I don't think we can take for granted anymore that Puget Sound WoSo Team is going to have challenges with scoring.
They might not score a lot from the 9 -- or they might -- but any one of the following players can put the biscuit in the basket, in the run of play and/or off a set piece: Lavelle, Rapinoe, Balcer, Huerta, King, Fishlock, van der Jagt, Huitema, Sonnett, Bennett.
Balcer has to be among the most successful NDFAs in league history, and she plays with such joy. Happy for her other than when lined up against PTFC. Also with a brace: the Human Tick.
Lighting a candle for Natu, really hoping she's ok to play. We are so light for experience at fullback, and outside of our two usual starters the dropoff is pretty large for both sides. Would love to keep the rookies and players playing out of position to the CC!
Natu played 90 minutes against San Diego. I was afraid she wouldn't have much in the tank for this one. Personally I would prefer to see Kling play right and Reyna play left again.
Yeah, should’ve gone with Nally at RB imo- the reg season is much more important. Or, maybe go wild and try a 3 back with 3 of Menges/Hubly/Nally/Provenzano. It was irresponsible to play one of our more important players a full 90, especially given the dropoff for her replacement if she can’t play in the reg match. Don’t gamble with the league games, gamble with the CC games…
Did Hina play a full 90 also? Also seems rough. That’s two players who’ve just had constant minutes since their international games in Europe. I’ll be pretty disappointed to see Leon over D’Aquila if Hina doesn’t start, if I’m honest. We still haven’t seen her with Weaver and Soph outside the short preseason minutes when the team scored 3 in like 20 minutes against the Jrs. If you aren’t gonna play Hina, please try D’Aquila! She really needs to get on field minutes with Weaver because of the WC window. If we’re well ahead later in the game, pull Soph, move D’Aquila to CF and try Beckman or Leon on the RW. Beckman I mention bc she hasn’t played at all, and I assume she’s gonna be getting minutes at F during that window.
I'd rather Leon over D'Aquila- Leon was mostly very good Wednesday, and she's a natural winger who really seemed to fit the Thorns style. I want Izzy to get minutes, but not just for the sake of it, and preferably at striker...which is why she really should have started there on Wednesday.
Just got to the barn. (First row 203, if you’re feeling sociable…) and the kiddos are in the north end 18 playing munchkin soccer. Made me nostalgic.
I think this season we need a Retro Night. Four buck Widmers. Mascot vs Munchkin soccer at halftime. Foam piggybanks and cheap plastic crap hats. Thorns in the Nike rec-league red-shirt-with-the-white-stripe. Invite CPC to be honorary manager for the evening.
I expect Howell to be much better this year, but with her being a long-term friend of Smith, I expect to see an amped up version of Soph. I agree with Michael Shaw, Erceg and Pickett were a great get for Louisville even if Emily Fox is a hell of a young player. Short term that trade looks good for Racing.
I think Kanu and Dunn are the players to watch. Dunn had a lot of rest so she could come in like a cloud burst. Weaver is due as well.
Erceg is an all-planet player back there and so I have to agree that short-term she and Pickett are an upgrade, even at the ghoulish cost of giving up Fox. Like most sports it's a win-now league, especially for younger franchises.
We have a 7:00 kick off on Saturday so I'll be cheering, just not at the teevee. This is where Twitter {spit} remains useful, because I can multitask at the park.
Anybody see that the US and Mexico will pitch hosting WWC 2027? That would make us hosts for both World Cups and the Olympics back to back to back. Kewhl.
I’ll be looking for the Thorns to get back on the front foot Norris talked about a couple matches back. Another slow, lethargic outing will play right into Racings’ hands. They’ve got a pretty good back four. Don’t think they’ll put many on the boat, but neither will the Thorns. Prediction: ends in a draw that feels like a loss.
WHAT TIME IS IT???
FIVE PAST NAEHER!!!
I don't think we can take for granted anymore that Puget Sound WoSo Team is going to have challenges with scoring.
They might not score a lot from the 9 -- or they might -- but any one of the following players can put the biscuit in the basket, in the run of play and/or off a set piece: Lavelle, Rapinoe, Balcer, Huerta, King, Fishlock, van der Jagt, Huitema, Sonnett, Bennett.
Yeah they looked excellent. That said, Chicago going 3-4-3 on the road in Seattle was....certainly a choice!
Balcer has to be among the most successful NDFAs in league history, and she plays with such joy. Happy for her other than when lined up against PTFC. Also with a brace: the Human Tick.
Our availability report for tomm:
OUT: Janine Beckie (SEI - knee), Tegan McGrady (thigh), Michele Vasconcelos (lower leg) QUESTIONABLE: Natalia Kuikka (illness)
Lighting a candle for Natu, really hoping she's ok to play. We are so light for experience at fullback, and outside of our two usual starters the dropoff is pretty large for both sides. Would love to keep the rookies and players playing out of position to the CC!
Natu played 90 minutes against San Diego. I was afraid she wouldn't have much in the tank for this one. Personally I would prefer to see Kling play right and Reyna play left again.
Would like to see Reyna/Natu split shifts at RB tomorrow. Natu playing more than 45-60 minutes might be asking too much.
That was the biggest lineup error Norris made Wednesday imo-He was pretty restricted given Tegan’s absence, but playing Kuikka 90 seemed unwise.
Yeah, should’ve gone with Nally at RB imo- the reg season is much more important. Or, maybe go wild and try a 3 back with 3 of Menges/Hubly/Nally/Provenzano. It was irresponsible to play one of our more important players a full 90, especially given the dropoff for her replacement if she can’t play in the reg match. Don’t gamble with the league games, gamble with the CC games…
Did Hina play a full 90 also? Also seems rough. That’s two players who’ve just had constant minutes since their international games in Europe. I’ll be pretty disappointed to see Leon over D’Aquila if Hina doesn’t start, if I’m honest. We still haven’t seen her with Weaver and Soph outside the short preseason minutes when the team scored 3 in like 20 minutes against the Jrs. If you aren’t gonna play Hina, please try D’Aquila! She really needs to get on field minutes with Weaver because of the WC window. If we’re well ahead later in the game, pull Soph, move D’Aquila to CF and try Beckman or Leon on the RW. Beckman I mention bc she hasn’t played at all, and I assume she’s gonna be getting minutes at F during that window.
I'd rather Leon over D'Aquila- Leon was mostly very good Wednesday, and she's a natural winger who really seemed to fit the Thorns style. I want Izzy to get minutes, but not just for the sake of it, and preferably at striker...which is why she really should have started there on Wednesday.
Just got to the barn. (First row 203, if you’re feeling sociable…) and the kiddos are in the north end 18 playing munchkin soccer. Made me nostalgic.
I think this season we need a Retro Night. Four buck Widmers. Mascot vs Munchkin soccer at halftime. Foam piggybanks and cheap plastic crap hats. Thorns in the Nike rec-league red-shirt-with-the-white-stripe. Invite CPC to be honorary manager for the evening.
Who’s up for some Stone Age NWSL..?
Neat website they’re doing over there
Michael’s website is dope as heck!
No disrespect meant for here. STF is doing a great job
I expect Howell to be much better this year, but with her being a long-term friend of Smith, I expect to see an amped up version of Soph. I agree with Michael Shaw, Erceg and Pickett were a great get for Louisville even if Emily Fox is a hell of a young player. Short term that trade looks good for Racing.
I think Kanu and Dunn are the players to watch. Dunn had a lot of rest so she could come in like a cloud burst. Weaver is due as well.
Howell is going to be money this year.
That backline was tough in preseason and I expect that tomorrow too. Think they’ll need to overload the right cb and fb sides to score
💯 Howell's no college fluke and well worth her selection position.
Erceg is an all-planet player back there and so I have to agree that short-term she and Pickett are an upgrade, even at the ghoulish cost of giving up Fox. Like most sports it's a win-now league, especially for younger franchises.
We have a 7:00 kick off on Saturday so I'll be cheering, just not at the teevee. This is where Twitter {spit} remains useful, because I can multitask at the park.
Anybody see that the US and Mexico will pitch hosting WWC 2027? That would make us hosts for both World Cups and the Olympics back to back to back. Kewhl.
I’ll be looking for the Thorns to get back on the front foot Norris talked about a couple matches back. Another slow, lethargic outing will play right into Racings’ hands. They’ve got a pretty good back four. Don’t think they’ll put many on the boat, but neither will the Thorns. Prediction: ends in a draw that feels like a loss.
Hoping that’s not the case but RL has found a way to tie each game. They are legit.
SWAG is RL starts fast and try their luck, then fade as time goes on. That's based on what they did against ACFC, blowing a 2-goal road lead.
https://twitter.com/arielle_dror/status/1647635908873822208?cxt=HHwWgIDRuaWIyt0tAAAA
How does 3-1 sound, Thorns reassert themselves at home? Wildcard of course is how many starting XI players sit out.
Very nice lol!