I disagree that there's no "rational logic" to it:
Moultrie doesn't yet score poacher's goals and she still tries to blast through things.
The logic/rationale is that Sinc might score a poacher's goal, and that might be enough to beat Sheridan. Also, Sinc is the one who steps to the spot to face Sheridan historically. That also might be en…
I disagree that there's no "rational logic" to it:
Moultrie doesn't yet score poacher's goals and she still tries to blast through things.
The logic/rationale is that Sinc might score a poacher's goal, and that might be enough to beat Sheridan. Also, Sinc is the one who steps to the spot to face Sheridan historically. That also might be enough to beat Sheridan.
I'm not saying it's the decision I would have made. I am saying it's probably part of the rationale/logic of Norris's decision.
I think she's already shown that she makes this decision without ego. I remember her handing the ball to Horan (who missed), Smith (who converted), Hina (who converted), and Beckie (for Canada, who missed). I've also seen her step up and take it against Sheridan and Naeher, two of the best national team keepers in the world -- and beat them consistently. And, when Nadim was here, Nadim took the PKs, despite the fact that Sinc was captain then too and had only ever missed once in NWSL.
Let's talk evidence, not bias. There are many good evidence-based critiques of Sinc's effectiveness these days. Let's not attribute stuff to her that is not supported by evidence, though, ok?
Just because Norris has a way of rationalizing it doesn’t mean it’s actually logical or rational. There simply isn’t anything Sinc does better than Moultrie at this point.
I just don't have any idea what "rational logic" is. =) Is there a nonrational logic to which I have not been privy?
During last night's stream, in one of the few moments when it didn't cut out, they shared some quotes from Norris about how he's using Moultrie and why. He doesn't have any delusions about what Moultrie can do, no matter when she's in the match.
This could also be turned around the other way though…Sheridan knows exactly where Sinc is gonna put a pen (97% of the time, slow and low to the left.) I think it’d be a disadvantage having Sinc take pens against Sheridan at this point.
Sinc is 9 of 12 all-time in NWSL at the spot. Until 2021 (2 of 4), she was damn near automatic.
Sinc has been more democratic in distributing the PK opportunities in recent times, going back to 2021, but when Sheridan is in goal she takes the ball.
All-time in NWSL regular season, Sinc is 3 of 4 against Sheridan. So, no.
FWIW, Sinc is 3 of 3 against Naeher in NWSL regular season.
cmon' living in the past my friend. poacher goal? isn't that what Liv did last week. Liv is better in the attack in almost all aspects of the game than Sinclair. Her limited mobility makes her easy to defend and cut out penetrating angles. Liv challenges the backline and unbalances def in ways Sinclair can no longer do. Lastly, Smith or Dunn should be taking PKs, and just isn't that difficult that we need someone's special mentality to beat a top keeper.
(1) No, that's not what Liv did last week. We had several one-touch opportunities last week against a terrible defense. We scored as often as we did only because they were one-touch plays -- Naeher didn't have time to react. All props to Moultrie for being one of the people who cashed in last week, on a fast playing surface against a terrible opponent. I'm a huge Moultrie fan, and I think she's 100% special.
(2) I am talking about crafty, bag-of-tricks goals that any of us who have watched Sinclair over time know that she still has and that almost no one else does. I'm not saying I'd make the same decision as Norris. I'm trying to explain what I think Norris might have been thinking. I think he knew exactly what Stoney was going to do -- take advantage of a slow playing surface and use a low block from the beginning. Moultrie still tends to try to fire straight through such things; Sinc still has some other things, that Moultrie does not, that she'll try.
(3) As to the PKs, again, it's the CAPTAIN's decision as to who takes PKs. That is, unless we've abdicated tradition entirely and now turn over such decisions to an analytics department.
(4) Sinc has shown that she'll give the ball to others who are more reliable than she is (i.e., Nadim) and when she wants to encourage others to grow (Smith, Hina, Horan, and Beckie for Canada come to mind). She's also shown she'll take it herself depending on who the keeper is (i.e., Sheridan)
(5) But let's talk about analytics too. In terms of performance, I believe Sinc is 4th all-time in NWSL on PK percentage, behind Rapinoe, Nadim, and Little. Until 2021, Sinc was level with Rapinoe and Nadim as having only missed once in NWSL. Historically, these are people who don't miss from the spot.
(6) Sinc is one of the few players in the world who knows how to get the best of Sheridan consistently, and she knows her national teammate's tendencies better than anybody on the Thorns.
(7) Finally, yes, bagging PKs consistently is incredibly difficult. Ask Sam Kerr. Ask Alex Morgan. Ask Lindsey Horan. Ask Mal Swanson. Ask Rose Lavelle. Go look up their data on FBRef.
"(2) I am talking about crafty, bag-of-tricks goals that any of us who have watched Sinclair over time know that she still has and that almost no one else does. I'm not saying I'd make the same decision as Norris. I'm trying to explain what I think Norris might have been thinking. I think he knew exactly what Stoney was going to do -- take advantage of a slow playing surface and use a low block from the beginning. Moultrie still tends to try to fire straight through such things; Sinc still has some other things, that Moultrie does not, that she'll try.
(3) As to the PKs, again, it's the CAPTAIN's decision as to who takes PKs. That is, unless we've abdicated tradition entirely and now turn over such decisions to an analytics department."
But when's the last time Sinclair has done that? Her non penalty xG per 90 is .22 this season. It was .35 last season. Moultrie is at .54 this season, having been .25 last season!
Captain's shouldn't decide who takes penalties. In fact I don't think it's the case. That's a coaching decision and if that's being abdicated that's an issue.
She's the captain of the first club to win 3 championships in NWSL history (apparently WNY's history doesn't count for NC). Those were won under 2 different coaches.
She's the captain of a national team that has won 2 bronzes and 1 gold in Olympic competition. Those were won under 2 different coaches.
When she is on the field, she either presents the ball to the person who will take the kick or she takes it herself.
I am sure it's not all a matter of arbitrary will, fiat, or caprice.
But I'm sure it's also not all micromanaged from the sideline or, like in KC, from the front office.
Coaches decide who takes set pieces. A penalty is a set piece. It's really as simple as that. So far to me, it seems like Smith is the first choice penalty taker.
Her accolades are great, they don't make her an expert on who should take penalties. Again, that is a coaching decision, not a form of "micromanagement"
Yeah, every soccer team I've been on, the coach decided who took penalties, with the caveat that anyone could decline if they weren't feeling it. That included shootouts.
I disagree that there's no "rational logic" to it:
Moultrie doesn't yet score poacher's goals and she still tries to blast through things.
The logic/rationale is that Sinc might score a poacher's goal, and that might be enough to beat Sheridan. Also, Sinc is the one who steps to the spot to face Sheridan historically. That also might be enough to beat Sheridan.
I'm not saying it's the decision I would have made. I am saying it's probably part of the rationale/logic of Norris's decision.
Smith should step to the spot if she's on the field. For both present and future benefit.
It's still the Captain's call to make.
What should be telling to everybody, though, is that Sinc doesn't do this or make these decisions on ego. When Nadim was here, Nadim took the PKs.
and Sinc should step down from captains role if cant make good decisions for team
I think she's already shown that she makes this decision without ego. I remember her handing the ball to Horan (who missed), Smith (who converted), Hina (who converted), and Beckie (for Canada, who missed). I've also seen her step up and take it against Sheridan and Naeher, two of the best national team keepers in the world -- and beat them consistently. And, when Nadim was here, Nadim took the PKs, despite the fact that Sinc was captain then too and had only ever missed once in NWSL.
Let's talk evidence, not bias. There are many good evidence-based critiques of Sinc's effectiveness these days. Let's not attribute stuff to her that is not supported by evidence, though, ok?
Is Smith being 4 for 4 on PKs enough evidence?
And Sinc has chosen other players for PKs many, many times, for both Canada and Thorns.
Just because Norris has a way of rationalizing it doesn’t mean it’s actually logical or rational. There simply isn’t anything Sinc does better than Moultrie at this point.
I just don't have any idea what "rational logic" is. =) Is there a nonrational logic to which I have not been privy?
During last night's stream, in one of the few moments when it didn't cut out, they shared some quotes from Norris about how he's using Moultrie and why. He doesn't have any delusions about what Moultrie can do, no matter when she's in the match.
it is the lack of rational thought involving starting Sinc. At this point not seeing much of role for her during any competitive match.
Lol I think any rationalization that leads to Sinc starting is by definition *not* logical
This could also be turned around the other way though…Sheridan knows exactly where Sinc is gonna put a pen (97% of the time, slow and low to the left.) I think it’d be a disadvantage having Sinc take pens against Sheridan at this point.
It COULD be, but it's not been.
Let's go to the data....
FBRef shows...
Sinc is 9 of 12 all-time in NWSL at the spot. Until 2021 (2 of 4), she was damn near automatic.
Sinc has been more democratic in distributing the PK opportunities in recent times, going back to 2021, but when Sheridan is in goal she takes the ball.
All-time in NWSL regular season, Sinc is 3 of 4 against Sheridan. So, no.
FWIW, Sinc is 3 of 3 against Naeher in NWSL regular season.
cmon' living in the past my friend. poacher goal? isn't that what Liv did last week. Liv is better in the attack in almost all aspects of the game than Sinclair. Her limited mobility makes her easy to defend and cut out penetrating angles. Liv challenges the backline and unbalances def in ways Sinclair can no longer do. Lastly, Smith or Dunn should be taking PKs, and just isn't that difficult that we need someone's special mentality to beat a top keeper.
You packed a lot in here, so bear with me....
(1) No, that's not what Liv did last week. We had several one-touch opportunities last week against a terrible defense. We scored as often as we did only because they were one-touch plays -- Naeher didn't have time to react. All props to Moultrie for being one of the people who cashed in last week, on a fast playing surface against a terrible opponent. I'm a huge Moultrie fan, and I think she's 100% special.
(2) I am talking about crafty, bag-of-tricks goals that any of us who have watched Sinclair over time know that she still has and that almost no one else does. I'm not saying I'd make the same decision as Norris. I'm trying to explain what I think Norris might have been thinking. I think he knew exactly what Stoney was going to do -- take advantage of a slow playing surface and use a low block from the beginning. Moultrie still tends to try to fire straight through such things; Sinc still has some other things, that Moultrie does not, that she'll try.
(3) As to the PKs, again, it's the CAPTAIN's decision as to who takes PKs. That is, unless we've abdicated tradition entirely and now turn over such decisions to an analytics department.
(4) Sinc has shown that she'll give the ball to others who are more reliable than she is (i.e., Nadim) and when she wants to encourage others to grow (Smith, Hina, Horan, and Beckie for Canada come to mind). She's also shown she'll take it herself depending on who the keeper is (i.e., Sheridan)
(5) But let's talk about analytics too. In terms of performance, I believe Sinc is 4th all-time in NWSL on PK percentage, behind Rapinoe, Nadim, and Little. Until 2021, Sinc was level with Rapinoe and Nadim as having only missed once in NWSL. Historically, these are people who don't miss from the spot.
(6) Sinc is one of the few players in the world who knows how to get the best of Sheridan consistently, and she knows her national teammate's tendencies better than anybody on the Thorns.
(7) Finally, yes, bagging PKs consistently is incredibly difficult. Ask Sam Kerr. Ask Alex Morgan. Ask Lindsey Horan. Ask Mal Swanson. Ask Rose Lavelle. Go look up their data on FBRef.
"(2) I am talking about crafty, bag-of-tricks goals that any of us who have watched Sinclair over time know that she still has and that almost no one else does. I'm not saying I'd make the same decision as Norris. I'm trying to explain what I think Norris might have been thinking. I think he knew exactly what Stoney was going to do -- take advantage of a slow playing surface and use a low block from the beginning. Moultrie still tends to try to fire straight through such things; Sinc still has some other things, that Moultrie does not, that she'll try.
(3) As to the PKs, again, it's the CAPTAIN's decision as to who takes PKs. That is, unless we've abdicated tradition entirely and now turn over such decisions to an analytics department."
But when's the last time Sinclair has done that? Her non penalty xG per 90 is .22 this season. It was .35 last season. Moultrie is at .54 this season, having been .25 last season!
Captain's shouldn't decide who takes penalties. In fact I don't think it's the case. That's a coaching decision and if that's being abdicated that's an issue.
Well, let's see here....
She's the captain of the first club to win 3 championships in NWSL history (apparently WNY's history doesn't count for NC). Those were won under 2 different coaches.
She's the captain of a national team that has won 2 bronzes and 1 gold in Olympic competition. Those were won under 2 different coaches.
When she is on the field, she either presents the ball to the person who will take the kick or she takes it herself.
I am sure it's not all a matter of arbitrary will, fiat, or caprice.
But I'm sure it's also not all micromanaged from the sideline or, like in KC, from the front office.
Coaches decide who takes set pieces. A penalty is a set piece. It's really as simple as that. So far to me, it seems like Smith is the first choice penalty taker.
Her accolades are great, they don't make her an expert on who should take penalties. Again, that is a coaching decision, not a form of "micromanagement"
Yeah, every soccer team I've been on, the coach decided who took penalties, with the caveat that anyone could decline if they weren't feeling it. That included shootouts.
pks should be coaches decision kot captains. example Haaland takes all kicks for Man City but is not the captain, that is Peps decision