coming back lol. ::)
Why the false dichotomy? She IS the Great Horan, after all...
Well, technically Horan is “due back” here in June; she’s a loan and the loan ends when OL’s season ends and since they got knocked out of the CL that’s May 26(? I think. Last game’s late in May, anyway…)
Whether she hurries back here to get minutes before the WNT camp opens in June? Whether her long term plans include Portland, or Lyon, or a third venue in, say, the FAWSL? That’s a whole ‘nother thing, and as far as I know Horan herself has said nothing definitive one way or the other.
So the “due back” part doesn’t tell us much about whether Horan will ever play another minute here…
A) Peaches or B) Meatloaf, eh Chief?
I think it's more like Schroedinger's Horan: right now she could be planning to pop up here the first of June...or planning to sign with Arsenal, and we won't know until the box is opened and she's here, or there, or somewhere else (anywhere but please not fucking Seattle, oh merciful Soccer Gods!!!) or not even committing to anything but the WNT until after the WC.
Obviously I'd love for her to want to be back here. I'm just not sure if there's a big enough draw. I know I keep saying this, but she's kind of punched every ticket in the NWSL; Shield, star, MVP...I guess she might want to be captain of another championship squad, but the armband is Sinc's until she retires, so that's not this season, anyway.
So what's frustrating is that I'm sure she has a plan. But she's not talking about it and we won't know until it happens...
She is both alive and dead at the same time while she's in the OL Kang box.
As someone who covers Arsenal Women and knows enough people, I'd be shocked beyond shocked if Horan signed there. Doesn't fit the profile of player they're targeting or what they need.
I know of the Arse what I know of Balinese poetry, so I just pulled a club out of the air.
Sounds like she’s staying in Lyon, tho.
Judges would also accept "Cake, or death?"
https://youtu.be/PVH0gZO5lq0
What's the news outlet?
I've noticed that the Brazilians swear and complain in English.
I saw Marta say "WHAT???" over and over again late in today's match.
Also saw Debinha, late in the match, walk away, shake her head and very clearly say "F*CK OFF!"
If anyone is sociable today, I’m in front row 205, all the way at the left side.
Glad Taylor Vincent's Twitter is doing the NWSL's work for them:
#BAONPDX
OUT:
Janine Beckie (SEI)
Tegan McGrady (thigh)
Rocky Rodríguez (knee)
Becky Sauerbrunn (foot)
#ChiStars
OUT:
Sami Feller (concussion)
Sarah Griffith (D45 – ankle)
Cheyna Matthews (ankle)
Kayla Sharples (SEI)
Mallory Swanson (knee)
The persistence of Sauerbrunn’s injury makes me wonder if it’s a lisfranc or some variation thereof. And if it’s turf related, as my guess is that Menges’ was last season. Lots of reasons to wish for a grass pitch, but all these foot injuries seem like one of them.