They played Washington really well (in the first half at least) and won during the initial Gale run, but that was before the Spirit hit their stride under Giraldez. If we’re talking recent results, they got absolutely whipped by an undermanned Spirit team in the game where Santos scored that last minute winner- Single game xG isn’t alway…
They played Washington really well (in the first half at least) and won during the initial Gale run, but that was before the Spirit hit their stride under Giraldez. If we’re talking recent results, they got absolutely whipped by an undermanned Spirit team in the game where Santos scored that last minute winner- Single game xG isn’t always reliable, but the Spirit did have like 4 xG in that game alone if I remember correctly. I won’t argue too much if you think Washington’s a better matchup especially given their injuries, but I’m more scared of Washington’s high press and attacking speed than Gotham’s slow build. Gotham also always plays that suicidal high line against Smith, which has given them big trouble in the past.
Ultimately, I don’t really think it matters because it’s unlikely, as you say, that they beat any of them on the road
Gotham are a better version of themselves since the first time we met them, as they have added Berger and Carter. But, we should be better than we were back on August 24, as we were without Smith and Weaver, Obaze didn't play at all, and we were still at the point of starting Spaanstra. We should at least be deeper and back to full health. What we cannot do is fall behind early, as we did on August 24. We have to give ourselves a chance, even if it's just a puncher's chance, to win.
They played Washington really well (in the first half at least) and won during the initial Gale run, but that was before the Spirit hit their stride under Giraldez. If we’re talking recent results, they got absolutely whipped by an undermanned Spirit team in the game where Santos scored that last minute winner- Single game xG isn’t always reliable, but the Spirit did have like 4 xG in that game alone if I remember correctly. I won’t argue too much if you think Washington’s a better matchup especially given their injuries, but I’m more scared of Washington’s high press and attacking speed than Gotham’s slow build. Gotham also always plays that suicidal high line against Smith, which has given them big trouble in the past.
Ultimately, I don’t really think it matters because it’s unlikely, as you say, that they beat any of them on the road
Gotham are a better version of themselves since the first time we met them, as they have added Berger and Carter. But, we should be better than we were back on August 24, as we were without Smith and Weaver, Obaze didn't play at all, and we were still at the point of starting Spaanstra. We should at least be deeper and back to full health. What we cannot do is fall behind early, as we did on August 24. We have to give ourselves a chance, even if it's just a puncher's chance, to win.
I thought that Carter and Berger played the last time we played them though I will acknowledge I have been watching more casually than in past years.
They did. Gotham are stronger than they were at the start of the season. We're stronger than we were when we faced Gotham on Aug 24.