NWSL CC Preview: Portland Thorns vs Angel City with Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade
We are joined by Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade for the NWSL Challenge Cup match preview between Portland Thorns and Angel City.
In the first match day of the Challenge Cup, Portland were very unlucky to lose to San Diego Wave 0-1 on an own goal.
Now returning home after a regular season match last Friday, they will play Angel City on Wednesday at Providence Park (7:30pm on Paramount +).
The Thorns have an extra day off compared to ACFC which will be a big difference maker as both coaches will have to rotate.
This is a must win for both teams, if one were to take a loss, their chances for this cup are essentially over.
In order to get a closer look at Angel City FC, we are joined by a special guest!
Preview with Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade
Stumptown Footy: What is Freya Coombe's approach to Challenge Cup? Do you think she plans on rotating most of the squad especially on a short week? How shorthanded is the team right now?
Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade:
It sounds a bit cliche, but Freya is treating the Challenge Cup like every other match. Angel City aren't a team that have the luxury of looking at this tournament as one they can afford to take lightly. This is a team still looking to find its identity on the pitch, as well as some form. They unfortunately have to take this match as seriously as any other they play this season. Whether or not we see rotation has become a weekly question for Angel City. Having lost Jun Endo last week to knock, they will be more shorthanded than before, but still have talent on the bench. Players like Scarlett Camberos, Mackenzie Pluck and Jasmyne Spencer are available but how much playing time they see is anyone's guess.
STF: Which players should we look for in tomorrow's match from Angel City?
Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade:
If you were anywhere near Twitter this past weekend you will know Sydney Leroux was closer than ever to returning to action. With this being the Challenge Cup, it wouldn't be all too surprising to see Leroux make her return with 20-45 minutes. There is the small possibility she makes the start, which would give Angel City a massive boost both tangibly on the pitch, and emotionally.
STF: What needs to happen for ACFC to pick up a result tomorrow?
Trebor Tracy of Angels on Parade:
Angel City know they can get the result in Portland, they have already done it 2023 with the 3-3 draw in NWSL just under a month ago. The biggest key for them this time around will be playing as close to perfect as possible. This is a team that has proven their ability to lock down potent attacks, they have also proven they can score multiple goals in any given match. Unfortunately, they have also proven they will make a mistake during the course of the match, and that mistake will typically lead to goals if the opposition can take advantage. Angel City need to play as clean as possible if they hope to get the result in Portland, they may even sneak away with the win.
Be sure to give Trebor Tracy and Angels on Parade a follow! The Angel on Parade team do absolutely amazing work!
Projected Starting XI:
Portland Thorns
Leon - D’Aquila - Vasconcelos
Moultrie - Porter - Sinclair
Reyes/McGrady - Provenzano - Nally - Beckman
Hogan
Angel City
Camberos - Johnson - Emslie
Pluck - Nabet - Le Bihan
Riley - Nielsen - Reid - Spencer
Isenhour
Both teams are dealing with injuries and a congested schedule. Expect more a mix of young players and veterans to get minutes.
Players to Watch
Izzy D’Aquila - She has made a lot of appearances, but this should be a start. Absolutely performed her best in preseason when she started games. Don’t be surprised if D’Aquila scores - she is an aerial threat and super active in the box.
Lily Nabet - Partnered with Hammond as a double pivot in the last cup match at OL Reign and played one of her best games. She is going to have another opportunity to ball out.
Shelby Hogan - This player isn’t a backup goalkeeper, she is a starting-caliber talent. Expect her to be ready, direct the defense, and try to keep a clean sheet. Hogan looks forward to these opportunities and will shine with more chances.
Scarlett Camberos - In 2023, she has made 5 appearances with one start in the cup. This is a good chance for her to earn more minutes in regular season play. She recently starred for Club América and has earned five caps with the Mexico Women’s National Team.
Sydney Leroux - Could we see her return from injury? As reported, she is very close.
Prediction
Mike Norris has a deeper team with more options on the bench. ACFC has a lot of intriguing young and veteran players. Freya Coombe’s club are just too shorthanded and having one less day of rest is important too.
2-1 Thorns
Current Standings
Group of Death aka Group B: NWSL Challenge Cup
OL Reign: 1-1-0, 4 pts
San Diego: 1-0-0, 3 pts
Angel City: 0-1-1, 1 pt
Portland: 0-0-1, 0 pt
NWSL + LIGA MX - NEW CHALLENGE CUP PROPOSAL
Partner with Liga MX Femenil
Single elimination - 14 NWSL Teams + 18 Liga MX Femenil Teams = 32 teams
Random Draw - Commissioner Berman should even do a live show to hype it up even more.
Play a few rounds late in preseason and have scheduled windows for these games to not give any other teams an unfair advantage in regular season play.
What would you like to see the NWSL Challenge Cup format be in the future?
I'm with you Phuoc in hoping we see a start for D'Aquila at CF tonight! I'll be pretty disappointed with anything less. Hogan in goal seems a given. I really hope he uses these games intelligently with his starters and his rotations with subs....like pairing players who'll be playing next to each other during the WC window, or even trying new formations, if needed. If we don't win this game, though, the CC is probably lost, so I wonder if that'll factor in.
Interesting you have Sinc starting tonight with Moultrie in midfield. I assumed it would be one or the other (but more so Moultrie) because of the Seattle game in a few days. I'm not sure if we've seen them together? Could be an interesting combo...although I'm not sure Porter can handle that if they both get forward. I'd be all for Sinc playing a full 90 though if it means Moultrie gets the start this weekend (though I somehow doubt that.) Our midfield for the first CC game: Porter/Rocky/Sinc. I def think we see Porter, with some combo of Sinc/Moultrie and maybe Sugita, since he's been pulling her back into midfield that last few games when Dunn or Sinc subs out. The midfield is where I'm most curious because the Moultrie/Sinc eternal conundrum. I think whoever starts tonight will not start Saturday.
Defense seems more questionable. Does he go full youth? I kinda doubt it considering his lineup the first CC game. On the backline for that first game: Reyes/Nally/Hubly/Kuikka. I wonder where McGrady is at with her return to play. She's been off the IR but hasn't gotten any minutes so I doubt we see a start. Maybe a late sub for Reyes. Her return would take a lot of pressure off of Kuikka and Kling (and Reyes.) I do think he'll go with Nally, despite her pretty poor performances this season. I also wonder if he chooses to rest Hubly and goes with Provenzano? I kinda doubt it. That would be quite the slow and inexperienced pairing, so yeah, maybe Hubly again. Poor Kuikka has no RB's behind her so generally has to play all games. Maybe when McGrady comes back and Reyes shifts to the right can she get some rest, but Beckman is absolutely not a defender. She's a pure F imo. Rhian shifted her to a wingback with her 3/5-back system, but I think that was pushing it defensively. She's like 5 ft tall and not super fast lol. A full on defender...I'd say absolutely not, especially not marking Alyssa Thompson lol. I think we ultimately see the same backline we did the first CC, which again was: Reyes/Nally/Hubly/Kuikka. Or maybe we see Menges for Hubly.
I have the same starting group as you for F, but he went with a very different group for the first CC: Leon/Smith/Sugita. I hope hope hope he scraps that and gives Smith and Sugita rest. If anything, Weaver can run for a week straight, so put her in if needed. Going with Leon/D'Aquila/Vasconcelos as well.
"Imagine two teams that have never before been assembled, much less having previously met. Well, you won't have to imagine much longer! See you at seven-thirty."
--Management