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.
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.
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...