(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 …
(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.
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