The Portland Thorns are winless in their last five straight matches (in all competitions) and have one point from their first three matches to start the season. Is this a must win game?
Unfortunately I have to agree that Nahas and The Damned Courage have too many structural advantages to make this “must-win”.
But this has to be a “must-not-be-a-shitshow”. We can’t see a repetition of the first halves at KC or against Louisville. The squad needs to show that Norris has trained on defensive shape and possession under pressure. Players need to look like they’ve worked out roles and understand each other. I keep hearing about this midfield we’re supposed to have; let’s see it!
If we keep the match tight but lose 1-nil or 2-1 I’ll be disappointed but more forgiving than if this is a 3-nil beatdown where this squad is outplayed and Norris outcoached again. Win or lose today, given this start he has to be on borrowed time, but a good showing today could borrow him a bit more.
He’s put himself in a hole so far this season that this tough away game after a tournament really is a must-win. Not only has his record been dire since after players left for the World Cup, but the play this season has just hit a new low from what we got mid-end of last season. There’s not really any way around it…he’s used up his runway at this point. He leaves with anything less than a W and it should be problematic to the FO. Pretty simple. For me, a win would be great but it’s not really gonna change my opinion of the coach at this point…
I kinda feel like we’re gonna get a backline of Müller, Broon, Hubly, and Kling because they were all there this off period; and then I won’t be surprised to see Sinclair start also, but in midfield. There is absolutely NO reason for her to be starting in the 9. Soph should still be starting this game, even if she only goes 60…then you can bring out Izzy or Ana Dias in the 9. Get the goals early with your best on the field. Sam is gonna have to go a full 90 bc we literally have no backup 6. Hina HAS to start at this point, whether in midfield or at RW. Jessie did play 2 full 90’s, so I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Coffey, Hina, and Sinc/Moultrie in the midfield.
Definitely a must-win, and I don't think that's coming. Even if we emerge with 1 point, we're likely to be several points out of the top 3-4 spots at the 1/6th point of the season.
I know we have players coming off international duty, but Il need to see Norris showing he's setting the team up for success, which I don't think he has this year. Its a must win for me
Although, Obaze is in the promo material for today’s game… it would be curious for her to be starting after coming back from overseas having played 180 minutes. She hasn’t had the benefit of training with the rest of the backline like Hubly has. I think she def needs a shot over Hubly at this point…not sure if today’s game is the one to do it?
He did it! Kinda nervous though tbh....she just came from overseas and played 180 minutes. And hasn't been around to gel with Broon....hoping she's set up for success unlike the first game her threw her into.
Thorns could definitely win, but I would be very surprised if this is the game the midfield looks fluid- The Courage pretty much stick five players in there and all five know exactly what they’re supposed to do and generally execute. Their fullbacks play super high, so I bet we keep seeing the long balls.
Yes, we're still trying to get this midfield (1) sorted out and (2) figuring out how to play together.
I enjoyed watching SheBelieves and seeing Fleming in her natural habitat where she has freedom to go all over and do most everything. But I don't think it's coincidental that she's at her best when she performs so many roles, including ones that belong to Sam. So that's gonna take time to get sorted out.
That, I totally agree with, though I still don't think it's necessarily an overlapping skillset issue- I just think Norris' midfield system is far too rigid and doesn't allow interchangeability between his midfielders, which, to your point, limits each of them to very specific roles. Fleming, Coffey, and Moultrie can all do a lot more with the ball than what Norris asks of them. If he allowed them to play a fluid three (like how Nahas allows Sanchez, Miura, and O'Sullivan to do), I think we'd see the best of them....but I don't think he's smart or savvy enough to do that.
I think a back four of Müller, Hubly, Becky, and Kling makes a lot of sense. Going into this Norris's strategy should be prevent the Courage from blowing his team out so that means to defend well in the back. Keep the fullbacks back to defend.
In the midfield the Thorns need to nullify the Courage's two little midfield wizards Sullivan and Sanchez and that means Sugita and Coffey are essential. Sure Coffey will be tired, but I would argue that Sullivan has more miles on her legs and body than Sam does.
I can see Norris using Sinc and it might not be crazy in this case, but Moultrie had a inactive She Believes Cup so she should be fresh. Moultrie in my opinion would the better option. In the second half Fleming could come in and be a difference maker.
In the front if I were Norris I would start Weaver, Izzy and Linnehan. Their mission: press the hell out of the Courage and try to rattle them. Linnehan and Izzy would only need to keep out the Kamikaze attack up for 45 minutes and then in the second half bring in the snipers: Beckie and Soph. I like Soph's chances of scoring in the second half. And who knows, the first half press could yield a goal or two.
I am not expecting a win, but a tie would feel like a win. A win for the Thorns would be earth shaking, not that I think the Courage are a better team, but today they have way more advantages.
2) That said, part of that is on KK for not providing Norris better options. If we’re being honest despite the offseason moves we’re still looking at “depth” that’s…not deep. Is it more culpable that Norris is wishful-thinking about Sinc rather than, say, throwing D’Aquila against the wall despite repeated lack of impact?
Yeah, there's no reason for Moultrie or Hina (or both!) to not start in the midfield, and yeah, Sinc should be like 5th on the depth chart at the 9 at this point. I'd love to see what Ana Dias can do after Soph comes off. It's not like throwing a brand new CB out there...go with the element of surprise and let her cook!
Yeah it’s called NWSL+. It’s on the NWSL site…you gotta sign up but it’s free! This game is only on NWSL+, unless you’re watching local on Fox 12, I think it is.
Unfortunately I have to agree that Nahas and The Damned Courage have too many structural advantages to make this “must-win”.
But this has to be a “must-not-be-a-shitshow”. We can’t see a repetition of the first halves at KC or against Louisville. The squad needs to show that Norris has trained on defensive shape and possession under pressure. Players need to look like they’ve worked out roles and understand each other. I keep hearing about this midfield we’re supposed to have; let’s see it!
If we keep the match tight but lose 1-nil or 2-1 I’ll be disappointed but more forgiving than if this is a 3-nil beatdown where this squad is outplayed and Norris outcoached again. Win or lose today, given this start he has to be on borrowed time, but a good showing today could borrow him a bit more.
He’s put himself in a hole so far this season that this tough away game after a tournament really is a must-win. Not only has his record been dire since after players left for the World Cup, but the play this season has just hit a new low from what we got mid-end of last season. There’s not really any way around it…he’s used up his runway at this point. He leaves with anything less than a W and it should be problematic to the FO. Pretty simple. For me, a win would be great but it’s not really gonna change my opinion of the coach at this point…
I kinda feel like we’re gonna get a backline of Müller, Broon, Hubly, and Kling because they were all there this off period; and then I won’t be surprised to see Sinclair start also, but in midfield. There is absolutely NO reason for her to be starting in the 9. Soph should still be starting this game, even if she only goes 60…then you can bring out Izzy or Ana Dias in the 9. Get the goals early with your best on the field. Sam is gonna have to go a full 90 bc we literally have no backup 6. Hina HAS to start at this point, whether in midfield or at RW. Jessie did play 2 full 90’s, so I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Coffey, Hina, and Sinc/Moultrie in the midfield.
Definitely a must-win, and I don't think that's coming. Even if we emerge with 1 point, we're likely to be several points out of the top 3-4 spots at the 1/6th point of the season.
Sorry, I was using the old math. 26 games in the season now, not 24. Still...
I know we have players coming off international duty, but Il need to see Norris showing he's setting the team up for success, which I don't think he has this year. Its a must win for me
Although, Obaze is in the promo material for today’s game… it would be curious for her to be starting after coming back from overseas having played 180 minutes. She hasn’t had the benefit of training with the rest of the backline like Hubly has. I think she def needs a shot over Hubly at this point…not sure if today’s game is the one to do it?
I saw that too lol. Pls Norris
He did it! Kinda nervous though tbh....she just came from overseas and played 180 minutes. And hasn't been around to gel with Broon....hoping she's set up for success unlike the first game her threw her into.
Thorns could definitely win, but I would be very surprised if this is the game the midfield looks fluid- The Courage pretty much stick five players in there and all five know exactly what they’re supposed to do and generally execute. Their fullbacks play super high, so I bet we keep seeing the long balls.
Yes, we're still trying to get this midfield (1) sorted out and (2) figuring out how to play together.
I enjoyed watching SheBelieves and seeing Fleming in her natural habitat where she has freedom to go all over and do most everything. But I don't think it's coincidental that she's at her best when she performs so many roles, including ones that belong to Sam. So that's gonna take time to get sorted out.
That, I totally agree with, though I still don't think it's necessarily an overlapping skillset issue- I just think Norris' midfield system is far too rigid and doesn't allow interchangeability between his midfielders, which, to your point, limits each of them to very specific roles. Fleming, Coffey, and Moultrie can all do a lot more with the ball than what Norris asks of them. If he allowed them to play a fluid three (like how Nahas allows Sanchez, Miura, and O'Sullivan to do), I think we'd see the best of them....but I don't think he's smart or savvy enough to do that.
I think a back four of Müller, Hubly, Becky, and Kling makes a lot of sense. Going into this Norris's strategy should be prevent the Courage from blowing his team out so that means to defend well in the back. Keep the fullbacks back to defend.
In the midfield the Thorns need to nullify the Courage's two little midfield wizards Sullivan and Sanchez and that means Sugita and Coffey are essential. Sure Coffey will be tired, but I would argue that Sullivan has more miles on her legs and body than Sam does.
I can see Norris using Sinc and it might not be crazy in this case, but Moultrie had a inactive She Believes Cup so she should be fresh. Moultrie in my opinion would the better option. In the second half Fleming could come in and be a difference maker.
In the front if I were Norris I would start Weaver, Izzy and Linnehan. Their mission: press the hell out of the Courage and try to rattle them. Linnehan and Izzy would only need to keep out the Kamikaze attack up for 45 minutes and then in the second half bring in the snipers: Beckie and Soph. I like Soph's chances of scoring in the second half. And who knows, the first half press could yield a goal or two.
I am not expecting a win, but a tie would feel like a win. A win for the Thorns would be earth shaking, not that I think the Courage are a better team, but today they have way more advantages.
If he starts Sinc they might as well warm up the airport shuttle bus.
Any sentient coach understands you can't win playing 10 on 11.
1) I won’t disagree.
2) That said, part of that is on KK for not providing Norris better options. If we’re being honest despite the offseason moves we’re still looking at “depth” that’s…not deep. Is it more culpable that Norris is wishful-thinking about Sinc rather than, say, throwing D’Aquila against the wall despite repeated lack of impact?
Yes, IMO…but I understand why.
No excuses anymore, he’s got a Portuguese international forward on his bench.
Yep, and she should see 20, 30, 45 minutes today, depending on what Soph's got. There's a reason that we signed her. Time to see what it is.
Yeah, there's no reason for Moultrie or Hina (or both!) to not start in the midfield, and yeah, Sinc should be like 5th on the depth chart at the 9 at this point. I'd love to see what Ana Dias can do after Soph comes off. It's not like throwing a brand new CB out there...go with the element of surprise and let her cook!
I didn’t know she was available. Yes by all means lets see her!
Has she even dressed yet? I think if she does today it’ll be the first time she’s in the 18.
No, she arrived last week.
Thorns must win v. Courage. Norris must win v. Dash. Or, for him, it’s over.
I’ll be watching this game on delay. Someone mentioned you can watch on the NWSL site?
Yeah it’s called NWSL+. It’s on the NWSL site…you gotta sign up but it’s free! This game is only on NWSL+, unless you’re watching local on Fox 12, I think it is.