OT: Here's how a real coach handles the post-game presser after a tough loss.
"We had some plays in the back that were just way out of character," Chicago head coach Lorne Donaldson said after the loss. "As coach, maybe I should have fixed something back there. It's not the players, I just got it wrong." (Quoted by Kassouf in his ESPN piece on the eliminated teams.)
Runner Girl competed in her final NCAA XC race this morning, finishing in the 30s in a field of 250 at the SE Regionals. Her team was #4 so probably not going to Nattys, but we won't know for sure until the western races are complete. All nine regionals are today. Chaos!
Know why she was recruited to run? Twelve years of soccering.
Not JUST set-piece defending. The other hallmarks of the Ken Era have been lack of progressive passing, shrinking xG, and reliance on Smith hero-ball going forward, defensive weakness and giving up good looks in back. This match had all of those, the strong flavor of a Ken Loss "lionesses led by a donkey"...
I hate that my expectations of the ownership are so low, but I expect they'll tap Parsons for GM, and that'll produce a similarly unambitious HC hire.
Oh trust me, I could of went on writing for way longer, but eventually had to stop. Don't disagree with any of the issues on the pitch - the stats are alarming.
We see the GM search a tad differently, but it's imperative to get this person in the building ASAP - so much to do (NCAA, Winter Window, ect).
I know you loves some Parsons. And I won’t be heartbroken if they go that way. I just see it as a “tyranny of low expectations” kind of hire; he’s a noob as a GM in a very different NWSL than his GW salad days. If he does get the nod I hope it’s at least 1) soon and 2) he’s not too cocky to scorn running around busily learning from experienced GMs who are familiar with selling leagues and free agency.
Plus the gaffer! I can’t emphasize how utterly crucial that hire will be. The really astonishing part of the season is how underwhelming this squad performed given the individual talent. It took some real Dark Genius to nerf the team the way Ken did. Now the reorganization needs a vision on the pitch, and not Parsons’-the-GM’s but a genuinely clever HC.
A big limit for Parsons for me is I thought his unsuccessful stunt in Netherlands was abruptly halted because of player dissatisfaction with his tactical and general soccer acumen. If so will he have the connections and claim to attract skilled players from abroad or is his rep tarnished. The right coach hire may be able to smooth some of that out.
IF he will stay in his GM lane, AND he turns out to have a genuine gift for NWSL2.0 roster-building the distance from the pitch should go a long way to mitigate the whole shouty thing that lost his Netherlands and Spirit squads.
My hesitation about him includes being uncertain he WILL stay in his lane. His interviews all seem to emphasize how he doesn't see his coaching days as past.
Same thing happened in Washington, really. Players were done with him pretty quickly. They sacked him two days after their last match. He went 7-9-6. Got off to a fast start of 4-0-3 and then finshed 3-9-3. Players had basically quit listening to him, at least during games, by the time Portland played them at end of August.
Now, that's coaching, of course, but he's gotta show that he's grown since the quick flameouts with Netherlands and Washington.
First, as I've said here before, this season is the culmination of the almost-inevitable managerial/FO clusterfuckery that was building in the late-Parsons years (2018-2021) but really exploded with the Riley scandal bomb in ’21. That turned Paulson into the sour, petty vindictive SOB that dragged out the sale while letting his human shield LeBlanc stumble about and his coaches Wilkinson and Norris sink in a haze of tactical incoherence. Sophia Smith having a mad MVP season, and the squad going mad in the semi, and KCC playing Death Star to Smith’s Millenium Falcon in the 2022 Final papered over that “controlled flight into terrain” as the airliner-crash investigators call it.
Second, the Bhathals lack of experience combined with either timidity or, worse, credulity (in that they apparently bought into the KK Narrative) allowed the crash landing to accelerate. I’d argue that has not changed; LeBlanc is still here, Gale is still here, Norris is still here, Vytas (sorry, Vytas – love you, bro, but your defense sucked major ass…) is still here.
But, third; there’s a solid core here. Obviously Smith and Weaver up top, but Linnehan and Turner showed promise. Coffey, Sugita, and Fleming are all solid in midfield. Reyes, Obaze, and Muller are good individual defenders, as is Sauerbrunn if she wants another season. The keepers…hard to say.
There’s also potential/promising depth; Spaanstra up front, McKenzie and Moultrie in midfield, Payne in back.
Here's the thing; I think we need to be more realistic in expectations:
Our “period of greatness” really breaks down into 1) a long run of being “better-than-NWSL-average” punctuated by 2) occasional outbursts of excellence; primarily 2016-18 with minor eruptions in 2013 (but which needed some huge playoff luck) and 2021-22 (which needed Peak Smith).
And…
The league is better overall, but in particular several organizations have made big steps up; Orlando, obviously, but Gotham, Washington, and Kansas City have all improved their coaching, player acquisition (i.e. GM), or both. So the times when it was “Portland versus Western New York” or “Portland versus FCKC” or “Portland versus North Carolina” are over. It’s going to be a barroom brawl from here on out.
With the wildcard of free agency. GM-ing is going to become much more complicated, and the need for the owner(s)-GM-head coach to work as a seamless team is going to be essential. The HC needs to have a tactical plan for their roster, they need to work with the GM to target players to build that roster to make that plan work, and the owner(s) need to open the wallet to get and keep those players.
Our problem(s) here are 1) we don’t know if we have those owners – their record to date in unimpressive at best, 2) we don’t have either that GM or that HC based on priors.
The next month is going to show us a lot. IF – and that’s a big if – the Bhathals can 1) clean house quickly and thoroughly, 2) find and hire a truly talented GM, who helps 3) hire a gifted HC?
Then I think we have a chance to pull back into the top four.
And as I said…it WILL be a top four or five – the days of “Portland and (one other)” vying for the Shield? That shit’s done.
Can the Bhathals do all that, quickly and correctly?
What impressed me following the sale was player responses to the Bathals--they seem to have taken a hands-on approach, reaching out to them individually, and the early reviews were good. (Of course, what did one expect them to say about the new boss?) Lacking that I think key players would have bailed mid-season and you know who I mean.
I question their sportsball owner toolkit. While they've been in the building around other franchises, they to my knowledge have never had responsibility and control of a pro sports team and appear to be paralyzed at a time active intervention is needed. What did fans get this season instead? Whopping ticket price increases. Awkward.
PTFC isn't a dumpster fire but nobody can convince me there isn't dry rot in the foundation and exterior walls. Either way the club is in danger of collapsing, and it ain't from lack of talent on the field.
The lack of urgency on the owners part seems alarming. I get that they wanted to sit back and get the lay of the land the first season, but guess what, the seasons over. Time to step up. We should have had a big GM signing this week to get the bad taste of 2024 season out of our mouths.
Re: "player responses"? Well...talk is cheap. Of COURSE the new owners would have said all the right things, and the players, yes, as you said; they responded with the appropriate public sportsball cliches.
I'm not sure I'd call it "paralysis" yet. It seems like forever to us, but I can see how it will take time to find and hire a truly decent GM, and then a HC. I expected the price increases, and my GA boost was manageable. If in return we get good hires, a spanking new training ground, and intelligent roster moves? I'm fine.
And don't forget; the "foundation" is still being renovated. I'll cut the Bhathals some slack - Paulson dragged out the sale far too long for a thorough housecleaning in 2023. I would suggest that it's not "danger of collapsing" so much as "longer period of mediocrity" we're in danger of.
But. The KK decision should have come sooner. And the clock is ticking now. The GM/HC hires need to be sooner rather than later and good.
Talk *is* cheap, but Smith put more than words on the line when she signed the extension. Let's hope she saw something real that isn't visible to us yet.
It’s the Bhathals’ talk that was cheap. Easy to promise cakes and ale, the classic New Boss Talk. I don’t think Smith’s signing means more than that she hoped they weren’t just blowing smoke.
Now comes the time she - and we - find out if they were, or if not blowing smoke exactly, at least promising things about which they had no real understanding…
Right, she only signed for this season, with a player option (was it the first in the league?) indicating that she was willing to give it a season, but then it's her decision if she walks after the '25 season. I think she can start talking with other teams as soon as like June (swear I read that somewhere), so they really better nail this offseason or I think she's gone.
I’m not sure it has to be a slam-dunk; that’s a big ask. But I agree - things need to move in the right direction or they’re gonna lose the locker room
Well as of last night, Rob Gale was giving a speech at the Thorns Academy event, and appears all usual suspects are still in place as well, unfortunately. I know a new GM will be the first step before Gale is (hopefully) gone, but seeing everyone still there just grinds my gears, even if it's irrational.
Otherwise, I agree on all of your points. My worry is that they think the people in the Thorns orbit ARE those people, and therefore haven't done any due diligence with regard to finding an outside perspective. It makes the GM hire all that much more important. Provided they get someone somewhat competent, they may be the only one on the soccer ops side. We've gone a whole season with the Bhathals, and I still have no idea how they're gonna run this club. Do they know what it's gonna take to compete with other clubs now? We've been passed up and the chasm between the haves and have nots will only increase from here on out. They bought the golden goose KK sold them at the beginning of their tenure so they thought they were getting a turn-key club. I understand them not firing everyone immediately upon hire. I vowed to hold my opinion until the end of the offseason to really have an idea about how they'll govern. The only positive I've seen is that they seem responsive to outside/fan pressure/poor results to get rid of folks pretty quickly. Saw it with Norris, and with KK when folks online starting actually calling her out. That may not always be a *good* thing per se, but in those two instances, sooner was better.
Anyways, my hope is that the Bhathals have taken the time to get some advice from folks who know the biz (but maybe avoid Christine Cupo: https://x.com/CCupo/status/1855737785497329970)
My guess is that they boxed themselves in on Gale. If they can him this week they look stoooopid for the interim thing (which WAS stupid and to give him his props my compa Richard Hamje totally called it at the time!).
But. If he’s still in place by January 1? Whether or not we have a new GM? That’s not a good sign.
I totally agree on these points. There is real talent on this team, but not overwhelming talent that can rise above mediocre coaching. Getting the coach right is going to be critical to this team moving forward, and we know that KK wasn't going to do that. And there is the real possibility that if a GM isn't hired soon we are going to be behind in the free agency window. Considering we need a lot of pieces to fill gaps that is going to be more and more of a problem. Lets just hope there isn't a NWSL ordered quiet period unless every team is required to follow it.
I’m not sure the holes are that big. Seriously; I think there’s potential talent that we didn’t see enough of because Ken kept playing Sinc and Hubly and D’Aquila etc. long past where it was futile. How good can Obaze and Payne and Turner and Spaanstra and Linnehan and OWK and MacKenzie be? Under a gifted development coach?
This articulates my sense of the current situation really well. A couple of thoughts:
Roster building really requires a team; the head coach needs to have a vision and identify needs to make it a reality, the GM and scouts need to identify players to fill those needs, and the GM needs to sign them. Obviously, the boundaries aren't that clear cut, but no one person is going to handle all the roles.
An area of coaching I don't think we've given enough attention is player development. My hope of building a team for a long run of excellence is to sign young players and develop their abilities to match their promise. Splashing out money on a lot marquee players tends to be a short-term solution. We have a good young contingent, but they can be better, and we need to help them improve while always bringing in more. This also means we need to be willing to let players go if their ceiling turns out to be too low - a difficult judgment call at best.
As many have said, getting an excellent GM is the essential first step.
I think the really hard part is if the player’s ceiling is high, but they’re not a good fit with the overall squad. The example that jumps to mind is the Beckie-vs-Ryan thing. I think both players are good; but I think Ryan was a better fit, and the player dealt should have been Beckie. But that’s a tough call; picking the talented kid over the talented veteran! That’s where real talent at GM and HC earn their $$$…
Excellent point. And if the (excellent) coach has an actual idea of what he wants and is working with the (excellent) GM, that issue shouldn't arise often.
Yeah, this is a pretty perfect summation of my feelings too, both the positive and negative. The biggest concern I have about the Bhathals moving forward is whether they understand --or care-- that the path to REALLY competing in this league is now much more than "have a lot of fans, a few popular players, an owner that cares jusssst more than the other 10 shitty owners" like it was five years ago. Recognizing that the league, as you note, is no longer 1-3 teams fighting it out every year is really, really important to putting the past where it belongs. It's not going to be the four semi-finalists we're fighting with next year: I'd bet heavily that San Diego will be right up there again, North Carolina will improve, Chicago will get better. Hell, even the bottom four could challenge with a few big moves.
Ultimately, ownership is a big piece, but the GM is the key. I wouldn't say that Gotham or Orlando's ownership is particularly involved; they just hired the right people --whether by skill or pure luck-- and let those people hire more good people. That's the image of good ownership that I want, not someone like Kang: Rich folks who are willing to spend what it takes and make changes when needed, but also get out of the way when needed. That's why I've said this offseason is a major inflection point: Unlike the Seattles and Houstons of the world, they still have the talent base for a quick turnaround if the right people are hired, but it's got to happen next year or else that talent may very well decide to be talented elsewhere.
I think it’s a tricky sort of symbiosis. The GM may be the most critical individual piece, but they need a HC with a vision and the skills to communicate and implement that vision, and owners with just the right touch on the reins; not getting up in their employees business but knowing when to step in. “Hire good people and let them do their jobs”, as you say.
My hope is that the Bhathals have a plan, and they’ve communicated that plan to the players…and that it’s a GOOD plan that the players will buy into.
I think the stars are willing to be a bit patient; finding a truly top flight GM/HC pairing won’t be easy! But I agree; it needs to at least start in this offseason…
Of the remaining four teams, which are you rooting for to win it all?
I'm going with Orlando, because Marta. And Seb Hines. Also because (1) Gotham won it last year, (2) the Spirit won it three years ago, and (3) the Current won the summer cup this year and FCKC won two titles, so WoSo in Kansas City is doing just fine. Meanwhile Orlando has been bad pretty much their entire existence, so winning a Shield-Championship double would be a nice worst-to-first story - reminiscent of Gotham's last year.
And you told us at the beginning of the season Orlando would good. I thought that was brave but that was informed. So go ahead Orlando win it for the kielbj!
Orlando Marta. Gotham he'll no. NWSL really needs to peer into their books something fishy about how they are under the salary cap. Washington ok. No to KC. Nothing but long ball to Chawinga. Didn't like it when Vlatko forced USWNT into trash soccer winning doesn't make any less garbage soccer.
A tough one. Orlando is obvious, classic underdog story plus the faithful servant Marta getting rrewarded. But Gotham (Sky Blue, lest we forget) becoming a Courage-esque dynasty - that's almost a better feel-good story. KC and DC though? Not so much. I don't know why, all four teams have billionaire owners making big investments in our sport. But those two just don't resonate with me; something feels manufactured.
I'll hate-watch Orl-KC and try not to root for the sweet comet of doom.
If I'm predicterating, Orlando snags the trophy.
Between Gotham and Spirit I'm very unsure who has the better shot at Pride. Probably Gotham if Rose remains healthy. But, they're not a good road team this year.
Gotham with a world-class bed-$h!tting. Conceded the equalizer in the 93rd, Bruninha picked up 2 yellows just 29 minutes apart, and the Bats delivered 3 incredibly weak PKs.
Good riddance, Gotham. Thought you were better than that.
I'm loving the "Kingsbury heroics" takes. Now I want to be called a "hero" for hitting the trashcan next to my office chair with a ball of scrap paper three times in a row.
Three of the most ridiculously bad PK attempts I've ever seen.
Angelina (Orlando), Michelle Alozie (Houston), Kate Del Fava (Utah), Savannah DeMelo (Louisville), Jaelin Howell (Seattle), Savy King (Bay FC), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego) and Morgan Weaver (Portland).
It's a pretty weird group for a skills challenge outside of Demelo tbh: A keeper, a CB, two defensive mids, a left back, and two pace-oriented wingers.
The tail end of your match summary really does highlight the difference an interested ownership group and competent management can make. Sky Blue was completely rebuilt with a clear vision and made an incredible turnaround with few existing tools to build on. The Thorns, on the other hand, had all the legacy resources and momentum only to get stymied by a bitter, spiteful former owner and poor management. I guess the silver lining is that turnarounds are possible once there's commitment. Hopefully the Bathals recognize what is needed and are interested enough to actually commit to rebuilding.
Same with the Kang Gang, though it took longer, and KC (Ashton put lots of pieces in place but she was also part of the problem). Orlando, it appears, too, though we'll see what losing Marta is like for their team/org culture.
On the flipside, we've seen how quickly things can go south in this league, precisely because it's so competitive. As much as we have fallen off, just look at what happened to SD this year.
I think the problem is that to build OUT from that needs a HC with a vision. But I think the GM hire needs to be either concurrent or precede the HC hire. I wish to hell they'd can Ken to show they're serious about upgrading both.
Plus roster. I think ee need at least another starting CB soon if not sooner if 'Brunn ages out, depth all over, and some idea how to fit in/add to/remove pieces we have now but don't have enough minutes to really assess, like Linnehan, Spaanstra, Turner, McKenzie, OWK, as well as either a seriously good Berger-grade GK or some sense of progress from one of our current herd.
I'm not as stressed on time; the disappearance of drafts removes a big time crunch. But free agency also means getting there (to good players) fustest with the mostest. So there's that...
The xOG guys also have a locked episode breaking down the 4 teams that just got yeeted from the playoffs, and what they need to do in the offseason. I haven't bought a sub yet for all their extra content, but it's only $6 (literally priced after the 6 position, and apparently they started this pod bc of Sam Coffey adoration- the more you know....) They are both pretty knowledgeable stat dudes, and are definitely stat-heavy in their convo. One is a Thorns fan, from what I gather, but they are super neutral in their convos. Except they both rag on Angel City often, which is pretty great lol. They're also both pretty funny. Anyways, please let me know if any of y'all listen to it! I haven't decided if I wanna take on another sub yet (though I might just cancel my Equalizer/Athletic subs.) They have a lot of content for members from what I gather...and they do live watchalongs with their nerd-leaning member group. I just listen to all their free content and they're prob my favorite pod to listen to for NWSL content. Anyways, here's the link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/nwsl-playoff-bay-115974122?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Bethune wins their RoY and garner a vote for MFofY playing in just 17 of 26 matches (65%) due to injury. Clearly a dominating season, for as long as it lasted.
Goodness gracious, Labonta as the league's best midfielder is an absolute joke. One of them even gives her credit for Hutton's good season when I'd argue it's pretty much the exact opposite. Re: DOTY, it's very clearly Sams for me, but I like the shoutouts for Sonnett, McKeown, and Krueger all of whom are deserving.
Sams for sure. How all-world Girma was left off is ridiculous (SD poor performance would have been worse if Girma not back there). Dahlkemper is still an absolute beast and is why LA turned the corner on their season. Couple more before the other three even get into the discussion for me.
Her family lives in the Netherlands, so she'll probably stay with Ajax. They would have to move here for her to play for the Thorns. There'll be a lot of interest when she turns 18.
I would have loved to see them snatch this at the death and make a bit of run, but I also don't think I could have taken Gale's smug "see, this is what happens when we finally get healthy" that surely would have followed. Regardless, pretty much the exact result the performance deserved.
Big offseason ahead. They can't afford to delay on the GM hire for the same reasons the delay in ownership change caused last season. They're already probably going to miss out on the best college signees, but they need to be more active in backloading the squad with FAs than they were last season, and they also need to make at least one big splash signing in the international. Obviously, Gale needs to replaced as well.....but I'm not going to be confident that actually happens until I see the announcement.
Reasons for positivity if they can get the off-field stuff right:
- All the key pieces will likely be back. From the Becky/Sam interviews, it sounds like the locker room stayed tight throughout the turmoil, so --knock on wood-- I don't expect any shock transfer requests.
- We're not going to have to dread the lineup announcements with Sinc in them next season. Gonna be a huge weight off my shoulders, that's for sure.
- Excited to see more of the Reyes/Muller/Turner/Linnehan/Obaze group next season. Y'all are probably tired of me mentioning her, but I really can't overstate how freakin good Reyes was in almost every game she played against a high level squad in the second half of the field. Takes (some of) the bite off of losing Yaz.
I'd be curious if Phuoc can provide any clarity on the remaining unannounced Thorns FAs, or the expected timeline/speed of hires going into the offseason.
Yeah I'd love clarity on when KK is actually being reassigned...
Are they letting her stay in the role and continue GM duties until a new GM is found? Or are we GM-less now and has she started clearing out her desk today? Who is the stand-in, in that case? Mike Norris? I have so many questions lol...
I'd love to assume the latter and that the Bhathals realize that allowing her to continue to make GM decisions is a really bad choice, but I don't have anything else to tell me that it'll be more urgent. There is a universe in which she is humming along with GM duties until after the 1st of the year and she does little aside from housekeeping-work like wrapping up contracts that are out, or waiving folks. Even if she was doing more....I don't really want her to have a say on this offseason!
I don't know how long it takes to find a proper GM. Too soon and I worry they didn't do much searching, or they don't have any reach into those top tiers. But too long could be disastrous for next season as well...
I honestly hope the Bhathals can grab Emma Hayes' ear or something. Get some real advice, or maybe some contacts. Side note...but Hayes was just in Portland again for a few days for a Nike thing (I saw that Thorns academy players were at the event.)
I watched this video a few weeks ago (just after she was in Portland for the game), and around 13:00 she talks about collaborating closely with the coaches, GMs, and the board level (ie...Lisa Bhathal-Merage) of NWSL teams with regard to camps and whatnot, so I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to think Emma could be a resource. Another side note, but in the video around 19:30 she takes a drink from her water bottle, and looks like she has an "Oregon Pacific Northwest" sticker on it and that just made me warm and fuzzy. :) https://youtu.be/qwbgICL0nt8?si=L5zw38ZwBZUO9U6T
Just re-watched this afternoon, and that is simply not even close to being true. She only got beat once yesterday, on a 1v1 vs. Yaz in the corner. Fbref's game stats agree, fwiw.
No idea why, but not very many people here seem to appreciate how good a defender she is and how much better she's gotten over the course of the year, both positionally and in the tackle. Maybe it's because her style isn't as aesthetically pleasing as Müller's is, but while she's far from a perfect player, she is the best pure defender on the team.
Ah, that's the one I was thinking of- Freeman not Yaz. Thanks
(As an aside, I can't believe how much better freakin Mandy Freeman's gotten. Had a couple truly awful years at the start of her career where I didn't think she was gonna be a pro)
Muller is tougher on the tackle and in duels but gives away passes Reyes doesn't. I'd have to look, but I'd bet Reyes had more "progressive" passes against Gotham than anyone outside Coffey.
Not familiar with Freeman's career, but she's an excellent outside back now.
Haha I would say pretty much the exact opposite. I'd argue that Reyes is excellent in duels and relatively poor in the attacking facets, while Marie is pretty much the inverse (and is actually one of the NWSL's best FBs in terms of chance creation). Müller's 1v1 defending stats have improved remarkably from last time I checked this chart in early June when she was well below average in successful tackle percentage. Also, I'm curious just eye-test wise: You think that Reyes is a better ball-progressing player?
I will note that Müller comes out on top in terms of pure defensive counting stats (i.e quantity of tackles and interceptions), but falls behind in terms of success rate (% duels won). I tend to think that's because she's simply involved in games more than Reyes but tends to stab and overcommit 1v1, but others may have different interpretations. Same goes for passing percentage, where Muller's is lower than Reyes': That's not because Muller's a worse or less accurate passer, but because she has much more volume and tries harder passes than Reyes who is much more conservative going forward.
Wow that's unbelievable. So bad it's hilarious. Didn't a human at least glance at that "article" before they put it on a website?
"Q: Who has won NWSL MVP? A: Lauren Holiday was named NWSL MVP in the league's inaugural season in 2013." [And ... that's it. That's all they say about NWSL MVPs.]
OT: Here's how a real coach handles the post-game presser after a tough loss.
"We had some plays in the back that were just way out of character," Chicago head coach Lorne Donaldson said after the loss. "As coach, maybe I should have fixed something back there. It's not the players, I just got it wrong." (Quoted by Kassouf in his ESPN piece on the eliminated teams.)
Wonder what that's like?
O/T Engage dadbrag module.
Runner Girl competed in her final NCAA XC race this morning, finishing in the 30s in a field of 250 at the SE Regionals. Her team was #4 so probably not going to Nattys, but we won't know for sure until the western races are complete. All nine regionals are today. Chaos!
Know why she was recruited to run? Twelve years of soccering.
End dadbrag.
Am I total jerk for wanting KC to have to host a championship game that doesn't involve KC?
No.
It’s a sign of intelligence
Would be amusing as hell and seems more likely than not, to be how things will shake out.
When's Houston's turn to host? Like, seventy people will show up.
Hey now - Houston hosted in 2016 and there were at least 150 people there. Mind you, the Western New York Flash supporters numbered in the teens, max.
Not JUST set-piece defending. The other hallmarks of the Ken Era have been lack of progressive passing, shrinking xG, and reliance on Smith hero-ball going forward, defensive weakness and giving up good looks in back. This match had all of those, the strong flavor of a Ken Loss "lionesses led by a donkey"...
I hate that my expectations of the ownership are so low, but I expect they'll tap Parsons for GM, and that'll produce a similarly unambitious HC hire.
I hope they prove me wrong.
Oh trust me, I could of went on writing for way longer, but eventually had to stop. Don't disagree with any of the issues on the pitch - the stats are alarming.
We see the GM search a tad differently, but it's imperative to get this person in the building ASAP - so much to do (NCAA, Winter Window, ect).
I know you loves some Parsons. And I won’t be heartbroken if they go that way. I just see it as a “tyranny of low expectations” kind of hire; he’s a noob as a GM in a very different NWSL than his GW salad days. If he does get the nod I hope it’s at least 1) soon and 2) he’s not too cocky to scorn running around busily learning from experienced GMs who are familiar with selling leagues and free agency.
Plus the gaffer! I can’t emphasize how utterly crucial that hire will be. The really astonishing part of the season is how underwhelming this squad performed given the individual talent. It took some real Dark Genius to nerf the team the way Ken did. Now the reorganization needs a vision on the pitch, and not Parsons’-the-GM’s but a genuinely clever HC.
Given the Bhathals record to date?
I give ‘em a 50-50 shot getting all that right.
A big limit for Parsons for me is I thought his unsuccessful stunt in Netherlands was abruptly halted because of player dissatisfaction with his tactical and general soccer acumen. If so will he have the connections and claim to attract skilled players from abroad or is his rep tarnished. The right coach hire may be able to smooth some of that out.
IF he will stay in his GM lane, AND he turns out to have a genuine gift for NWSL2.0 roster-building the distance from the pitch should go a long way to mitigate the whole shouty thing that lost his Netherlands and Spirit squads.
My hesitation about him includes being uncertain he WILL stay in his lane. His interviews all seem to emphasize how he doesn't see his coaching days as past.
Same thing happened in Washington, really. Players were done with him pretty quickly. They sacked him two days after their last match. He went 7-9-6. Got off to a fast start of 4-0-3 and then finshed 3-9-3. Players had basically quit listening to him, at least during games, by the time Portland played them at end of August.
Now, that's coaching, of course, but he's gotta show that he's grown since the quick flameouts with Netherlands and Washington.
Some thoughts on moving forward:
First, as I've said here before, this season is the culmination of the almost-inevitable managerial/FO clusterfuckery that was building in the late-Parsons years (2018-2021) but really exploded with the Riley scandal bomb in ’21. That turned Paulson into the sour, petty vindictive SOB that dragged out the sale while letting his human shield LeBlanc stumble about and his coaches Wilkinson and Norris sink in a haze of tactical incoherence. Sophia Smith having a mad MVP season, and the squad going mad in the semi, and KCC playing Death Star to Smith’s Millenium Falcon in the 2022 Final papered over that “controlled flight into terrain” as the airliner-crash investigators call it.
Second, the Bhathals lack of experience combined with either timidity or, worse, credulity (in that they apparently bought into the KK Narrative) allowed the crash landing to accelerate. I’d argue that has not changed; LeBlanc is still here, Gale is still here, Norris is still here, Vytas (sorry, Vytas – love you, bro, but your defense sucked major ass…) is still here.
But, third; there’s a solid core here. Obviously Smith and Weaver up top, but Linnehan and Turner showed promise. Coffey, Sugita, and Fleming are all solid in midfield. Reyes, Obaze, and Muller are good individual defenders, as is Sauerbrunn if she wants another season. The keepers…hard to say.
There’s also potential/promising depth; Spaanstra up front, McKenzie and Moultrie in midfield, Payne in back.
Here's the thing; I think we need to be more realistic in expectations:
Our “period of greatness” really breaks down into 1) a long run of being “better-than-NWSL-average” punctuated by 2) occasional outbursts of excellence; primarily 2016-18 with minor eruptions in 2013 (but which needed some huge playoff luck) and 2021-22 (which needed Peak Smith).
And…
The league is better overall, but in particular several organizations have made big steps up; Orlando, obviously, but Gotham, Washington, and Kansas City have all improved their coaching, player acquisition (i.e. GM), or both. So the times when it was “Portland versus Western New York” or “Portland versus FCKC” or “Portland versus North Carolina” are over. It’s going to be a barroom brawl from here on out.
With the wildcard of free agency. GM-ing is going to become much more complicated, and the need for the owner(s)-GM-head coach to work as a seamless team is going to be essential. The HC needs to have a tactical plan for their roster, they need to work with the GM to target players to build that roster to make that plan work, and the owner(s) need to open the wallet to get and keep those players.
Our problem(s) here are 1) we don’t know if we have those owners – their record to date in unimpressive at best, 2) we don’t have either that GM or that HC based on priors.
The next month is going to show us a lot. IF – and that’s a big if – the Bhathals can 1) clean house quickly and thoroughly, 2) find and hire a truly talented GM, who helps 3) hire a gifted HC?
Then I think we have a chance to pull back into the top four.
And as I said…it WILL be a top four or five – the days of “Portland and (one other)” vying for the Shield? That shit’s done.
Can the Bhathals do all that, quickly and correctly?
Right now I’d give ’em 50-50.
Thoughts?
What impressed me following the sale was player responses to the Bathals--they seem to have taken a hands-on approach, reaching out to them individually, and the early reviews were good. (Of course, what did one expect them to say about the new boss?) Lacking that I think key players would have bailed mid-season and you know who I mean.
I question their sportsball owner toolkit. While they've been in the building around other franchises, they to my knowledge have never had responsibility and control of a pro sports team and appear to be paralyzed at a time active intervention is needed. What did fans get this season instead? Whopping ticket price increases. Awkward.
PTFC isn't a dumpster fire but nobody can convince me there isn't dry rot in the foundation and exterior walls. Either way the club is in danger of collapsing, and it ain't from lack of talent on the field.
The lack of urgency on the owners part seems alarming. I get that they wanted to sit back and get the lay of the land the first season, but guess what, the seasons over. Time to step up. We should have had a big GM signing this week to get the bad taste of 2024 season out of our mouths.
Re: "player responses"? Well...talk is cheap. Of COURSE the new owners would have said all the right things, and the players, yes, as you said; they responded with the appropriate public sportsball cliches.
I'm not sure I'd call it "paralysis" yet. It seems like forever to us, but I can see how it will take time to find and hire a truly decent GM, and then a HC. I expected the price increases, and my GA boost was manageable. If in return we get good hires, a spanking new training ground, and intelligent roster moves? I'm fine.
And don't forget; the "foundation" is still being renovated. I'll cut the Bhathals some slack - Paulson dragged out the sale far too long for a thorough housecleaning in 2023. I would suggest that it's not "danger of collapsing" so much as "longer period of mediocrity" we're in danger of.
But. The KK decision should have come sooner. And the clock is ticking now. The GM/HC hires need to be sooner rather than later and good.
Can the Bhathals do that? I sure hope so.
Talk *is* cheap, but Smith put more than words on the line when she signed the extension. Let's hope she saw something real that isn't visible to us yet.
Probably the only thing that gives me hope. They have to know that if they don't step it up in 2025, she's gonna walk in 2026.
It’s the Bhathals’ talk that was cheap. Easy to promise cakes and ale, the classic New Boss Talk. I don’t think Smith’s signing means more than that she hoped they weren’t just blowing smoke.
Now comes the time she - and we - find out if they were, or if not blowing smoke exactly, at least promising things about which they had no real understanding…
Right, she only signed for this season, with a player option (was it the first in the league?) indicating that she was willing to give it a season, but then it's her decision if she walks after the '25 season. I think she can start talking with other teams as soon as like June (swear I read that somewhere), so they really better nail this offseason or I think she's gone.
I’m not sure it has to be a slam-dunk; that’s a big ask. But I agree - things need to move in the right direction or they’re gonna lose the locker room
Well as of last night, Rob Gale was giving a speech at the Thorns Academy event, and appears all usual suspects are still in place as well, unfortunately. I know a new GM will be the first step before Gale is (hopefully) gone, but seeing everyone still there just grinds my gears, even if it's irrational.
Otherwise, I agree on all of your points. My worry is that they think the people in the Thorns orbit ARE those people, and therefore haven't done any due diligence with regard to finding an outside perspective. It makes the GM hire all that much more important. Provided they get someone somewhat competent, they may be the only one on the soccer ops side. We've gone a whole season with the Bhathals, and I still have no idea how they're gonna run this club. Do they know what it's gonna take to compete with other clubs now? We've been passed up and the chasm between the haves and have nots will only increase from here on out. They bought the golden goose KK sold them at the beginning of their tenure so they thought they were getting a turn-key club. I understand them not firing everyone immediately upon hire. I vowed to hold my opinion until the end of the offseason to really have an idea about how they'll govern. The only positive I've seen is that they seem responsive to outside/fan pressure/poor results to get rid of folks pretty quickly. Saw it with Norris, and with KK when folks online starting actually calling her out. That may not always be a *good* thing per se, but in those two instances, sooner was better.
Anyways, my hope is that the Bhathals have taken the time to get some advice from folks who know the biz (but maybe avoid Christine Cupo: https://x.com/CCupo/status/1855737785497329970)
My guess is that they boxed themselves in on Gale. If they can him this week they look stoooopid for the interim thing (which WAS stupid and to give him his props my compa Richard Hamje totally called it at the time!).
But. If he’s still in place by January 1? Whether or not we have a new GM? That’s not a good sign.
I totally agree on these points. There is real talent on this team, but not overwhelming talent that can rise above mediocre coaching. Getting the coach right is going to be critical to this team moving forward, and we know that KK wasn't going to do that. And there is the real possibility that if a GM isn't hired soon we are going to be behind in the free agency window. Considering we need a lot of pieces to fill gaps that is going to be more and more of a problem. Lets just hope there isn't a NWSL ordered quiet period unless every team is required to follow it.
I’m not sure the holes are that big. Seriously; I think there’s potential talent that we didn’t see enough of because Ken kept playing Sinc and Hubly and D’Aquila etc. long past where it was futile. How good can Obaze and Payne and Turner and Spaanstra and Linnehan and OWK and MacKenzie be? Under a gifted development coach?
I don’t think we know…
This articulates my sense of the current situation really well. A couple of thoughts:
Roster building really requires a team; the head coach needs to have a vision and identify needs to make it a reality, the GM and scouts need to identify players to fill those needs, and the GM needs to sign them. Obviously, the boundaries aren't that clear cut, but no one person is going to handle all the roles.
An area of coaching I don't think we've given enough attention is player development. My hope of building a team for a long run of excellence is to sign young players and develop their abilities to match their promise. Splashing out money on a lot marquee players tends to be a short-term solution. We have a good young contingent, but they can be better, and we need to help them improve while always bringing in more. This also means we need to be willing to let players go if their ceiling turns out to be too low - a difficult judgment call at best.
As many have said, getting an excellent GM is the essential first step.
I think the really hard part is if the player’s ceiling is high, but they’re not a good fit with the overall squad. The example that jumps to mind is the Beckie-vs-Ryan thing. I think both players are good; but I think Ryan was a better fit, and the player dealt should have been Beckie. But that’s a tough call; picking the talented kid over the talented veteran! That’s where real talent at GM and HC earn their $$$…
Excellent point. And if the (excellent) coach has an actual idea of what he wants and is working with the (excellent) GM, that issue shouldn't arise often.
Yeah, this is a pretty perfect summation of my feelings too, both the positive and negative. The biggest concern I have about the Bhathals moving forward is whether they understand --or care-- that the path to REALLY competing in this league is now much more than "have a lot of fans, a few popular players, an owner that cares jusssst more than the other 10 shitty owners" like it was five years ago. Recognizing that the league, as you note, is no longer 1-3 teams fighting it out every year is really, really important to putting the past where it belongs. It's not going to be the four semi-finalists we're fighting with next year: I'd bet heavily that San Diego will be right up there again, North Carolina will improve, Chicago will get better. Hell, even the bottom four could challenge with a few big moves.
Ultimately, ownership is a big piece, but the GM is the key. I wouldn't say that Gotham or Orlando's ownership is particularly involved; they just hired the right people --whether by skill or pure luck-- and let those people hire more good people. That's the image of good ownership that I want, not someone like Kang: Rich folks who are willing to spend what it takes and make changes when needed, but also get out of the way when needed. That's why I've said this offseason is a major inflection point: Unlike the Seattles and Houstons of the world, they still have the talent base for a quick turnaround if the right people are hired, but it's got to happen next year or else that talent may very well decide to be talented elsewhere.
I think it’s a tricky sort of symbiosis. The GM may be the most critical individual piece, but they need a HC with a vision and the skills to communicate and implement that vision, and owners with just the right touch on the reins; not getting up in their employees business but knowing when to step in. “Hire good people and let them do their jobs”, as you say.
My hope is that the Bhathals have a plan, and they’ve communicated that plan to the players…and that it’s a GOOD plan that the players will buy into.
I think the stars are willing to be a bit patient; finding a truly top flight GM/HC pairing won’t be easy! But I agree; it needs to at least start in this offseason…
Of the remaining four teams, which are you rooting for to win it all?
I'm going with Orlando, because Marta. And Seb Hines. Also because (1) Gotham won it last year, (2) the Spirit won it three years ago, and (3) the Current won the summer cup this year and FCKC won two titles, so WoSo in Kansas City is doing just fine. Meanwhile Orlando has been bad pretty much their entire existence, so winning a Shield-Championship double would be a nice worst-to-first story - reminiscent of Gotham's last year.
Orlando for sure. By far the coolest team construction, best story, best coach, didn't just load up on stars, the Marta resurgence etc etc.
(Plus I will always root against KC and Gotham)
And you told us at the beginning of the season Orlando would good. I thought that was brave but that was informed. So go ahead Orlando win it for the kielbj!
Orlando Marta. Gotham he'll no. NWSL really needs to peer into their books something fishy about how they are under the salary cap. Washington ok. No to KC. Nothing but long ball to Chawinga. Didn't like it when Vlatko forced USWNT into trash soccer winning doesn't make any less garbage soccer.
A tough one. Orlando is obvious, classic underdog story plus the faithful servant Marta getting rrewarded. But Gotham (Sky Blue, lest we forget) becoming a Courage-esque dynasty - that's almost a better feel-good story. KC and DC though? Not so much. I don't know why, all four teams have billionaire owners making big investments in our sport. But those two just don't resonate with me; something feels manufactured.
I'll hate-watch Orl-KC and try not to root for the sweet comet of doom.
If I'm predicterating, Orlando snags the trophy.
Between Gotham and Spirit I'm very unsure who has the better shot at Pride. Probably Gotham if Rose remains healthy. But, they're not a good road team this year.
Post Round 1 Exit Survey Diaries, featuring:
- A retrospective on Louisville and their addiction to mediocrity
- Chicago's historic statistical over-performance
- Bay FC's midfield conundrum
- Portland reaching an inflection point
- North Carolina's lack of a Plan B
Comments welcome!
https://www.theeaststandnwsl.com/post/2024-nwsl-exit-survey-diaries-the-murky-middle
Fun --if mostly meaningless--fact of the day: Jessie Fleming won the 4th most tackles in the entire league over the course of the season.
For reference, the top 10 in order are: R. Williams, Flint, Narumi, Fleming, Schmidt, Hutton, Hershfelt, Coffey, Müller, and Curry.
Wow, didn’t expect so see three thorns on the list either.
Gotham with a world-class bed-$h!tting. Conceded the equalizer in the 93rd, Bruninha picked up 2 yellows just 29 minutes apart, and the Bats delivered 3 incredibly weak PKs.
Good riddance, Gotham. Thought you were better than that.
I'm loving the "Kingsbury heroics" takes. Now I want to be called a "hero" for hitting the trashcan next to my office chair with a ball of scrap paper three times in a row.
Three of the most ridiculously bad PK attempts I've ever seen.
After the first attempt, I finally got to use the catch phrase I've been saving for two years for just the right moment.
(Fred Sanford voice): "Esther, you ugly!"
https://youtu.be/dsFinMgkSYI?t=9
Team guano is done woohoo! Might just be a 1&2 final.
NWSL Skills Competition participants:
Angelina (Orlando), Michelle Alozie (Houston), Kate Del Fava (Utah), Savannah DeMelo (Louisville), Jaelin Howell (Seattle), Savy King (Bay FC), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego) and Morgan Weaver (Portland).
LFG, Chaos Muppet!
I'd have sent Hina "Ankle-Breaker" Sugita.
It's a pretty weird group for a skills challenge outside of Demelo tbh: A keeper, a CB, two defensive mids, a left back, and two pace-oriented wingers.
Assuming this is at KC, maybe there will be a "Kick it in the river" challenge. That might come down to Sheridan and Weaver.
That's what I was thinking! I love Weavs...but she's not exactly the first player to come to mind in terms of technical wizardry.
Glad to see DeMelo back in playing form. Is there a skill named murdering opponents with ball?
Match report up: https://rivetingpdx.com/2024/11/13/thorns-fc-at-the-waning-of-the-year/
The tail end of your match summary really does highlight the difference an interested ownership group and competent management can make. Sky Blue was completely rebuilt with a clear vision and made an incredible turnaround with few existing tools to build on. The Thorns, on the other hand, had all the legacy resources and momentum only to get stymied by a bitter, spiteful former owner and poor management. I guess the silver lining is that turnarounds are possible once there's commitment. Hopefully the Bathals recognize what is needed and are interested enough to actually commit to rebuilding.
Same with the Kang Gang, though it took longer, and KC (Ashton put lots of pieces in place but she was also part of the problem). Orlando, it appears, too, though we'll see what losing Marta is like for their team/org culture.
On the flipside, we've seen how quickly things can go south in this league, precisely because it's so competitive. As much as we have fallen off, just look at what happened to SD this year.
There's a solid core to build on here.
I think the problem is that to build OUT from that needs a HC with a vision. But I think the GM hire needs to be either concurrent or precede the HC hire. I wish to hell they'd can Ken to show they're serious about upgrading both.
Plus roster. I think ee need at least another starting CB soon if not sooner if 'Brunn ages out, depth all over, and some idea how to fit in/add to/remove pieces we have now but don't have enough minutes to really assess, like Linnehan, Spaanstra, Turner, McKenzie, OWK, as well as either a seriously good Berger-grade GK or some sense of progress from one of our current herd.
I'm not as stressed on time; the disappearance of drafts removes a big time crunch. But free agency also means getting there (to good players) fustest with the mostest. So there's that...
Some recent media I've read/listened to re: Thorns postmortem and some other things:
I know a lot of y'all are GK-adjacent and/or interested and I thought this episode of Expected Own Goals (xOG) was up some of y'alls alleys. It's a convo with Jill Loyden about the modern GK and was helpful for me (someone who played at the other end of the pitch and could understand GK-ing better): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patreon-bonus-nwsl-playoff-goalkeepers-with-jill-loyden/id1698924172?i=1000676194831
The xOG guys also have a locked episode breaking down the 4 teams that just got yeeted from the playoffs, and what they need to do in the offseason. I haven't bought a sub yet for all their extra content, but it's only $6 (literally priced after the 6 position, and apparently they started this pod bc of Sam Coffey adoration- the more you know....) They are both pretty knowledgeable stat dudes, and are definitely stat-heavy in their convo. One is a Thorns fan, from what I gather, but they are super neutral in their convos. Except they both rag on Angel City often, which is pretty great lol. They're also both pretty funny. Anyways, please let me know if any of y'all listen to it! I haven't decided if I wanna take on another sub yet (though I might just cancel my Equalizer/Athletic subs.) They have a lot of content for members from what I gather...and they do live watchalongs with their nerd-leaning member group. I just listen to all their free content and they're prob my favorite pod to listen to for NWSL content. Anyways, here's the link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/nwsl-playoff-bay-115974122?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Evan from xOG write articles for The Equalizer from time to time, and he put this one out recently talking about what the 4 eliminated playoff teams need to do to improve for next season: https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/11/13/nwsl-playoffs-offseason-losers-priorities/
I dunno if that Equalizer article is locked for y'all, but I can post the Thorns blurb in a comment, if so.
I love the xOG podcast. It's my go-to listen every week to get the breakdown on matches. I like their energy and perspective.
https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/11/11/the-2024-equalizer-awards-roundtable/
Huh.
Bethune wins their RoY and garner a vote for MFofY playing in just 17 of 26 matches (65%) due to injury. Clearly a dominating season, for as long as it lasted.
Need some Muller love here. IDK if technically a "rookie" in league eyes but DOTY consideration seems obvious.
Goodness gracious, Labonta as the league's best midfielder is an absolute joke. One of them even gives her credit for Hutton's good season when I'd argue it's pretty much the exact opposite. Re: DOTY, it's very clearly Sams for me, but I like the shoutouts for Sonnett, McKeown, and Krueger all of whom are deserving.
Sams for sure. How all-world Girma was left off is ridiculous (SD poor performance would have been worse if Girma not back there). Dahlkemper is still an absolute beast and is why LA turned the corner on their season. Couple more before the other three even get into the discussion for me.
She is a bonafide baller and I hope she recovers from her injury. I have to keep Brandon Roy out of my mind. Croix just got started.
Their choices for defender of the year are baffling. None offered would be in my top three.
O/T: Yohannes picks USWNT over Netherlands.
Ha!!! I saw that and wondered whether the Thorns would immediately start recruiting her.
Doubt she'll leave Europe anyways, but also lmao at the idea that this version of the Thorns FO would have even the smallest shot at her.
Her family lives in the Netherlands, so she'll probably stay with Ajax. They would have to move here for her to play for the Thorns. There'll be a lot of interest when she turns 18.
I would have loved to see them snatch this at the death and make a bit of run, but I also don't think I could have taken Gale's smug "see, this is what happens when we finally get healthy" that surely would have followed. Regardless, pretty much the exact result the performance deserved.
Big offseason ahead. They can't afford to delay on the GM hire for the same reasons the delay in ownership change caused last season. They're already probably going to miss out on the best college signees, but they need to be more active in backloading the squad with FAs than they were last season, and they also need to make at least one big splash signing in the international. Obviously, Gale needs to replaced as well.....but I'm not going to be confident that actually happens until I see the announcement.
Reasons for positivity if they can get the off-field stuff right:
- All the key pieces will likely be back. From the Becky/Sam interviews, it sounds like the locker room stayed tight throughout the turmoil, so --knock on wood-- I don't expect any shock transfer requests.
- We're not going to have to dread the lineup announcements with Sinc in them next season. Gonna be a huge weight off my shoulders, that's for sure.
- Excited to see more of the Reyes/Muller/Turner/Linnehan/Obaze group next season. Y'all are probably tired of me mentioning her, but I really can't overstate how freakin good Reyes was in almost every game she played against a high level squad in the second half of the field. Takes (some of) the bite off of losing Yaz.
I'd be curious if Phuoc can provide any clarity on the remaining unannounced Thorns FAs, or the expected timeline/speed of hires going into the offseason.
I'll be end of the season media this week and will have more updates to share.
Lovely, thanks! Would also appreciate a question about their approach to the college pool and FAs without a GM.
(Also also, I saw your message but I can't respond on my phone so I'll respond when I'm actually on my computer!)
Yeah I'd love clarity on when KK is actually being reassigned...
Are they letting her stay in the role and continue GM duties until a new GM is found? Or are we GM-less now and has she started clearing out her desk today? Who is the stand-in, in that case? Mike Norris? I have so many questions lol...
I'd love to assume the latter and that the Bhathals realize that allowing her to continue to make GM decisions is a really bad choice, but I don't have anything else to tell me that it'll be more urgent. There is a universe in which she is humming along with GM duties until after the 1st of the year and she does little aside from housekeeping-work like wrapping up contracts that are out, or waiving folks. Even if she was doing more....I don't really want her to have a say on this offseason!
I don't know how long it takes to find a proper GM. Too soon and I worry they didn't do much searching, or they don't have any reach into those top tiers. But too long could be disastrous for next season as well...
I honestly hope the Bhathals can grab Emma Hayes' ear or something. Get some real advice, or maybe some contacts. Side note...but Hayes was just in Portland again for a few days for a Nike thing (I saw that Thorns academy players were at the event.)
I watched this video a few weeks ago (just after she was in Portland for the game), and around 13:00 she talks about collaborating closely with the coaches, GMs, and the board level (ie...Lisa Bhathal-Merage) of NWSL teams with regard to camps and whatnot, so I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to think Emma could be a resource. Another side note, but in the video around 19:30 she takes a drink from her water bottle, and looks like she has an "Oregon Pacific Northwest" sticker on it and that just made me warm and fuzzy. :) https://youtu.be/qwbgICL0nt8?si=L5zw38ZwBZUO9U6T
Mike Whitehead is the new Managing Director of RAJ Sports. He's already listed as the "Chief Transition Officer" of the Thorns.
Reyes got beat alot in this game just on speed. Against less fast wingers yes she physically dominates them.
Just re-watched this afternoon, and that is simply not even close to being true. She only got beat once yesterday, on a 1v1 vs. Yaz in the corner. Fbref's game stats agree, fwiw.
No idea why, but not very many people here seem to appreciate how good a defender she is and how much better she's gotten over the course of the year, both positionally and in the tackle. Maybe it's because her style isn't as aesthetically pleasing as Müller's is, but while she's far from a perfect player, she is the best pure defender on the team.
Freeman skinned her in the 87th minute. But in general she was excellent in Jersey; I had her at +9/-4, best of the backline behind Muller's +15/-2.
Ah, that's the one I was thinking of- Freeman not Yaz. Thanks
(As an aside, I can't believe how much better freakin Mandy Freeman's gotten. Had a couple truly awful years at the start of her career where I didn't think she was gonna be a pro)
Muller is tougher on the tackle and in duels but gives away passes Reyes doesn't. I'd have to look, but I'd bet Reyes had more "progressive" passes against Gotham than anyone outside Coffey.
Not familiar with Freeman's career, but she's an excellent outside back now.
Haha I would say pretty much the exact opposite. I'd argue that Reyes is excellent in duels and relatively poor in the attacking facets, while Marie is pretty much the inverse (and is actually one of the NWSL's best FBs in terms of chance creation). Müller's 1v1 defending stats have improved remarkably from last time I checked this chart in early June when she was well below average in successful tackle percentage. Also, I'm curious just eye-test wise: You think that Reyes is a better ball-progressing player?
The "progressive passes vs. progressive carries" chart for Thorns defenders: https://www.imghippo.com/i/rvSu4141ng.png
The "key passes vs. shot-creating actions" chart for Thorns defenders: https://www.imghippo.com/i/mTbO6644tjU.png
The "% successful tackles vs. aerial duels" chart for Thorns defenders: https://www.imghippo.com/i/KXj9676eGA.png
I will note that Müller comes out on top in terms of pure defensive counting stats (i.e quantity of tackles and interceptions), but falls behind in terms of success rate (% duels won). I tend to think that's because she's simply involved in games more than Reyes but tends to stab and overcommit 1v1, but others may have different interpretations. Same goes for passing percentage, where Muller's is lower than Reyes': That's not because Muller's a worse or less accurate passer, but because she has much more volume and tries harder passes than Reyes who is much more conservative going forward.
lmfao this ESPN AI shit is *horrendous.* How in the hell did this even get posted?
"Q: what are yellow and red cards in soccer? A: You don't want to see those colors from a referee!"
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42388246/nwsl-101-teams-titles-key-facts-know
Wow that's unbelievable. So bad it's hilarious. Didn't a human at least glance at that "article" before they put it on a website?
"Q: Who has won NWSL MVP? A: Lauren Holiday was named NWSL MVP in the league's inaugural season in 2013." [And ... that's it. That's all they say about NWSL MVPs.]