Yeah, I agree. She's also a big personality in the locker room, and that can be invaluable. Definition of a great 3rd CB. I think our entire defense was trash this season for many reasons, but I think a lot of the problems stem from the coaching and tactics that just made our entire defensive line look 'meh' at best. I don't doubt that a…
Yeah, I agree. She's also a big personality in the locker room, and that can be invaluable. Definition of a great 3rd CB. I think our entire defense was trash this season for many reasons, but I think a lot of the problems stem from the coaching and tactics that just made our entire defensive line look 'meh' at best. I don't doubt that a better system will see the entirety of our defense perform better. Many upsides to Kelli sticking around (esp with the Olympics looming), and unless you have a super star keeper, a field player is more valuable. Bella was a 29th draft pick, and I think she's hit her ceiling. There's just no argument for me to protect Bella over Hubly (or Beckie, frankly.)
Either way, I hope players aren't thinking about this during the playoffs, although I can imagine those 3 know they're on the bubble. Not great for our GK prone to really bad mental errors...
So long as the "big personality in the locker room" remains a positive thing. That's just a generalization, not a specific statement about Kelli or anybody else. It's just that players you'd like to have can become players who no longer fit, and their presence in the locker room isn't necessarily going to help the team.
Bixby is definitely the one I see the fans having a different perspective on than the club. I’d be tad surprised, though pleased, if they left her off.
I will say that her being benched this season seems to suggest that Norris/Nadine saw enough of a problem to actually make that decision, though....which means it likely lingered for a bit before they actually pulled the trigger. Once you bench a GK for non-injury reasons, it's sure hard to get them back on the field performing at a high level. Yes, she's back starting because maybe they don't trust Hogan either, but they still didn't trust Bixby at points....and she hasn't looked all that great after returning either. I think that could at least give them pause when making a list...
It’s also whether they think they have a better option. If they’re high (or not) on Hogan or Kozal, that changes the calculus a tad.
GK is a weird position: most are competent, very few are true game changers, and a few make frequent critical mistakes. I’m perfectly happy to be in that middle zone, but Bella has sadly fallen into the “I’m scared when a ball comes into the box” tier.
I watched Philippines v Iran in the Olympic qualis, and the star of a surprisingly good Iran side was their goalkeeper, Zahra Khajavi. She's not big by modern goalkeeper standards (5'8"), but is athletic and VERY fast off her line. I always favor a quick thinker in any position! She kept Iran in that match, and although one eventually got by her (no chance on that one), she was impressive. 24 years old.
Yeah, I agree. She's also a big personality in the locker room, and that can be invaluable. Definition of a great 3rd CB. I think our entire defense was trash this season for many reasons, but I think a lot of the problems stem from the coaching and tactics that just made our entire defensive line look 'meh' at best. I don't doubt that a better system will see the entirety of our defense perform better. Many upsides to Kelli sticking around (esp with the Olympics looming), and unless you have a super star keeper, a field player is more valuable. Bella was a 29th draft pick, and I think she's hit her ceiling. There's just no argument for me to protect Bella over Hubly (or Beckie, frankly.)
Either way, I hope players aren't thinking about this during the playoffs, although I can imagine those 3 know they're on the bubble. Not great for our GK prone to really bad mental errors...
So long as the "big personality in the locker room" remains a positive thing. That's just a generalization, not a specific statement about Kelli or anybody else. It's just that players you'd like to have can become players who no longer fit, and their presence in the locker room isn't necessarily going to help the team.
Bixby is definitely the one I see the fans having a different perspective on than the club. I’d be tad surprised, though pleased, if they left her off.
I will say that her being benched this season seems to suggest that Norris/Nadine saw enough of a problem to actually make that decision, though....which means it likely lingered for a bit before they actually pulled the trigger. Once you bench a GK for non-injury reasons, it's sure hard to get them back on the field performing at a high level. Yes, she's back starting because maybe they don't trust Hogan either, but they still didn't trust Bixby at points....and she hasn't looked all that great after returning either. I think that could at least give them pause when making a list...
It’s also whether they think they have a better option. If they’re high (or not) on Hogan or Kozal, that changes the calculus a tad.
GK is a weird position: most are competent, very few are true game changers, and a few make frequent critical mistakes. I’m perfectly happy to be in that middle zone, but Bella has sadly fallen into the “I’m scared when a ball comes into the box” tier.
I watched Philippines v Iran in the Olympic qualis, and the star of a surprisingly good Iran side was their goalkeeper, Zahra Khajavi. She's not big by modern goalkeeper standards (5'8"), but is athletic and VERY fast off her line. I always favor a quick thinker in any position! She kept Iran in that match, and although one eventually got by her (no chance on that one), she was impressive. 24 years old.
Yes, I like outside-the-box (SWIDT?) picks...