Quietly, the best new player on the squad is Marie Muller. At both ends of the pitch, she's playing close to perfect football. She looks like she's been an NWSL'er and Thorn for a long time. Good job to the FO for finding her and I hope she is happy with the move and wants to stay a while.
You might not even need to limit that filter to "new." I think Sam is probably the only other player on the roster that even has a shout. MĂ¼ller's been tremendous and seems to turn it up a gear in the second halves of games- It looks like most of the stuff we saw from her in Germany is translating and her adaptation to the physicality has been particularly impressive.
Not what I'm saying- Soph is obviously the best player on the team, but she hasn't had a great start (imo) to the season despite her goals. Through the first four games, I think there's a pretty good argument to be made that MĂ¼ller's performances have been better overall. Also apples and oranges with the striker/defender comparison.
I don't think her performances have been particularly good outside of the KC and Houston games (not really her fault, obviously). All I'm saying is that there's a difference between "best player" and "best performances," and I think MĂ¼ller has had better performances thus far. More a commentary on how good MĂ¼ller's been than anything.
Smith is beginning to keep her head up and create more interior passes. When defenses realize that she will no longer always try to dribble past 3 defenders they will have to stop triple-teaming her. She can handle a double-team.
I can't say how refreshing it is for a Thorn to win a header in the box lol. She has been excellent and CONSISTENT. I only wish we could've had a MĂ¼ller/Kuikka FB duo. :(
Hey now Reyna also had her best game of the season last night. She was muchhh better technically than she's looked, and is only 23. She's certainly not at Kuikka's level yet, but I bet she's got quite a bit of growth left.
It's more that I'm just frustrated that we could've had her here also! Her and Marie would be an upgrade from last season, esp with Obaze added for Hubs. I just still don't think she's quite there yet. I'm trying to get there lol, but she's just still a bit clunky and looks like she's always on the verge of losing the ball to me. I do see she's improving though, I'm willing to be patient! I'm not saying never start her, I'd just prefer a bit more from a starting FB. She does have some really good defensive instincts, which I like a lot. I'm still just a bit hot and cold with her...
The biggest hole in Reyna's game is the technical side, so it wouldn't make any sense to play her in the midfield. She's (rightly) the Thorns' starting LB and will be for the rest of the season, even if she has some ups and downs. They invested a top 5 pick in her for a reason.
I agree, just responding to wanting Kuikka and Muller. I don't think you can have 3 stud defensive backs and still have a balanced roster and/or adequate playing time for all three.
I agree she is the real deal. We have had some really good RFBs here. I though Ashleigh Sykes was good, but Carpenter made me forget her, then Natu, she was a real beast; and now MĂ¼ller. Marie is fast and doesn't fire away at the first opening, nor is she a yellow card magnet, but I think she is going to score a goal or two; but only if she is the only one open. Now we have both FB's playing where they are most comfortable and that is a huge improvement. Reyes has been looking better, but her and Weaver need to develop the chemistry that Weaver and Kling had. The best Morgan has played this year is when Kling came in near the end of the Louisville game.
I think now with Linnehan and Ana Rias here plus the Thorn's regular 12 starters the Thorns are looking deeper. I am eager to see if Katoa-Wade can add anything and I hope to see more of Payne and Aquilla.
I'm starting to think we should convert D'Aquilla to center back. She is not productive up front, not at all. With Linnehan, Weaver, Smith and even Moultrie, I feel like we have plenty of firepower up the middle already. The Spirit converted McKeown to CB and it's worked a charm - speed is always useful in the back line. I have no idea if Izzy would be up for it, but she's going to sit on the bench a lot if nothing changes. I always thought Betfort would be a better CB than CF - she might be a regular starter today with the Thorns if she had made the switch.
I do feel bad for Izzy. She's a limited player who has barely gotten any time at the only position where she can be effective, and they just signed her replacement in Dias. Combine that with Sinc's continued presence on the roster, Beckie's return, and the fact that Linnehan looks like she's going to be too good to sit, she may not get many starts at all....even during the Olympic break.
She’s playing professional soccer and is good enough to be a backup in a good league. Don’t feel bad for her, but the level of expectation appeared too high.
I feel bad for her because she’s the type of player that needs to be put in a very specific role to succeed at the professional level and she hasn’t been given that opportunity. She’s not going to wow like Linnehan did on Saturday because that’s not the type of player she is, but I think she could be a Balcer type if given the opportunity. That opportunity just doesn’t look like it’s happening for her in Portland
- Have a fucking debut rook! It's rare you see rookies come in and light up a match like Linnehan did: Inches away from a goal and an assist, and it was her quick thinking on the throw-in that lead to the Moultrie goal that put the game away. It's early yet, but I'd loveeee to see her get the RW role opposite Weaver at some point this year. Looked electric.
-This is probably the Thorns best midfield three at the moment, and I'm glad Gale recognized the need to axe the 4-3-3 in his first match as interim. I'd like to see a little (a lot) more evidence against better teams, but I'm willing to consider the possibility that Fleming might be better suited to playing as a 10 in the NWSL in some matches like she did tonight. She wasn't perfect --still too many times when she was slightly out of step with her teammates-- but she also had some real excellent moments and looked like the Jessie Fleming I know for the first time tonight.
- It's a privilege --not a problem--to have Fleming, Moultrie, and Hina as options at 8/10. Hina should be a locked-in starter when available, but I'm totally fine with rotating Fleming and Moultrie, or even playing both with Hina on the wing. Good teams have multiple options and I'm not at all concerned about a minutes crunch.
- Obaze is just better than Hubly straight up. Her teammates trust her with the ball and she has the ability and confidence to play passes Hubly just can't. She gets that spot.
- Hogan, on the other hand....man. Just bummed for her that she hasn't taken advantage of this opportunity because it might be career-defining. Starting GK spots are real hard to come by, and she very nearly cost us the game when she dallied on the ball and allowed Ordonez to make a tackle.
- Weaver needs to wake up! Waaay too slow and hesitant from her so far this season.
- MĂ¼ller's legit, what a second half from her. Everywhere offensively and defensively.
- This Soph on the wing thing better *only* be something they do when Sinc's in the game.
Can I get a shout-out to our new attacking mid--Becky? Don't think I've ever seen her play that far forward, that often before. Get that second Thorns goal, captain!
Other Beckie might become All-Bangers Beckie, because all three of her goals so far have been beauts. Great to see. Liv's was a rocket, too.
Ordonez is a load to defend and her goal was something to behold--like learning Shaq has been doing ballet. Good luck, rest of league, if Dash ever fashion a complete team around her.
I think those out of step moments with Fleming are more about acclimating with timing than anything else. You’ll notice they also reduced quite a bit today. Let her run with the 10 role and play with her most likely teammates. That pass to Sinclair that didn’t end up in the back of the net was an utter thing of beauty. If she can gain the timing with Smith, I could see some easy goals with Smith in the future as opposed to the all out effort goals she is seeing more of.
You saw Linnehan and most of her strengths. She can also carry the ball up as well at a very fast clip. Id love to tell you that pass to Reyes was planned, but I couldnt tell if that was a plan or Reyes making an incredible run to accommodate for an aggressive pass.
I’d like to see her as the primary backup on both sides (to Weaver and Beckie), but that first game was as good a forward play as we’ve had this year and she should get some opportunities when players are doi intl duties and coming back with short notice.
I’m fine saying Mueller has been an upgrade over Kuikka who is showing she can be an outstanding CB as well
I think that everyone is doing their best to not throw Norris under the bus with the whole "Tactics are fine" mess. Sinclair basically echoed that at the post game interview when she said that the players felt like they let him down by not paying to their standard.
With seeing how the tactics were adjusted, I don't think we have much to worry about there.
If you weren’t able to see him closely, Rob Gale certainly is a more fun coach to *watch* as an audience member. He actively turns around and pumps up the bench players and the crowd. When we score he gets excited and jumps up and down and pumps his fist. When Shelby Hogan narrowly avoided disaster he turned to the audience with big eyes and a shocked grin shaking his head. I make no claim that his actual tactics are a big improvement over Norris, but he is definitely bringing some emotion and energy to the field.
The guy did the same thing as an assistant but no cameras were on him. A competent coach should have a team with this talent close to the top of the table.
Norris probably has a role as an assistant, but was never head coach material and didn’t step up. Kind of feel the same way about Gale. Coaches have stepped up previously in that situation.
Finally planted my official Portland thorns rose kit right before the game. I guess that was the problem and I’m sorry that my procrastination got us off to such a bad start this season.
Funny how the shipping company is trying the old "that bridge totally got in our way, plus, no tag-backs" defense. We'll see how that works out for them.
Also, soccer. IIUC the crew are Indian, so probably turning the containers into a cricket pitch.
He's very engaging and animated in his presser. Having never heard the dude speak before.
I can see him helping the team out of their funk just by the positive attitude and encouraging them to relearn the joy of playing. Will grant him a few matches to sift through lineups and tactics. My only "demand": never not compete.
Sinclair exceeding expectations didn't make her great. She was fine though. She played a clever game in that she would spend some time up front mixing it up and then would take breaks and go hang out in the midfield for a while. She was on one of those breaks when Sophia scored. It's not a coincidence that the speed of the game, which favored the Thorns, changed as soon as she came out. I hope this is not the beginning of the start Sinc every game and let her play 60 minutes. It stifles everyone else.
She was able to parlay her remaining toolkit and unmatched knowledge of the game, which is why I hardly shouted at my teevee when she'd lose acres attempting to run down Dash players streaking past.
I should think this game of all games, with the coach yanked and players upended as a result, a leader on the pitch of Sinc's stature had a calming effect on the squad. True? Absolutely no idea but next weekend's starting XI will be a large mystery box of speculation. I'd keep her in the "in case of emergency, break glass" box myself and not start her, much less keep her in for 60 minutes.
I’m not, however the team probably needed the team leader. The moment she left, the moment we started to run them off the field.
Linnehan really added energy last night. I tend to agree with Kielbj that Weaver isn’t playing with the level of intensity we’ve seen from her in the past. That was more noticeable when Linnrhan did
Last year Weaver was one of the top scoring threats in the league and the teams are aware and prepared. Also, she is adjusting to a new LFB and she hasn’t developed a chemistry with either, MĂ¼ller or Reyes. She will and Linnehan will be competing with her for field time.
I hadn’t lost faith in Hogan but she was shaky and her distribution is poor.
Maybe playing fullbacks on their natural sides and consistency on the back line helps?
Thorns and Timbers are both better pressing and playing on the front foot.
Houston is bad so I don’t want to get carried away. But the Thorns played well. I don’t like what Rob Gale said about the tactics not being a problem and placing blame more on the players. By my eyes, he changed the tactics, the formation, and the starting XI so…. Not convinced this isn’t just a coach got fired bump, beating up on a poor team, and the players just taking it on themselves. We’ll see over the next few matches.
We could and should have scored more. I’m encouraged by the opportunities created. Just need more poise in the finishing. Campbell is a good keeper though.
Our defense didn’t stress me out too much but getting a lead sure helps. Not sure how threatening Houston really is though.
That was fun. I love to see 4 different goal scorers and for Liv to maybe be getting her mojo back. Happy for Sinclair too. I don’t want to take Smith for granted but I know even she’s had some dry spells. Good to see Beckie showing spark again too.
Re Sinclair: don't fall for it, it's a scam! About once a year for the past 2-3 years she'll have a good game against an inferior and/or overmatched team, and people will say "she looks rejuvenated", "maybe the GOAT's still got something left in the tank!" Then, inevitably, the Thorns take on a competitive team and have to play 10 v 11 again...
Gale had a few wrinkles: Brunn coming forward and distributing - a lot. Either of Sam, Jessie or Hina dropping deep to take the first pass. Soph was deeper, mostly in the first half. Best place to hide your defensive liability was play her at CF. However, FB’s still high, and at times only two defenders back. I don’t recall a single hero ball the entire game, that’s a big plus. Fundamentally, still the same tactics and team, especially in the second half. Thorns benefited from some good fortune, and the Dash are the Dash. We’ll see when a better opponent arrives.
1) Smith draws defenders like a black hole draws, well, everything. On Moultrie's goal, Smith has the usual two defenders near the sideline, but then escapes them and moves toward the box - requiring a third defender, one running back to guard Moultrie, to step toward Smith instead. That's why Moultrie had so much time and space to tee up and fire off her shot. I hope Smith, and the rest of the team, can keep taking advantage of this gravity effect.
2) Speaking of Moultrie, her two touches on her goal were just perfect. The first touch received the ball and moved it away from a nearby defender, and the second put the ball just inside the post. Well done!
3) Sinclair also had a beautiful touch on her goal. That shot was harder than it looked and players miss it all the time.
4) Because Houston's defense is so terrible, Jane Campbell sure gets a lot of practice. I counted at least six 1-v-1's or close-range shots in this game (2 by Smith, 1 by Sinclair (not her goal), 2 by Beckie, 1 by Linnehan), of which two were goals.
5) So glad Beckie got a goal she could celebrate! The Thorns were behind for all of our first-game goals, when Beckie previously scored, so a big celebration wasn't appropriate. Hooray for her!
6) Speaking of Beckie, she runs so effortlessly it's just beautiful. She's like Lynn Williams that way, so fast with no wasted motion.
7) Sauerbrunn moved into midfield a lot more than she has previously, which helped our attack. But it also contributed to Houston's goal: Sauerbrunn made an attacking run WAY upfield, but we lost the ball and Houston quickly got it to Alozie in our box on the right - right in the space that would have had another defender if Sauerbrunn had stayed home. Alozie had plenty of space to pick out her cross because she was only loosely marked in a dangerous spot. I wonder if this will make Sauerbrunn stop the midfield runs. (The episode was reminiscent of Spain's goal in the World Cup final: right back Lucy Bronze made an attacking run up to the center circle, but Spain recovered the ball, quickly located the gaping hole in the defense, and scored off it.)
8) I'm glad Hogan got a kick blocked but nothing came of it. Hopefully it was a good lesson for her about how fast NWSL forwards can close her down. Hogan's experience was free but that Dash defender's lesson, when Smith similarly closed her down, was not.
Does Hogan really need another lesson at this point? The disaster against KC and the countless number of examples of her holding the ball too long not enough?
To me, Sauerbrunn is taking the few times Hubly pushed the ball up.
Yes I noticed that MĂ¼ller doesn’t waste time and that Linnehan throw-in was both canny and led to a goal. The Thorns were headhunters; Janine’s score was pure opportunist hustle.
Something worth mentioning re: new coach Draco...I really liked his subs and timing for all of them last night. It was so refreshing! I thought Sinc prob could've come out at half, or at least before 60', but otherwise I think every sub and the timing for each was what I would've done. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Thanks for the game reviews, they're terrific to read. I wonder how we'll do against Chicago's massed banks of defenders in the 4-4-2. Can we break them down with quick passing (and Sophia Smith)? Or pull them upfield enough to get in behind? The pass map sure makes it look like they don't advance their two banks of four very often, which is going to make both of those things difficult.
The 4-4-2 makes it look like Donaldson's plan is to defend stoutly with eight players and count on Swanson for some offensive magic in transition. It's not a bad plan, but hopefully one the Thorns can figure out.
I think the worry is whether the gap in coaching is so great that Chicago doesn't just have to sit, kind of similar to what we saw against the Courage (though the Courage have more talent and play a much more aggressive attacking style). Yes, fundamentally Chicago plays more defensively because their personnel is a limiting factor, but they're more aggressive in the attacking areas than SD and Seattle, for instance, and especially early in games.
Worst case scenario to me is pretty much what happened to Seattle: Chicago presses a bit early, gets a goal and just sits while the Thorns pass the ball around aimlessly and get hit on the counter every so often.
Yeah not only would that be a bad result, but it would also be boring and depressing to watch. I used to watch Barcelona in their Messi-Xavi-Iniesta heyday, and a lot of teams in La Liga would understandably play this kind of game as it was the one most likely to get them a point. But it was horrible to watch, monotonous and slow. Score first, Thorns!
Great recap on those matches. It reminds me that I've been thinking since well last year which coach I'd want our FO to pilfer from within the league (I've was never able to get behind Norris, even though I got why he got the job). I think most would say Nahas, with good reason, but I think I've settled on Hines. I just think he's had to work harder with less at his disposal, talent-wise, to get them where they are. I would love to see what he could do with our roster. But also I wouldn't say no to Nahas.
She's here, she's there, she's every f"&#$ing where, Hina, Hina!
You win!
Quietly, the best new player on the squad is Marie Muller. At both ends of the pitch, she's playing close to perfect football. She looks like she's been an NWSL'er and Thorn for a long time. Good job to the FO for finding her and I hope she is happy with the move and wants to stay a while.
You might not even need to limit that filter to "new." I think Sam is probably the only other player on the roster that even has a shout. MĂ¼ller's been tremendous and seems to turn it up a gear in the second halves of games- It looks like most of the stuff we saw from her in Germany is translating and her adaptation to the physicality has been particularly impressive.
Sophia Smith is still the best player on the team by a pretty wide margin, but Muller has been the second best player overall with Coffey right there
Not what I'm saying- Soph is obviously the best player on the team, but she hasn't had a great start (imo) to the season despite her goals. Through the first four games, I think there's a pretty good argument to be made that MĂ¼ller's performances have been better overall. Also apples and oranges with the striker/defender comparison.
Considering the defensive focus on Smith, I’m still comfortable saying that Smith has been our best player this year.
Muller has been fantastic in her own right
I don't think her performances have been particularly good outside of the KC and Houston games (not really her fault, obviously). All I'm saying is that there's a difference between "best player" and "best performances," and I think MĂ¼ller has had better performances thus far. More a commentary on how good MĂ¼ller's been than anything.
Smith is beginning to keep her head up and create more interior passes. When defenses realize that she will no longer always try to dribble past 3 defenders they will have to stop triple-teaming her. She can handle a double-team.
Muller has been our most consistent player. I agree with that statement, but when Smith has made an impact; it’s been at a different level.
Muller has been a massive addition and arguably one of the best FB’s in the NWSL in the early season.
I can't say how refreshing it is for a Thorn to win a header in the box lol. She has been excellent and CONSISTENT. I only wish we could've had a MĂ¼ller/Kuikka FB duo. :(
Speaking of, Kayla Sharples' header against KC yesterday. Wow.
Nobody has replaced Linds but you're right some of the newbies can help restore PTFC to...above average!
Also, Muller seems to have upped the throw-in game. Maybe Chief's data will confirm/refute. Field vision, think she has it.
Hey now Reyna also had her best game of the season last night. She was muchhh better technically than she's looked, and is only 23. She's certainly not at Kuikka's level yet, but I bet she's got quite a bit of growth left.
It's more that I'm just frustrated that we could've had her here also! Her and Marie would be an upgrade from last season, esp with Obaze added for Hubs. I just still don't think she's quite there yet. I'm trying to get there lol, but she's just still a bit clunky and looks like she's always on the verge of losing the ball to me. I do see she's improving though, I'm willing to be patient! I'm not saying never start her, I'd just prefer a bit more from a starting FB. She does have some really good defensive instincts, which I like a lot. I'm still just a bit hot and cold with her...
I agree but what about Reyes? At the 8 / double pivot? Or maybe Reyes isn't considered now or in the future a top-end starter at FB?
The biggest hole in Reyna's game is the technical side, so it wouldn't make any sense to play her in the midfield. She's (rightly) the Thorns' starting LB and will be for the rest of the season, even if she has some ups and downs. They invested a top 5 pick in her for a reason.
I agree, just responding to wanting Kuikka and Muller. I don't think you can have 3 stud defensive backs and still have a balanced roster and/or adequate playing time for all three.
Kuikka as a centerback would have been nice too
Hearing good things about Muller from the sidelines as well. She has all the physical tools to be a high performer.
I agree she is the real deal. We have had some really good RFBs here. I though Ashleigh Sykes was good, but Carpenter made me forget her, then Natu, she was a real beast; and now MĂ¼ller. Marie is fast and doesn't fire away at the first opening, nor is she a yellow card magnet, but I think she is going to score a goal or two; but only if she is the only one open. Now we have both FB's playing where they are most comfortable and that is a huge improvement. Reyes has been looking better, but her and Weaver need to develop the chemistry that Weaver and Kling had. The best Morgan has played this year is when Kling came in near the end of the Louisville game.
I think now with Linnehan and Ana Rias here plus the Thorn's regular 12 starters the Thorns are looking deeper. I am eager to see if Katoa-Wade can add anything and I hope to see more of Payne and Aquilla.
I'm starting to think we should convert D'Aquilla to center back. She is not productive up front, not at all. With Linnehan, Weaver, Smith and even Moultrie, I feel like we have plenty of firepower up the middle already. The Spirit converted McKeown to CB and it's worked a charm - speed is always useful in the back line. I have no idea if Izzy would be up for it, but she's going to sit on the bench a lot if nothing changes. I always thought Betfort would be a better CB than CF - she might be a regular starter today with the Thorns if she had made the switch.
I do feel bad for Izzy. She's a limited player who has barely gotten any time at the only position where she can be effective, and they just signed her replacement in Dias. Combine that with Sinc's continued presence on the roster, Beckie's return, and the fact that Linnehan looks like she's going to be too good to sit, she may not get many starts at all....even during the Olympic break.
She’s playing professional soccer and is good enough to be a backup in a good league. Don’t feel bad for her, but the level of expectation appeared too high.
I feel bad for her because she’s the type of player that needs to be put in a very specific role to succeed at the professional level and she hasn’t been given that opportunity. She’s not going to wow like Linnehan did on Saturday because that’s not the type of player she is, but I think she could be a Balcer type if given the opportunity. That opportunity just doesn’t look like it’s happening for her in Portland
I don't think Balcer would be getting minutes here either. Who's she going to beat out for the spot? Sugita? Weaver? Not a chance.
Betfort WAS a CB in college lol, but she didn’t cut it so she was converted to a CF.
Houston tax notwithstanding, really encouraging performance:
- Have a fucking debut rook! It's rare you see rookies come in and light up a match like Linnehan did: Inches away from a goal and an assist, and it was her quick thinking on the throw-in that lead to the Moultrie goal that put the game away. It's early yet, but I'd loveeee to see her get the RW role opposite Weaver at some point this year. Looked electric.
-This is probably the Thorns best midfield three at the moment, and I'm glad Gale recognized the need to axe the 4-3-3 in his first match as interim. I'd like to see a little (a lot) more evidence against better teams, but I'm willing to consider the possibility that Fleming might be better suited to playing as a 10 in the NWSL in some matches like she did tonight. She wasn't perfect --still too many times when she was slightly out of step with her teammates-- but she also had some real excellent moments and looked like the Jessie Fleming I know for the first time tonight.
- It's a privilege --not a problem--to have Fleming, Moultrie, and Hina as options at 8/10. Hina should be a locked-in starter when available, but I'm totally fine with rotating Fleming and Moultrie, or even playing both with Hina on the wing. Good teams have multiple options and I'm not at all concerned about a minutes crunch.
- Obaze is just better than Hubly straight up. Her teammates trust her with the ball and she has the ability and confidence to play passes Hubly just can't. She gets that spot.
- Hogan, on the other hand....man. Just bummed for her that she hasn't taken advantage of this opportunity because it might be career-defining. Starting GK spots are real hard to come by, and she very nearly cost us the game when she dallied on the ball and allowed Ordonez to make a tackle.
- Weaver needs to wake up! Waaay too slow and hesitant from her so far this season.
- MĂ¼ller's legit, what a second half from her. Everywhere offensively and defensively.
- This Soph on the wing thing better *only* be something they do when Sinc's in the game.
Word.
Can I get a shout-out to our new attacking mid--Becky? Don't think I've ever seen her play that far forward, that often before. Get that second Thorns goal, captain!
Other Beckie might become All-Bangers Beckie, because all three of her goals so far have been beauts. Great to see. Liv's was a rocket, too.
Ordonez is a load to defend and her goal was something to behold--like learning Shaq has been doing ballet. Good luck, rest of league, if Dash ever fashion a complete team around her.
And she can do that because Obaze doesn't get out over her skis or do derpy things. Kinda fun, huh?
I think those out of step moments with Fleming are more about acclimating with timing than anything else. You’ll notice they also reduced quite a bit today. Let her run with the 10 role and play with her most likely teammates. That pass to Sinclair that didn’t end up in the back of the net was an utter thing of beauty. If she can gain the timing with Smith, I could see some easy goals with Smith in the future as opposed to the all out effort goals she is seeing more of.
You saw Linnehan and most of her strengths. She can also carry the ball up as well at a very fast clip. Id love to tell you that pass to Reyes was planned, but I couldnt tell if that was a plan or Reyes making an incredible run to accommodate for an aggressive pass.
I’d like to see her as the primary backup on both sides (to Weaver and Beckie), but that first game was as good a forward play as we’ve had this year and she should get some opportunities when players are doi intl duties and coming back with short notice.
I’m fine saying Mueller has been an upgrade over Kuikka who is showing she can be an outstanding CB as well
Well done
I think that everyone is doing their best to not throw Norris under the bus with the whole "Tactics are fine" mess. Sinclair basically echoed that at the post game interview when she said that the players felt like they let him down by not paying to their standard.
With seeing how the tactics were adjusted, I don't think we have much to worry about there.
From a semantics standpoint, OK. The problem wasn’t the tactics, it was the diversification of the tactics and the lack of finishing.
If you weren’t able to see him closely, Rob Gale certainly is a more fun coach to *watch* as an audience member. He actively turns around and pumps up the bench players and the crowd. When we score he gets excited and jumps up and down and pumps his fist. When Shelby Hogan narrowly avoided disaster he turned to the audience with big eyes and a shocked grin shaking his head. I make no claim that his actual tactics are a big improvement over Norris, but he is definitely bringing some emotion and energy to the field.
The guy did the same thing as an assistant but no cameras were on him. A competent coach should have a team with this talent close to the top of the table.
Norris probably has a role as an assistant, but was never head coach material and didn’t step up. Kind of feel the same way about Gale. Coaches have stepped up previously in that situation.
Finally planted my official Portland thorns rose kit right before the game. I guess that was the problem and I’m sorry that my procrastination got us off to such a bad start this season.
So you are to blame. Let’s hope Norris doesn’t find you ;)
No independent confirmation, or denial, as to whether this was the Houston Dash team charter pulling into Portland in advance of Saturday's match.
I mean, they DO know that Portland isn't REALLY Southern BC, right?
https://youtu.be/Kq6LW3WLhYs?t=21
London, Ontario...home of Ms. Fleming!
More like Flaming Moe's, apparently.
Replace the e with an a and...
I thought OUR infrastructure was dire.
Eh, I'll trade you a railway inferno for a ship-destroyed bridge.
Funny how the shipping company is trying the old "that bridge totally got in our way, plus, no tag-backs" defense. We'll see how that works out for them.
Also, soccer. IIUC the crew are Indian, so probably turning the containers into a cricket pitch.
Finally a Thorn who doesn't seem determined to turn every throw-in into a 50/50 ball
I think Muller has upgraded that area substantially
Lol:
https://twitter.com/DasGherkin/status/1781879410049892844
Omg yessss
He's very engaging and animated in his presser. Having never heard the dude speak before.
I can see him helping the team out of their funk just by the positive attitude and encouraging them to relearn the joy of playing. Will grant him a few matches to sift through lineups and tactics. My only "demand": never not compete.
Curious if he did that on purpose
Sinclair exceeding expectations didn't make her great. She was fine though. She played a clever game in that she would spend some time up front mixing it up and then would take breaks and go hang out in the midfield for a while. She was on one of those breaks when Sophia scored. It's not a coincidence that the speed of the game, which favored the Thorns, changed as soon as she came out. I hope this is not the beginning of the start Sinc every game and let her play 60 minutes. It stifles everyone else.
She was able to parlay her remaining toolkit and unmatched knowledge of the game, which is why I hardly shouted at my teevee when she'd lose acres attempting to run down Dash players streaking past.
I should think this game of all games, with the coach yanked and players upended as a result, a leader on the pitch of Sinc's stature had a calming effect on the squad. True? Absolutely no idea but next weekend's starting XI will be a large mystery box of speculation. I'd keep her in the "in case of emergency, break glass" box myself and not start her, much less keep her in for 60 minutes.
I'd be OK with starting her every time we play Houston-level teams.
I’m not, however the team probably needed the team leader. The moment she left, the moment we started to run them off the field.
Linnehan really added energy last night. I tend to agree with Kielbj that Weaver isn’t playing with the level of intensity we’ve seen from her in the past. That was more noticeable when Linnrhan did
Last year Weaver was one of the top scoring threats in the league and the teams are aware and prepared. Also, she is adjusting to a new LFB and she hasn’t developed a chemistry with either, MĂ¼ller or Reyes. She will and Linnehan will be competing with her for field time.
Morgan will be fine.
So as long as the opponent is near the bottom of the table. That sounds about right.
The league has improved so much that there aren't that many teams like that anymore. Maybe Utah.
Yeah, that was really my point - it wouldn't be often.
I doubted Sinclair but she was great.
I hadn’t lost faith in Hogan but she was shaky and her distribution is poor.
Maybe playing fullbacks on their natural sides and consistency on the back line helps?
Thorns and Timbers are both better pressing and playing on the front foot.
Houston is bad so I don’t want to get carried away. But the Thorns played well. I don’t like what Rob Gale said about the tactics not being a problem and placing blame more on the players. By my eyes, he changed the tactics, the formation, and the starting XI so…. Not convinced this isn’t just a coach got fired bump, beating up on a poor team, and the players just taking it on themselves. We’ll see over the next few matches.
We could and should have scored more. I’m encouraged by the opportunities created. Just need more poise in the finishing. Campbell is a good keeper though.
Our defense didn’t stress me out too much but getting a lead sure helps. Not sure how threatening Houston really is though.
That was fun. I love to see 4 different goal scorers and for Liv to maybe be getting her mojo back. Happy for Sinclair too. I don’t want to take Smith for granted but I know even she’s had some dry spells. Good to see Beckie showing spark again too.
Re Sinclair: don't fall for it, it's a scam! About once a year for the past 2-3 years she'll have a good game against an inferior and/or overmatched team, and people will say "she looks rejuvenated", "maybe the GOAT's still got something left in the tank!" Then, inevitably, the Thorns take on a competitive team and have to play 10 v 11 again...
Good point
Gale had a few wrinkles: Brunn coming forward and distributing - a lot. Either of Sam, Jessie or Hina dropping deep to take the first pass. Soph was deeper, mostly in the first half. Best place to hide your defensive liability was play her at CF. However, FB’s still high, and at times only two defenders back. I don’t recall a single hero ball the entire game, that’s a big plus. Fundamentally, still the same tactics and team, especially in the second half. Thorns benefited from some good fortune, and the Dash are the Dash. We’ll see when a better opponent arrives.
Just found out that the Jess-Fishlock-to-Tziarra-King goal last weekend was the first spouse-to-spouse assist/goal in the NWSL. More power to them!
Further thoughts about that game:
1) Smith draws defenders like a black hole draws, well, everything. On Moultrie's goal, Smith has the usual two defenders near the sideline, but then escapes them and moves toward the box - requiring a third defender, one running back to guard Moultrie, to step toward Smith instead. That's why Moultrie had so much time and space to tee up and fire off her shot. I hope Smith, and the rest of the team, can keep taking advantage of this gravity effect.
2) Speaking of Moultrie, her two touches on her goal were just perfect. The first touch received the ball and moved it away from a nearby defender, and the second put the ball just inside the post. Well done!
3) Sinclair also had a beautiful touch on her goal. That shot was harder than it looked and players miss it all the time.
4) Because Houston's defense is so terrible, Jane Campbell sure gets a lot of practice. I counted at least six 1-v-1's or close-range shots in this game (2 by Smith, 1 by Sinclair (not her goal), 2 by Beckie, 1 by Linnehan), of which two were goals.
5) So glad Beckie got a goal she could celebrate! The Thorns were behind for all of our first-game goals, when Beckie previously scored, so a big celebration wasn't appropriate. Hooray for her!
6) Speaking of Beckie, she runs so effortlessly it's just beautiful. She's like Lynn Williams that way, so fast with no wasted motion.
7) Sauerbrunn moved into midfield a lot more than she has previously, which helped our attack. But it also contributed to Houston's goal: Sauerbrunn made an attacking run WAY upfield, but we lost the ball and Houston quickly got it to Alozie in our box on the right - right in the space that would have had another defender if Sauerbrunn had stayed home. Alozie had plenty of space to pick out her cross because she was only loosely marked in a dangerous spot. I wonder if this will make Sauerbrunn stop the midfield runs. (The episode was reminiscent of Spain's goal in the World Cup final: right back Lucy Bronze made an attacking run up to the center circle, but Spain recovered the ball, quickly located the gaping hole in the defense, and scored off it.)
8) I'm glad Hogan got a kick blocked but nothing came of it. Hopefully it was a good lesson for her about how fast NWSL forwards can close her down. Hogan's experience was free but that Dash defender's lesson, when Smith similarly closed her down, was not.
9) Winning sure beats losing.
(3) Sinclair is one of a very few NWSL players who can finish like that consistently.
(6) Beckie's definitely an athlete.
(7) Yeah, Obaze had to cover a lot on that.
Does Hogan really need another lesson at this point? The disaster against KC and the countless number of examples of her holding the ball too long not enough?
To me, Sauerbrunn is taking the few times Hubly pushed the ball up.
And Obaze is taking the Bruun staying home. It works, at least against a dire opponent. We'll see what Chicago brings.
Also, Sophia Smith everybody. A goal, an assist, and set up another goal. Not a bad night's work.
Our throw-ins are looking SO much better. They're happening quickly, and as a result we even scored a goal off one. Keep it up, Thorns!
Yes I noticed that MĂ¼ller doesn’t waste time and that Linnehan throw-in was both canny and led to a goal. The Thorns were headhunters; Janine’s score was pure opportunist hustle.
Something worth mentioning re: new coach Draco...I really liked his subs and timing for all of them last night. It was so refreshing! I thought Sinc prob could've come out at half, or at least before 60', but otherwise I think every sub and the timing for each was what I would've done. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Yeah I noticed that too. Like you say, refreshing.
A little late, but Week 5 Recap time! Featuring:
- The Spirit's very ahead of schedule rebuild and Gotham's issues
- Orlando proving me right and the (possible) denouement of Stoneyball in SD.
- The Thorns' hybrid 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 under Malfoy (+ Payton Linnehan love)
- A look at Chicago's 4-4-2 and why it's been working (+ GOD Seattle sucks!)
https://www.theeaststandnwsl.com/post/nwsl-recap-week-5-there-s-something-brewing-in-dc
Thanks for the game reviews, they're terrific to read. I wonder how we'll do against Chicago's massed banks of defenders in the 4-4-2. Can we break them down with quick passing (and Sophia Smith)? Or pull them upfield enough to get in behind? The pass map sure makes it look like they don't advance their two banks of four very often, which is going to make both of those things difficult.
The 4-4-2 makes it look like Donaldson's plan is to defend stoutly with eight players and count on Swanson for some offensive magic in transition. It's not a bad plan, but hopefully one the Thorns can figure out.
Thanks!
I think the worry is whether the gap in coaching is so great that Chicago doesn't just have to sit, kind of similar to what we saw against the Courage (though the Courage have more talent and play a much more aggressive attacking style). Yes, fundamentally Chicago plays more defensively because their personnel is a limiting factor, but they're more aggressive in the attacking areas than SD and Seattle, for instance, and especially early in games.
Worst case scenario to me is pretty much what happened to Seattle: Chicago presses a bit early, gets a goal and just sits while the Thorns pass the ball around aimlessly and get hit on the counter every so often.
Yeah not only would that be a bad result, but it would also be boring and depressing to watch. I used to watch Barcelona in their Messi-Xavi-Iniesta heyday, and a lot of teams in La Liga would understandably play this kind of game as it was the one most likely to get them a point. But it was horrible to watch, monotonous and slow. Score first, Thorns!
Great recap on those matches. It reminds me that I've been thinking since well last year which coach I'd want our FO to pilfer from within the league (I've was never able to get behind Norris, even though I got why he got the job). I think most would say Nahas, with good reason, but I think I've settled on Hines. I just think he's had to work harder with less at his disposal, talent-wise, to get them where they are. I would love to see what he could do with our roster. But also I wouldn't say no to Nahas.
Thanks!
And fully agreed re: Hines. He's done a masterful job and doesn't get as much credit as Nahas because it's not as pretty a style.