Oh mercy, that is so good. Also, welcome return of the bubble braid. :-)
Calling it: Sophia's endorsement deals have surpassed her soccer income. Ceiling? Depending on the WWC, maybe Rapinoe-Morganville in the not-distant future.
Ironically, it makes it harder for richie-rich Euro teams to snag her via Giant Sack o' Euros.
Here's a fun little preview of the WC from a Portland soccer perspective, with some flattery of the Thorns as well (also filming this at Prov Park apparently.) This was just released a few days ago, and honestly, they're three folks who I really wouldn't be surprised if they were part of the new ownership/FO group in the future. All are former US Women's National Team players: Michelle French, Shannon Boxx, and Tina Frimpong Ellertson. All very respected people as well. I know Tiffeny Milbrett also lives up here and works on the academy level, I think for some other youth program in the Portland area.
French and Frimpong Ellertson are the coach and assistant coach respectively of the Portland Pilots, and well, we know who Shannon Boxx is. I think she's been doing a lot more woso broadcasting the past year and is pretty involved in the Portland community with things like Lupus awareness...They all talk about the joy of going to Thorns games and how unique the woso scene is here, more so than anywhere else in the world. I would LOVE for them to all be involved in this team going forward. Just gonna dream a little dream and pretend the three of them together at Prov Park means something positive...but for now, enjoy!
Trying not to be all sour grapes here, but I didn't think Gotham was all that impressive (outside of Abby Smith). More a case of us being comically ineffective and wasteful in the attack.
This is a great article; thanks for sharing. It’s distressing how little has been done to address the heightened risk of ACL injuries for female athletes even though a fair amount is known about steps that teams and programs can take to mitigate the risk. I don’t know if US Soccer has taken any steps in this area, but it seems like it would be a good time to step up its efforts given all the publicity ACL injuries have received this year.
Here is what is telling to me... youth soccer training focuses on when the field is available and then using the field as much as possible for soccer skills, scrimmaging, etc. Why not actuallly mandate that all players show up 15 minutes before the field is available so that ALL the players can go through properly-administered, properly-supervised injury prevention exercises before the field becomes available for training?
Something like that, yes, as long as there is enough push from state-level youth soccer authorities to make sure it happens. I don’t know about other states but that is the approach California took in implementing concussion protocols several years back, including kids below a certain age (13 or 14, I think) not being allowed to head the ball.
Seeing Naho in the masthead pic reminds me of watching her play with the Reign in opulent Memorial Stadium, and the boisterous group of Japanese Naho fans and family there cheering her on. A wonderful, gorgeous summer evening. Her parting note to Seattle fans on moving on to Sky Blue:
"Hello, our precious fans of Seattle Reign FC.
I am going to play for Sky Blue FC this season.
I tried to do my first challenge to play outside Japan in U.S.A.
Seattle Reign FC gave me such a feeling that playing in NWSL is so fun!!
My teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and the city of Seattle has been the best for me.
Although I’m very sad to leave my favorite club, please say hello again because we are friends forever.
I hope Seattle Reign FC will achieve a good outcome.
Just got an email from Thorns Member Services, which includes this line:
"We are also beginning to plan for next season and renewals. Are there any changes you’re looking to make to your account for 2024? Please let me know any questions that you have so I can ensure you’re all set when renewals launch!"
I'd say it's time for the Annual Members to start asking for updates on the status of the sale.
NC Courage have announced the signing of Rikako Kobayashi from Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Condolences to Mr. Verdy Beleza we have on this message board. Nice to see NCC bulking up before their next league game vs the Thorns.
Mia Fishel also rumored to be headed to Chelsea. Absolutely hoarding talent over there lmao. Wonder what/if this means anything for Kerr....hopefully it means Smith will be off the radar for a while. Chelsea is the club I could've seen her leave for more than any other....
Thanks (*sob*). Yeah, my WE League favorites get picked over yet again. They have a phenomenal academy that keeps turning out top-tier players. Kobayashi-san is entering her prime (she's 25) and is an outstanding, versatile midfielder. A couple other Beleza standouts I'm worried about are Riko Ueki and Aoba Fujino, both forwards and both likely to make a mark at WWC23. Fujino-san's only 19 but has serious game.
Nahas seems to have given a pretty clear recruitment directive since he got there: A lot of technically and tactically astute midfield and attacking options -- two Japanese midfielders, Wingate, Gejl-- along with some versatility on the backline.
For a team pretty bereft of talent bar Kerolin, he’s done an outstanding job. A Potter-esque COTY job imo.
Yeah, I thought the same regarding the NC player profile. Bodes well for the style he wants to play, and really, every recruitment they've had lately I've been like "ah, that makes sense." Most clubs in this league (including our own), I'm not even sure what player profile is being considered, whereas with NCC it's quite obvious what they're looking for and they're doing a good job finding it. Every player can plug in and play the same way, and they're all super fit...he definitely took some tips from the former coach of that club.
But, I actually think they have a lot of talent on each line, as well as a solid keeper. Fox and Riehl are good players on the back line. And honestly, when we were looking for a solid RB backup in the past, I was eyeing Ryan WIlliams. She's been good for several seasons now, and is just now getting starts. She still is kinda flying under the radar. Then you have O'Sullivan in midfield, one of the best 6's in the league. Miura has also been pretty solid, after Fuka Nagano left (who was also fun to watch.) Kerolin plays somewhere between M and F, and is one of the best in the league. Gejl is also international talent and has been solid. K. Pickett, V. Pickett, Pinto, and Olivia Wingate are pretty decent bench depth, most of whom have played on the youth int'l level. I don't think they're bereft of talent, more just like, bereft of experienced talent. But, the youth is what makes that squad stay fit and tick well. He has been a good coach to get the best out of all of the youth, though, for sure. Of any coach, I think he kinda has the best shout for COTY. If any of their positional groups are lacking, it's the F line. Lussi is overperforming her actual talent imo, but Boade, Wingate, and Ratcliffe are good players on the F line who I'd take over all but like 3 of our forwards. Absolutely better depth than Betfort, Beckman, D'Aquila, and Vasconcelos.
Perhaps not totally bereft of talent overall, but certainly of the *top-end* talent that the top of the table clubs typically need to have. They have a lot of decent-to-good players, but most are on that starter-bench fringe that hit that sweet spot between international quality and the Betforts/Nallys/Beckman types the Thorns are running out. That’s the one benefit to not having a squad built around stars: The B- zone of players that the Thorns lack think there are spots up for grabs...which is also how/why we lose the Midge Purces and Yazmeen Ryans of the world.
Regardless, while I’d like to have players of their quality in PDX, I’m more on the side of Nahas coaxing out the best of the Picketts, Pinto, Williams, Lussi, Ratcliffe, etc than their talent being the main factor. Is Veronica Pickett that much better than Izzy? Lussi than Vasconcelos? Pinto than Moultrie? Williams than Kuikka? I’d say their success is much more a sign of a coach getting the most of out his players than anything.
Been thinking about this as I have a vested interest and think that it means Fran Kirby's injury is worse than they're letting on, and so Macario is the Kirby replacement and Fishel replaces Harder.
Isn't Harder more of an attacking mid and/or left wing-ish player? Would that not fit Macario's profile moreso? I've only ever seen Fishel play a central 9 role...just wondering what that means for Kerr. After playing the starring role at Tigres, I can't imagine Fishel wants to sit on the bench behind Kerr...
Admittedly though, I don't watch Chelsea unless there's some big game on...
Of the two, Harder is more striker-y than Kirby. Emma could also be changing shape but I don't think she's making the full-back signings she's done to play 3412 or a similar system. I don't think it means anything for Kerr.
Iceland, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Russia, Czechia, Finland, and Wales are the only top 30 countries not to make the field.
We have a Finn, of course, but why on earth didn't we try to bring over anybody from any of these other countries on a short-term loan? OK, not Russia, Fishlock is already spoken for and we probably couldn't get Little. But really, nobody else?
And about a month later than needed...at least have these three training before the last league game with the Nats (June 23rd!) It's July 16th and the striker they supposedly have acquired hasn't even been announced yet lol...meanwhile, KK is in Sydney.
Because our GM is in Sydney and our FO collectively is MIA lol. Still haven't even announced the rando they dug up from the last place team in the Damallsvenskan (last season)...and she's only scored 2 this season in the Norwegian league and looks like she hasn't really played a lot the last couple months over there. If she can't really produce overseas, I'm not sure it's gonna get any better coming here. I guess the bar is low for our F's though...she just needs to be better than Beckman, Betfort, D'Aquila, and Vasconcelos so let's hope for the best!
Looks like NCC is teasing an int'l announcement coming in the next week. Glad all of our opponents are bulking up prior to their Thorns games while we sign rec league players...
Thorns haven't announced it yet, but her club already posted about it on IG 3 days ago- Brann in the Norwegian league. Her name is Alyssa Walker (she's American.) The rest of the details about her play and other info was already mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but, not sure she's gonna be the answer to our problems.
And just like, too late. Way late, 5 dollars short. Last year when she was at Kalmar, they won 5/17. Just hoping she's better than the other 4 F's we have? It's a low bar, so it's possible..
Here's Chris Henderson's 2022 draft class ranking (for Central Forward) for her college years. He has her as the 10th best CF for last years draft class:
Some of her highlights look okay, quality of the league notwithstanding. Don't think it's necessarily a reflection on her that her team were 11th last season
Apparently we’re getting a striker on loan from…I think the Norwegian league? Alyssa Walker, for two months, from what I can gather. I get we need it, but, why not a month ago lmao. This FO…lmao. I guess if Soph and Dunn win the WC and then have a victory tour, we may really need a striker, if even o ly for two games. But really, it should’ve been over the line already for the last two league games.
From what her club is saying, it’s already done- Brann, the Champions in the Norwegian league.
Some more from her specifically, from another article (using Google translate). She mentions being home in August, which would seem pointless but maybe she’s off on that:
“Alyssa Walker on loan
The Portland Thorns are one of the biggest clubs in the United States and are the reigning champions of the National Womens Soccer League (NWSL). This year, they are currently in 2nd place.
- ‘I am so grateful to have the opportunity to play for the Portland Thorns this summer. I am so happy that Brann has given me this opportunity and supported me in this process, says Walker.
The American hopes she can fill the void left by the big attacking players Christine Sinclair and Sophie Smith, who have traveled to represent Canada and the USA in the World Cup.
- There is so much learning potential for me through this experience, and it will be exciting to see how I can match the level there. It will definitely be challenging, but I expect to learn a lot and I know it will be good for my player development, she says.
The loan period will be around 2 months, and the 25-year-old will be back in Brann after the summer.
- Thank you very much for all the love and support everyone in Brann has given me, it means everything. I'll be back in August, she concludes.’”
But also, this fan/reporter (?) of the team says this about her: (again, Google translate)
“No surprise. Walker was healthy in the run-up and the series opener, but after that it stopped.
These "overseas" signings of Ollie Harder have not been a great success to say the least. Two Americans out in a short time.”
He also mentions she’s had little playing time at Brann. I wonder if she’s Canadian… (KIDDING)
Edit: Upon looking more into her…it looks like she’s only been with Brann since Feb but hasn’t played much. She came from Kalmar in the Swedish Damallsvenskan (who are currently in last place and we’re bottom of the table the prior season.) I’m not expecting too much unfortunately….
"IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Richmond forward Alyssa Walker will join the University of Iowa soccer team as a graduate transfer, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Dave DiIanni. Walker will join the program for the fall season.
“We’re excited about the addition of Alyssa to our roster next fall,” said DiIanni. “She is someone who will provide an immediate impact in our program, both on and off the field. She is a proven goal scorer, who has elite athleticism and speed as a forward.
“We love her competitiveness and grit, which will be helpful both defensively and in the box.”
"Walker, a native from Centerville, Ohio, was a second-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection as a redshirt junior in 2019. She led the conference with 11 goals and had three assists to finish with 25 points. Walker scored two goals at Coastal Carolina and she finished the year with a hat trick in a Senior Day win over Saint Joseph’s.
"During her four years with the Spiders, Walker scored 19 goals on 117 shots (52 on goal) and she had seven assists. Four of Walker’s goals were game winners. This spring, Walker scored one goal against George Mason during Richmond’s eight-game season.
"Walker started all 19 games as a freshman, scoring five goals and adding two assists to earn a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team. As a sophomore, she appeared in 16 game with 11 starts, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Walker sat out the 2018 season because of injury."
She’s tall but looking into her recent club history I’m not super impressed. Been with Brann since Feb but hasn’t played much (according to a fan tweet I read), and came from Kalmar in Damallsvenskan (Sweden) but they are the bottom team (of 14) currently and were still bottom of the table last season when she was there. Haven’t looked into her individual stats, though. She just needs to be better than 4/5 of our current forwards for it to be worth it lol.
Would be interested in the story behind the story here. Not how you want to head into the World Cup.
"Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says her players "feared for their bodies" during Thursday's abandoned friendly with Colombia in Brisbane. The Republic withdrew from the behind-closed-doors friendly after 20 minutes, describing it as "over physical".
"Midfielder Denise O'Sullivan, injured during the game, has a badly bruised shin but has avoided a fracture. O'Sullivan, 29, is in a protective boot and will be assessed before Thursday's World Cup opener with Australia.
"In an interview with Off The Ball, Republic boss Pauw said: "We do not fear any physical contact, you know that, we are ourselves a team, that within the rules of the game, we are a very tough playing team.
"The players, [for] the first time since I am coaching them, they feared, they feared for their bodies."
"North Carolina Courage midfielder O'Sullivan, a key player for Pauw's side, is now in a race to be fit for the Australia game in Sydney. The Republic, taking part in their first World Cup, will then play Olympic champions Canada on 26 July before their final Group B match with Nigeria on 31 July.
"The uncapped friendly was abandoned following O'Sullivan's injury at Meakin Park after the Football Association of Ireland consulted with match officials. The Colombian Football Federation released a statement saying that while the training of its teams was "framed within the rules of the game, healthy competition and fair play", it respected Ireland's decision to abandon the game."
Interesting convo with Horan. Says one of the reasons she stayed in Europe was because of Portland's turf and that it's much harder on your body, especially for older players. Says the Thorns should have their own training facility and grass fields to avoid more wear and tear on the body, and calls out the inequities with the Timbers. I can only imagine that with the rise of info (and occurrences) of ACL's within woso, lots of top players who may have considered Portland prior would turn the club down now because of that factor. I kinda hope Horan was vocal about that aspect when discussing contracts with the club, so they might actually take seriously that this could really be a negative for the club going forward (and do something about it.) A first priority of new ownership absolutely needs to be a new training facility.
Also, talks about how much further behind the US league is than Europe, with regard to the style of play (Ie..possession-based play) I don't disagree with her, but it's funny that the only American on the USWNT who is playing in Europe because it's style is preferred is the captain of the USWNT.
Can’t really get more straight from the horse’s mouth that!
The broader point is pretty illustrative of the issue the Thorns face in comparison to both Europe and the rest of the league as woso gets more investment and the Thorns stand pat: The selling point for the Thorns used to be “they’re treated equally to the Timbers,” now it’s “they have to train on turf and the Timbers don’t.”
She left out another reason she wants to stay; there is her fiancé works there. I am happy for her not only do grass fields take less of a toll on the body; the travel distances in league play are a lot shorter.
My daughter lives and works in Germany and aside from only seeing her twice a year with all the hiking and travel not even mentioning the rich culture; it is a big plus for her living there.
About PP turf, Yes! and I hope the message gets through to the next ownership team. Even if one can't prove more ACL's on turf than grass, there is still a hefty argument that foreign teams hate playing on turf.
IIUC there's little correlation between major injuries and playing surface, but I got from Lindsey it's the chronic issues that arise after years on artificial (her always-taped knee comes to mind).
I remember the first Challenge Cup and the matches held in that second field in Utah, where they were all ripping their skin bloody. Whatever that stuff is, I sure wouldn't want to deal with it.
At my kid's level the turf fields were more reliable because grass fields often had gopher holes, roots, and spiny weeds and other nasty surprises. Got sick of vacuuming tire bits out of the car, though.
Agree! Also some context on my comment on foreign teams not liking turf. PP is going to have few opportunities to host foreign teams for World Cups, Olympics and International Challenges when those opportunities present themselves. Also, attracting foreign players to the Timbers/Thorns is problematic, but not impossible as we have seen with both teams. The Timbers practicing on grass great and now we just have to get the Thorns a grass practice field.
I think the style of play stuff is bullshit, to be honest. If you want to play a different style, but there’s not something inherently better. Like, I’d say transitions and pressing is better in the NWSL than Europe. That’s fine.
Oh, I do to. I just meant I didn't disagree with her that regarding the "possession-based" style of play, it is more of a European thing and we don't see it executed well nearly as much here....The question of "is it better than the styles we see here?" Well, yeah, very different question. I really hate the Eurosnob attitude that everything is better in Europe (which Lindsey kinda seems to have), but I don't think it's inherently better...
That's the first thing I see watching WSL and Champions League, passing precision and lack of turnovers.
Her comments on turf are quite direct now that she's decamped Portland for good, and should be addressed. I recall when the USWNT arrived at their home away from home in 2019--Tottenham--and the amazement at the many, many practice fields, every one a billiard table of perfect grass.
Do not know what it takes to make grass happen when two teams are training and playing on it. Reign now have a grass practice facility even if they play on an NFL turf field. Has to help.
What it will take is for the Thorns to have their own training facility rather than Providence Park. Hopefully that happens after the sale.
I've been wondering if the cost of a new training facility is being factored into the plans of a new ownership group and this is part of what's taking so long to complete the sale. Pure speculation, that.
Wonder if the league presses on this issue? They got KC and Tacoma out of their miserable baseball parks pretty quick (or that's what I read, anyhoo).
Facilities need to meet some minimum set of criteria and hopefully the league is addressing the issue proactively. Heck, it's a core pillar of Title IX (but schools have ways of wiggling out of those).
Sac Republic may play on a parking lot but between the asphalt and their boots is actual grass.
I mean one reason why it’s harder to do it here is the teams are far more aggressive and are far more physically capable.
it’s similar in the WSL. City really are the only pure possession side in the WSL, and they also finished 4th and dropped a lot of points to teams outside of the top 3. And these two leagues are, imv, the strongest top to bottom. Liga F, D1F, these are not great leagues top to bottom, they’re incredibly inequitable.
In fact I’d go on to argue that of the 4 most recent Champions League semi-finalists only Barcelona are a purely possession team. Arsenal are big on counter-pressing, Chelsea are counter-attackers, and Wolfsburg are a very direct counter-pressing team. So like, at some level, I’m not actually sure Horan is even right per se.
It’s also still so funny to me that there’s this bizarre euro snobbery in woso despite there being no actual evidence of a real gap --yet-- beyond the NWSL salary cap, and perhaps in quality of coaching and squad depth.
I feel like fans of European teams (many of whom, let’s be honest, have only watched woso since 2019) feel like their team would run over the best NWSL teams.... which probably just isn’t true. Like yeah, Barca, Lyon, and Chelsea are probably beating Portland/Seattle more times than not, but are we sure Arsenal/City/Wolfsburg/Bayern would? I’m not! I’d like to see a real competitive tournament (non-ICC) just to get a taste of how this would look.
Agreed, re: competitiveness, with the observation that the three you list as probably beating the best NWSL teams is more applicable this season, with its almost bizarre drop in quality of play, than in many past seasons. I'd put peak Thorns (and we can all argue just when that was, but all agree it ain't this year) up against any WoSo club team ever.
With the caveat that in a one-off game anything can happen I do think the four who got to the Champions League semi-finals plus Lyon are probably beating the top 2-3 NWSL teams, just because they're deeper teams. But, that second rung of European talent is definitely not better IMV
https://twitter.com/nikefootball/status/1680244733300592640?s=20
Oh this is GOOD good
Oh mercy, that is so good. Also, welcome return of the bubble braid. :-)
Calling it: Sophia's endorsement deals have surpassed her soccer income. Ceiling? Depending on the WWC, maybe Rapinoe-Morganville in the not-distant future.
Ironically, it makes it harder for richie-rich Euro teams to snag her via Giant Sack o' Euros.
Maybe Nike can pay her a little extra to stay local for sponsorship purposes. :)
Here's a fun little preview of the WC from a Portland soccer perspective, with some flattery of the Thorns as well (also filming this at Prov Park apparently.) This was just released a few days ago, and honestly, they're three folks who I really wouldn't be surprised if they were part of the new ownership/FO group in the future. All are former US Women's National Team players: Michelle French, Shannon Boxx, and Tina Frimpong Ellertson. All very respected people as well. I know Tiffeny Milbrett also lives up here and works on the academy level, I think for some other youth program in the Portland area.
French and Frimpong Ellertson are the coach and assistant coach respectively of the Portland Pilots, and well, we know who Shannon Boxx is. I think she's been doing a lot more woso broadcasting the past year and is pretty involved in the Portland community with things like Lupus awareness...They all talk about the joy of going to Thorns games and how unique the woso scene is here, more so than anywhere else in the world. I would LOVE for them to all be involved in this team going forward. Just gonna dream a little dream and pretend the three of them together at Prov Park means something positive...but for now, enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR9OVuNNnxI
Trying not to be all sour grapes here, but I didn't think Gotham was all that impressive (outside of Abby Smith). More a case of us being comically ineffective and wasteful in the attack.
Definitely don’t disagree.
They’re the only ones who win in the top half though which has been very common during this window.
Yeah, Smith perhaps cemented the win with some really solid work.
Best general audience discussion I've ever seen:
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38029597/women-world-cup-soccer-stars-torn-acls-mead-macario-miedema
This is a great article; thanks for sharing. It’s distressing how little has been done to address the heightened risk of ACL injuries for female athletes even though a fair amount is known about steps that teams and programs can take to mitigate the risk. I don’t know if US Soccer has taken any steps in this area, but it seems like it would be a good time to step up its efforts given all the publicity ACL injuries have received this year.
Here is what is telling to me... youth soccer training focuses on when the field is available and then using the field as much as possible for soccer skills, scrimmaging, etc. Why not actuallly mandate that all players show up 15 minutes before the field is available so that ALL the players can go through properly-administered, properly-supervised injury prevention exercises before the field becomes available for training?
Something like that, yes, as long as there is enough push from state-level youth soccer authorities to make sure it happens. I don’t know about other states but that is the approach California took in implementing concussion protocols several years back, including kids below a certain age (13 or 14, I think) not being allowed to head the ball.
Slightly embarrassed to admit that I find these state media pieces about Soph loving Portland are vaguely reassuring lol
https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/news/cultivated-in-portland-bloom-global-stage-sophia-smith-2023-womens-world-cup
Rumor down at Goose Hollow Inn is that this is mandatory viewing during Thorns film sessions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMxGVfk09lU
OT: Imagine the golazo celebrations Steph Curry would deliver on the pitch...
https://twitter.com/NBCSports/status/1680289396019347456
Seeing Naho in the masthead pic reminds me of watching her play with the Reign in opulent Memorial Stadium, and the boisterous group of Japanese Naho fans and family there cheering her on. A wonderful, gorgeous summer evening. Her parting note to Seattle fans on moving on to Sky Blue:
"Hello, our precious fans of Seattle Reign FC.
I am going to play for Sky Blue FC this season.
I tried to do my first challenge to play outside Japan in U.S.A.
Seattle Reign FC gave me such a feeling that playing in NWSL is so fun!!
My teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and the city of Seattle has been the best for me.
Although I’m very sad to leave my favorite club, please say hello again because we are friends forever.
I hope Seattle Reign FC will achieve a good outcome.
I appreciate all of you, Seattle."
How can you not love that? God speed, Naho.
Just got an email from Thorns Member Services, which includes this line:
"We are also beginning to plan for next season and renewals. Are there any changes you’re looking to make to your account for 2024? Please let me know any questions that you have so I can ensure you’re all set when renewals launch!"
I'd say it's time for the Annual Members to start asking for updates on the status of the sale.
More transfer news (but not for us):
NC Courage have announced the signing of Rikako Kobayashi from Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Condolences to Mr. Verdy Beleza we have on this message board. Nice to see NCC bulking up before their next league game vs the Thorns.
Mia Fishel also rumored to be headed to Chelsea. Absolutely hoarding talent over there lmao. Wonder what/if this means anything for Kerr....hopefully it means Smith will be off the radar for a while. Chelsea is the club I could've seen her leave for more than any other....
Thanks (*sob*). Yeah, my WE League favorites get picked over yet again. They have a phenomenal academy that keeps turning out top-tier players. Kobayashi-san is entering her prime (she's 25) and is an outstanding, versatile midfielder. A couple other Beleza standouts I'm worried about are Riko Ueki and Aoba Fujino, both forwards and both likely to make a mark at WWC23. Fujino-san's only 19 but has serious game.
Nahas seems to have given a pretty clear recruitment directive since he got there: A lot of technically and tactically astute midfield and attacking options -- two Japanese midfielders, Wingate, Gejl-- along with some versatility on the backline.
For a team pretty bereft of talent bar Kerolin, he’s done an outstanding job. A Potter-esque COTY job imo.
Yeah, I thought the same regarding the NC player profile. Bodes well for the style he wants to play, and really, every recruitment they've had lately I've been like "ah, that makes sense." Most clubs in this league (including our own), I'm not even sure what player profile is being considered, whereas with NCC it's quite obvious what they're looking for and they're doing a good job finding it. Every player can plug in and play the same way, and they're all super fit...he definitely took some tips from the former coach of that club.
But, I actually think they have a lot of talent on each line, as well as a solid keeper. Fox and Riehl are good players on the back line. And honestly, when we were looking for a solid RB backup in the past, I was eyeing Ryan WIlliams. She's been good for several seasons now, and is just now getting starts. She still is kinda flying under the radar. Then you have O'Sullivan in midfield, one of the best 6's in the league. Miura has also been pretty solid, after Fuka Nagano left (who was also fun to watch.) Kerolin plays somewhere between M and F, and is one of the best in the league. Gejl is also international talent and has been solid. K. Pickett, V. Pickett, Pinto, and Olivia Wingate are pretty decent bench depth, most of whom have played on the youth int'l level. I don't think they're bereft of talent, more just like, bereft of experienced talent. But, the youth is what makes that squad stay fit and tick well. He has been a good coach to get the best out of all of the youth, though, for sure. Of any coach, I think he kinda has the best shout for COTY. If any of their positional groups are lacking, it's the F line. Lussi is overperforming her actual talent imo, but Boade, Wingate, and Ratcliffe are good players on the F line who I'd take over all but like 3 of our forwards. Absolutely better depth than Betfort, Beckman, D'Aquila, and Vasconcelos.
Perhaps not totally bereft of talent overall, but certainly of the *top-end* talent that the top of the table clubs typically need to have. They have a lot of decent-to-good players, but most are on that starter-bench fringe that hit that sweet spot between international quality and the Betforts/Nallys/Beckman types the Thorns are running out. That’s the one benefit to not having a squad built around stars: The B- zone of players that the Thorns lack think there are spots up for grabs...which is also how/why we lose the Midge Purces and Yazmeen Ryans of the world.
Regardless, while I’d like to have players of their quality in PDX, I’m more on the side of Nahas coaxing out the best of the Picketts, Pinto, Williams, Lussi, Ratcliffe, etc than their talent being the main factor. Is Veronica Pickett that much better than Izzy? Lussi than Vasconcelos? Pinto than Moultrie? Williams than Kuikka? I’d say their success is much more a sign of a coach getting the most of out his players than anything.
Been thinking about this as I have a vested interest and think that it means Fran Kirby's injury is worse than they're letting on, and so Macario is the Kirby replacement and Fishel replaces Harder.
Isn't Harder more of an attacking mid and/or left wing-ish player? Would that not fit Macario's profile moreso? I've only ever seen Fishel play a central 9 role...just wondering what that means for Kerr. After playing the starring role at Tigres, I can't imagine Fishel wants to sit on the bench behind Kerr...
Admittedly though, I don't watch Chelsea unless there's some big game on...
Of the two, Harder is more striker-y than Kirby. Emma could also be changing shape but I don't think she's making the full-back signings she's done to play 3412 or a similar system. I don't think it means anything for Kerr.
Iceland, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Russia, Czechia, Finland, and Wales are the only top 30 countries not to make the field.
We have a Finn, of course, but why on earth didn't we try to bring over anybody from any of these other countries on a short-term loan? OK, not Russia, Fishlock is already spoken for and we probably couldn't get Little. But really, nobody else?
Canadians could not locate any of them on a map?
No offense to the three they have acquired but there seems to have been a dart-throwing session at some Goose Hollow pub to find them.
With MarPar there was always an origin story.
Visions of Bob & Doug McKenzie's Great White North map here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ZvAVcBIrQ
Take off, hey?
No time like the present to plug "Letterkenny" the best Canada export since Sincy. And lots of episodes, so pitter pat.
And about a month later than needed...at least have these three training before the last league game with the Nats (June 23rd!) It's July 16th and the striker they supposedly have acquired hasn't even been announced yet lol...meanwhile, KK is in Sydney.
Because our GM is in Sydney and our FO collectively is MIA lol. Still haven't even announced the rando they dug up from the last place team in the Damallsvenskan (last season)...and she's only scored 2 this season in the Norwegian league and looks like she hasn't really played a lot the last couple months over there. If she can't really produce overseas, I'm not sure it's gonna get any better coming here. I guess the bar is low for our F's though...she just needs to be better than Beckman, Betfort, D'Aquila, and Vasconcelos so let's hope for the best!
Looks like NCC is teasing an int'l announcement coming in the next week. Glad all of our opponents are bulking up prior to their Thorns games while we sign rec league players...
wait, who is this? I've been out of the loop.
Thorns haven't announced it yet, but her club already posted about it on IG 3 days ago- Brann in the Norwegian league. Her name is Alyssa Walker (she's American.) The rest of the details about her play and other info was already mentioned elsewhere in this thread, but, not sure she's gonna be the answer to our problems.
3 completely random signings from out of the country. very weird.
And just like, too late. Way late, 5 dollars short. Last year when she was at Kalmar, they won 5/17. Just hoping she's better than the other 4 F's we have? It's a low bar, so it's possible..
Here's Chris Henderson's 2022 draft class ranking (for Central Forward) for her college years. He has her as the 10th best CF for last years draft class:
https://twitter.com/chris_awk/status/1544427731336806401
Some of her highlights look okay, quality of the league notwithstanding. Don't think it's necessarily a reflection on her that her team were 11th last season
Apparently we’re getting a striker on loan from…I think the Norwegian league? Alyssa Walker, for two months, from what I can gather. I get we need it, but, why not a month ago lmao. This FO…lmao. I guess if Soph and Dunn win the WC and then have a victory tour, we may really need a striker, if even o ly for two games. But really, it should’ve been over the line already for the last two league games.
From what her club is saying, it’s already done- Brann, the Champions in the Norwegian league.
Don’t know anything about her…anyone?
https://blogjaun.com/fire-striker-alyssa-walker-is-on-loan-to-the-usa/
Some more from her specifically, from another article (using Google translate). She mentions being home in August, which would seem pointless but maybe she’s off on that:
“Alyssa Walker on loan
The Portland Thorns are one of the biggest clubs in the United States and are the reigning champions of the National Womens Soccer League (NWSL). This year, they are currently in 2nd place.
- ‘I am so grateful to have the opportunity to play for the Portland Thorns this summer. I am so happy that Brann has given me this opportunity and supported me in this process, says Walker.
The American hopes she can fill the void left by the big attacking players Christine Sinclair and Sophie Smith, who have traveled to represent Canada and the USA in the World Cup.
- There is so much learning potential for me through this experience, and it will be exciting to see how I can match the level there. It will definitely be challenging, but I expect to learn a lot and I know it will be good for my player development, she says.
The loan period will be around 2 months, and the 25-year-old will be back in Brann after the summer.
- Thank you very much for all the love and support everyone in Brann has given me, it means everything. I'll be back in August, she concludes.’”
Well, we said we wanted a signing, and this is a signing. I'll focus on keeping an open mind.
2022: 23 matches (17 starts), 9 goals, 3 assists, saw a lot of time on the pitch.
2023: 17 matches (8 starts), 2 goals, 0 assists, appears to have fallen completely out of favor.
https://fbref.com/en/players/d70ec0a3/matchlogs/2022/Alyssa-Walker-Match-Logs
https://fbref.com/en/players/d70ec0a3/matchlogs/2023/Alyssa-Walker-Match-Logs
But also, this fan/reporter (?) of the team says this about her: (again, Google translate)
“No surprise. Walker was healthy in the run-up and the series opener, but after that it stopped.
These "overseas" signings of Ollie Harder have not been a great success to say the least. Two Americans out in a short time.”
He also mentions she’s had little playing time at Brann. I wonder if she’s Canadian… (KIDDING)
Edit: Upon looking more into her…it looks like she’s only been with Brann since Feb but hasn’t played much. She came from Kalmar in the Swedish Damallsvenskan (who are currently in last place and we’re bottom of the table the prior season.) I’m not expecting too much unfortunately….
Interesting. Hey, she's 5'10" so...?
"IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Richmond forward Alyssa Walker will join the University of Iowa soccer team as a graduate transfer, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Dave DiIanni. Walker will join the program for the fall season.
“We’re excited about the addition of Alyssa to our roster next fall,” said DiIanni. “She is someone who will provide an immediate impact in our program, both on and off the field. She is a proven goal scorer, who has elite athleticism and speed as a forward.
“We love her competitiveness and grit, which will be helpful both defensively and in the box.”
"Walker, a native from Centerville, Ohio, was a second-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection as a redshirt junior in 2019. She led the conference with 11 goals and had three assists to finish with 25 points. Walker scored two goals at Coastal Carolina and she finished the year with a hat trick in a Senior Day win over Saint Joseph’s.
"During her four years with the Spiders, Walker scored 19 goals on 117 shots (52 on goal) and she had seven assists. Four of Walker’s goals were game winners. This spring, Walker scored one goal against George Mason during Richmond’s eight-game season.
"Walker started all 19 games as a freshman, scoring five goals and adding two assists to earn a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team. As a sophomore, she appeared in 16 game with 11 starts, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Walker sat out the 2018 season because of injury."
The Spiders?
She’s tall but looking into her recent club history I’m not super impressed. Been with Brann since Feb but hasn’t played much (according to a fan tweet I read), and came from Kalmar in Damallsvenskan (Sweden) but they are the bottom team (of 14) currently and were still bottom of the table last season when she was there. Haven’t looked into her individual stats, though. She just needs to be better than 4/5 of our current forwards for it to be worth it lol.
Would be interested in the story behind the story here. Not how you want to head into the World Cup.
"Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says her players "feared for their bodies" during Thursday's abandoned friendly with Colombia in Brisbane. The Republic withdrew from the behind-closed-doors friendly after 20 minutes, describing it as "over physical".
"Midfielder Denise O'Sullivan, injured during the game, has a badly bruised shin but has avoided a fracture. O'Sullivan, 29, is in a protective boot and will be assessed before Thursday's World Cup opener with Australia.
"In an interview with Off The Ball, Republic boss Pauw said: "We do not fear any physical contact, you know that, we are ourselves a team, that within the rules of the game, we are a very tough playing team.
"The players, [for] the first time since I am coaching them, they feared, they feared for their bodies."
"North Carolina Courage midfielder O'Sullivan, a key player for Pauw's side, is now in a race to be fit for the Australia game in Sydney. The Republic, taking part in their first World Cup, will then play Olympic champions Canada on 26 July before their final Group B match with Nigeria on 31 July.
"The uncapped friendly was abandoned following O'Sullivan's injury at Meakin Park after the Football Association of Ireland consulted with match officials. The Colombian Football Federation released a statement saying that while the training of its teams was "framed within the rules of the game, healthy competition and fair play", it respected Ireland's decision to abandon the game."
--BBC
Meanwhile, it appears that France just lost another player.
96th minute against the Matildas, and Selma Bacha is "stretchered off" with a "nasty ankle injury."
Question: why are they playing these send-off matches into the 96th minute?
Answer: because there were almost 51,000 people in attendance.
Gotta get clear on priorities.
Interesting convo with Horan. Says one of the reasons she stayed in Europe was because of Portland's turf and that it's much harder on your body, especially for older players. Says the Thorns should have their own training facility and grass fields to avoid more wear and tear on the body, and calls out the inequities with the Timbers. I can only imagine that with the rise of info (and occurrences) of ACL's within woso, lots of top players who may have considered Portland prior would turn the club down now because of that factor. I kinda hope Horan was vocal about that aspect when discussing contracts with the club, so they might actually take seriously that this could really be a negative for the club going forward (and do something about it.) A first priority of new ownership absolutely needs to be a new training facility.
Also, talks about how much further behind the US league is than Europe, with regard to the style of play (Ie..possession-based play) I don't disagree with her, but it's funny that the only American on the USWNT who is playing in Europe because it's style is preferred is the captain of the USWNT.
https://youtu.be/xp_bcmePCOQ
Can’t really get more straight from the horse’s mouth that!
The broader point is pretty illustrative of the issue the Thorns face in comparison to both Europe and the rest of the league as woso gets more investment and the Thorns stand pat: The selling point for the Thorns used to be “they’re treated equally to the Timbers,” now it’s “they have to train on turf and the Timbers don’t.”
She left out another reason she wants to stay; there is her fiancé works there. I am happy for her not only do grass fields take less of a toll on the body; the travel distances in league play are a lot shorter.
My daughter lives and works in Germany and aside from only seeing her twice a year with all the hiking and travel not even mentioning the rich culture; it is a big plus for her living there.
About PP turf, Yes! and I hope the message gets through to the next ownership team. Even if one can't prove more ACL's on turf than grass, there is still a hefty argument that foreign teams hate playing on turf.
IIUC there's little correlation between major injuries and playing surface, but I got from Lindsey it's the chronic issues that arise after years on artificial (her always-taped knee comes to mind).
I remember the first Challenge Cup and the matches held in that second field in Utah, where they were all ripping their skin bloody. Whatever that stuff is, I sure wouldn't want to deal with it.
At my kid's level the turf fields were more reliable because grass fields often had gopher holes, roots, and spiny weeds and other nasty surprises. Got sick of vacuuming tire bits out of the car, though.
Agree! Also some context on my comment on foreign teams not liking turf. PP is going to have few opportunities to host foreign teams for World Cups, Olympics and International Challenges when those opportunities present themselves. Also, attracting foreign players to the Timbers/Thorns is problematic, but not impossible as we have seen with both teams. The Timbers practicing on grass great and now we just have to get the Thorns a grass practice field.
I think the style of play stuff is bullshit, to be honest. If you want to play a different style, but there’s not something inherently better. Like, I’d say transitions and pressing is better in the NWSL than Europe. That’s fine.
Oh, I do to. I just meant I didn't disagree with her that regarding the "possession-based" style of play, it is more of a European thing and we don't see it executed well nearly as much here....The question of "is it better than the styles we see here?" Well, yeah, very different question. I really hate the Eurosnob attitude that everything is better in Europe (which Lindsey kinda seems to have), but I don't think it's inherently better...
That's the first thing I see watching WSL and Champions League, passing precision and lack of turnovers.
Her comments on turf are quite direct now that she's decamped Portland for good, and should be addressed. I recall when the USWNT arrived at their home away from home in 2019--Tottenham--and the amazement at the many, many practice fields, every one a billiard table of perfect grass.
Do not know what it takes to make grass happen when two teams are training and playing on it. Reign now have a grass practice facility even if they play on an NFL turf field. Has to help.
What it will take is for the Thorns to have their own training facility rather than Providence Park. Hopefully that happens after the sale.
I've been wondering if the cost of a new training facility is being factored into the plans of a new ownership group and this is part of what's taking so long to complete the sale. Pure speculation, that.
Wonder if the league presses on this issue? They got KC and Tacoma out of their miserable baseball parks pretty quick (or that's what I read, anyhoo).
Facilities need to meet some minimum set of criteria and hopefully the league is addressing the issue proactively. Heck, it's a core pillar of Title IX (but schools have ways of wiggling out of those).
Sac Republic may play on a parking lot but between the asphalt and their boots is actual grass.
I mean one reason why it’s harder to do it here is the teams are far more aggressive and are far more physically capable.
it’s similar in the WSL. City really are the only pure possession side in the WSL, and they also finished 4th and dropped a lot of points to teams outside of the top 3. And these two leagues are, imv, the strongest top to bottom. Liga F, D1F, these are not great leagues top to bottom, they’re incredibly inequitable.
In fact I’d go on to argue that of the 4 most recent Champions League semi-finalists only Barcelona are a purely possession team. Arsenal are big on counter-pressing, Chelsea are counter-attackers, and Wolfsburg are a very direct counter-pressing team. So like, at some level, I’m not actually sure Horan is even right per se.
It’s also still so funny to me that there’s this bizarre euro snobbery in woso despite there being no actual evidence of a real gap --yet-- beyond the NWSL salary cap, and perhaps in quality of coaching and squad depth.
I feel like fans of European teams (many of whom, let’s be honest, have only watched woso since 2019) feel like their team would run over the best NWSL teams.... which probably just isn’t true. Like yeah, Barca, Lyon, and Chelsea are probably beating Portland/Seattle more times than not, but are we sure Arsenal/City/Wolfsburg/Bayern would? I’m not! I’d like to see a real competitive tournament (non-ICC) just to get a taste of how this would look.
Agreed, re: competitiveness, with the observation that the three you list as probably beating the best NWSL teams is more applicable this season, with its almost bizarre drop in quality of play, than in many past seasons. I'd put peak Thorns (and we can all argue just when that was, but all agree it ain't this year) up against any WoSo club team ever.
With the caveat that in a one-off game anything can happen I do think the four who got to the Champions League semi-finals plus Lyon are probably beating the top 2-3 NWSL teams, just because they're deeper teams. But, that second rung of European talent is definitely not better IMV
Weekend Power Outage
This, on the other hand... Vintage Power Station!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQi594D6uyc
We do not have tickets for tonight's Republic home match and do not especially feel left out. At kick it will be something like 105.