Not even sure how I stumbled across this while on Instagram, but there’s a U19 Brazilian player that was in Portland as of a week ago who I think may be a new player addition….
Her name is Lara Dantas and she’s the captain of the Brazilian U19s. She’s been playing at IMG Academy, from what I can gather, and is a midfielder. She’s a Nike athlete.
She’s followed by (and follows) Sam, Janine, Hubly, Moultrie, Sinc, Kling, Sophia, Isabella Obaze, and Katie Duong. She has a recent post of her time in Portland, including a picture with Sinc. She also follows the Thorns. 👀
She also follows that gal Mallie Mckenzie, the NRI from UGA who was announced elsewhere about being invited to the Thorns preseason camp (she wasn’t picked up in the draft, but is a RB, if I remember correctly)…but was never on the club released preseason roster. This makes me think we do have more players there than they’re letting on, and that she (and this Lara Dantas) are practicing with the team….Mallie also follows a bunch of Thorns.
So maybe absence of evidence really isn't evidence of absence, lol? Thanks for this; it's nice to have some players to fill in the blanks in the roster, however speculatively.
Fun fact I was walking by her on my way home from work when she was taking the photo outside the Moxy downtown. Didn't think anything of it at the time, but I definitely recognize that outfit and shoes lol
Jessie Fleming getting spotted by an uber driver before it was official was hilarious also.
Gotta be honest, I've been dying for some Brazilian low-sock flair on our team for a long time (I really would love Adriana here)....if she is a new addition, I hope she's a fun one. And a talented one, of course lol. She is really young. From poking about on twitter, it seems she was a very high prospect when she was real young, but then kinda fell off and no one has really seen much of her because she's now playing at IMG Academy and I don't know if their games are viewable anywhere? I don't even know what league it plays in, honestly but looking at her IG, it looks like the IMG U19 team won a championship in 2022 (and she got a hat-trick in the semis.) She looks to be a 10 for the Brazilian U19's (the captain, as I said.) I've seen the term "overrated" thrown around by a few on twitter, but that seems to be because she got hot real quick and real young and then no one has seen much of her in a club.
Because she's spent so much time at IMG in Florida, I wonder if she already has a green card and wouldn't take up a int'l spot. All the Brazilians at Orlando did the same....
Wrote a broader summary of my roster-build thoughts above, but these types of signings are not those I would I would associate with this FO. Whether she pans out or not, a Brazil U-19 captain is a pretty nice get if does happen.
No, but in research-heavy field with a science degree lol....but I did wanna be a forensic pathologist when I was younger lol (women's pro soccer just wasn't there yet.)
Good sleuthing! This team could be getting younger and younger. I hope that they can gel with so many new faces. This coming season will be interesting.
Yeah I saw that. She's U19 (same age as Moultrie), so maybe she's her cross-country chaperone lol. Her following half the Thorns (and the Thorns club) though seems to indicate to me that she's been training with the team!
"I'm especially excited for the midfield. Getting to play with Hina, Liv, and Sam Coffey was definitely a big draw for me."
Also talks about how she sees herself as "halfway between a 10 and a 6," (sounds like an 8 to me, Jessie!), but also how she likes picking the ball up deep. I still think there's a decent chance we see formations where she's the deepest-lying midfielder in the lineup....not a pure 6 necessarily, but as a real deep-lying playmaker type.
OT: The JWNT just released on YouTube a "Team Cam" video from their training for the Asian Olympics Qualifier final, and it shows Hina a number of times. No English subtitles...but hey, it's footy. Y'all can see what's happening, although you may not recognize a lot of the players. It's a fun watch
Let's play a game. Your new multi-billionaire owners have given you carte blanche to bring on one more player. Who is the One who tips the Thorns into dynasty?
I'll go first. Naomi Girma. We become the late 90s Courage winning four Shields and three titles through 2029.
Keeping in mind that a dynasty implies longevity (and thus young or at least young-ish players), I'd have to pick from:
Khiara Keating (ManCity GK): I think our 'keeper squad is good...but Keating is simply world class. She makes the occasional "young 'keeper" mistake, but not often, and that's likely a self-correcting problem as she gains experience. I mean...she's only 19! Unmatched ceiling.
Aoba Fujino (Verdy Beleza F): My pick for Olympic golden boot (although she's actually got a slight case of the yips in front of goal for Beleza right now). Fast, supremely skilled, and has that attacker's killer instinct. Picking her among lots of great young attackers because she's a natural right side player to team with Soph and Weaver (allowing Hina to play centrally). 20 years old.
And another "gotta agree" about Naomi Girma. I think she's going to be the consensus best CB in the world in not too long.
If forced to narrow it down like the OP ask: Keating.
Gotta agree with Girma from both a talent and team-need perspective. Not sure there's another CB in the world I'd want more and we definitely need CBs.
My top 3 aside from Girma (excluding Bonmati cause that feels like cheating, and yes two of them play for Arsenal):
- Katie McCabe (Total psychopath in a position of need, also one of my favorite players in the world)
- Lena Oberdorf (could play in a filthy double pivot with Sam)
- Leah Williamson (Elite ball-playing CB, great leader)
Another I would consider but we don't actually need is Jaeden Shaw from SD. I think she is a transcendent number 10. Strong on ball, creative footwork when needed, and unreal vision and touch on the pass. Said it here before bit she should be the starting 10 for USWNT. She elevates all around her and only 19.
Really interesting roster build this year. As we've all noticed, there's been a heavy emphasis on bringing in players without a ton of name value but who are young, versatile, and predominantly international while extending our current crop of young talent (Hina and Liv so far). Based on KK's limited experience and the current lack of infrastructure at the club, it's certainly notable that this appears to be a pretty methodical and well-thought out build that is going to rely heavily on the ability to identify and develop young talent....an ability I'm not sure I would have associated with this FO and coaching staff as presently constructed. Honestly, it reminds me a little of how the Courage built their roster out last season, except for the fact that we don't have Sean Nahas.
My hope is that this represents an actual strategy centered on a long term build around the U-26 front 6 (which *hopefully* will include Soph, but at the very least will almost certainly include Hina, Moultrie, Weaver, Coffey, and Fleming) rather than just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. It's hard to know for sure, but seeing a pattern in player profiles brought in is encouraging and reads more like a "this is what we're building long term" vs. "we must win the title this year."
I got a strong sense at the meet-and-greet that the DirScouts (Miller?) is doing a LOT of the legwork on the build. If there's method in this madness - and I agree, it does look increasingly well-organized - my guess is that's where it's coming from.
Someone named Lee Merricks is also their data person, so I am curious what kinda of connections he has and how heavily he's part of the scouting process...he does seem to have a large body of experience and has a UEFA A license, so he likely has connects in Europe. I don't have the ability to see his full LinkedIn profile, though.
The impression I got was that there IS a small internal staff, but that their real reach is in connections with agents and admin staff, in Europe, especially. Their personal legwork is limited, but their rolodex is large.
I’m encouraged by the structure of this off-season. I love the acquisition of Fleming and the decision making behind the acquisitions of Muller, Obaze, and Payne. Wasn’t super excited about losing Kuikka, but if they hit on Muller or Payne … this could be a positive.
I will say that the athleticism on film stick out with Muller, Obaze, and Payne. You never know with young players, but I’d rather have plus athletes. There seems to be an emphasis on bringing in speed. Linnehan and Kaufusi might not have been as highly regarded as other options, but they had the best athletic attributes of the group.
If Obaze and Muller are good enough to start, then the preferred 11 would be "U-26 + Sauerbrunn" - i'm glad to see it looks like there's been a plan/pattern to the draft picks and signings, to get the Thorns not just younger, but more athletic. Could make for fast, entertaining soccer this year, if Norris (w/ Lowdon's ample input, I assume) can put the right system in place.
She played for West Virginia University for three years before transferring to USC to graduate in 2022. Went undrafted and signed with PSG last year. Her Wikipedia page has her with four appearances for PSG instead of the two at FBRef, but she was clearly pretty far down the depth chart there.
In her only PSG start (January 20) she played at RB, so that’s good…but the opponent (Bordeaux) went down 8-1, so she might have started because the regular RB had earned a rest while her club played a tomato can. So hard to make much from that.
With Nigeria she played two matches in 2021 (both as a late sub). In 2022 she played five matches including a start (at LB) against Canada in April (0-1 loss). That’s her only full 90.
Her last appearance was as a substitute in the friendlies against the USWNT in September ’22. She wasn’t included on the World Cup squad, or any of the Super Falcons fixtures in ’23.
So she looks like a sort of second-tier international and PSG reserve, and as such her paper trail is thin. How she’ll do here? We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully she fills the hole left by the loss of Kuikka, though, so…
Another person here said she didn't declare...presumably because she went straight to PSU outta college. I read the goodbye post from USC indicating she was foregoing her 5th year to go to PSG...
If so she doesn’t seem to have caught on there, given her minutes. Perhaps the loan is them hoping she’ll get more time here and with it either gain the experience to break into their XI or conclusively prove she can’t. Low risk for the return for PSG either way.
Kinda weird she didn’t sign w PSG until ‘23. Says she graduated in June ‘22 but didn’t play in the 22-23 season.
From what I read, she played at USC in the 2022-2023 season, and left straight from there (foregoing her 5th year) to join PSG...
From PSG's news release:
"After playing for Atlanta-based Concorde Fire, she joined West Virginia University in 2019 and played three seasons with the Montaineers (53 matches, 4 goals).
In 2022, the defender continued her career and her studies in psychology at the University of Southern California. She played in all the matches during the season, making a total of 16 appearances and scoring 3 goals."
Low risk for PSG. The loan also comes with the option to buy on the Thorns part. So it seems if they like her, she could be bought...and if not, well then she goes back, no big deal. Buys us another year to find a starting RB. Her contract is through 2026, though, so that might be an expensive buyout for a player that may not be worth it. Guess we'll see!
Yeah, agree. If anything, we're bringing the floor up. If Muller and Payne are playing FB, I don't have to ever see Nally at FB again lol. I'm not mad at strengthening our depth and giving the players at the bottom competition to earn a start, or even the sub spot. For a while now, we've had some deep depth stick around a bit too long imo...
The 2022 USC season ended in November 2022, so perhaps she wasn't playing soccer until she signed with PSG in July 2023. Or maybe she practiced with the USC team in spring 2023 (this typically includes some friendlies/scrimmages against other colleges), not being sure what she was doing next, and decided to jump ship when the PSG offer arrived in the summer. She could well have needed to finish her degree that spring (2023) also.
Not sure if Payne made herself available for the draft. I saw a list where she wasn’t on it. Every year, there are a few players who don’t make themselves eligible
She seemed to be an academic achiever. My guess is she went to USC to finish her grad studies and didn’t want to be distracted by the NWSL draft when she had options in Europe. I hadn’t heard that she held a first round grade, but I will tell you she was an impressive young athlete at West Virginia. I like my fullbacks to have better passing skills than I saw with her, but her speed and stout defending stood out.
She was a solid player at West Virginia. Jordan Brewster got more of the publicity, but she was more athletic. I didn’t see much offensive skill outside of her ability to dribble and some soft touch passes here and there.
I wasn’t shocked to see her sign with PSG as a flyer. Would have thought a lower league, but requisite skills were there. Not as good as Bianca St. Georges when she played there, but seemed like a good developmental prospect.
Curious to see what players play at what position, but I am feeling better at our fullback position
Yeah, I did read somewhere that she was a "defense-first" RB....which frankly, I'm very happy to hear. We needed some more defensive options. Thanks for this insight, very helpful!
I don’t think she formally declared for the draft and with a sister in Sevilla. I don’t recall her carrying a first round grade, but I liked her athleticism and signing with PSG is a pretty good sign of what she was viewed as
So as I'm sure many of you know, Emily Menges has a printed literary newspaper, which I subscribe to. I just got the latest edition, and noticed the postmark was from San Jose. I guess that logically I knew that Bay wouldn't have their home base in San Francisco, but in terms of desirability I gotta think being in San Jose puts them much further down the list.
I wonder if there were any players who signed with dreams of living in (in my opinion) one of the cooler cities in the world, only to show up to the strip-mall sprawl of San Jose.
Bias alert: 20 years in the tech industry. Never looked forward to SJ business travel.
My two kids played waterpolo for SJSU. And son-in-law played football (the non-round kind)
I was never impressed by the area there. And the water! Somebody should have warned me. Then I realized about all those culligan type trucks running around. Later I sent the coach there a bottle of Oregon water. Earth2O it was.
Soccer infrastructure is all in SJ and on the Peninsula--Earthquakes, CSUSJ, Stanford, Santa Clara. Bay will play at PayPal park next to the SJ Airport. {roar!}
A pro team in SF I guess would have to play at USF or CSUSF, since there's nowhere to build a proper soccer stadium (float one on the Bay?). Standing room at the Polo Grounds could be fun.
San Jose now is larger than SF by nearly 100k. Not especially affordable either, just not SF prices. East Bay is more affordable and less bland-suburban, but BART doesn't serve San Jose and if you live there, you're kind of stuck there. They do have light rail that connects to BART, though. If I were 22 could figure it out.
OTOH probably the mildest climate in the States. That counts for something. Santa Cruz and the beach are a quick drive. Except when it isn't quick.
I personally very much agree with you, but I think it's probably the opposite for many players. I highly doubt most SF athletes live in SF proper anyhow for a few reasons and it's not like San Jose is far from the City anyhow. None of these are places *I* would necessarily want to live, but for those making real money (i.e Oshoala/Castellanos/Kundananji), you can do worse than some of the nicer parts of the extended San Jose/SV area.
(Also worth noting that the San Jose area has been a hub for college woso and that Bay's ownership have direct ties to Santa Clara)
Angel City trains in Thousand Oaks I believe, which is kind of a sick joke considering how close it is to beaches yet is like 20 to 30 degrees hotter during the summer
She took over #1 in the US at Indoor 400 meters with a 54.22 in 2018, and as a Junior (in highschool) was a 5x AHSAA State Champion at 400 meters. There's some random track highlights on youtube. She's also a Psych major with an interest in neuroscience, so it's always +100 for the brainy science soccer gals, for me!
So, she is super duper fast....which I def love on that backline! She also was a winger prior to being converted into RB in college, and if you watch her highlights you can def see that. I do think her defensive instincts look a lot better than the average converted winger, though, at least at the college level. She seems real level-headed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apjQyT_mKUw (a video of all of her touches and some lovely commentary when she started and played a full 90 against Liverpool while at PSG from 5 months ago.)
Re: that last video link- she does seem to have that rookie hesitancy to go forward, and she also turns around and passes back a lot when I think she should've gone forward, but that's not all bad. She seems measured and not reckless, which I appreciate. I actually think Reyna (and/or Norris coaching) can be a little reckless going too forward, so I like a measured player who waits until she's more confident. I do hope she can get up to speed quick in the NWSL because she's probably just gonna kinda be thrown out there, for better or worse. Kinda the same happened to Reyna and it really did not look good for the first handful of games lol, but of course she looked much more comfortable by the end of the season. It is interesting we wouldn't have just gotten a more "start now" player on a loan, since it'll likely take her a bit to get up to speed with the league. She's hardly had any pro experience since she's only been at PSG 6-8 months and hasn't played much.
Don’t know if you saw the extended video clip on YouTube of Payne while she was at West Virginia but it definitely showed her speed—faster than Reyes for sure.
I did!! She does glide by folks with ease. She looked fast, but I didn't realize how fast she was until I saw her track awards. Yeah, Reyes isn't very speedy...
From what I gathered from twitter, seems like she just signed last summer but hasn’t gotten any minutes. Just turned 23. A Nigerian/USA dual national but didn’t make the last WC roster. She’s a RB, though I can’t say I know anything about her play. This still seems more like depth and I’m still unsure who our starting RB will be? Would love some additional info from folks who know her better. Seems like we’re going full youth movement here…still would rather see some more in-prime players but at least we have players?
Would be surprised if it's not Reyes/Payne on the right with a Kling/Müller rotation on the left (or Reyes/Muller on the left and Kling/Payne on the right). Actually not feeling too terrible about the FBs- The depth is suddenly significantly better than last season, even if said depth is a tad short in the tooth.
Still much more concerned about the CBs given how little (literally nothing) we know about how Obaze will adapt to the league and what the team expects from her. I'd like someone to ask about her at the next media availability.
Yeah I do feel much better about FB, though it's still interesting to me that we've gotten now 3 players internationally who may or may not quite be starters on the backline rather than just getting a clear cut starter. Of course, the club knows more about their capabilities than I do....
With you still on CB, though. Seems to clearly indicate we've got Becky starting and Hubly/Obaze competing for the start. Kaufusi did play 2 years with Minnesota Aurora (and was a track gal as well), so maybe she's showing out better than we'd expect a 2nd rounder to? I dunno. Still would prefer more players on the front end of the depth chart, not the backend. They really do still need someone ahead of Nally imo, esp if Becky goes to the Olympics....
Yeah I'd guess they see Müller as more or less ready to go. She was, by all accounts, the best player on a mid-table Bundesliga team so I would hope that the org thinks she's ready. I'm also not quite as down on Kling as some are, so I feel fine (if not great) about starting either of those two opposite Reyes.
Obaze is the real mystery box. If she's good and ready to play relatively quickly this team's present and future outlook suddenly looks drastically better.
I’m expecting Muller to start opposite Reyes, but I love having Kling as the primary backup and give me a developmental talent like Payne (hoping Norris is the guy who can develop).
She played for West Virginia University for three years before transferring to USC to graduate in 2022. Went undrafted and signed with PSG last year. Her Wikipedia page has her with four appearances for PSG instead of the two at FBRef, but she was clearly pretty far down the depth chart there.
In her only PSG start (January 20) she played at RB, so that’s good…but the opponent (Bordeaux) went down 8-1, so she might have started because the regular RB had earned a rest while her club played a tomato can. So hard to make much from that.
With Nigeria she played two matches in 2021 (both as a late sub). In 2022 she played five matches including a start (at LB) against Canada in April (0-1 loss). That’s her only full 90.
Her last appearance was as a substitute in the friendlies against the USWNT in September ’22. She wasn’t included on the World Cup squad, or any of the Super Falcons fixtures in ’23.
So she looks like a sort of second-tier international and PSG reserve, and as such her paper trail is thin. How she’ll do here? We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully she fills the hole left by the loss of Kuikka, though, so…
Pffft... Who needs a 6 when you only have 12 field players on the roster for the pre-season including a 35 year old, a 40 year old, a player with a season ending injury, and 3 rookies without contracts?
'Sko! Who's ready for the Olivia Wade-Katoa show?!?
Anybody have any idea whether any of the training stuff at Coachella is open to the public? 'Cause I'm like right there for the next couple of days (although not through Saturday) and my fat ass can't keep doing 10 mile hiking days every day, so I could do some scouting.
Almost 100% sure it's Jim McCausland, who is head of security for the Timbers. Was also the head of security for the Thorns. No idea if this carried over and he's now the head of security for "Providence Park" or something.
He played a big part in the Timbers cover-up of Polo's domestic violence thing.
I didn't mean I thought HE was the GK coach lol, I was just wondering what an old guy might be doing with the Thorns lol. But there's a lot of staff there that I'm not sure I recognize, so GK coach could be one of 'em?
Yeah, like why didn't we pick her up?! Get rid of that Draco Malfoy lookin' guy that had no experience in women's soccer....I think he came from like a bottom-table team in the men's Canadian third tier or something lol and is only there because that's who Norris brought in. This is what happens when you have a coach with no reach....
Takes two to tango and I don't think this was a reach problem because KK knows Moscato pretty well. My guess is that Moscato wasn't about to go be a technical coach (like Malfoy is) far down someone's staff. She's been very clear that she sees herself as a head coach, so I'd bet she's using Yanez --a young first year coach-- as a way to establish some NWSL bonafides before she jumps at the next head coaching opportunity. She also knows Yanez well, which I'm sure helped a good deal in terms of what the coaching dynamic will be.
(I know I've said this before and I'm sure there are real reasons for why she's viewed as this hot coaching prospect, but I'm also not sure there's any evidence she's clearly better than someone like Lowdon beyond her name recognition)
Yeah, I didn't know they had a connection, but sounds like she was probably vying for a few HC positions in the offseason and didn't get any. Her Kassouf article that came out not too long ago said something like "yes, I'll be a HC in the NWSL next year" when asked directly....so seems like it didn't work out. Moscato is more experienced than Bev, so it's bit of a weird backstep, but yeah just seems like she's biding time until something else opens...
Just would've been nice to have Lowdon and Moscato (she also has a relationship with Mike) to challenge him this year...and then if he doesn't cut it, maybe either of the others would be considered. I know she doesn't have as much experience as like a LH, but she does have some HC experience, has won a championship, and also has a good deal of assistant experience...
Agreed, though having two assistant coaches --both women-- who are probably more qualified than the head coach is bit of an odd dynamic. I don't love the idea of grooming a replacement from within while the existing coach still has the job.
I do wonder what Moscato's next move will be, but it seems more than likely this is a stepping stone for her. Wouldn't be shocked to see her end up here eventually if they decide Norris ain't it.
It's true haha, but with Lowdon there it already kinda feels that way. It could def create a weird dynamic in the coaching staff though, for sure. Could you imagine Moscato and Lowdon both knowing they're better than Mike, and also knowing that one of them might get his job? I don't think it would be that cutthroat, but it could create weird competition between Moscato and Lowdon, for sure.
Yeah, and I agree about her possibly ending up here anyways. Getting in as an assistant to learn the league...and then if/when Norris leaves, she's got a pretty good CV to turn in if the position opens. I can't see her staying at Racing next season behind a less experienced HC in Yanez. Honesty, because there were a ton of new coaches brought in recently elsewhere, I think Portland (and possibly Seattle/LH, if she takes one of those Euro positions that she's always floated for) would be kinda the next two teams up for a coaching change. But Portland would be on the top of the list...I would love it if we could poach Nahas, personally.
Given how she got here, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lowdon understands she’s the next head coach for PTFC, to be announced when the team starts to struggle and Norris is told to declare he is stepping down to spend more time with family
The one next to KK is that Mallie McKenzie NRI from Georgia who was announced, but they didn't put her on the preseason roster. The one between Kling and Payne is def Marissa Sheva, who I knew was in Portland back in December. I just don't get why the Thorns wouldn't add them to the preseason roster if they were there. It seems a lot easier to do that than to hide them from pictures for 2 months....
The other one....hmmm. Honestly looks like Taylor Aylmer, a player who was on Spirit a while ago, got waived, went to Louisville, didn't get picked back up as a restricted free agent, and now apparently is here? She's really really not good. So the Thorns DID dip into the free agency pool, just the bottom of it lol.
I don't see Lara Dantas, but I'm still thinking she could be there. It would be weird that she recently followed half the Thorns (and a bunch followed her), including Mallie McKenzie, the NRI. There's gotta be some connection there...
Thought that might be McKenzie too, and good shout on Sheva- I knew I recognized the face and couldn't place it.
Theoretically they don't have to be signing anyone officially though, those FAs could just be camp invites. Still weird they haven't announced it though.
No they def don't have to sign anyone of course, but most other teams put all the trial players on the preseason roster, or have even announced that they're adding a player to the preseason roster....we've just done neither lol. Tbf though, they haven't really done much preseason content so it's all been kinda hidden.
I'm guessing this is a trial run for all current Thorns bubble players/rookies/NRI's and that anyone could lose their spot. Which is GOOD imo, I just wish there was better communication! Also wish the competition was a little better in some spots, but that's already known...
I actually see that Aylmer was at Gotham first, before she got dropped and went to the Spirit, and then got dropped and went to Louisville, and then didn't get picked up and is now here. She's kinda like our new Taylor Porter lol. I think she's mostly like an 8? Sheva more of a 10. McKenzie a RB....would be interesting if we all of a sudden have 5 FB's. And a lot of CB's. With Gabby there were 6...now we have 5. Still doesn't answer our question for DMF...unless we're having someone play out of position.
IMO it's all but certain that some of these players will be cut. That's always painful, but it's got to be even more painful to be announced and then cut. I don't want the FO to ignore that kind of issue.
Oh really? Hmmmm, and which would you say was her better position? Is she good defensively and/or does she have clean passing to be a good backup 6? Is she quick? Higher ceiling than Porter? I know she's not here anymore, but I'd love an upgrade from the Taylor Porter-level we've seen for the last many years....
Yeah the numbers are there now, but someone will need to show out in order to actually consider them a real backup option. I like bringing Sheva in as a utility midfielder/winger. Still that big gap at the 6 unless they REALLY like freakin Katie Duong lol
I'm fine with the trial run for the low-round rooks, but I'd like them to sign Linnehan and OWK already. I know every team has holdups with getting rookie contracts signed, but I'd feel better knowing they were signed.
Totally...I'm happy to have that competition and was bummed when the preseason roster dropped because it didn't look like we'd have much of any of that. Would be nice to see them signed soon, but I'm not too worried...most teams haven't signed many of their rooks yet. I'm guessing the more pressing need was *everything else* lol, so I'm fine if they can get all of those things over the line first and then get to the rookies.
I'm happy to keep Sheva (so long as she doesn't take an int'l spot)...she's fine depth as an attacker. I think, as you say, she's played on the wing some with Ireland and in the midfield for the Spirit. We suddenly have a lot of utility-type midfielders (for now)...Duong, OWK, Sheva, and Aylmer. I'm guessing not all of them cut it.
I'm a bit curious about Duong....she's a Portland native, and I could see the FO really trying to prop up that narrative and elect to keep her and/or give her more playing time than deserved. KK LOVES a heartfelt narrative. But, she was a late 4th-rounder, so I hope she is as critically assessed as all the others....
I wouldn't be too worried about narrative- If she's good enough, she'll play and she won't if not. We'll see if she even makes the team lol. I do like having the smartest player on the field at the 6- Maybe there are some mental links between engineering and ball distribution!
So I haven't checked this for a while, but I SWEAR the "soccer ops" heading and the people in it haven't always been there. I also don't recognize Merricks (as mentioned below) or Ella Maliska either. Are they just not announcing new staff hired over the last year or am I just forgetting the announcements? I see that the Director of Soccer Ops has been here since last February and came over from Houston, but I have never heard of him or have any idea what he does. It seems like a lot of these people aren't new, but I'm still confused lol.
Yeah, I don't remember those being as filled out as they are, but I do remember Lee's name being there (w/ no picture) when I looked sometime last year...I really don't remember any of those other people, though, otherwise I would've been compelled to do some research...
I know it's not fully updated though, because the nutritionist is now at Gotham, I think as of the offseason...
Not even sure how I stumbled across this while on Instagram, but there’s a U19 Brazilian player that was in Portland as of a week ago who I think may be a new player addition….
Her name is Lara Dantas and she’s the captain of the Brazilian U19s. She’s been playing at IMG Academy, from what I can gather, and is a midfielder. She’s a Nike athlete.
She’s followed by (and follows) Sam, Janine, Hubly, Moultrie, Sinc, Kling, Sophia, Isabella Obaze, and Katie Duong. She has a recent post of her time in Portland, including a picture with Sinc. She also follows the Thorns. 👀
She also follows that gal Mallie Mckenzie, the NRI from UGA who was announced elsewhere about being invited to the Thorns preseason camp (she wasn’t picked up in the draft, but is a RB, if I remember correctly)…but was never on the club released preseason roster. This makes me think we do have more players there than they’re letting on, and that she (and this Lara Dantas) are practicing with the team….Mallie also follows a bunch of Thorns.
Let me see if I can spot her at the next open training.
Thanks Phuoc! Can’t miss her- if you Google her you can see her signature messy top-bun and she’s got skinny little Menges legs.
NP.
Hope you can will this into existence!
Before I started posting here I genuinely thought I was the best Thorns sleuther on the Internet, but you show me up time and time again.
Lol, I should say you do get all the early morning news before I do! I'm not a morning person lol.
So maybe absence of evidence really isn't evidence of absence, lol? Thanks for this; it's nice to have some players to fill in the blanks in the roster, however speculatively.
Fun fact I was walking by her on my way home from work when she was taking the photo outside the Moxy downtown. Didn't think anything of it at the time, but I definitely recognize that outfit and shoes lol
We are EVERYWHERE lmao.
Jessie Fleming getting spotted by an uber driver before it was official was hilarious also.
Gotta be honest, I've been dying for some Brazilian low-sock flair on our team for a long time (I really would love Adriana here)....if she is a new addition, I hope she's a fun one. And a talented one, of course lol. She is really young. From poking about on twitter, it seems she was a very high prospect when she was real young, but then kinda fell off and no one has really seen much of her because she's now playing at IMG Academy and I don't know if their games are viewable anywhere? I don't even know what league it plays in, honestly but looking at her IG, it looks like the IMG U19 team won a championship in 2022 (and she got a hat-trick in the semis.) She looks to be a 10 for the Brazilian U19's (the captain, as I said.) I've seen the term "overrated" thrown around by a few on twitter, but that seems to be because she got hot real quick and real young and then no one has seen much of her in a club.
Because she's spent so much time at IMG in Florida, I wonder if she already has a green card and wouldn't take up a int'l spot. All the Brazilians at Orlando did the same....
Wrote a broader summary of my roster-build thoughts above, but these types of signings are not those I would I would associate with this FO. Whether she pans out or not, a Brazil U-19 captain is a pretty nice get if does happen.
100%! 17 year olds are gonna be hit or miss no matter what and the captain of Brazil will always be a good pick up at any level.
Good stuff! Are you a PI? LOL
No, but in research-heavy field with a science degree lol....but I did wanna be a forensic pathologist when I was younger lol (women's pro soccer just wasn't there yet.)
Good sleuthing! This team could be getting younger and younger. I hope that they can gel with so many new faces. This coming season will be interesting.
Oh wow, are we noticing anything when we squint at these wide shots they just posted?
For example, do we see a GK coach?!
If you check the tags on her photos she appears to be here with her sister. But her sister hasn’t posted anything too illuminating
Yeah I saw that. She's U19 (same age as Moultrie), so maybe she's her cross-country chaperone lol. Her following half the Thorns (and the Thorns club) though seems to indicate to me that she's been training with the team!
Yeah, I feel good about the odds
Dang, if she does sign, she didn’t hide it very well 😂
She's liking all the Thorns posts and has recently followed like half the roster lmao
I wish the pics Hubly and Weaver just posted had some more background players for us to squint at
I was squinting at the one but I think it was just D'Aquila lol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55hOy_7TB1M
Fleming interview:
"I'm especially excited for the midfield. Getting to play with Hina, Liv, and Sam Coffey was definitely a big draw for me."
Also talks about how she sees herself as "halfway between a 10 and a 6," (sounds like an 8 to me, Jessie!), but also how she likes picking the ball up deep. I still think there's a decent chance we see formations where she's the deepest-lying midfielder in the lineup....not a pure 6 necessarily, but as a real deep-lying playmaker type.
OT: The JWNT just released on YouTube a "Team Cam" video from their training for the Asian Olympics Qualifier final, and it shows Hina a number of times. No English subtitles...but hey, it's footy. Y'all can see what's happening, although you may not recognize a lot of the players. It's a fun watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnn8sbeaJyU&ab_channel=JFATV
It is a fun watch. Thanks.
Let's play a game. Your new multi-billionaire owners have given you carte blanche to bring on one more player. Who is the One who tips the Thorns into dynasty?
I'll go first. Naomi Girma. We become the late 90s Courage winning four Shields and three titles through 2029.
Keeping in mind that a dynasty implies longevity (and thus young or at least young-ish players), I'd have to pick from:
Khiara Keating (ManCity GK): I think our 'keeper squad is good...but Keating is simply world class. She makes the occasional "young 'keeper" mistake, but not often, and that's likely a self-correcting problem as she gains experience. I mean...she's only 19! Unmatched ceiling.
Aoba Fujino (Verdy Beleza F): My pick for Olympic golden boot (although she's actually got a slight case of the yips in front of goal for Beleza right now). Fast, supremely skilled, and has that attacker's killer instinct. Picking her among lots of great young attackers because she's a natural right side player to team with Soph and Weaver (allowing Hina to play centrally). 20 years old.
And another "gotta agree" about Naomi Girma. I think she's going to be the consensus best CB in the world in not too long.
If forced to narrow it down like the OP ask: Keating.
Gotta agree with Girma from both a talent and team-need perspective. Not sure there's another CB in the world I'd want more and we definitely need CBs.
My top 3 aside from Girma (excluding Bonmati cause that feels like cheating, and yes two of them play for Arsenal):
- Katie McCabe (Total psychopath in a position of need, also one of my favorite players in the world)
- Lena Oberdorf (could play in a filthy double pivot with Sam)
- Leah Williamson (Elite ball-playing CB, great leader)
lol McCabe as a psychopath. she definetly puts fear in the oppositions eyes. Love it.
Sophia Smith and whomever she wants us to sign
Another I would consider but we don't actually need is Jaeden Shaw from SD. I think she is a transcendent number 10. Strong on ball, creative footwork when needed, and unreal vision and touch on the pass. Said it here before bit she should be the starting 10 for USWNT. She elevates all around her and only 19.
Really interesting roster build this year. As we've all noticed, there's been a heavy emphasis on bringing in players without a ton of name value but who are young, versatile, and predominantly international while extending our current crop of young talent (Hina and Liv so far). Based on KK's limited experience and the current lack of infrastructure at the club, it's certainly notable that this appears to be a pretty methodical and well-thought out build that is going to rely heavily on the ability to identify and develop young talent....an ability I'm not sure I would have associated with this FO and coaching staff as presently constructed. Honestly, it reminds me a little of how the Courage built their roster out last season, except for the fact that we don't have Sean Nahas.
My hope is that this represents an actual strategy centered on a long term build around the U-26 front 6 (which *hopefully* will include Soph, but at the very least will almost certainly include Hina, Moultrie, Weaver, Coffey, and Fleming) rather than just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. It's hard to know for sure, but seeing a pattern in player profiles brought in is encouraging and reads more like a "this is what we're building long term" vs. "we must win the title this year."
Curious what everyone thinks.
I got a strong sense at the meet-and-greet that the DirScouts (Miller?) is doing a LOT of the legwork on the build. If there's method in this madness - and I agree, it does look increasingly well-organized - my guess is that's where it's coming from.
Someone named Lee Merricks is also their data person, so I am curious what kinda of connections he has and how heavily he's part of the scouting process...he does seem to have a large body of experience and has a UEFA A license, so he likely has connects in Europe. I don't have the ability to see his full LinkedIn profile, though.
Edit: According to his twitter hashtags in his bio, he is likely involved in scouting/recruiting: https://x.com/leemerricksguru?s=20
The impression I got was that there IS a small internal staff, but that their real reach is in connections with agents and admin staff, in Europe, especially. Their personal legwork is limited, but their rolodex is large.
Maybe MarPar is secretly in charge of scouting?
I’m encouraged by the structure of this off-season. I love the acquisition of Fleming and the decision making behind the acquisitions of Muller, Obaze, and Payne. Wasn’t super excited about losing Kuikka, but if they hit on Muller or Payne … this could be a positive.
I will say that the athleticism on film stick out with Muller, Obaze, and Payne. You never know with young players, but I’d rather have plus athletes. There seems to be an emphasis on bringing in speed. Linnehan and Kaufusi might not have been as highly regarded as other options, but they had the best athletic attributes of the group.
If Obaze and Muller are good enough to start, then the preferred 11 would be "U-26 + Sauerbrunn" - i'm glad to see it looks like there's been a plan/pattern to the draft picks and signings, to get the Thorns not just younger, but more athletic. Could make for fast, entertaining soccer this year, if Norris (w/ Lowdon's ample input, I assume) can put the right system in place.
https://x.com/Phuocerman/status/1759273307256598587?s=20
Phuoc I can never tell if you're reporting or speculating lol
All I can say is I am going to be right almost every time this year ha ha.
Phuoc "For The" Nguyen?
So, Payne...
She played for West Virginia University for three years before transferring to USC to graduate in 2022. Went undrafted and signed with PSG last year. Her Wikipedia page has her with four appearances for PSG instead of the two at FBRef, but she was clearly pretty far down the depth chart there.
In her only PSG start (January 20) she played at RB, so that’s good…but the opponent (Bordeaux) went down 8-1, so she might have started because the regular RB had earned a rest while her club played a tomato can. So hard to make much from that.
With Nigeria she played two matches in 2021 (both as a late sub). In 2022 she played five matches including a start (at LB) against Canada in April (0-1 loss). That’s her only full 90.
Her last appearance was as a substitute in the friendlies against the USWNT in September ’22. She wasn’t included on the World Cup squad, or any of the Super Falcons fixtures in ’23.
So she looks like a sort of second-tier international and PSG reserve, and as such her paper trail is thin. How she’ll do here? We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully she fills the hole left by the loss of Kuikka, though, so…
Another person here said she didn't declare...presumably because she went straight to PSU outta college. I read the goodbye post from USC indicating she was foregoing her 5th year to go to PSG...
If so she doesn’t seem to have caught on there, given her minutes. Perhaps the loan is them hoping she’ll get more time here and with it either gain the experience to break into their XI or conclusively prove she can’t. Low risk for the return for PSG either way.
Kinda weird she didn’t sign w PSG until ‘23. Says she graduated in June ‘22 but didn’t play in the 22-23 season.
From what I read, she played at USC in the 2022-2023 season, and left straight from there (foregoing her 5th year) to join PSG...
From PSG's news release:
"After playing for Atlanta-based Concorde Fire, she joined West Virginia University in 2019 and played three seasons with the Montaineers (53 matches, 4 goals).
In 2022, the defender continued her career and her studies in psychology at the University of Southern California. She played in all the matches during the season, making a total of 16 appearances and scoring 3 goals."
Low risk for PSG. The loan also comes with the option to buy on the Thorns part. So it seems if they like her, she could be bought...and if not, well then she goes back, no big deal. Buys us another year to find a starting RB. Her contract is through 2026, though, so that might be an expensive buyout for a player that may not be worth it. Guess we'll see!
Interesting. Her Wiki page says 2022. If she really was there until June ‘23 that closes the odd gap.
Yeah, this is kind of a win-win. PSG gets minutes for someone who’d be a depth piece there and we get a possible RB either-starter-or-backup we need.
My guess is she’s got to be at least NWSL-replacement-level good. PSG wouldn’t have bothered even as a reserve if not. Worth a shot, at least.
Yeah, agree. If anything, we're bringing the floor up. If Muller and Payne are playing FB, I don't have to ever see Nally at FB again lol. I'm not mad at strengthening our depth and giving the players at the bottom competition to earn a start, or even the sub spot. For a while now, we've had some deep depth stick around a bit too long imo...
The 2022 USC season ended in November 2022, so perhaps she wasn't playing soccer until she signed with PSG in July 2023. Or maybe she practiced with the USC team in spring 2023 (this typically includes some friendlies/scrimmages against other colleges), not being sure what she was doing next, and decided to jump ship when the PSG offer arrived in the summer. She could well have needed to finish her degree that spring (2023) also.
Not sure if Payne made herself available for the draft. I saw a list where she wasn’t on it. Every year, there are a few players who don’t make themselves eligible
https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-current-list-of-players-registered-for-2023-nwsl-draft-presented-by-ally#
Either way, not drafted but went a year without a paper trail. Wonder what the deal there was?
She seemed to be an academic achiever. My guess is she went to USC to finish her grad studies and didn’t want to be distracted by the NWSL draft when she had options in Europe. I hadn’t heard that she held a first round grade, but I will tell you she was an impressive young athlete at West Virginia. I like my fullbacks to have better passing skills than I saw with her, but her speed and stout defending stood out.
She was a solid player at West Virginia. Jordan Brewster got more of the publicity, but she was more athletic. I didn’t see much offensive skill outside of her ability to dribble and some soft touch passes here and there.
I wasn’t shocked to see her sign with PSG as a flyer. Would have thought a lower league, but requisite skills were there. Not as good as Bianca St. Georges when she played there, but seemed like a good developmental prospect.
Curious to see what players play at what position, but I am feeling better at our fullback position
Here is an extended video
https://youtu.be/kHXGyS_G5Sw?feature=shared
Yeah, I did read somewhere that she was a "defense-first" RB....which frankly, I'm very happy to hear. We needed some more defensive options. Thanks for this insight, very helpful!
That Sam Coffey/Yaz Ryan/Amirah Ali COVID watching did put some players on the observation list. She was definitely one of them
Did Nicole declare for the NWSL draft and not get picked, or did she just go straight to PSG outta college and not declare?
I'm guessing the latter...I'm sure a player at PSG outta college would've been picked if she were in the draft...
She seems to have some really nice dribbling/ball control skills, and that was in college...her sister is sure a fun watch!
She was not on the eligible player list for the 2023 NWSL draft.
I don’t think she formally declared for the draft and with a sister in Sevilla. I don’t recall her carrying a first round grade, but I liked her athleticism and signing with PSG is a pretty good sign of what she was viewed as
Let's hope the last move is a double signing. Coffey and Smith resigning
Utterly OT but that shot Caitlin Clark hit to break the scoring record? 👀
https://twitter.com/justwsports/status/1758299462634553831
So as I'm sure many of you know, Emily Menges has a printed literary newspaper, which I subscribe to. I just got the latest edition, and noticed the postmark was from San Jose. I guess that logically I knew that Bay wouldn't have their home base in San Francisco, but in terms of desirability I gotta think being in San Jose puts them much further down the list.
I wonder if there were any players who signed with dreams of living in (in my opinion) one of the cooler cities in the world, only to show up to the strip-mall sprawl of San Jose.
Bias alert: 20 years in the tech industry. Never looked forward to SJ business travel.
Yeah, I typically visit SJ for food and only a couple days at a time. However, most of the people I know there, don't actually live in the city.
I do plan on going to a game there and then heading home right after lol
My two kids played waterpolo for SJSU. And son-in-law played football (the non-round kind)
I was never impressed by the area there. And the water! Somebody should have warned me. Then I realized about all those culligan type trucks running around. Later I sent the coach there a bottle of Oregon water. Earth2O it was.
It's...interesting.
Soccer infrastructure is all in SJ and on the Peninsula--Earthquakes, CSUSJ, Stanford, Santa Clara. Bay will play at PayPal park next to the SJ Airport. {roar!}
A pro team in SF I guess would have to play at USF or CSUSF, since there's nowhere to build a proper soccer stadium (float one on the Bay?). Standing room at the Polo Grounds could be fun.
San Jose now is larger than SF by nearly 100k. Not especially affordable either, just not SF prices. East Bay is more affordable and less bland-suburban, but BART doesn't serve San Jose and if you live there, you're kind of stuck there. They do have light rail that connects to BART, though. If I were 22 could figure it out.
OTOH probably the mildest climate in the States. That counts for something. Santa Cruz and the beach are a quick drive. Except when it isn't quick.
I personally very much agree with you, but I think it's probably the opposite for many players. I highly doubt most SF athletes live in SF proper anyhow for a few reasons and it's not like San Jose is far from the City anyhow. None of these are places *I* would necessarily want to live, but for those making real money (i.e Oshoala/Castellanos/Kundananji), you can do worse than some of the nicer parts of the extended San Jose/SV area.
(Also worth noting that the San Jose area has been a hub for college woso and that Bay's ownership have direct ties to Santa Clara)
Angel City trains in Thousand Oaks I believe, which is kind of a sick joke considering how close it is to beaches yet is like 20 to 30 degrees hotter during the summer
Something I just read about Nicole Payne:
She took over #1 in the US at Indoor 400 meters with a 54.22 in 2018, and as a Junior (in highschool) was a 5x AHSAA State Champion at 400 meters. There's some random track highlights on youtube. She's also a Psych major with an interest in neuroscience, so it's always +100 for the brainy science soccer gals, for me!
So, she is super duper fast....which I def love on that backline! She also was a winger prior to being converted into RB in college, and if you watch her highlights you can def see that. I do think her defensive instincts look a lot better than the average converted winger, though, at least at the college level. She seems real level-headed.
Some links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU2GCBFoDGY (short interview while she was at USC in her senior year in 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJt1VMrcs4g (longer interview from 2022 that I haven't watched yet.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apjQyT_mKUw (a video of all of her touches and some lovely commentary when she started and played a full 90 against Liverpool while at PSG from 5 months ago.)
Re: that last video link- she does seem to have that rookie hesitancy to go forward, and she also turns around and passes back a lot when I think she should've gone forward, but that's not all bad. She seems measured and not reckless, which I appreciate. I actually think Reyna (and/or Norris coaching) can be a little reckless going too forward, so I like a measured player who waits until she's more confident. I do hope she can get up to speed quick in the NWSL because she's probably just gonna kinda be thrown out there, for better or worse. Kinda the same happened to Reyna and it really did not look good for the first handful of games lol, but of course she looked much more comfortable by the end of the season. It is interesting we wouldn't have just gotten a more "start now" player on a loan, since it'll likely take her a bit to get up to speed with the league. She's hardly had any pro experience since she's only been at PSG 6-8 months and hasn't played much.
Don’t know if you saw the extended video clip on YouTube of Payne while she was at West Virginia but it definitely showed her speed—faster than Reyes for sure.
I did!! She does glide by folks with ease. She looked fast, but I didn't realize how fast she was until I saw her track awards. Yeah, Reyes isn't very speedy...
Okay! Can someone fill me in on Nicole Payne?!
We live in Paris and follow PSG, OL and Paris FC pretty closely and hadn’t heard of her. Looks like promising young depth for pSG.
However our daughter is starting a one-week work observation at PSG tomorrow so maybe she can scout out some first hand info :)
Not even a little bit, but there is a Nigerian fan youtube account that has compiled all her touches from a number of her PSG games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apjQyT_mKUw
From what I gathered from twitter, seems like she just signed last summer but hasn’t gotten any minutes. Just turned 23. A Nigerian/USA dual national but didn’t make the last WC roster. She’s a RB, though I can’t say I know anything about her play. This still seems more like depth and I’m still unsure who our starting RB will be? Would love some additional info from folks who know her better. Seems like we’re going full youth movement here…still would rather see some more in-prime players but at least we have players?
Would be surprised if it's not Reyes/Payne on the right with a Kling/Müller rotation on the left (or Reyes/Muller on the left and Kling/Payne on the right). Actually not feeling too terrible about the FBs- The depth is suddenly significantly better than last season, even if said depth is a tad short in the tooth.
Still much more concerned about the CBs given how little (literally nothing) we know about how Obaze will adapt to the league and what the team expects from her. I'd like someone to ask about her at the next media availability.
Yeah I do feel much better about FB, though it's still interesting to me that we've gotten now 3 players internationally who may or may not quite be starters on the backline rather than just getting a clear cut starter. Of course, the club knows more about their capabilities than I do....
With you still on CB, though. Seems to clearly indicate we've got Becky starting and Hubly/Obaze competing for the start. Kaufusi did play 2 years with Minnesota Aurora (and was a track gal as well), so maybe she's showing out better than we'd expect a 2nd rounder to? I dunno. Still would prefer more players on the front end of the depth chart, not the backend. They really do still need someone ahead of Nally imo, esp if Becky goes to the Olympics....
Yeah I'd guess they see Müller as more or less ready to go. She was, by all accounts, the best player on a mid-table Bundesliga team so I would hope that the org thinks she's ready. I'm also not quite as down on Kling as some are, so I feel fine (if not great) about starting either of those two opposite Reyes.
Obaze is the real mystery box. If she's good and ready to play relatively quickly this team's present and future outlook suddenly looks drastically better.
I’m expecting Muller to start opposite Reyes, but I love having Kling as the primary backup and give me a developmental talent like Payne (hoping Norris is the guy who can develop).
She's gotten a few minutes for PSG, in either 2 or 4 games depending on who you believe. One start.
PSG's web page on her loan says she played in 4 games, so there's that.
She played for West Virginia University for three years before transferring to USC to graduate in 2022. Went undrafted and signed with PSG last year. Her Wikipedia page has her with four appearances for PSG instead of the two at FBRef, but she was clearly pretty far down the depth chart there.
In her only PSG start (January 20) she played at RB, so that’s good…but the opponent (Bordeaux) went down 8-1, so she might have started because the regular RB had earned a rest while her club played a tomato can. So hard to make much from that.
With Nigeria she played two matches in 2021 (both as a late sub). In 2022 she played five matches including a start (at LB) against Canada in April (0-1 loss). That’s her only full 90.
Her last appearance was as a substitute in the friendlies against the USWNT in September ’22. She wasn’t included on the World Cup squad, or any of the Super Falcons fixtures in ’23.
So she looks like a sort of second-tier international and PSG reserve, and as such her paper trail is thin. How she’ll do here? We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully she fills the hole left by the loss of Kuikka, though, so…
Her big sister is Toni Payne (a Nigerian international.) Toni is fun.
Do we get a Payne Sisters thing going ala Chara Brothers with the Timbers?
Also, marketing opportunities...
I'd take her sister too!
Someone please correct me: Are the Thorns, as of Coffey’s USWNT departure, training with zero 6’s?
Pffft... Who needs a 6 when you only have 12 field players on the roster for the pre-season including a 35 year old, a 40 year old, a player with a season ending injury, and 3 rookies without contracts?
'Sko! Who's ready for the Olivia Wade-Katoa show?!?
Wade-Katoa and Katie Duong definitely going to get some run there.
My assumption is they view Wade Katoa as a 8 who can play six and Sinclair is our primary backup at the 10
Or just scrimmage Weaver and Hogan against the rest.
Thanks for helping me feel better about this. 😩😩😩
You're welcome! That assumes that Müller doesn't get a call-up to die Mannschaft by the way.
Mystery surrounding Rikke Seveke explained - https://theathletic.com/5277999/2024/02/15/rikke-sevecke-retirement-portland-thorns/
Put all twelve out there and hope nobody notices.
With some of the ref quality, that just might work.
Who knows? The noobs might be so dang good.....
*5 rookies without contracts lol
One is a keeper, though, lol...
It’s true but maybe she can play CB lol
Anybody have any idea whether any of the training stuff at Coachella is open to the public? 'Cause I'm like right there for the next couple of days (although not through Saturday) and my fat ass can't keep doing 10 mile hiking days every day, so I could do some scouting.
Coming back here to say there are def bleachers of people watching the SD/BFC game. Not sure about practices though.
I've seen random videos from people who're there watching the BFC/SD game, but I'm not totally sure what the policy is...
Anyone know who the old guy is on the very left of the group shot? Or recognize any of the staff?
I'm still curious who our GK coach is...
https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1759637556038410379
Almost 100% sure it's Jim McCausland, who is head of security for the Timbers. Was also the head of security for the Thorns. No idea if this carried over and he's now the head of security for "Providence Park" or something.
He played a big part in the Timbers cover-up of Polo's domestic violence thing.
This is Jim McCausland: https://youtu.be/Qny8pwCrA-c?si=Sjsv4S2Ijm-eLSNe
Ugh. Hopefully it's just a staff share thing at the moment while the Thorns build out their FO. That is an absolute NO for me.
Was wondering if that was a possibility, though it doesn’t appear to be the same person who’s near the keepers in the wide shot. 🤷🏽
I didn't mean I thought HE was the GK coach lol, I was just wondering what an old guy might be doing with the Thorns lol. But there's a lot of staff there that I'm not sure I recognize, so GK coach could be one of 'em?
In other news:
Carm Moscato has signed as a Louisville assistant coach. Gotta think this is just a placeholder for an HC job in the NWSL.
https://twitter.com/RacingLouFC/status/1759638989156286673
A wild Tobin appeared at USWNT practice:
https://twitter.com/USWNT/status/1759363753173467453/video/2
Yeah, like why didn't we pick her up?! Get rid of that Draco Malfoy lookin' guy that had no experience in women's soccer....I think he came from like a bottom-table team in the men's Canadian third tier or something lol and is only there because that's who Norris brought in. This is what happens when you have a coach with no reach....
Takes two to tango and I don't think this was a reach problem because KK knows Moscato pretty well. My guess is that Moscato wasn't about to go be a technical coach (like Malfoy is) far down someone's staff. She's been very clear that she sees herself as a head coach, so I'd bet she's using Yanez --a young first year coach-- as a way to establish some NWSL bonafides before she jumps at the next head coaching opportunity. She also knows Yanez well, which I'm sure helped a good deal in terms of what the coaching dynamic will be.
(I know I've said this before and I'm sure there are real reasons for why she's viewed as this hot coaching prospect, but I'm also not sure there's any evidence she's clearly better than someone like Lowdon beyond her name recognition)
Yeah, I didn't know they had a connection, but sounds like she was probably vying for a few HC positions in the offseason and didn't get any. Her Kassouf article that came out not too long ago said something like "yes, I'll be a HC in the NWSL next year" when asked directly....so seems like it didn't work out. Moscato is more experienced than Bev, so it's bit of a weird backstep, but yeah just seems like she's biding time until something else opens...
Just would've been nice to have Lowdon and Moscato (she also has a relationship with Mike) to challenge him this year...and then if he doesn't cut it, maybe either of the others would be considered. I know she doesn't have as much experience as like a LH, but she does have some HC experience, has won a championship, and also has a good deal of assistant experience...
Agreed, though having two assistant coaches --both women-- who are probably more qualified than the head coach is bit of an odd dynamic. I don't love the idea of grooming a replacement from within while the existing coach still has the job.
I do wonder what Moscato's next move will be, but it seems more than likely this is a stepping stone for her. Wouldn't be shocked to see her end up here eventually if they decide Norris ain't it.
It's true haha, but with Lowdon there it already kinda feels that way. It could def create a weird dynamic in the coaching staff though, for sure. Could you imagine Moscato and Lowdon both knowing they're better than Mike, and also knowing that one of them might get his job? I don't think it would be that cutthroat, but it could create weird competition between Moscato and Lowdon, for sure.
Yeah, and I agree about her possibly ending up here anyways. Getting in as an assistant to learn the league...and then if/when Norris leaves, she's got a pretty good CV to turn in if the position opens. I can't see her staying at Racing next season behind a less experienced HC in Yanez. Honesty, because there were a ton of new coaches brought in recently elsewhere, I think Portland (and possibly Seattle/LH, if she takes one of those Euro positions that she's always floated for) would be kinda the next two teams up for a coaching change. But Portland would be on the top of the list...I would love it if we could poach Nahas, personally.
Given how she got here, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lowdon understands she’s the next head coach for PTFC, to be announced when the team starts to struggle and Norris is told to declare he is stepping down to spend more time with family
I’m curious if what happened with Rhian forced a decision to pursue Lowdon as the lead assistant versus Moscato.
Tobin would be great on TV replacing Carly Lloyd
Anybody would be great on TV replacing Lloyd.
https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1759637556038410379/photo/2
Alright, I spy (a whopping 16 field players!) time:
Keepers: Hogan, Asman, Kozal, Bixby
Defenders: Hubly, Müller, Nally, Kafusi, Kling, Payne (already there!)
Midfielders: OWK, Duong, Sinc
Attackers, Linnehan, Weaver, Izzy, Beckie (didn't know she wasn't on the gold cup roster)
So that means there's three players there I don't fully recognize: the two to the right of KK and the one between Kling and Payne. Anyone?
Projected lineup for the (1) one preseason game:
Hogan
Muller-Nally-Hubly-Kling
Duong-OWK-Sinc
Weaver-Izzy-Beckie
Looking at LeBlanc's pose reminds of this guy mugging for the camera.
https://youtu.be/8y-hu8cchyw
The one next to KK is that Mallie McKenzie NRI from Georgia who was announced, but they didn't put her on the preseason roster. The one between Kling and Payne is def Marissa Sheva, who I knew was in Portland back in December. I just don't get why the Thorns wouldn't add them to the preseason roster if they were there. It seems a lot easier to do that than to hide them from pictures for 2 months....
The other one....hmmm. Honestly looks like Taylor Aylmer, a player who was on Spirit a while ago, got waived, went to Louisville, didn't get picked back up as a restricted free agent, and now apparently is here? She's really really not good. So the Thorns DID dip into the free agency pool, just the bottom of it lol.
I don't see Lara Dantas, but I'm still thinking she could be there. It would be weird that she recently followed half the Thorns (and a bunch followed her), including Mallie McKenzie, the NRI. There's gotta be some connection there...
Thought that might be McKenzie too, and good shout on Sheva- I knew I recognized the face and couldn't place it.
Theoretically they don't have to be signing anyone officially though, those FAs could just be camp invites. Still weird they haven't announced it though.
No they def don't have to sign anyone of course, but most other teams put all the trial players on the preseason roster, or have even announced that they're adding a player to the preseason roster....we've just done neither lol. Tbf though, they haven't really done much preseason content so it's all been kinda hidden.
I'm guessing this is a trial run for all current Thorns bubble players/rookies/NRI's and that anyone could lose their spot. Which is GOOD imo, I just wish there was better communication! Also wish the competition was a little better in some spots, but that's already known...
I actually see that Aylmer was at Gotham first, before she got dropped and went to the Spirit, and then got dropped and went to Louisville, and then didn't get picked up and is now here. She's kinda like our new Taylor Porter lol. I think she's mostly like an 8? Sheva more of a 10. McKenzie a RB....would be interesting if we all of a sudden have 5 FB's. And a lot of CB's. With Gabby there were 6...now we have 5. Still doesn't answer our question for DMF...unless we're having someone play out of position.
IMO it's all but certain that some of these players will be cut. That's always painful, but it's got to be even more painful to be announced and then cut. I don't want the FO to ignore that kind of issue.
Counsel patience, Yoda would.
I think McKenzie was a defensive mid before moving to fullback.
Oh really? Hmmmm, and which would you say was her better position? Is she good defensively and/or does she have clean passing to be a good backup 6? Is she quick? Higher ceiling than Porter? I know she's not here anymore, but I'd love an upgrade from the Taylor Porter-level we've seen for the last many years....
She's 5'9" also, so that would be nice.
I haven’t watched enough of her to make a conclusion either way unfortunately
Yeah the numbers are there now, but someone will need to show out in order to actually consider them a real backup option. I like bringing Sheva in as a utility midfielder/winger. Still that big gap at the 6 unless they REALLY like freakin Katie Duong lol
I'm fine with the trial run for the low-round rooks, but I'd like them to sign Linnehan and OWK already. I know every team has holdups with getting rookie contracts signed, but I'd feel better knowing they were signed.
Totally...I'm happy to have that competition and was bummed when the preseason roster dropped because it didn't look like we'd have much of any of that. Would be nice to see them signed soon, but I'm not too worried...most teams haven't signed many of their rooks yet. I'm guessing the more pressing need was *everything else* lol, so I'm fine if they can get all of those things over the line first and then get to the rookies.
I'm happy to keep Sheva (so long as she doesn't take an int'l spot)...she's fine depth as an attacker. I think, as you say, she's played on the wing some with Ireland and in the midfield for the Spirit. We suddenly have a lot of utility-type midfielders (for now)...Duong, OWK, Sheva, and Aylmer. I'm guessing not all of them cut it.
I'm a bit curious about Duong....she's a Portland native, and I could see the FO really trying to prop up that narrative and elect to keep her and/or give her more playing time than deserved. KK LOVES a heartfelt narrative. But, she was a late 4th-rounder, so I hope she is as critically assessed as all the others....
I'd be happy to keep Sheva, too. IIRC she's an American citizen who was recruited by Ireland like Farrelly.
I wouldn't be too worried about narrative- If she's good enough, she'll play and she won't if not. We'll see if she even makes the team lol. I do like having the smartest player on the field at the 6- Maybe there are some mental links between engineering and ball distribution!
(I do like that she made a highlight video of herself on her own Youtube channel tho https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1759637556038410379/photo/2)
I think one of them is Mallie McKenzie.
https://georgiadogs.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/mallie-mckenzie/7319
And call me crazy, but I'm counting 15 or 16 field players in the wide shot?
Okay, so that means that Lara is either not at Coachella, or they thought ahead enough to get her out of the wide shot.
No you're right, I didn't have Kafusi or Kling written down for some reason- Edited.
(One of whom is probably Bixby who is not wearing orange.)
https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/technical-staff/thorns-technical-staff
So I haven't checked this for a while, but I SWEAR the "soccer ops" heading and the people in it haven't always been there. I also don't recognize Merricks (as mentioned below) or Ella Maliska either. Are they just not announcing new staff hired over the last year or am I just forgetting the announcements? I see that the Director of Soccer Ops has been here since last February and came over from Houston, but I have never heard of him or have any idea what he does. It seems like a lot of these people aren't new, but I'm still confused lol.
Yeah, I don't remember those being as filled out as they are, but I do remember Lee's name being there (w/ no picture) when I looked sometime last year...I really don't remember any of those other people, though, otherwise I would've been compelled to do some research...
I know it's not fully updated though, because the nutritionist is now at Gotham, I think as of the offseason...