Speaking of size, when Bixby was surrounded after her goal, it looked like Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Hogan is the only other Thorn anywhere near Bix's size.
Look the reality is the coaches haven't had the gravitas or standing to permanently take Sinclair out of the lineup since Parsons left, and the GM is her old friend and teammate. RW did towards the end of last season, maybe Norris will too. But she's going to play a majority of minutes until the World Cup. It sucks but it is what it is.
She really can't just jog around when she is playing a central forward role. I was like RUN, what are you doing?!! YOU have to be the one to make those runs. I was so frustrated with her all night. I'd almost rather have Betfort at CF than Sinc....and I don't say that lightly lol.
Lol, at least she runs!! Did Sinc even touch the ball for 45 minutes? She did lose the ball a few times, if that counts. If she has to play a central F role, she would be better with her back to goal, play-making for the wingers to run onto balls. But, that requires us playing through the middle a lot more (or, completing a damn pass!)
Dunn did rotate up as the first half went on....but then you have Dunn/Sinc rotating high and leaving massive spaces in the midfield leaving Rocky and Sam to cover too much space.
Yeah, I've heard Canadian media discuss how Sinc is likely going to be tasked with the 9 role....the cynic in me says that's why she's playing so much. If Smith was truly tired from her travel and could only play 30 minutes, WHY NOT D'Aquila?! It's insane to me. That's why we got a rookie 9! Putting Sinc there is unserious behavior.
That was possibly the sloppiest game I’ve ever seen this team play- Misplaced passes everywhere, lazy balls out of the defense by the CBs, bad tackles leading to bad set piece defense, and bad goalkeeper mistakes.
Takeaways:
1. Weaver was the only Thorn on the field that should come out of that game feeling good about themself. Worked her ass off all night, created chances, got her goal, and made some really intelligent runs. She still gets a little too over her skis at times but she’s turned into a much more polished player.
2. The full Bixby experience: She cannot get beat at her near post on the Thompson goal- Just straight up bad goalkeeping. Yes, she definitely gets fouled by Ertz on the 2nd, but I think she had already misjudged the ball (similar to KC) when Ertz made contact. Then she pops up and scores a back heel winner. I’ll reiterate what I said when Hogan got time against SD- Bella is prone to a really bad mistake or two once every few games and I’m not really sure she ever cleans it up.
3. We played a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond after the Soph and Moultrie subs, with Sinc in the hole and Soph and Weaver up top. Soph wasn’t effective at all, and I think that was partially down to her being shunted to one side in minimal space rather than being able to patrol centrally and float in and out like she usually does. Looked like they went back to a version of the 4-3-3 once Izzy came in with Smith on the RW. I’d prefer we not see that diamond again!
4. Sinc can’t be the last of the Dunn/Hina/Sinc trio to be taken off every match- she’s freakin 40.
5. Moultrie’s assist was OUTRAGEOUS. It’s one thing to be able to see that pass, but another thing entirely to be able to play it. She’s really a pleasure to watch when she gets license to create.
6. We really missed Becky’s composure and leadership in the back- The defensive unit felt totally out of sync all match, even if they didn’t really allow much from open play.
7. The crowd felt like an old, pre-scandal, pre-Covid crowd! Not sure if the attendance number backs it up, but that felt like (at least one of) the biggest non-playoff crowds I’ve seen since 2019.
Overall- Bad result, decent outcome. ACFC is an undoubtedly better team with Ertz, and both Seattle (should’ve lost) and SD (did lose to gd Orlando) dropped points too. A lot of stuff to clean up, though- Hope Norris lets em have it a little bit.
Just dropping a note to say that I really enjoy your work, but I keep noticing some grammatical errors such as “would of” rather than would have or would’ve. *takes pedant hat off* HOLY SHIT BELLA BACKHEEL STOPPAGE TIME GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
I don’t think Sinc was being utilized well, if they had taken advantage of her as a target, back to goal forward, like Adi was for the Timbers, she could play the wingers in and use Weaver’s ability to get forward better.
Kuikka had a stinker of a game. We’ve all had those days, but wow. I hope it’s a one off.
That great it's trending up...the best number I've seen in a while. When I first got there, it looked pretty empty....I thought Portland took the beautiful weather to do something else. Filled in a ton after the game started though...it was LOUD. Hina had her Japanese fan section again and I just love them! Flags and little drums, ect....
I had no idea who would take it...I assumed Sinc. Hina looked a little spooked to be taking it so I was hiding my face for that one lol. I've taken enough PK's in my day that I know an apprehensive PK taker can be an issue. I was relieved to hear the crowd after!
I think if you look back at the broadcast, you will see literally a dozen times where Hubly and Menges are passing the ball back and forth with Weaver and/or Sugita absolutely unmarked beyond halfway. When Hubly or Menges decide to finally make a forward pass, it's to Klingenberg or Kuikka. NEVER to the open wing. Becky makes that pass 2-4 times per match. And that forces ACFC centerbacks to stay somewhat closer to home, which in turns reduces ACFC's ability to triple team our midfielders. Now, I don't know if H & M are not CAPABLE of making that pass (I am pretty sure I've seen Menges dime that before), or if they have been drilled to not try. But IMO, either is a bad sign.
The centerbacks should be initiating the offense with quick, decisive passes. They have been slow all year. Hubly in particular could eat a sandwich while she takes 3or 4 touches and decides where to go with the ball. If she can’t decide, she usually punts long. Bixby too takes too much time. It’s like they’re waiting for the defense to set up. The first pass goes wide maybe 8 o 9 times out of ten, with the defenders already there, ready and waiting. When was the last time anybody needed to scout this team?
After multiple games of data, I tend to thing it's something that's being coached. The CB pass maps are almost exclusively to the fullbacks, who try to act more like wingbacks....Kling is not that. Kuikka is more suited for that play, but she's gotta work on her passing if she wants to get higher without turning the ball over. On the same pass maps, the wingers almost exclusively receive balls from the fullback on the same side. The midfielders aren't even being used for triangle passes or anything. I'm always questioning what the plan is...
Bypassing the midfield is definitely tactical, and it's because neither Sinc or Dunn are true possession 8s- You can't play through a one woman (Coffey) midfield. We don't see the long balls to Hina because she's not a threat in behind, but Hubly does look for Weaver relatively frequently on the diagonals
I think the game plan is relatively clear, and generally effective: Get Weaver and Soph in space. They do, however, need to put a bigger emphasis on midfield play when Soph isn't on the field, because there's nobody else that can come close to having the draw that she does. It seems like they don't change the tactics when the personnel is different, which Norris needs to figure out- One of Sinc or Dunn needs to be taken off for Moultrie imo.
Yeah, Sinc and Dunn didn't work well together in the Parsons diamond...and they don't work together here. It's kinda gotta be either/or for me. They both tend to occupy the same space high and centrally, and it just leaves too many gaps.
During the game my daughter and I were lamenting the Thorns' over-reliance on passing around the back this season, instead of involving the midfield at least occasionally. We were trying to decide if this was a tactical choice by the coaches, or something players are doing because opponents are somehow shutting out our midfield.
So I guess it's good to hear you say it's a tactical choice. But the results don't seem great (I mean aside from still being top of the table!). Is the coaching staff making this strategy choice because they think the midfield can't be effective possessing the ball and connecting with the forwards up top? Or do they truly think this is the best way to maximize Soph? Because it seems like you can still hit Soph in open spaces passing from the center of the midfield -- as seen by Moultrie's pass to Weaver in the last game. And it seems preposterous to suggest that some combination of Coffey, Rocky, Dunn can't effectively connect on short passes in space. (Oh, if only we could include Hina in the midfield .... )
I feel like Coffey hasn't played as well this season as last year -- maybe that's partly because of a change in tactics so that she's not being put in the same kinds of situations, eg. to be able to play thru the midfield?
I think Coffey generally had an 8 closer to her last year, be it Rocky or Hina. That just made it easier. She's passing more so far this season but her completion on medium and shot passes are both down a little. Interestingly, her long passes per 90 are also down.
I’m just someone who watches the games so who know what the real intent is, but my observation is that the lineup and Norris’ comments seem to indicate a preference to isolate Smith and Weaver in space over playing possession in the midfield.
My reasoning is pretty straightforward:
1. Dunn and Sinclair are both natural attackers: Sinc has been a striker her whole career, and Dunn won a golden boot with NC as a 9. If you want to control the ball in midfield, it doesn’t make sense to play with both of them on the pitch ostensibly as midfielders.
2. The pass maps match the eye test- A lot of interplay involving Kling and Kuikka, much less through Dunn/Sinc.
3. Anecdotally, it seems like Kelli has tried (often successfully) the over the top dink to Smith more frequently than last season.
On the whole, I do think it maximizes Smith and Weaver, both of whom are best with green grass in front of them. We’ve seen Soph have her worst games against Girma and SD when the Wave pack it in and tighten the space. But, we are seeing that it makes Sam cover a TON of ground while having limited options through the midfield. Ideally, I’d have Moultrie replace Sinc and try to play through the midfield a little more....but thats’s unlikely to happen.
In the meantime, I’d like to see a little more flexibility- They seem to try to play the same way regardless of opposition and personnel, and I want to see that Norris can make those adjustments game by game.
It's interesting to me that he started Rocky last night, and brought Moultrie on; Rocky's a definite 8, Moultrie can drop in more than Sinc can. Thought the passing was a little more incisive in the second half, where I think the Thorns played pretty well aside from basically being rattled for 5 minutes.
He probably trusts Rocky in possession more- Moultrie's best moments are great, but she still floats in and out of games. I wish he had started both and brought Dunn or Sinc off the bench with Soph. The next step for him as a coach is to show a little flexibility tactically- It's been pretty rigid so far.
Hubly is usually pretty good at those long switches, but she didn't do very many last night. She was picking her head up enough to spot the far-side winger, she just didn't go for it much. Coaching decision?
Yeah, this sums it up for me. The goals we conceded were all sloppy - the concession of the free kick by Kuikka for the third is one of the stupidest plays in recent memory from this team and she was lucky not to get a second yellow, having just been booked.
I will say I thought Dunn and Coffey were good; along with Weaver, they were the only players who showed up in the first half.
Think the lineup was wrong; if Soph isn't available and Sinc is playing a kind of hybrid 9/10 role you have to start two wingers, not Hina and Sinc with Weaver. The lack of pace hampered the Thorns who were only good in the first half when Hina, Dunn, Sinc etc could combine and then use Weaver's runs. However, the lineup being wrong doesn't excuse the team's basic lack of fundamentals in the first half, like not winning 50-50s
all good points. I think Norris is in way over his head, but to be fair, there's no reason to have thought he wouldn't be, being a rookie and thrust into a role he's not ready for because the front office can't find anyone else in Canada with pro experience. I'm not as anxious about it, though, because the memories of last year starting out with another rookie coach kind of went the same way. Hopefully the players still believe in him and he can figure it out in time like last Coach Wilkinson did.
I actually think Norris has been perfectly fine- Every coach has substitution patterns and lineup decisions fans disagree with, but he's set up the team to succeed in a way that RW very much did not at the start of last season. I haven't seen anything to suggest he's in way over his head. I'm not saying he's been exceptional, but I feel comfortable with most of his choices so far. There are some tactical tweaks he'll need to make -- I'm not happy with how isolated Coffey is with Sinc and Dunn on the field -- but he's a smart guy and I'm optimistic he can adapt.
I put performances like last night mostly on the players. Just a boatload of individual errors: Kuikka and Rocky making sloppy, unnecessary fouls leading to dangerous FKs. Terrible set piece defending, foul or no foul. Bella leaving her near post open. Lazy passes all over the field. If I'm Norris, I'm telling the players that their play simply wasn't good enough last night.
Really weird game yesterday, haven't seen them look that out of sync for awhile. These upcoming games hopefully will see them getting back to Thorns football.
I agree on this point. While there are some issues with the substitutions, I feel like I understand why he is making the decision at the time. The glaring issue remains Sinclaire, but we have know that will be an issue for a few years now (Parsons, Wilkinson and now Norris). Otherwise I have to trust levels of fitness and recognition that a player is at the end of their game.
I think Norris has to find a way to light a fire under the team, and do it consistently. The difficulty of that is this team is so experienced that those efforts are really difficult. This will be a good indicator if Norris can do it, because there are a number of points he can bring up to challenge the team. Sloppy game they should have won, poor refereeing, even the choice to pass on VAR can be used to motivate the team to play better.
I wonder why every backheel in history has been cheeky. What does an un-cheeky backheel look like? If there were two in one game, would one be cheekier than the other? Is there no announcer or headline-writer who can dredge up a different adjective? Inquiring minds want to know.
Still reviewing tape and I’ll have more to say at Riveting!, but just this for now: why was Julie Ertz even on the pitch to score their third?
She was utterly out of control all night playing like a goon clattering people. The Dunn takeout slide itself was red-worthy and her bodycheck that enabled their second should have earned a second yellow at a minimum. I mean...her last act right before she came off was trying (and, luckily, failing) to make a clattering slide into Moultrie from behind with no hope of ball. She was a a Hanson Sister with a blue headband.
That she was even there is a tribute to Garcia’s incompetence and her cunning, since she’d seen he had swallowed his whistle.
Not excusing any other of the issues we saw last Saturday, and they were all there as discussed below. But Ertz was a perfect example how a referee’s unwillingness to “affect the game” ends up...affecting the game.
He was weirdly inconsistent; called some ticky-tacky stuff but let a LOT go, too. Worst was an obvious trip on a Smith run in the 63rd minute that was so bad that even ACFC stopped playing, expecting him to blow them up for it! No call, play on.
But the Ertz thing was really annoying. I'm usually a huge fan of hers, but she was gooning it up all night and he needed to get in her face about it or, if she still persisted, just run her. Hopefully she cuts back on this stuff, or she's gonna hurt someone badly.
And while less important than hurting someone, if/when she makes it onto the Nats, she's going to get sent off in the WWC. The NWSL remains one of the roughest leagues in WoSo, and that level of (repeated) contact is going in the book most anywhere else.
Tbf, that’s always how she’s played...except she’s now old and rusty and it seems to have thrown her timing off. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s the one who gets injured first if she keeps it up.
I think watching Sam, Liv, and Weaver over the WC window is gonna be super fun! Just hope we can, errrrm, get another couple midfielders and forwards on loan though! Would love D'Aquila to actually start playing so that she isn't just thrown in during that window cold and expected to produce...!
I agree with you, but I am wondering what D'Aquila is showing in practice. On the field she seems pretty good, nothing spectacular' but I see that coming. Unfortunately this team is loaded with talent and she may not get to show hers until WC window and yes she will be coming in relatively cold and expected to produce.
Sandra Herrera said this was a tie that probably felt like a win for both teams. Coming into this game the Thorns were expecting a comfortable win and Angel City hoping to nick a point. Angel City got what they were hopping for and the Thorns were like Ooof, Wow that was close. Silver linings were that Weaver had to be that go to player and she was and the team needed to see that they can play well without Smith and even when she is in there they still need to play well, because she can't pull themselves out of a self dug hole even with all her her skills.
Thompson's speed is other worldly, probably faster than Soph, but she is beginning to see she needs more than that. There are some speedy FB's and CB's in this league that can neutralize speed. Arin Wright nerfed Trinity Rodman this weekend and Girma has been Sophia Smith Kryptonite.
I think Liv is going to be one of the players that benefits a lot from the WC Window. She is going to be hard to pull out of the starting lineup and I hope Sinclair is OK with 45-50 minute shift after the WC.
RE: D'Aquila...I'm unsure, but every time she comes in, she's faster than any other subs we have at F and looks totally capable of contributing well. I think putting her on for 15-20 minutes with a tired-legged team and a major bench rotation at that point doesn't really seem like a good way to judge her skill. Preseason she was great for the short time we saw her with Soph, Weaver, Dunn, and Sugita. The coach and reporters were specifically highlighting her as a standout during preseason. Sure, there could be something going on behind the scenes....but from what we've seen and heard, it doesn't really make sense to me. Instead, we've been using Betfort and Vasconcelos (and Sinc?!) ahead of her at points...kinda bizarre to me when she was a 1st round F and was prolific in college. I don't even think she played at all in the Challenge Cup game? Isn't that what those are for? Sure, Leon has been fast, but she's gonna be gone in a month and a half...I'm not sure why we aren't trying to get one of our most likely starting F's during that time minutes now so she can start to develop partnerships (and just adjust to the speed of this league!) I'm not a D'Aquila fangirl or anything, but we've hardly seen her and he's giving priority to other questionable forwards with lower ceilings....there are a lot of teams who aren't losing a lot in the WC window, and they will be well-oiled and cohesive at that point. I think it would benefit us to start getting Coffey/Liv/Weaver/D'Aquila acquainted with each other so it's not a mess later. CC games should be staged with this in mind, imo. Maybe not start all of them together, because some of them are starters and need rest between league games....but at least planning some sub rotations so they can all have like 20-30 minutes together each CC game. Gotta play 4 dimensional chess here coach! Lol.
Yeah, I guess I ultimately agree with Sandra. We should've been able to win that game though, so even a draw while conceding three goals is a bit of a letdown for me. I'm more concerned about the tactics, because this has been 4 games in a row now that they've looked poor and disjointed, despite some individual brilliance.
I think your last sentence is spot on and all the more disheartening because the talent is there. They’re just not yet able to consistently put it all together. And as for this game feeling like a win, I’d be amazed if any of the players felt that way. Most likely they know they were lucky to come away with a draw.
This seems to be how this current group rolls, no? Last year, 3-3 ties with NC and Gotham after building leads. This year, 3-3 tie with ACFCNFT after building lead...
Yeah, with two different coaches, no less. Just saying, on paper, we should be getting 3 points after a week of rest and a mostly healthy group. Soph not playing for 60' kinda made it seem like we were playing with 10 players and only one forward.
Still not sure a goddamn Bixby goal was enough of a consolation for sitting through 90 minutes of....THAT.
Whew. Thorns stay getting points, despite themselves. A terrible showing by literally everyone except probably Weaver. Tried to take the game on her back. The sloppiest game I can remember from this team, and there was no excuse this time. A week of rest/training, at home with a good crowd, beautiful weather...and just, bad. Most everyone looked lethargic, sooo slow to the ball. Sinc was playing the 9/CF to start, and I never want to ever sit through 60 minutes of that again. Once Soph came in, she dropped back into the hole where she usually is...but she was just gassed. Can't believe has consistently pulled Hina and Dunn before Sinc. She's 40 in a month! I reeeeally wish he would put her on to close out matches...the subs could use the leadership on the field at that point. The buzz around Canada is that Sinc will likely be tasked with that 9 position for the WC, and, well, sorry Canada....we had I think 5 shots in the first half, and I don't think Sinc had any. Never up front again, please.
Norris' decision-making is increasingly frustrating and equally baffling. I think it's overly conservative for him to keep a healthy Sophia Smith on the bench for 60 or so minutes because she was traveling earlier in the day. I watched that first half and thought for sure he would pull Sinc, or at least put her back in midfield. Eventually Crystal kind of assumed a higher role, but still, it was a mess. One of the best midfields in the league, and the midfield was swiss cheese. I'm not sure I've seen so many misplaced passes and bad touches. What I said to my partner last night- "You know who we could use here? Lindsay Horan. We need someone in the midfield who can hold onto the damn ball!" I haven't said that in a long time...I have no idea what the plan is, but it's been so many games now that it doesn't seem like a bug, rather than a feature. The midfield has looked pretty terrible multiple games in a row now. Would like to see him do something different, because he's had plenty of data now with the same problems in multiple games. Also, he was a SET PIECE coach...c'mon coach, why isn't anyone marking or shielding Julie Ertz or Katie Johnson on those!? I called each goal before they happened in the stadium because that's what those players do! That was absolutely a foul on Bixby from Ertz, though. Goal should have never stood. This is not a homer opinion.
The backline was just....woof. Kuikka and Kling were just spraying misplaced balls everywhere, not connecting passes, and making terrible fouls. What happened?! Hina- still not a winger. Bella- double woof, but made up for it? Moultrie, a bright spot. That pass!!! My soul left my body on that play with Weaver. THAT is what the playmaker needs to do to connect with the forwards.
In other news....don't think I've seen OL Reign play so terribly, so I guess that's encouraging.....but LOU, what you doing?! You HAD it right there.....! They looked really sharp that first half. Really sharp!
In other other news....did anyone see/hear Julie Uhrman at the game last night?! Oh man, she had one of the fancy suites above 113-ish area with a bunch of people and she was just SCREAMING like top of her lungs constantly for AC. Everyone in my section was just staring at her like "who is this insane lady?!" Never wanted to have water balloons more in my life lol....
Anyways, this is quite the clusterfuck of thoughts from me lol....I still haven't wrapped my head around that game but I'm not sure I want to rewatch that one...next week, we head to North Carolina. I hope they can get back on track....
Sure, if she could only play half. It was obvious that attack as he had it was toothless. I thought for sure she'd come in at half, or at least he'd put on a forward who could run with Weaver. What's the point in having Weaver's strength and speed if Sinc is playing a central forward, but jogging behind the play?! Just like, the most mismatched pairing I've watched in a while....
Fluky is one game, but, this has been multiple games. At some point you can't call it fluky anymore if they keep showing up the same way...it's been 4 games they haven't played well. HOU/SD/LOU/AC. They've gotten points in some of these because of so much individual talent and a lot of luck.
I know things are changing now, but my old-school brain cant accept Smith not being available bc she had to go visit her boyfriend. If that really is the reason she didn’t play, then shame on either her or Norris or both, depending on whose call it was. Voluntarily Letting your team down like that should be a fineable offense. I still love watching her play, but if I’m honest I respect her as a player a little less. Yeah I know- end of old man rant.
Soph trained in Portland Friday morning was back before 10am Saturday morning. I don’t think people realize the sacrifices these players make. They have families and lives outside of soccer.
I gotta old man rant a little with Stefan though. Can you imagine the opposite happening? How many NFL games will the boyfriend miss because Smith has an important Nats game he would rather be at? My guess is zero.
Look, maybe she had the full support of every teammate and coach, it wasn't really important to them whether the best striker in the league was available for the game because she had other family stuff to do and they figure they are good enough to drop a couple of points along the way and it not matter for shield or playoff positioning.
It is also extremely generational. While I commend the younger generation for not letting their work define them, control them, the reality is that life is full of conflicts and choices, conflicting responsibilities. I have missed a ton of family things over the years because of work responsibilities, but try to make the most of the time that I do have. I am always annoyed when my equals come to me and expect a last minute schedule change because they personally want to do something other than work (which creates a ton of work for everyone else to cover for them) but some of them wouldn't help out others with the same request and would not be willing to be inconvenienced themselves to pay it back. Professional soccer is a bit different because there is no opportunity to pay it back.
She didn’t miss anything, she was there and ready to play. It was 100% the coaches decision. I’m sure her SO would not miss an NFL game to attend a family event but to be fair she did not miss a game either.
You are right (or at least consistent with what others have said, that she was only out of town for an overnight trip, back well before kickoff). I have to admit I don't follow her whereabouts on social media or as paparazzi, etc ;).
I was never a professional player, but in college the rule on my team was always no parties or substances the night before, in bed on time, stay completely on routine. San Diego is a short flight (I read elsewhere that is where Boyfriend's family is) but it is still 5 hours on a plane round trip, not sleeping in your own bed, nothing routine about it. Timing was not ideal for a finely tuned athlete to be in airports/traveling for 8-9 hours for a congratulatory together moment, quick sleep over and home. That said, this wasn't the reason we drew and nearly lost. That was on defensive blunder minded moments.
I don't usually like criticizing coaches for resting players....but it's borderline insane to not start Soph on full rest, weekend LA trip or no weekend LA trip.
I'll maintain that the main problem with the midfield is that, well, two of the midfielders don't actually really want to play midfield, and certainly not in the 8-6-8 style of 4-3-3 Norris plays. Sinc and Dunn essentially took turns at the 9 in the first half, leaving Rocky and Sam alone. Totally agree that we seem to be missing a Horan-type 8. I'd like to see more Moultrie and less Sinc/Dunn together.
It's also hard for me to blame the coach for garbage set piece marking- These are professional players! Do your jobs! Same with Bella on first goal and Natu on the foul that lead to the 2nd: Simply inexcusable individual mistakes leading *directly* to goals.
The Demelo red really screwed Louisville over- Too bad, but I'll certainly take a combined 1 point between Seattle and SD this weekend.
Yeah, I've gotten the vibe that he is a bit too overly cautious and conservative with it (except for with Sinc.) I'm happy he isn't Freya Coombe a la last season running his team into the ground, but, she had a week of rest and took a 2 hr flight to chill with her partner and eat catered Mexican food lol. At least give her half if she's healthy. She's had 8 goal contributions so far....we have to minimize that time she's not on the field, esp given that she will be gone in a couple months. We need to pick up points now!
SWAG he expected to roll ACFC early then bring her in to score and seal the deal. This requires not accepting they're a different and importantly, tougher team with Ertz, who has already asserted herself on that squad in an eyeblink. Thorns looked a little soft and disjointed in the first half.
Though Emslie had herself a really good game, too.
Yeah, our defense was atrocious, but the battle was lost in the midfield for sure...which may have been the most problematic. It's been that way for about 4 games now.
So great. My favorite finish since the I love Lussi header v. Orlando. Saw that one in person and it was a true "did that really just happen?" moment. What a treat for folks who were there last night.
Same here. It looked like Haracic had the ball so I was waiting for VAR to say that a Thorn knocked it out of her hands. I still haven't seen a replay that shows what caused the ball to pop out to Bixby.
Frustrating that Kuika gets in her own head so much. She scored the OG (on which my opinion was that Ertz ran straight into an tackled Bixby, gridiron style -- but it was pretty obvious that the VAR ref wasn't going to call anything all night and take a long time doing it ... every kickoff, even the pen was held for 30+ seconds, some for over a minute). She then immediately committed 2 bad fouls, the first earning a yellow and 2nd a totally unnecessary foul on a player out on the wing going away from goal just seconds later with the ref left deciding whether it was 2nd yellow worthy ... and honestly a 2nd yellow for a hard and unnecessary foul wouldn't have been a wrong (a little harsh, but not wrong) for this foul. This was followed by her team too busy arguing against having her sent off to bother to pick up Ertz who had a free run to a free front post header. Gahh! She is a good player but this isn't the first time I have seen her just lose the plot and pull the whole team down with her.
While the Bixby goal was glorious, it should have never been needed if not for the total mental collapse in back and an uncalled foul against Bixby keeping her from making the save on AC's 2nd goal leading to mental collapse giving up an immediate 3rd led by the person scoring the OG.
Completely agree with you. The team lost complete composure when that own goal was not overturned.
That game was poorly called. They let an overly physical obvious foul go and then try to make up with it with some light calls.
I’m glad Crystal is OK, but I was kind of pissed that wasn’t a red on Ertz. I’ve always viewed tackles like that as cheap/dangerous. I’m sure it was just effort based, but ACL tears don’t need more help. Dunn is lucky her foot didn’t stick when she got mauled. Player safety should warrant variations in penalties
I will give Ertz credit. She pretty much could read that the official was going to swallow his whistle and played most of the match more physically than most players would with a yellow. It got them an unjustified goal because that goalie interference looked intentional to me.
Ertz should've had multiple yellows given last night....kinda crazy she came out only with one imo. Didn't play the ball at all on that second AC goal...Bix couldn't even get her hands up. I'm currently watching the Spirit/Chi game, and I have seen multiple whistles this game when someone even bumps Naeher in the box. Wildly inconsistent.
Yeah, I didn’t have a great view of the hit from my seats, but I watched the broadcast this morning and it was pretty shocking, doubly so when the play by play guy kept insisting Ertz played the ball and it wasn’t a foul at all
Yeah, Kuikka is a big "confidence" player. When Rhian moved her around to the left side, or took her off completely for Beckie to play right wingback (big nope), she suffered for multiple games and looked really bad. Made costly mistakes. Didn't truly come back until leading into the playoffs....
I feel like Rocky is similar. She's streaky....and as soon as you cut that momentum, it takes her a long time to reset. Rocky was a beast at the end of last season, and she's been totally unused but for garbage minutes because coach needs to get Sinc on the field still...no doubt she's in her head about that. Now when she's in...she just looks nervous and sloppy.
He seemed pretty inconsistent as to what constituted a foul. Mostly he let pretty harsh contact go, with Ertz's uncalled crash into Bixby as Exhibit A, but other times he would call pretty minor contact. You could see players on both teams were frustrated.
Until VAR makes a bold call one of these days, "looking at it" isn't much. We all know that different head refs give VAR referees different instructions, some tell them to put the bar for obvious error in the stratosphere, others are willing to be wrong and look at plays again. While you knew the ref was looking at goals (the kickoff was held after all 6 goals (even the PK), anywhere between 30 an 90 seconds for the check, but the VAR didn't feel it necessary to tell the CR maybe he should look at Ertz clattering into and pulling Bixby down. That just isn't good refereeing when there is a pretty obvious foul on a goal scoring play.
It may make some CRs less likely to blow the whistle in real time, assuming if they really mess it up, they will get bailed out.
Any VAR call is essentially saying to the CR that "I think you blew it". We have seen many examples of that being absolutely true but the CR's pride is so strong and they are so convinced they made the correct call in real time that they are unwilling to be open minded (we have seen obvious hand balls in the box blocking a shot on goal where the CR still insists not a hand ball - mostly because he should be embarrassed he missed it in real time. The flip side is that MOST plays that are sent from VAR to the CR are overturned because the CR knows another referee thinks they missed something --- which then puts a very high bar in the VAR's mind.
There is no clear rule on how much contact constitutes a foul (mostly it is did you gain an advantage from more than just incidental contact that wasn't legal - shoulder to shoulder). But there is no league in the world where you are allowed to back into a keeper going to the ball, put your arm over hers to hold it down then run into her knocking her over ... in the goal box and it not be a foul. That was just silly because both the CR and VAR were essentially saying there was no contact or it was completely incidental / minimal. I do get it that a CR might have missed the full extent of the arm block and running into the keeper in real time, but VAR should have at least told him to take a look.
The things VAR have overturned this year have mostly been bizarre (The Endo goal for ACFC the first weekend) but this is generally how VAR is. They'll call the marginal stuff that no one wants because they can say it's clear and obvious (Leon's handball last week, offside) but most stuff they'll let go because it's subjective.
I reserved judgement until I got home from the stadium and could look at a replay on the highlights. No question that was a very obvious foul on Bixby by Ertz. That goal should have been overturned. If VAR can't get such a "clear and obvious" thing right, what use is it?
Yeah, here's some shots of Ertz bulldozing Bixby. She can't even get her hands up because Ertz's arms and body are above hers....she doesn't even come anywhere near playing the ball.
VAR looked at it, as they look at all goals. They just didn't see enough to overturn the on-field decision, or even to call the Ref over for a look. Baffling.
You can watch the VAR process for the Weaver 2nd goal against Louisville being overturned. It starts 4:22 to the end of the video.
It probably won't help explain the 2nd ACFC goal. It will probably help you understand the process. By the point they have the Center Ref is told look at the video they have already decided there is something wrong. It isn't the CR seeing it again it is the VAR saying look at the right hand. Would be interesting to hear what the booth said about this game.
I haven't looked at any of the other inside the video reviews but #4 only covered calls overturned by VARz both handballs. I figured as none of the Thorns calls were overturned they wouldn't be selected for the week 5 video. I hope it will be.
IKD what's in those sideline water bottles but yesterday was one of the craziest days of soccer I've encountered. Not pretty but definitely not boring.
OT: KC v Gotham. Miller in goal again, not Franch, but AD is available for today.
Methinks I know part of why Potter got sacked.
I'm guessing the GM wanted Potter to bench Franch, and he refused to do so. Interim coach is doing what she's been told to do.
There's no other plausible explanation -- I mean, what interim coach with no comparable pro head coaching experience would have the nerve to start her tenure by benching Franch?
I don't buy the broadcasters' "hot hand with Miller" explanation at all.
AD is the player around whom KC built their "turn-around."
She was the first high-profile player they brought in back in 2021. Local kid, from Salina, KS. Had worked her way back into the USWNT picture before the WWC.
The benching is brutal, but the results speak for themselves, I guess.
With AD in goal, 3 losses and 9 goals conceded; with Miller in goal, 3 wins and 0 goals conceded.
To be fair to AD (who hasn’t been good), her benching has coincided with both Debinha’s and DiBernardo’s returns and the team getting their feet under themselves a bit more.
She’s made a few mistakes, but nothing that would force a benching of a player with her rep imo. If management is really getting involved in personnel decisions, the KC problems run deep.
She’s not a bad technical keeper. It’s a headspace issue; she’s practically guaranteed to make a grotesque error once a game or so, and that’s not a coachable issue, so she’s gonna keep doing that.
Yeah, Deb came on like at 65' or so vs Portland. Came in on the tail end of the lashing KC put on the Thorns to start the second half. Not super effective at that point. We also won't see her in PP as she'll be gone for the WC. Only chance to see them again with Debinha is during the playoff race...
You can see in the last angle shown here that Bix's jump was totally stunted when Ertz plowed into her. She would've been able to jump higher and get her hands up to easily get that ball had it not been for Ertz...100% got that wrong.
Wow, I didn't realize that the Thorns have the only two goalkeeper goals in NWSL history. The Ice Bear Academy has the special sauce!
Same team, same park, same goal, nearly the same time. Almost spooky.
Other goal, but yes- pretty neat!
"Ice Bear Academy" and excellent name for the (goalkeeping) house that Nadine built!
https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1652535322406707202?s=20
This is an awesome photo. Thompson is legit.
AMAZING!
She's minuscule. Did not realize.
Speaking of size, when Bixby was surrounded after her goal, it looked like Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Hogan is the only other Thorn anywhere near Bix's size.
Now we need a pic of Thompson next to Bixby....
Kind of an issue when our smaller lineup is out there during set pieces versus an Ertz, et al. Can you coach "be tall"?
League does seem to be trending to 6'+ keepers. We've got some towers to face, now.
You can't coach being tall but you can be better organized, can block runs etc. Julie Ertz's listed height is 5'7, don't let her get a free run
Yeah, I might put Rocky on her. Nobody bosses Rocky.
Or, put an old lady on her, such as this gal back when Ertz was Johnston. :-)
https://live.staticflickr.com/7331/28050645845_29dff3f248_k.jpg
Thompson makes Sophia Smith look tall.
THE SINCLAIR MINUTES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES
Look the reality is the coaches haven't had the gravitas or standing to permanently take Sinclair out of the lineup since Parsons left, and the GM is her old friend and teammate. RW did towards the end of last season, maybe Norris will too. But she's going to play a majority of minutes until the World Cup. It sucks but it is what it is.
Oh captain, my captain.
Would be interested how many kilometers she's accumulated this season vs. the rest of the squad.
She really can't just jog around when she is playing a central forward role. I was like RUN, what are you doing?!! YOU have to be the one to make those runs. I was so frustrated with her all night. I'd almost rather have Betfort at CF than Sinc....and I don't say that lightly lol.
No nonoooo Betfort is a step too far. It should have been Dunn at the 9 (she did rotate into the 9 pretty frequently anyhow) with Sinc behind her.
(Preferably Moultrie with Dunn or Izzy at the 9 with no Sinc, but, well....ya know)
Lol, at least she runs!! Did Sinc even touch the ball for 45 minutes? She did lose the ball a few times, if that counts. If she has to play a central F role, she would be better with her back to goal, play-making for the wingers to run onto balls. But, that requires us playing through the middle a lot more (or, completing a damn pass!)
Dunn did rotate up as the first half went on....but then you have Dunn/Sinc rotating high and leaving massive spaces in the midfield leaving Rocky and Sam to cover too much space.
I would really like to see Moultrie more.
More Liv for sure. Playmaker!
That pass was Kevin De Bruyne-esque! Truly beautiful vision and execution from her, and Weaver for the final execution.
I can't wait to watch that more during the WC window...!
At this point i'm resigned to think PTFC is going to keep giving her as many minutes as she wants to help her showcase for the CWNT.
Would of love to see Izzy start yesterday. Her next to Morgan and Hina would of helped create so much havoc in front of goal and chances.
Yeah, I've heard Canadian media discuss how Sinc is likely going to be tasked with the 9 role....the cynic in me says that's why she's playing so much. If Smith was truly tired from her travel and could only play 30 minutes, WHY NOT D'Aquila?! It's insane to me. That's why we got a rookie 9! Putting Sinc there is unserious behavior.
god bless if that's the case. do they have no one else to play upfront? Lacassé? Huitema?
Portland beat out San Diego (and everyone else) for attendance this week:
https://twitter.com/chris_awk/status/1652524314523222016
Wild night!
That was possibly the sloppiest game I’ve ever seen this team play- Misplaced passes everywhere, lazy balls out of the defense by the CBs, bad tackles leading to bad set piece defense, and bad goalkeeper mistakes.
Takeaways:
1. Weaver was the only Thorn on the field that should come out of that game feeling good about themself. Worked her ass off all night, created chances, got her goal, and made some really intelligent runs. She still gets a little too over her skis at times but she’s turned into a much more polished player.
2. The full Bixby experience: She cannot get beat at her near post on the Thompson goal- Just straight up bad goalkeeping. Yes, she definitely gets fouled by Ertz on the 2nd, but I think she had already misjudged the ball (similar to KC) when Ertz made contact. Then she pops up and scores a back heel winner. I’ll reiterate what I said when Hogan got time against SD- Bella is prone to a really bad mistake or two once every few games and I’m not really sure she ever cleans it up.
3. We played a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond after the Soph and Moultrie subs, with Sinc in the hole and Soph and Weaver up top. Soph wasn’t effective at all, and I think that was partially down to her being shunted to one side in minimal space rather than being able to patrol centrally and float in and out like she usually does. Looked like they went back to a version of the 4-3-3 once Izzy came in with Smith on the RW. I’d prefer we not see that diamond again!
4. Sinc can’t be the last of the Dunn/Hina/Sinc trio to be taken off every match- she’s freakin 40.
5. Moultrie’s assist was OUTRAGEOUS. It’s one thing to be able to see that pass, but another thing entirely to be able to play it. She’s really a pleasure to watch when she gets license to create.
6. We really missed Becky’s composure and leadership in the back- The defensive unit felt totally out of sync all match, even if they didn’t really allow much from open play.
7. The crowd felt like an old, pre-scandal, pre-Covid crowd! Not sure if the attendance number backs it up, but that felt like (at least one of) the biggest non-playoff crowds I’ve seen since 2019.
Overall- Bad result, decent outcome. ACFC is an undoubtedly better team with Ertz, and both Seattle (should’ve lost) and SD (did lose to gd Orlando) dropped points too. A lot of stuff to clean up, though- Hope Norris lets em have it a little bit.
Attendance was 17k which is a good sign, some of those were traveling fans from LA, but still.
Becky's brilliance can't be more obvious, she keeps the backline so organized which is why it's almost impossible to score when she's out there.
Olivia is so good when given the chance to be herself.
Would of liked to see Izzy with more minutes as the 9, with Sophia on the bench, would of been nice to see her start too.
This game was very uncharacteristic and can't happen anymore. These road games will be telling though.
Just dropping a note to say that I really enjoy your work, but I keep noticing some grammatical errors such as “would of” rather than would have or would’ve. *takes pedant hat off* HOLY SHIT BELLA BACKHEEL STOPPAGE TIME GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
I don’t think Sinc was being utilized well, if they had taken advantage of her as a target, back to goal forward, like Adi was for the Timbers, she could play the wingers in and use Weaver’s ability to get forward better.
Kuikka had a stinker of a game. We’ve all had those days, but wow. I hope it’s a one off.
That great it's trending up...the best number I've seen in a while. When I first got there, it looked pretty empty....I thought Portland took the beautiful weather to do something else. Filled in a ton after the game started though...it was LOUD. Hina had her Japanese fan section again and I just love them! Flags and little drums, ect....
You know how it is, most fans are there barely on time or still getting their snacks or drinks for the game.
It was so warm out!
I love that for Hina, deserves it all. Glad they let her take the PK. I thought it was going to be Rocky.
I had no idea who would take it...I assumed Sinc. Hina looked a little spooked to be taking it so I was hiding my face for that one lol. I've taken enough PK's in my day that I know an apprehensive PK taker can be an issue. I was relieved to hear the crowd after!
I think if you look back at the broadcast, you will see literally a dozen times where Hubly and Menges are passing the ball back and forth with Weaver and/or Sugita absolutely unmarked beyond halfway. When Hubly or Menges decide to finally make a forward pass, it's to Klingenberg or Kuikka. NEVER to the open wing. Becky makes that pass 2-4 times per match. And that forces ACFC centerbacks to stay somewhat closer to home, which in turns reduces ACFC's ability to triple team our midfielders. Now, I don't know if H & M are not CAPABLE of making that pass (I am pretty sure I've seen Menges dime that before), or if they have been drilled to not try. But IMO, either is a bad sign.
Truth.
The centerbacks should be initiating the offense with quick, decisive passes. They have been slow all year. Hubly in particular could eat a sandwich while she takes 3or 4 touches and decides where to go with the ball. If she can’t decide, she usually punts long. Bixby too takes too much time. It’s like they’re waiting for the defense to set up. The first pass goes wide maybe 8 o 9 times out of ten, with the defenders already there, ready and waiting. When was the last time anybody needed to scout this team?
After multiple games of data, I tend to thing it's something that's being coached. The CB pass maps are almost exclusively to the fullbacks, who try to act more like wingbacks....Kling is not that. Kuikka is more suited for that play, but she's gotta work on her passing if she wants to get higher without turning the ball over. On the same pass maps, the wingers almost exclusively receive balls from the fullback on the same side. The midfielders aren't even being used for triangle passes or anything. I'm always questioning what the plan is...
Bypassing the midfield is definitely tactical, and it's because neither Sinc or Dunn are true possession 8s- You can't play through a one woman (Coffey) midfield. We don't see the long balls to Hina because she's not a threat in behind, but Hubly does look for Weaver relatively frequently on the diagonals
I think the game plan is relatively clear, and generally effective: Get Weaver and Soph in space. They do, however, need to put a bigger emphasis on midfield play when Soph isn't on the field, because there's nobody else that can come close to having the draw that she does. It seems like they don't change the tactics when the personnel is different, which Norris needs to figure out- One of Sinc or Dunn needs to be taken off for Moultrie imo.
Yeah, Sinc and Dunn didn't work well together in the Parsons diamond...and they don't work together here. It's kinda gotta be either/or for me. They both tend to occupy the same space high and centrally, and it just leaves too many gaps.
During the game my daughter and I were lamenting the Thorns' over-reliance on passing around the back this season, instead of involving the midfield at least occasionally. We were trying to decide if this was a tactical choice by the coaches, or something players are doing because opponents are somehow shutting out our midfield.
So I guess it's good to hear you say it's a tactical choice. But the results don't seem great (I mean aside from still being top of the table!). Is the coaching staff making this strategy choice because they think the midfield can't be effective possessing the ball and connecting with the forwards up top? Or do they truly think this is the best way to maximize Soph? Because it seems like you can still hit Soph in open spaces passing from the center of the midfield -- as seen by Moultrie's pass to Weaver in the last game. And it seems preposterous to suggest that some combination of Coffey, Rocky, Dunn can't effectively connect on short passes in space. (Oh, if only we could include Hina in the midfield .... )
I feel like Coffey hasn't played as well this season as last year -- maybe that's partly because of a change in tactics so that she's not being put in the same kinds of situations, eg. to be able to play thru the midfield?
I think Coffey generally had an 8 closer to her last year, be it Rocky or Hina. That just made it easier. She's passing more so far this season but her completion on medium and shot passes are both down a little. Interestingly, her long passes per 90 are also down.
I’m just someone who watches the games so who know what the real intent is, but my observation is that the lineup and Norris’ comments seem to indicate a preference to isolate Smith and Weaver in space over playing possession in the midfield.
My reasoning is pretty straightforward:
1. Dunn and Sinclair are both natural attackers: Sinc has been a striker her whole career, and Dunn won a golden boot with NC as a 9. If you want to control the ball in midfield, it doesn’t make sense to play with both of them on the pitch ostensibly as midfielders.
2. The pass maps match the eye test- A lot of interplay involving Kling and Kuikka, much less through Dunn/Sinc.
3. Anecdotally, it seems like Kelli has tried (often successfully) the over the top dink to Smith more frequently than last season.
On the whole, I do think it maximizes Smith and Weaver, both of whom are best with green grass in front of them. We’ve seen Soph have her worst games against Girma and SD when the Wave pack it in and tighten the space. But, we are seeing that it makes Sam cover a TON of ground while having limited options through the midfield. Ideally, I’d have Moultrie replace Sinc and try to play through the midfield a little more....but thats’s unlikely to happen.
In the meantime, I’d like to see a little more flexibility- They seem to try to play the same way regardless of opposition and personnel, and I want to see that Norris can make those adjustments game by game.
It's interesting to me that he started Rocky last night, and brought Moultrie on; Rocky's a definite 8, Moultrie can drop in more than Sinc can. Thought the passing was a little more incisive in the second half, where I think the Thorns played pretty well aside from basically being rattled for 5 minutes.
He probably trusts Rocky in possession more- Moultrie's best moments are great, but she still floats in and out of games. I wish he had started both and brought Dunn or Sinc off the bench with Soph. The next step for him as a coach is to show a little flexibility tactically- It's been pretty rigid so far.
Hubly is usually pretty good at those long switches, but she didn't do very many last night. She was picking her head up enough to spot the far-side winger, she just didn't go for it much. Coaching decision?
Yeah, this sums it up for me. The goals we conceded were all sloppy - the concession of the free kick by Kuikka for the third is one of the stupidest plays in recent memory from this team and she was lucky not to get a second yellow, having just been booked.
I will say I thought Dunn and Coffey were good; along with Weaver, they were the only players who showed up in the first half.
Think the lineup was wrong; if Soph isn't available and Sinc is playing a kind of hybrid 9/10 role you have to start two wingers, not Hina and Sinc with Weaver. The lack of pace hampered the Thorns who were only good in the first half when Hina, Dunn, Sinc etc could combine and then use Weaver's runs. However, the lineup being wrong doesn't excuse the team's basic lack of fundamentals in the first half, like not winning 50-50s
Yup, gotta have more pace if Soph isn't starting.
Yeah, with Weaver's pace, you can't have Sinc jogging behind the play if she is the central forward. The attack was toothless with that trio up top.
all good points. I think Norris is in way over his head, but to be fair, there's no reason to have thought he wouldn't be, being a rookie and thrust into a role he's not ready for because the front office can't find anyone else in Canada with pro experience. I'm not as anxious about it, though, because the memories of last year starting out with another rookie coach kind of went the same way. Hopefully the players still believe in him and he can figure it out in time like last Coach Wilkinson did.
I actually think Norris has been perfectly fine- Every coach has substitution patterns and lineup decisions fans disagree with, but he's set up the team to succeed in a way that RW very much did not at the start of last season. I haven't seen anything to suggest he's in way over his head. I'm not saying he's been exceptional, but I feel comfortable with most of his choices so far. There are some tactical tweaks he'll need to make -- I'm not happy with how isolated Coffey is with Sinc and Dunn on the field -- but he's a smart guy and I'm optimistic he can adapt.
I put performances like last night mostly on the players. Just a boatload of individual errors: Kuikka and Rocky making sloppy, unnecessary fouls leading to dangerous FKs. Terrible set piece defending, foul or no foul. Bella leaving her near post open. Lazy passes all over the field. If I'm Norris, I'm telling the players that their play simply wasn't good enough last night.
Really weird game yesterday, haven't seen them look that out of sync for awhile. These upcoming games hopefully will see them getting back to Thorns football.
To me the problems mostly had to do with:
1) Lineup -- who wasn't available and who didn't start, which made for a toothless attack
2) Substitutions -- when they were made and why
3) Set pieces -- Emslie has delivered brilliant balls that resulted in gorgeous goals twice this year, including last night
4) Natu's rough second half stretch
5) Ertz -- she's definitely a presence out there and willing to throw her body around
But, hey, on the night when the league celebrated its 1000 match, this was classic NWSL After Dark. Frustrating but fun.
I agree on this point. While there are some issues with the substitutions, I feel like I understand why he is making the decision at the time. The glaring issue remains Sinclaire, but we have know that will be an issue for a few years now (Parsons, Wilkinson and now Norris). Otherwise I have to trust levels of fitness and recognition that a player is at the end of their game.
I think Norris has to find a way to light a fire under the team, and do it consistently. The difficulty of that is this team is so experienced that those efforts are really difficult. This will be a good indicator if Norris can do it, because there are a number of points he can bring up to challenge the team. Sloppy game they should have won, poor refereeing, even the choice to pass on VAR can be used to motivate the team to play better.
I wonder why every backheel in history has been cheeky. What does an un-cheeky backheel look like? If there were two in one game, would one be cheekier than the other? Is there no announcer or headline-writer who can dredge up a different adjective? Inquiring minds want to know.
I blame the Brits for this term.
Because "sexy" was taken?
Still reviewing tape and I’ll have more to say at Riveting!, but just this for now: why was Julie Ertz even on the pitch to score their third?
She was utterly out of control all night playing like a goon clattering people. The Dunn takeout slide itself was red-worthy and her bodycheck that enabled their second should have earned a second yellow at a minimum. I mean...her last act right before she came off was trying (and, luckily, failing) to make a clattering slide into Moultrie from behind with no hope of ball. She was a a Hanson Sister with a blue headband.
That she was even there is a tribute to Garcia’s incompetence and her cunning, since she’d seen he had swallowed his whistle.
Not excusing any other of the issues we saw last Saturday, and they were all there as discussed below. But Ertz was a perfect example how a referee’s unwillingness to “affect the game” ends up...affecting the game.
Ertz is trying hard to earn a spot on the USWNT. Too hard.
And that ref had very little concern for player safety.
He was weirdly inconsistent; called some ticky-tacky stuff but let a LOT go, too. Worst was an obvious trip on a Smith run in the 63rd minute that was so bad that even ACFC stopped playing, expecting him to blow them up for it! No call, play on.
But the Ertz thing was really annoying. I'm usually a huge fan of hers, but she was gooning it up all night and he needed to get in her face about it or, if she still persisted, just run her. Hopefully she cuts back on this stuff, or she's gonna hurt someone badly.
And while less important than hurting someone, if/when she makes it onto the Nats, she's going to get sent off in the WWC. The NWSL remains one of the roughest leagues in WoSo, and that level of (repeated) contact is going in the book most anywhere else.
Tbf, that’s always how she’s played...except she’s now old and rusty and it seems to have thrown her timing off. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s the one who gets injured first if she keeps it up.
Can't ruin the returning superstar's first game back, after all... /headdesk
Yeah, the eye test said she should've been about 3 yellows deep....and I feel like that's being conservative.
Way Too Early Week 5 Power Rankings
Tier 1 - bad draw, but better than bad loss
Portland, Puget Sound WoSo Team, Washington
Tier 2 - bad loss, need to bounce back
San Diego, Gotham, Houston
Tier 3 - nice win
KC, NC, Orlando
Tier 4 - should have won, came away with a draw
Louisville, ACFC, Chicago (OK, not really, but symmetry!)
Just a confirmation from Liv about her favorite player lol:
https://twitter.com/olivia_moultrie/status/1652729396913123328
DeBruyne himself would have loved that pass. She is something special.
I think watching Sam, Liv, and Weaver over the WC window is gonna be super fun! Just hope we can, errrrm, get another couple midfielders and forwards on loan though! Would love D'Aquila to actually start playing so that she isn't just thrown in during that window cold and expected to produce...!
I agree with you, but I am wondering what D'Aquila is showing in practice. On the field she seems pretty good, nothing spectacular' but I see that coming. Unfortunately this team is loaded with talent and she may not get to show hers until WC window and yes she will be coming in relatively cold and expected to produce.
Sandra Herrera said this was a tie that probably felt like a win for both teams. Coming into this game the Thorns were expecting a comfortable win and Angel City hoping to nick a point. Angel City got what they were hopping for and the Thorns were like Ooof, Wow that was close. Silver linings were that Weaver had to be that go to player and she was and the team needed to see that they can play well without Smith and even when she is in there they still need to play well, because she can't pull themselves out of a self dug hole even with all her her skills.
Thompson's speed is other worldly, probably faster than Soph, but she is beginning to see she needs more than that. There are some speedy FB's and CB's in this league that can neutralize speed. Arin Wright nerfed Trinity Rodman this weekend and Girma has been Sophia Smith Kryptonite.
I think Liv is going to be one of the players that benefits a lot from the WC Window. She is going to be hard to pull out of the starting lineup and I hope Sinclair is OK with 45-50 minute shift after the WC.
RE: D'Aquila...I'm unsure, but every time she comes in, she's faster than any other subs we have at F and looks totally capable of contributing well. I think putting her on for 15-20 minutes with a tired-legged team and a major bench rotation at that point doesn't really seem like a good way to judge her skill. Preseason she was great for the short time we saw her with Soph, Weaver, Dunn, and Sugita. The coach and reporters were specifically highlighting her as a standout during preseason. Sure, there could be something going on behind the scenes....but from what we've seen and heard, it doesn't really make sense to me. Instead, we've been using Betfort and Vasconcelos (and Sinc?!) ahead of her at points...kinda bizarre to me when she was a 1st round F and was prolific in college. I don't even think she played at all in the Challenge Cup game? Isn't that what those are for? Sure, Leon has been fast, but she's gonna be gone in a month and a half...I'm not sure why we aren't trying to get one of our most likely starting F's during that time minutes now so she can start to develop partnerships (and just adjust to the speed of this league!) I'm not a D'Aquila fangirl or anything, but we've hardly seen her and he's giving priority to other questionable forwards with lower ceilings....there are a lot of teams who aren't losing a lot in the WC window, and they will be well-oiled and cohesive at that point. I think it would benefit us to start getting Coffey/Liv/Weaver/D'Aquila acquainted with each other so it's not a mess later. CC games should be staged with this in mind, imo. Maybe not start all of them together, because some of them are starters and need rest between league games....but at least planning some sub rotations so they can all have like 20-30 minutes together each CC game. Gotta play 4 dimensional chess here coach! Lol.
Yeah, I guess I ultimately agree with Sandra. We should've been able to win that game though, so even a draw while conceding three goals is a bit of a letdown for me. I'm more concerned about the tactics, because this has been 4 games in a row now that they've looked poor and disjointed, despite some individual brilliance.
I think your last sentence is spot on and all the more disheartening because the talent is there. They’re just not yet able to consistently put it all together. And as for this game feeling like a win, I’d be amazed if any of the players felt that way. Most likely they know they were lucky to come away with a draw.
This seems to be how this current group rolls, no? Last year, 3-3 ties with NC and Gotham after building leads. This year, 3-3 tie with ACFCNFT after building lead...
Yeah, with two different coaches, no less. Just saying, on paper, we should be getting 3 points after a week of rest and a mostly healthy group. Soph not playing for 60' kinda made it seem like we were playing with 10 players and only one forward.
Wow, I have many thoughts lol....
Still not sure a goddamn Bixby goal was enough of a consolation for sitting through 90 minutes of....THAT.
Whew. Thorns stay getting points, despite themselves. A terrible showing by literally everyone except probably Weaver. Tried to take the game on her back. The sloppiest game I can remember from this team, and there was no excuse this time. A week of rest/training, at home with a good crowd, beautiful weather...and just, bad. Most everyone looked lethargic, sooo slow to the ball. Sinc was playing the 9/CF to start, and I never want to ever sit through 60 minutes of that again. Once Soph came in, she dropped back into the hole where she usually is...but she was just gassed. Can't believe has consistently pulled Hina and Dunn before Sinc. She's 40 in a month! I reeeeally wish he would put her on to close out matches...the subs could use the leadership on the field at that point. The buzz around Canada is that Sinc will likely be tasked with that 9 position for the WC, and, well, sorry Canada....we had I think 5 shots in the first half, and I don't think Sinc had any. Never up front again, please.
Norris' decision-making is increasingly frustrating and equally baffling. I think it's overly conservative for him to keep a healthy Sophia Smith on the bench for 60 or so minutes because she was traveling earlier in the day. I watched that first half and thought for sure he would pull Sinc, or at least put her back in midfield. Eventually Crystal kind of assumed a higher role, but still, it was a mess. One of the best midfields in the league, and the midfield was swiss cheese. I'm not sure I've seen so many misplaced passes and bad touches. What I said to my partner last night- "You know who we could use here? Lindsay Horan. We need someone in the midfield who can hold onto the damn ball!" I haven't said that in a long time...I have no idea what the plan is, but it's been so many games now that it doesn't seem like a bug, rather than a feature. The midfield has looked pretty terrible multiple games in a row now. Would like to see him do something different, because he's had plenty of data now with the same problems in multiple games. Also, he was a SET PIECE coach...c'mon coach, why isn't anyone marking or shielding Julie Ertz or Katie Johnson on those!? I called each goal before they happened in the stadium because that's what those players do! That was absolutely a foul on Bixby from Ertz, though. Goal should have never stood. This is not a homer opinion.
The backline was just....woof. Kuikka and Kling were just spraying misplaced balls everywhere, not connecting passes, and making terrible fouls. What happened?! Hina- still not a winger. Bella- double woof, but made up for it? Moultrie, a bright spot. That pass!!! My soul left my body on that play with Weaver. THAT is what the playmaker needs to do to connect with the forwards.
In other news....don't think I've seen OL Reign play so terribly, so I guess that's encouraging.....but LOU, what you doing?! You HAD it right there.....! They looked really sharp that first half. Really sharp!
In other other news....did anyone see/hear Julie Uhrman at the game last night?! Oh man, she had one of the fancy suites above 113-ish area with a bunch of people and she was just SCREAMING like top of her lungs constantly for AC. Everyone in my section was just staring at her like "who is this insane lady?!" Never wanted to have water balloons more in my life lol....
Anyways, this is quite the clusterfuck of thoughts from me lol....I still haven't wrapped my head around that game but I'm not sure I want to rewatch that one...next week, we head to North Carolina. I hope they can get back on track....
Still think not starting SS9 was the right call. I would of put her in at the start of second half though.
Yeah, have to hope it was a weird fluky game like the entire NWSL slate this week. Seems like there were upsets and weird results everywhere.
Team will have to rebound, clean up a few things, and get back to playing the soccer they are good at. They'll be back!
Sure, if she could only play half. It was obvious that attack as he had it was toothless. I thought for sure she'd come in at half, or at least he'd put on a forward who could run with Weaver. What's the point in having Weaver's strength and speed if Sinc is playing a central forward, but jogging behind the play?! Just like, the most mismatched pairing I've watched in a while....
Fluky is one game, but, this has been multiple games. At some point you can't call it fluky anymore if they keep showing up the same way...it's been 4 games they haven't played well. HOU/SD/LOU/AC. They've gotten points in some of these because of so much individual talent and a lot of luck.
I know things are changing now, but my old-school brain cant accept Smith not being available bc she had to go visit her boyfriend. If that really is the reason she didn’t play, then shame on either her or Norris or both, depending on whose call it was. Voluntarily Letting your team down like that should be a fineable offense. I still love watching her play, but if I’m honest I respect her as a player a little less. Yeah I know- end of old man rant.
Soph trained in Portland Friday morning was back before 10am Saturday morning. I don’t think people realize the sacrifices these players make. They have families and lives outside of soccer.
I gotta old man rant a little with Stefan though. Can you imagine the opposite happening? How many NFL games will the boyfriend miss because Smith has an important Nats game he would rather be at? My guess is zero.
Look, maybe she had the full support of every teammate and coach, it wasn't really important to them whether the best striker in the league was available for the game because she had other family stuff to do and they figure they are good enough to drop a couple of points along the way and it not matter for shield or playoff positioning.
It is also extremely generational. While I commend the younger generation for not letting their work define them, control them, the reality is that life is full of conflicts and choices, conflicting responsibilities. I have missed a ton of family things over the years because of work responsibilities, but try to make the most of the time that I do have. I am always annoyed when my equals come to me and expect a last minute schedule change because they personally want to do something other than work (which creates a ton of work for everyone else to cover for them) but some of them wouldn't help out others with the same request and would not be willing to be inconvenienced themselves to pay it back. Professional soccer is a bit different because there is no opportunity to pay it back.
She didn’t miss anything, she was there and ready to play. It was 100% the coaches decision. I’m sure her SO would not miss an NFL game to attend a family event but to be fair she did not miss a game either.
You are right (or at least consistent with what others have said, that she was only out of town for an overnight trip, back well before kickoff). I have to admit I don't follow her whereabouts on social media or as paparazzi, etc ;).
I was never a professional player, but in college the rule on my team was always no parties or substances the night before, in bed on time, stay completely on routine. San Diego is a short flight (I read elsewhere that is where Boyfriend's family is) but it is still 5 hours on a plane round trip, not sleeping in your own bed, nothing routine about it. Timing was not ideal for a finely tuned athlete to be in airports/traveling for 8-9 hours for a congratulatory together moment, quick sleep over and home. That said, this wasn't the reason we drew and nearly lost. That was on defensive blunder minded moments.
I don't usually like criticizing coaches for resting players....but it's borderline insane to not start Soph on full rest, weekend LA trip or no weekend LA trip.
I'll maintain that the main problem with the midfield is that, well, two of the midfielders don't actually really want to play midfield, and certainly not in the 8-6-8 style of 4-3-3 Norris plays. Sinc and Dunn essentially took turns at the 9 in the first half, leaving Rocky and Sam alone. Totally agree that we seem to be missing a Horan-type 8. I'd like to see more Moultrie and less Sinc/Dunn together.
It's also hard for me to blame the coach for garbage set piece marking- These are professional players! Do your jobs! Same with Bella on first goal and Natu on the foul that lead to the 2nd: Simply inexcusable individual mistakes leading *directly* to goals.
The Demelo red really screwed Louisville over- Too bad, but I'll certainly take a combined 1 point between Seattle and SD this weekend.
Yeah, I've gotten the vibe that he is a bit too overly cautious and conservative with it (except for with Sinc.) I'm happy he isn't Freya Coombe a la last season running his team into the ground, but, she had a week of rest and took a 2 hr flight to chill with her partner and eat catered Mexican food lol. At least give her half if she's healthy. She's had 8 goal contributions so far....we have to minimize that time she's not on the field, esp given that she will be gone in a couple months. We need to pick up points now!
SWAG he expected to roll ACFC early then bring her in to score and seal the deal. This requires not accepting they're a different and importantly, tougher team with Ertz, who has already asserted herself on that squad in an eyeblink. Thorns looked a little soft and disjointed in the first half.
Though Emslie had herself a really good game, too.
ACFC just outworked us. Better tempo, better marking, won the midfield most of the night. And what’s troubling, to me at least, they shouldn’t have.
Yeah, our defense was atrocious, but the battle was lost in the midfield for sure...which may have been the most problematic. It's been that way for about 4 games now.
Also, I hope everyone will take a moment to enjoy this picture LOL:
https://twitter.com/Amynumber04/status/1652780147052023808
Always up for a bit of Schadenfreude! That is truly a classic - so reminiscent of the Peanuts vid someone posted last week.
I'll take my bow...
So great. My favorite finish since the I love Lussi header v. Orlando. Saw that one in person and it was a true "did that really just happen?" moment. What a treat for folks who were there last night.
It was but I personally didn't celebrate as much as you might because I was worried about VAR taking it off.
That VAR wait was an eternity!
Same here. It looked like Haracic had the ball so I was waiting for VAR to say that a Thorn knocked it out of her hands. I still haven't seen a replay that shows what caused the ball to pop out to Bixby.
Looks like she runs into an Angel City player tbh
She probably ran into Katie J, and Le Bihan headed it out of her hands.
Frustrating that Kuika gets in her own head so much. She scored the OG (on which my opinion was that Ertz ran straight into an tackled Bixby, gridiron style -- but it was pretty obvious that the VAR ref wasn't going to call anything all night and take a long time doing it ... every kickoff, even the pen was held for 30+ seconds, some for over a minute). She then immediately committed 2 bad fouls, the first earning a yellow and 2nd a totally unnecessary foul on a player out on the wing going away from goal just seconds later with the ref left deciding whether it was 2nd yellow worthy ... and honestly a 2nd yellow for a hard and unnecessary foul wouldn't have been a wrong (a little harsh, but not wrong) for this foul. This was followed by her team too busy arguing against having her sent off to bother to pick up Ertz who had a free run to a free front post header. Gahh! She is a good player but this isn't the first time I have seen her just lose the plot and pull the whole team down with her.
While the Bixby goal was glorious, it should have never been needed if not for the total mental collapse in back and an uncalled foul against Bixby keeping her from making the save on AC's 2nd goal leading to mental collapse giving up an immediate 3rd led by the person scoring the OG.
Completely agree with you. The team lost complete composure when that own goal was not overturned.
That game was poorly called. They let an overly physical obvious foul go and then try to make up with it with some light calls.
I’m glad Crystal is OK, but I was kind of pissed that wasn’t a red on Ertz. I’ve always viewed tackles like that as cheap/dangerous. I’m sure it was just effort based, but ACL tears don’t need more help. Dunn is lucky her foot didn’t stick when she got mauled. Player safety should warrant variations in penalties
I will give Ertz credit. She pretty much could read that the official was going to swallow his whistle and played most of the match more physically than most players would with a yellow. It got them an unjustified goal because that goalie interference looked intentional to me.
Ertz should've had multiple yellows given last night....kinda crazy she came out only with one imo. Didn't play the ball at all on that second AC goal...Bix couldn't even get her hands up. I'm currently watching the Spirit/Chi game, and I have seen multiple whistles this game when someone even bumps Naeher in the box. Wildly inconsistent.
The PK easily could have been red- Really brutal tackle.
Yeah, I didn’t have a great view of the hit from my seats, but I watched the broadcast this morning and it was pretty shocking, doubly so when the play by play guy kept insisting Ertz played the ball and it wasn’t a foul at all
Yeah, Kuikka is a big "confidence" player. When Rhian moved her around to the left side, or took her off completely for Beckie to play right wingback (big nope), she suffered for multiple games and looked really bad. Made costly mistakes. Didn't truly come back until leading into the playoffs....
I feel like Rocky is similar. She's streaky....and as soon as you cut that momentum, it takes her a long time to reset. Rocky was a beast at the end of last season, and she's been totally unused but for garbage minutes because coach needs to get Sinc on the field still...no doubt she's in her head about that. Now when she's in...she just looks nervous and sloppy.
Any thoughts on the head ref? It sure appeared to me that Bixby got knocked down by Ertz on the 2nd LA goal.
Oddly officiated game. Very inconsistent and not good enough, especially in key moments.
He seemed pretty inconsistent as to what constituted a foul. Mostly he let pretty harsh contact go, with Ertz's uncalled crash into Bixby as Exhibit A, but other times he would call pretty minor contact. You could see players on both teams were frustrated.
Until VAR makes a bold call one of these days, "looking at it" isn't much. We all know that different head refs give VAR referees different instructions, some tell them to put the bar for obvious error in the stratosphere, others are willing to be wrong and look at plays again. While you knew the ref was looking at goals (the kickoff was held after all 6 goals (even the PK), anywhere between 30 an 90 seconds for the check, but the VAR didn't feel it necessary to tell the CR maybe he should look at Ertz clattering into and pulling Bixby down. That just isn't good refereeing when there is a pretty obvious foul on a goal scoring play.
I thought VAR would help way more, but it seems to be more of a hinderance. Really unfortunate.
The psychology of VAR is always interesting.
It may make some CRs less likely to blow the whistle in real time, assuming if they really mess it up, they will get bailed out.
Any VAR call is essentially saying to the CR that "I think you blew it". We have seen many examples of that being absolutely true but the CR's pride is so strong and they are so convinced they made the correct call in real time that they are unwilling to be open minded (we have seen obvious hand balls in the box blocking a shot on goal where the CR still insists not a hand ball - mostly because he should be embarrassed he missed it in real time. The flip side is that MOST plays that are sent from VAR to the CR are overturned because the CR knows another referee thinks they missed something --- which then puts a very high bar in the VAR's mind.
There is no clear rule on how much contact constitutes a foul (mostly it is did you gain an advantage from more than just incidental contact that wasn't legal - shoulder to shoulder). But there is no league in the world where you are allowed to back into a keeper going to the ball, put your arm over hers to hold it down then run into her knocking her over ... in the goal box and it not be a foul. That was just silly because both the CR and VAR were essentially saying there was no contact or it was completely incidental / minimal. I do get it that a CR might have missed the full extent of the arm block and running into the keeper in real time, but VAR should have at least told him to take a look.
The things VAR have overturned this year have mostly been bizarre (The Endo goal for ACFC the first weekend) but this is generally how VAR is. They'll call the marginal stuff that no one wants because they can say it's clear and obvious (Leon's handball last week, offside) but most stuff they'll let go because it's subjective.
Sure looked that way. We will in the Riveters nine rows behind goal. NWSL refs appear afraid of using VAR.
I reserved judgement until I got home from the stadium and could look at a replay on the highlights. No question that was a very obvious foul on Bixby by Ertz. That goal should have been overturned. If VAR can't get such a "clear and obvious" thing right, what use is it?
Who could have ever predicted the NWSL's VAR refs would be just as incompetent as their on-field refs? Oh wait, everybody!
As the league grows and the fan base with it, lousy reffing continues to tarnish its image.
Yeah, here's some shots of Ertz bulldozing Bixby. She can't even get her hands up because Ertz's arms and body are above hers....she doesn't even come anywhere near playing the ball.
https://twitter.com/tayvincent6/status/1652528167834513409
VAR looked at it, as they look at all goals. They just didn't see enough to overturn the on-field decision, or even to call the Ref over for a look. Baffling.
https://youtu.be/yvt5TMyG3j4
You can watch the VAR process for the Weaver 2nd goal against Louisville being overturned. It starts 4:22 to the end of the video.
It probably won't help explain the 2nd ACFC goal. It will probably help you understand the process. By the point they have the Center Ref is told look at the video they have already decided there is something wrong. It isn't the CR seeing it again it is the VAR saying look at the right hand. Would be interesting to hear what the booth said about this game.
It should be covered in PRO's Inside Video Review NWSL #5, probably next weekend on YouTube.
I haven't looked at any of the other inside the video reviews but #4 only covered calls overturned by VARz both handballs. I figured as none of the Thorns calls were overturned they wouldn't be selected for the week 5 video. I hope it will be.
IKD what's in those sideline water bottles but yesterday was one of the craziest days of soccer I've encountered. Not pretty but definitely not boring.
All hail Bella. That draw felt like a win.
OT: KC v Gotham. Miller in goal again, not Franch, but AD is available for today.
Methinks I know part of why Potter got sacked.
I'm guessing the GM wanted Potter to bench Franch, and he refused to do so. Interim coach is doing what she's been told to do.
There's no other plausible explanation -- I mean, what interim coach with no comparable pro head coaching experience would have the nerve to start her tenure by benching Franch?
I don't buy the broadcasters' "hot hand with Miller" explanation at all.
AD is the player around whom KC built their "turn-around."
She was the first high-profile player they brought in back in 2021. Local kid, from Salina, KS. Had worked her way back into the USWNT picture before the WWC.
The benching is brutal, but the results speak for themselves, I guess.
With AD in goal, 3 losses and 9 goals conceded; with Miller in goal, 3 wins and 0 goals conceded.
To be fair to AD (who hasn’t been good), her benching has coincided with both Debinha’s and DiBernardo’s returns and the team getting their feet under themselves a bit more.
She’s made a few mistakes, but nothing that would force a benching of a player with her rep imo. If management is really getting involved in personnel decisions, the KC problems run deep.
Debinha just scored for KC at 57'.
1-0.
I'm rooting for KC even though they benched Franch.
And again at 61'! Former Thorn Abby Smith had a truly horrific goalkeeping error, coming WAY out of her goal for a ball and getting beat to it.
2-0.
That’s the Abby Smith we know and love.
Does that constantly. Why I hated seeing us pick her up and was pleased to see her go.
She nearly singlehandedly kept them in the game the entire first half too- Wouldn't want to be a GK!
I remember when Marta chipped her from the center circle when she was on KC. Her positioning is often poor and she makes bizarre decisions sometimes.
She’s not a bad technical keeper. It’s a headspace issue; she’s practically guaranteed to make a grotesque error once a game or so, and that’s not a coachable issue, so she’s gonna keep doing that.
Potter didn't have benefit of Debinha in the opener, right, and she only saw limited action in their game against Portland?
Yeah, Deb came on like at 65' or so vs Portland. Came in on the tail end of the lashing KC put on the Thorns to start the second half. Not super effective at that point. We also won't see her in PP as she'll be gone for the WC. Only chance to see them again with Debinha is during the playoff race...
You can see in the last angle shown here that Bix's jump was totally stunted when Ertz plowed into her. She would've been able to jump higher and get her hands up to easily get that ball had it not been for Ertz...100% got that wrong.
https://twitter.com/AttackingThird/status/1652526648921853953