Continuously amazed at how this team can look simultaneously so threatening and so poor all at once. Don't want to focus on the bad, so:
- Reilyn Turner: Turning into quite the player! I always forget she's only 22, but I might have to adjust whatever ceiling I had put on her. Awesome game, WOTM for me.
- Isa Obaze: Absolutely everywhere, great 1v1 block on Sears late on, won all kinds of headers.
- Julie Dufour: Has some juice! Skilled, decisive, more assertive than I thought. Useful player!
- Mallie Mckenzie: Should be the starting RB hand down, awesome ball for the winner.
Turner this year seems to be really maturing before our eyes. She's gone from "finally, an aerial game" to a well-rounded attacker and creator.
Importantly, I spy her frequently ALL the way back on defense, making plays and instigating the counter. IDK how many km she's logging/match but the gal has a set of wheels.
Turner's decision-making and team play have improved too, which is really impressive to see. And her first touch on the ball that led to Dufour's goal was just about perfect, another thing she's improved on.
Have time before an early flight and thinking aloud line by line…
GK
- this is probably controversial, but I feel about even and may even slightly nod toward Macca in goal. The goal (and most threatening attempts) tonight felt more like a defensive breakdown than her fault and I actually thought she not only came up big when needed but seemed more confident grabbing the ball through traffic. I don’t love her distribution but I am not sure Bixbys is stronger. I also think it would be tough to flip flop between GKs. Now to contradict myself: I still kinda wanna see Bixby for meaningful comparison lol.
DEFENSE
- For CB, Obaze and JP I do think is our strongest duo. At the same time, they reflect their youth and inexperience. I found both had moments that signal strong potential (Obaze I would say more on the defensive intervention, JP on breaking lines and sharp passing) — and both had clear lapses. Neither is particularly fast, but with more time (and better coaching) I think they could be a strong duo. I actually think Hiatt has a pretty good read of the game, but just makes too many blunders and isn’t fast enough to justify starting over them. Her and Diane are good good subs or backups IMO.
- With respect, I have no idea why Torpey is starting over McKenzie. McKenzie looked significantly stronger on both defense and offense. To me McKenzie should be our starter with Reyes.
MIDFIELD
- Jessie has solidified her criticality for me. She brings hustle, heart, and grit — but seems to have unlocked how to read the game in the league better. She is not perfect, but I feel like she is a clear starter.
- Coffey as has been discussed has been off. I counted far too many giveaways, poor challenges, and just lacked the strategic leadership I’ve come to expect. At the same time, she always goes 90 for club and country; I think she could use a backup so I’m curious if Laila can bring that to give her some relief.
- While I think Moultrie has grown so much this year, I’d like to try Jessie, Coffey, and Hina with Moultrie coming in as a 50 or 60 min sub.
FRONTLINE
- In general, I like our front line. While she’s not quite there yet, I think Reilyn has shown TREMENDOUS talent. She for me is our strongest threat offensively. Her dribbling, while still needing some work, has improved dramatically and I love the runs she makes at defense. I’d like to see her at the 9.
- Tordin is so good. At the same time, I also feel we’ve seen her inexperience show in this game — she held the ball far too long and ended up turning it over far til many times. I still want her getting minutes, but I’m interested in a Loboa, Turner, Dufour front line (forgive me - does that work? I wasn’t sure if Loboa and Dufour are both RW)
- Dufour. I’m excited about her. She isn’t elite in terms of speed but she shows true quality on the wing, makes the right runs, and I feel is quickly (tho still emerging) building strong combinations.
I so dislike being negative, but I just walk away feeling like if we had a more strategic, coherent coach, this group could actually be confidently in 4th rather than grasping at it.
There are true moments of brilliance and I continue to believe in our group. I hope we can take this win, as scrappy as it was, and grow into the end of season and a strong playoff run.
“ … but I just walk away feeling like if we had a more strategic, coherent coach, this group could actually be confidently in …”
Indeed. If only FO and owners cared about this single, recurring, constant. I wish the local media would more blatantly come out about this horrible fit of talent (good!) and coach (bad!).
I wish we as fans could come out with a statement that would hit the front office where it hurts, such as not buying season tickets and striking until a coaching change is made. Obviously the owners are watching the games and they don’t seem to care about what’s happening on the pitch… But maybe they’ll care about what’s happening to their pocketbooks?
For me JP on defense has hit her sophomore slump early. Many Hublyesque derps lately. Passing way off target hits o general area doesn't seem to be targeting players feet to.set them up. Also way too.many hopeful.monster long balls. Often finds herself out of position without speed to correct. Was watching thinking now I understand why she didn't play for that extended period of time.
If it's any consolation [narrator: it is no consolation] we look a little better than last year's sclerotic club, post summer break:
'24 L L L L D L L W L W
'25 L W D L L W
Does not make losses to bad teams any easier to accept. Arbitrary man divides the cause between the Thorns Yoot Movement and the gaffer's inexplicable lineups. You'd think by now....
Today's wish: Ludmila scores the game-winner against Orlando in the 95th minute and whips her shirt off in celebration... forgetting she's already on a yellow....
"I was surprised to see yet another sloppy performance from Portland’s backline."
You would be the only one, then...
Hey, late lucky-ass own-goal? Sure I'll take it. (Coach Gale wipes the flop sweat off his brow, thinking "my job is safe...for another week!").
Dufour? Last week's was a golazo, this one a poacher's goal; from vintage champagne to a pig's foot and a bottle of beer. Which is she? Maybe we'll find out. Maybe.
I'd give Dufour good credit for that one. Yes it was a right-place-right-time goal, but it was also a very well-placed header, just at the edge of the goal, maybe even off the post. Plenty of NWSL players would have gone for power and headed it straight into a Racing defender.
She and Tordin appear to have The Gift—instantaneously reacting to the situation presented them. I'm greedy and now want Dufour to get a chip goal over the keeper.
Reminds me of that bar in Anchorage where if you ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, you'd get the complimentary accompaniment of ... a can of Spam.
That said, she doesn't look like Sam Kerr. Yet. And it takes a Kerr, a Messi, a Wilson, a Marta or Pele, to individually take a match or a squad by the throat and make differences. So until then? Like I said; we'll see.
I know I keep banging this drum, but soccer is one of the most team-y of team sports. Individual quality is nice, but in soccer as much or more than any sport "a good team can beat a team of good players". As kielbj pointed out, that's why "this team can look simultaneously so threatening and so poor all at once".
Right now they're not "a good team"; they're a team of players - some very good, some good, some meh, some not terrific - that often lacks a coherent game plan, effective tactics, and tends to make individual and group mistakes.
So is Dufour "what we needed"?
No.
What we NEED is a coherent game plan, effective, tactics, and fewer mistakes.
I meant "what we needed" in a more limited sense. Clearly Dufour is not going to drag the team up the table singlehandedly. However, we have all talked about the need for a right wing with winger skills, and she does seem to be that. And she seems to have good vision; she's aware of the field and where the other players are, and her off-the-ball movement looks good to me.
Whether she'll be used well, and whether the glut of midfielders she may create will be handled well, who knows - I'm not counting on it. However, if she frees up Fleming or Sugita to take some of the load off Coffey, I think the team will benefit.
"From vintage champagne to a pig's foot and a bottle of beer." Well that's different from Could be peaches or it could be meatloaf. This week I had both fresh peaches and meatloaf. The meatloaf for the first time in about 40 years. Meatloaf is good really, and so are peaches.
If we nick all 3 points from Chicago we move into sole possession of 3rd, 2 points clear of Gotham and San Diego, at least 2 points clear of Seattle, and at least 1 point clear of Orlando by the end of Week 20.
Houston and Chicago are two of my favorite teams not named the Thorns. Houston could make the playoffs, but Chicago needs to play for the fun of it. I loved your recap. Any chance Ella Masar could score a head coaching job?
Made me look. Køge is 55 deg N, which is way the føck northier than Portland's practically tropical 45 deg. "We gots no sun" claims gots no traction. (In case that's what they're saying.)
In a distant future time French drain and sump pump technology will descend on PDX and there will be much rejoicing. (Even Fieldturf has to be drained so something's there already.)
Better to win ugly than lose ugly but still kinda worried about *that* which we just watched. 2 games in a row (I do think we played better vs KC than these last 2 matches) that we’ve looked pretty slow, hesitant, disjointed, and sometimes straight up confused. Our midfield has been rough and Sam has gone missing a lot in the last several games. Neeeed to get some defensive work done quick (really, the wide areas esp) because Ludmila *will* score if she’s given that many chances. And it’s another match on the road.
Kinda can’t believe this team is in 4th lol (caveat other teams still have to play), but seems like an indictment on all the teams 2-9 basically that no one can really consistently win games. It’s just a rat scramble from everyone not named KC. Everyone dropping points so that there isn’t a lot of daylight between anyone.
This game turned curiously on Louisville's goal. Before it they were totally dominating play, getting chances and not letting us out of our own half. Right after it we were on top for a good spell until our goal, or really until halftime. Then the second half was all back and forth, with good chances for us but also huge huge saves needed from Macca, the post, and Obaze. Then the sweetest cross from McKenzie and a very well-placed volley from Fleming sewed up three points. Well done Thorns!
That's why I said at the time that I was glad to see Loovull punt that ball hard into the back of our net. It was such a resounding, exclamatory, undeniable goal from point blank that I thought it might help wake up the Thorns. I think it did.
Sam's PK looks even worse now. Reading Sam's body language, Bloomer cheated to the right before Sam kicked it - she made a full hop to the right when the ball was still 8-9 yards away. Sam got it up in the air and put it a good 6 feet inside the post. Such a bad take.
My golden suggestion on a quick rebrand to FC San Jose Tarmacs have remained unacknowledged by the club. On reflection maybe it was a poor move on my part to trademark the utter hell out of it.
I bet they’ll hire Nahas. He plays the style that Bay has been talking about wanting to have since their inception…(if I have to hear “Barcelona of the west coast” again…)
But, he would have a lot easier time recruiting in San Jose than NC with a lot more resources behind him.
As much as I dislike Gale, it's really hard for me to get there given where they are in the table and how good their attack has continued to be despite all the injuries. I know the NWSL is super close and they could easily miss the playoffs altogether with another cold stretch, but there does have to be some objective measurement applied here even if the NWSL's competitiveness does help. Even if it's just as simple as maintaining a positive vibe, it's clear that stuff like that matters. It's not like they're outperforming their metrics either....if anything, they're slightly underperforming.
He's comfortably in the "almost certainly never going to win anything" zone, while also jussst being OK enough to keep the job imo.
Yeah, it's such a hard thing to square the results with the play on the field...
Since he's been coach, overall I've felt pretty meh about what I see on-field (regardless of result.) I don't have much idea about our "style" or structure, or what he's trying to do. Only that he's kinda like "I am the anti-structure and it's just gonna be a press and chaos." There's only been a handful of games in his entire tenure where I've thought "wow they won AND they played really well." And generally, they were one-offs and we either draw or lose the next game. Those feelings never have the chance to stick around. On the opposite side, there have been verrry few games where we've lost but I thought we at least played well. I thought they played fine-ish against KC recently, but still had some major derps and the personnel choices were still weird.
I think we *don't* have the talent deficit that a lot of the coaches in Gale's mid-talent-tier have, so it feels worse. Most teams have some identity or obvious structure. You see other coaches, like Gautraut maybe not overperfoming points table-wise, but with regard to their talent, it does look better on-field than you'd expect. Even despite our injuries, is Gale also overperfoming the talent we have in our XI? Is he underperforming the talent in our XI? I dunno. Is this just a bad coach with an XI with talent (as we've seen the past 3 years) AND the teams around us are also struggling for one reason or another? Without looking at stats, because stats don't have nuance and other factors to consider, it's so hard to say...so it still just comes down to what I watch week in and week out. And it still feels like a better coach could do a lot more with this roster. The team has had up and down results since Gale (and really, since Norris) took the job. Last year we didn't have the injuries we do, and yet, we still ended in 6th and the play all season was middling.
I know good coaches in the women's game are hard to come by, and a lot of coaches don't have the experience to be considered a sure bet...but still can't help but wonder what this team would look like with a better coach. I've thought that even since Norris (who lucked out inheriting a championship roster.)
Yeah, tactically, I don't like it. I don't think it looks good, and it often looks bad. I'd rather have someone who comes off smarter and appeals to the soccer nerd in me if I got to choose.
But, you *do* have to look at the stats to an extent, because that's what tells us how good a team is. You don't lead the league in xG and chances created if you're truly horribly coached. It just doesn't happen. They're 4th best in both goals scored and goals conceded. That's pretty much a 4th place team! It doesn't matter than their soccer ain't as pretty as Eidevall because they're pretty much identical performance-wise despite going much of the season without a real winger, without a starting caliber RB, with two U-23 CBs, and with a front line of U-22s, children and Deyna Castellanos
I think my big question is not so much whether a Vlatko type is elevating *this* version of the Thorns --I feel confident that their ceiling is right about where they're at now-- but whether Gale is capable of turning a fully healthy objectively talented-enough-to-win trophies team into competing with KC and Washington. That's where I don't think Gale is good enough, and that's why I worry that the Thorns have a cap until they get someone better.
Yeah, I agree with all your points. It's why I'm not like *mad* about it...just feel kinda resigned to more waiting and hoping and waiting some more. Like you, I think we're a playoff team just on talent that we do have now (even without Soph)...but yeah I don't think Gale has what it takes to ever get us into beating Washington or KC consistently/ever even with a healthy and more experienced roster (say, 2 yrs from now), or even being able to win games we should be winning, like against terrible teams (Utah, Bay, ect...) WIth him, there has been no real stability or consistency, for the past 2 seasons now. That's...dispiriting.
Its been a struggle once the team signed Norris on as the Head Coach. And it was such a last minute hiring that it made sense. But he wasn't the right guy for the job, and (in my opinion) neither is Gale. I get that the players like him, and I suppose that's important. But is it really that hard to find a coach who can coach up players who isn't some sort of an asshole? It doesn't seem like it should be but then again we haven't had one in two years.
I don't think Gale is quantifiably worse than 2025 Laura Harvey, and I'm really sceptical that Straus, who was truly dreadful in European competition and was essentially winning the league in a down period for Wolfsburg, is all that good either.
Yeah, I mean Harvey is a weird one. She has a style and a structure she's known for...and it's been very effective, at points. I don't personally like her form of sufferball lol, but if she has a fully healthy roster she's capable of grinding out results against good teams. She's playing with multiple literal children on the field for the first time I've seen of her (bc she's usually veteran-heavy to a fault) so this is def a rebuild year, but I think she'll always be at least a mid-to-upper (5-8) tier team (considering the ascendancy of formerly meh teams with better GMs and coaches, as well as their own rebuild.) It won't win a shield now imo, but it's an identity that I think will continue to work fine enough for her to keep her job. And it could win them a championship if they had more/better developed talent, because you just gotta win 3 in a row. They've won 3 shields and have been runner's up for 3 championships with her. Would I want her over Gale? Absolutely not. But do I think she's a smarter coach than he is with a plan she sticks with (usually to a fault)? Generally yeah.
Straus, I just don't have enough to go on personally. I just give him an edge over Gale because he's actually won things, regardless of circumstance. But again, I didn't watch Bayern enough to know what his play style/structure looks like. Angel City is also a trash fire of an org, and has a talent deficit so that's a factor too.
The reality is Gale appears to be an adult who treats the players well. In the NWSL, that might make him OK even though I think he limits the team’s upside. He seems willing to play players out of position to get the best IX on the field, but depends too much on perceived ability rather than actual production
If he had tactics, that would make him a unicorn :)
I'm gritting my teeth as I say this, but I'd rather have Gale than Montoya. Lots of reasons for that, obviously. I would love a more tactically astute and consistent gaffer, but Montoya seems like a dumpster fire as a leader, even if he knows his tactics. Gale is positive to a fault, but that positivity has its benefits. Montoya has made it really clear through his actions and words that he's just a miserable asshole.
I just assume some club will pick up Montoya, but maybe he slinks back to Europe to be shitty to players there. And yes, Gale will be the worst coach in the league if that happens. Although we have no idea how Boston and Denver will show next season.
I think every single club is pretty set with their coach...who would hire him? Aside from being terrible on-field, he was also being investigated off-field.
The clubs at the bottom-
Utah (Coenrats seems to have fine tactical knowledge and knows how to organize a team in a structured style of play, but they have a talent/depth problem.)
Chicago (Masar/new coach have really turned the dysfunction around in short order; also have a talent/depth issue)
North Carolina (yes, coach tbd bc they just fired their HC...will absolutely not hire Montoya lol; still have some talent and depth issues)
Angel City (just signed a shiny Euro coach; club has more probs than him lol)
Houston (Gautraut was Nahas's assistant prior and has some technical know-how. Houston looks better than they have in a very long time and they still have a talent/depth disadvantage.)
Racing Lou (Bev has given the team an identity and structure they've never had; team looks better than they ever have)
Seattle (Harvey ain't going anywhere lol.)
The top 6 teams- Vlatko, Adrian Gonzalez, Jonas, Seb Hines, and Juan Carlos Amoros, and, Rob Gale.
No one is hiring Montoya here.
But you're right, hard to say how Denver/Boston will fare.
Continuously amazed at how this team can look simultaneously so threatening and so poor all at once. Don't want to focus on the bad, so:
- Reilyn Turner: Turning into quite the player! I always forget she's only 22, but I might have to adjust whatever ceiling I had put on her. Awesome game, WOTM for me.
- Isa Obaze: Absolutely everywhere, great 1v1 block on Sears late on, won all kinds of headers.
- Julie Dufour: Has some juice! Skilled, decisive, more assertive than I thought. Useful player!
- Mallie Mckenzie: Should be the starting RB hand down, awesome ball for the winner.
Turner this year seems to be really maturing before our eyes. She's gone from "finally, an aerial game" to a well-rounded attacker and creator.
Importantly, I spy her frequently ALL the way back on defense, making plays and instigating the counter. IDK how many km she's logging/match but the gal has a set of wheels.
Turner's decision-making and team play have improved too, which is really impressive to see. And her first touch on the ball that led to Dufour's goal was just about perfect, another thing she's improved on.
Match report up: https://rivetingpdx.com/2025/09/11/thorns-fc-the-dog-in-the-nighttime/
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy your article titles? Because they really are great
Have time before an early flight and thinking aloud line by line…
GK
- this is probably controversial, but I feel about even and may even slightly nod toward Macca in goal. The goal (and most threatening attempts) tonight felt more like a defensive breakdown than her fault and I actually thought she not only came up big when needed but seemed more confident grabbing the ball through traffic. I don’t love her distribution but I am not sure Bixbys is stronger. I also think it would be tough to flip flop between GKs. Now to contradict myself: I still kinda wanna see Bixby for meaningful comparison lol.
DEFENSE
- For CB, Obaze and JP I do think is our strongest duo. At the same time, they reflect their youth and inexperience. I found both had moments that signal strong potential (Obaze I would say more on the defensive intervention, JP on breaking lines and sharp passing) — and both had clear lapses. Neither is particularly fast, but with more time (and better coaching) I think they could be a strong duo. I actually think Hiatt has a pretty good read of the game, but just makes too many blunders and isn’t fast enough to justify starting over them. Her and Diane are good good subs or backups IMO.
- With respect, I have no idea why Torpey is starting over McKenzie. McKenzie looked significantly stronger on both defense and offense. To me McKenzie should be our starter with Reyes.
MIDFIELD
- Jessie has solidified her criticality for me. She brings hustle, heart, and grit — but seems to have unlocked how to read the game in the league better. She is not perfect, but I feel like she is a clear starter.
- Coffey as has been discussed has been off. I counted far too many giveaways, poor challenges, and just lacked the strategic leadership I’ve come to expect. At the same time, she always goes 90 for club and country; I think she could use a backup so I’m curious if Laila can bring that to give her some relief.
- While I think Moultrie has grown so much this year, I’d like to try Jessie, Coffey, and Hina with Moultrie coming in as a 50 or 60 min sub.
FRONTLINE
- In general, I like our front line. While she’s not quite there yet, I think Reilyn has shown TREMENDOUS talent. She for me is our strongest threat offensively. Her dribbling, while still needing some work, has improved dramatically and I love the runs she makes at defense. I’d like to see her at the 9.
- Tordin is so good. At the same time, I also feel we’ve seen her inexperience show in this game — she held the ball far too long and ended up turning it over far til many times. I still want her getting minutes, but I’m interested in a Loboa, Turner, Dufour front line (forgive me - does that work? I wasn’t sure if Loboa and Dufour are both RW)
- Dufour. I’m excited about her. She isn’t elite in terms of speed but she shows true quality on the wing, makes the right runs, and I feel is quickly (tho still emerging) building strong combinations.
I so dislike being negative, but I just walk away feeling like if we had a more strategic, coherent coach, this group could actually be confidently in 4th rather than grasping at it.
There are true moments of brilliance and I continue to believe in our group. I hope we can take this win, as scrappy as it was, and grow into the end of season and a strong playoff run.
“ … but I just walk away feeling like if we had a more strategic, coherent coach, this group could actually be confidently in …”
Indeed. If only FO and owners cared about this single, recurring, constant. I wish the local media would more blatantly come out about this horrible fit of talent (good!) and coach (bad!).
I wish we as fans could come out with a statement that would hit the front office where it hurts, such as not buying season tickets and striking until a coaching change is made. Obviously the owners are watching the games and they don’t seem to care about what’s happening on the pitch… But maybe they’ll care about what’s happening to their pocketbooks?
I think Coffey really needs a rest, but the Thorns really aren't in a position to give her one.
For me JP on defense has hit her sophomore slump early. Many Hublyesque derps lately. Passing way off target hits o general area doesn't seem to be targeting players feet to.set them up. Also way too.many hopeful.monster long balls. Often finds herself out of position without speed to correct. Was watching thinking now I understand why she didn't play for that extended period of time.
OT: Dr Nadim's recent goal off corner, now from three different angles. Absolutely filthy.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOV5s_ADITF/
We would now be in sole possession of 3rd had we not utterly crapped the bed against Utah. UTAH!!!
If it's any consolation [narrator: it is no consolation] we look a little better than last year's sclerotic club, post summer break:
'24 L L L L D L L W L W
'25 L W D L L W
Does not make losses to bad teams any easier to accept. Arbitrary man divides the cause between the Thorns Yoot Movement and the gaffer's inexplicable lineups. You'd think by now....
Today's wish: Ludmila scores the game-winner against Orlando in the 95th minute and whips her shirt off in celebration... forgetting she's already on a yellow....
Gisele Thompson signs with ACFC through 2029. Probably means she'll be in London before the end of next week. =)
Heh. Has anybody put a webcam on the black cloud hovering over ACFC World HQ?
"I was surprised to see yet another sloppy performance from Portland’s backline."
You would be the only one, then...
Hey, late lucky-ass own-goal? Sure I'll take it. (Coach Gale wipes the flop sweat off his brow, thinking "my job is safe...for another week!").
Dufour? Last week's was a golazo, this one a poacher's goal; from vintage champagne to a pig's foot and a bottle of beer. Which is she? Maybe we'll find out. Maybe.
But, hey. Three points? Yay.
I'd give Dufour good credit for that one. Yes it was a right-place-right-time goal, but it was also a very well-placed header, just at the edge of the goal, maybe even off the post. Plenty of NWSL players would have gone for power and headed it straight into a Racing defender.
She and Tordin appear to have The Gift—instantaneously reacting to the situation presented them. I'm greedy and now want Dufour to get a chip goal over the keeper.
You remind me of a story my mother used to tell, about going to the store for chitlins and champagne.
Dufour looks like just what we needed. Glad we got her before the talk started about Thompson leaving AC.
Dufour68: Hey, goals are goals. I'm not picky.
Reminds me of that bar in Anchorage where if you ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, you'd get the complimentary accompaniment of ... a can of Spam.
Nothing pairs better!
Dufour looks fine.
That said, she doesn't look like Sam Kerr. Yet. And it takes a Kerr, a Messi, a Wilson, a Marta or Pele, to individually take a match or a squad by the throat and make differences. So until then? Like I said; we'll see.
I know I keep banging this drum, but soccer is one of the most team-y of team sports. Individual quality is nice, but in soccer as much or more than any sport "a good team can beat a team of good players". As kielbj pointed out, that's why "this team can look simultaneously so threatening and so poor all at once".
Right now they're not "a good team"; they're a team of players - some very good, some good, some meh, some not terrific - that often lacks a coherent game plan, effective tactics, and tends to make individual and group mistakes.
So is Dufour "what we needed"?
No.
What we NEED is a coherent game plan, effective, tactics, and fewer mistakes.
And we all know how and how gets us there.
I meant "what we needed" in a more limited sense. Clearly Dufour is not going to drag the team up the table singlehandedly. However, we have all talked about the need for a right wing with winger skills, and she does seem to be that. And she seems to have good vision; she's aware of the field and where the other players are, and her off-the-ball movement looks good to me.
Whether she'll be used well, and whether the glut of midfielders she may create will be handled well, who knows - I'm not counting on it. However, if she frees up Fleming or Sugita to take some of the load off Coffey, I think the team will benefit.
Why is one of them pronounced CH and the other SH?
I mean, SHitlins and CHampagne - what's that all about?
One is French, and the other is . . . not.
To me, that was a great pass by Mallie and very good effort by Fleming to get in a position to tap the ball.
Bloomer made an incredible save that frankly had a degree of luck to it, but then an unlucky bounce after the lucky save.
Do I believe Portland deserved the win? No, but that’s the NWSL.
Borrowing from one of your all-time classics, I'm going to call last night "PeachLoaf."
"From vintage champagne to a pig's foot and a bottle of beer." Well that's different from Could be peaches or it could be meatloaf. This week I had both fresh peaches and meatloaf. The meatloaf for the first time in about 40 years. Meatloaf is good really, and so are peaches.
Lots on the line Sunday.
If we nick all 3 points from Chicago we move into sole possession of 3rd, 2 points clear of Gotham and San Diego, at least 2 points clear of Seattle, and at least 1 point clear of Orlando by the end of Week 20.
Don't mess this up, Tabo.
NWSL Week 19 Recap, featuring:
⌛ Reilyn Turner breakout szn
❌ Albertin Montoya canned
⛵ Chicago break through lakeside
🪨 Orlando hits rock bottom
🚀 More Jaelin Howell screamers
🧠 Houston doing cool stuff
💅 NWSL PR in San Diego
https://www.theeaststandnwsl.com/post/nwsl-week-19-recap-a-portland-late-show-chicago-make-a-statement-and-houston-crash-the-wave-s-par
Houston and Chicago are two of my favorite teams not named the Thorns. Houston could make the playoffs, but Chicago needs to play for the fun of it. I loved your recap. Any chance Ella Masar could score a head coaching job?
OT: Dr Nadim opens her account in first match with HB Koge.
Kind of a fun one here.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOP_3nniqqv/
Her header against Seattle in 2015 was one of my favorite Thorn’s goals. The crowd erupted twice that was such an unexpected win.
Morgan Weaver against Lyon was another and Michelle Betos another.
Was that a back-heel tap in? Big "I've done this before" vibes.
Pretty pitch, or prettiest pitch ever?
Why can't we have nice grass?
HB Koge are 4-0-0 to start the year. Could be a fun final season for her.
Made me look. Køge is 55 deg N, which is way the føck northier than Portland's practically tropical 45 deg. "We gots no sun" claims gots no traction. (In case that's what they're saying.)
Our excuse is that we have no drainage at Tanner Ridge when it rains.
Can't imagine that a Danish seaport elevation 10 feet (not a joke!) is much better.
But here's what I did find -- their stadium underwent renovations in 2019, and it sure looks like they did some drainage-focused engineering:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B8ge_Stadium
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/K%C3%B8ge_stadion_under_ombygning_-_januar_2019.jpg
In a distant future time French drain and sump pump technology will descend on PDX and there will be much rejoicing. (Even Fieldturf has to be drained so something's there already.)
It has to be possible, but might be expensive! But Chief might have an expert opinion on that.
Better to win ugly than lose ugly but still kinda worried about *that* which we just watched. 2 games in a row (I do think we played better vs KC than these last 2 matches) that we’ve looked pretty slow, hesitant, disjointed, and sometimes straight up confused. Our midfield has been rough and Sam has gone missing a lot in the last several games. Neeeed to get some defensive work done quick (really, the wide areas esp) because Ludmila *will* score if she’s given that many chances. And it’s another match on the road.
Kinda can’t believe this team is in 4th lol (caveat other teams still have to play), but seems like an indictment on all the teams 2-9 basically that no one can really consistently win games. It’s just a rat scramble from everyone not named KC. Everyone dropping points so that there isn’t a lot of daylight between anyone.
This game turned curiously on Louisville's goal. Before it they were totally dominating play, getting chances and not letting us out of our own half. Right after it we were on top for a good spell until our goal, or really until halftime. Then the second half was all back and forth, with good chances for us but also huge huge saves needed from Macca, the post, and Obaze. Then the sweetest cross from McKenzie and a very well-placed volley from Fleming sewed up three points. Well done Thorns!
That's why I said at the time that I was glad to see Loovull punt that ball hard into the back of our net. It was such a resounding, exclamatory, undeniable goal from point blank that I thought it might help wake up the Thorns. I think it did.
Fun little interview and analysis of a Sam Coffey assist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Ag1U5J3ZQ
Nice write-up.
Sam's PK looks even worse now. Reading Sam's body language, Bloomer cheated to the right before Sam kicked it - she made a full hop to the right when the ball was still 8-9 yards away. Sam got it up in the air and put it a good 6 feet inside the post. Such a bad take.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:w3igw5mx7hned6oxzt3jzr5x/post/3ly4z6754qc2v (view it at 0:13)
Very true!
Bloomer did a great job on the stop but put the rebound in a really dangerous area - it's too bad the Thorns couldn't take advantage of that
It's especially too bad that it was because of getting in each others' way.
What an absolutely hysterical burying of the lede lmao
https://bsky.app/profile/scoutripley.bsky.social/post/3lydtp4gzus2p
Bay FC: Celebrating the achievement of ridding themselves of Albertin Montoya after two seasons.
Why is it an achievement?
Because the guy does nothing but walk around the facility saying "My name is Albertin Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
Bay attack needs more Fezzik.
My golden suggestion on a quick rebrand to FC San Jose Tarmacs have remained unacknowledged by the club. On reflection maybe it was a poor move on my part to trademark the utter hell out of it.
Pay me!
There’s something almost poetic about it
Brave hearts and fresh air
A great kingdom rich in glory
Coach got his pink slip
Beautiful haiku lol
(at least they didn't promote him to Technical Director lol)
The club's achievements:
Using the phrase "two startup seasons" like they don't count, actually, is *incredible* social media work.
I'd like a do-over startup season, please?
Wait, we haven't used up our startup seasons, have we? We certainly didn't when we started up in 2013! Can we cash one in now?
Yeah, we just got it right the first time.
Three major achievements: No Oshoala. No Castellanos. No Montoya.
I bet they’ll hire Nahas. He plays the style that Bay has been talking about wanting to have since their inception…(if I have to hear “Barcelona of the west coast” again…)
But, he would have a lot easier time recruiting in San Jose than NC with a lot more resources behind him.
Also would that mean we have officially the worst coach in the league?
As much as I dislike Gale, it's really hard for me to get there given where they are in the table and how good their attack has continued to be despite all the injuries. I know the NWSL is super close and they could easily miss the playoffs altogether with another cold stretch, but there does have to be some objective measurement applied here even if the NWSL's competitiveness does help. Even if it's just as simple as maintaining a positive vibe, it's clear that stuff like that matters. It's not like they're outperforming their metrics either....if anything, they're slightly underperforming.
He's comfortably in the "almost certainly never going to win anything" zone, while also jussst being OK enough to keep the job imo.
Yeah, it's such a hard thing to square the results with the play on the field...
Since he's been coach, overall I've felt pretty meh about what I see on-field (regardless of result.) I don't have much idea about our "style" or structure, or what he's trying to do. Only that he's kinda like "I am the anti-structure and it's just gonna be a press and chaos." There's only been a handful of games in his entire tenure where I've thought "wow they won AND they played really well." And generally, they were one-offs and we either draw or lose the next game. Those feelings never have the chance to stick around. On the opposite side, there have been verrry few games where we've lost but I thought we at least played well. I thought they played fine-ish against KC recently, but still had some major derps and the personnel choices were still weird.
I think we *don't* have the talent deficit that a lot of the coaches in Gale's mid-talent-tier have, so it feels worse. Most teams have some identity or obvious structure. You see other coaches, like Gautraut maybe not overperfoming points table-wise, but with regard to their talent, it does look better on-field than you'd expect. Even despite our injuries, is Gale also overperfoming the talent we have in our XI? Is he underperforming the talent in our XI? I dunno. Is this just a bad coach with an XI with talent (as we've seen the past 3 years) AND the teams around us are also struggling for one reason or another? Without looking at stats, because stats don't have nuance and other factors to consider, it's so hard to say...so it still just comes down to what I watch week in and week out. And it still feels like a better coach could do a lot more with this roster. The team has had up and down results since Gale (and really, since Norris) took the job. Last year we didn't have the injuries we do, and yet, we still ended in 6th and the play all season was middling.
I know good coaches in the women's game are hard to come by, and a lot of coaches don't have the experience to be considered a sure bet...but still can't help but wonder what this team would look like with a better coach. I've thought that even since Norris (who lucked out inheriting a championship roster.)
Yeah, tactically, I don't like it. I don't think it looks good, and it often looks bad. I'd rather have someone who comes off smarter and appeals to the soccer nerd in me if I got to choose.
But, you *do* have to look at the stats to an extent, because that's what tells us how good a team is. You don't lead the league in xG and chances created if you're truly horribly coached. It just doesn't happen. They're 4th best in both goals scored and goals conceded. That's pretty much a 4th place team! It doesn't matter than their soccer ain't as pretty as Eidevall because they're pretty much identical performance-wise despite going much of the season without a real winger, without a starting caliber RB, with two U-23 CBs, and with a front line of U-22s, children and Deyna Castellanos
I think my big question is not so much whether a Vlatko type is elevating *this* version of the Thorns --I feel confident that their ceiling is right about where they're at now-- but whether Gale is capable of turning a fully healthy objectively talented-enough-to-win trophies team into competing with KC and Washington. That's where I don't think Gale is good enough, and that's why I worry that the Thorns have a cap until they get someone better.
Yeah, I agree with all your points. It's why I'm not like *mad* about it...just feel kinda resigned to more waiting and hoping and waiting some more. Like you, I think we're a playoff team just on talent that we do have now (even without Soph)...but yeah I don't think Gale has what it takes to ever get us into beating Washington or KC consistently/ever even with a healthy and more experienced roster (say, 2 yrs from now), or even being able to win games we should be winning, like against terrible teams (Utah, Bay, ect...) WIth him, there has been no real stability or consistency, for the past 2 seasons now. That's...dispiriting.
Its been a struggle once the team signed Norris on as the Head Coach. And it was such a last minute hiring that it made sense. But he wasn't the right guy for the job, and (in my opinion) neither is Gale. I get that the players like him, and I suppose that's important. But is it really that hard to find a coach who can coach up players who isn't some sort of an asshole? It doesn't seem like it should be but then again we haven't had one in two years.
And the league hasn't had all that many in its history.
I don't think Gale is quantifiably worse than 2025 Laura Harvey, and I'm really sceptical that Straus, who was truly dreadful in European competition and was essentially winning the league in a down period for Wolfsburg, is all that good either.
Yeah, I mean Harvey is a weird one. She has a style and a structure she's known for...and it's been very effective, at points. I don't personally like her form of sufferball lol, but if she has a fully healthy roster she's capable of grinding out results against good teams. She's playing with multiple literal children on the field for the first time I've seen of her (bc she's usually veteran-heavy to a fault) so this is def a rebuild year, but I think she'll always be at least a mid-to-upper (5-8) tier team (considering the ascendancy of formerly meh teams with better GMs and coaches, as well as their own rebuild.) It won't win a shield now imo, but it's an identity that I think will continue to work fine enough for her to keep her job. And it could win them a championship if they had more/better developed talent, because you just gotta win 3 in a row. They've won 3 shields and have been runner's up for 3 championships with her. Would I want her over Gale? Absolutely not. But do I think she's a smarter coach than he is with a plan she sticks with (usually to a fault)? Generally yeah.
Straus, I just don't have enough to go on personally. I just give him an edge over Gale because he's actually won things, regardless of circumstance. But again, I didn't watch Bayern enough to know what his play style/structure looks like. Angel City is also a trash fire of an org, and has a talent deficit so that's a factor too.
Harvey is a player's coach. That's what the longevity is about.
The reality is Gale appears to be an adult who treats the players well. In the NWSL, that might make him OK even though I think he limits the team’s upside. He seems willing to play players out of position to get the best IX on the field, but depends too much on perceived ability rather than actual production
If he had tactics, that would make him a unicorn :)
I'm gritting my teeth as I say this, but I'd rather have Gale than Montoya. Lots of reasons for that, obviously. I would love a more tactically astute and consistent gaffer, but Montoya seems like a dumpster fire as a leader, even if he knows his tactics. Gale is positive to a fault, but that positivity has its benefits. Montoya has made it really clear through his actions and words that he's just a miserable asshole.
Well that was the entirety of my point. Montoya was obviously the worst coach in the league...but he will not be here next year.
I just assume some club will pick up Montoya, but maybe he slinks back to Europe to be shitty to players there. And yes, Gale will be the worst coach in the league if that happens. Although we have no idea how Boston and Denver will show next season.
I think every single club is pretty set with their coach...who would hire him? Aside from being terrible on-field, he was also being investigated off-field.
The clubs at the bottom-
Utah (Coenrats seems to have fine tactical knowledge and knows how to organize a team in a structured style of play, but they have a talent/depth problem.)
Chicago (Masar/new coach have really turned the dysfunction around in short order; also have a talent/depth issue)
North Carolina (yes, coach tbd bc they just fired their HC...will absolutely not hire Montoya lol; still have some talent and depth issues)
Angel City (just signed a shiny Euro coach; club has more probs than him lol)
Houston (Gautraut was Nahas's assistant prior and has some technical know-how. Houston looks better than they have in a very long time and they still have a talent/depth disadvantage.)
Racing Lou (Bev has given the team an identity and structure they've never had; team looks better than they ever have)
Seattle (Harvey ain't going anywhere lol.)
The top 6 teams- Vlatko, Adrian Gonzalez, Jonas, Seb Hines, and Juan Carlos Amoros, and, Rob Gale.
No one is hiring Montoya here.
But you're right, hard to say how Denver/Boston will fare.