Feels like this season, or at least the early part of it, will be mostly about player evaluation. Which is too bad, since Gale has repeatedly shown that he can't set players up in positions where they'll succeed.
But there's always hope for improvement, on the part of both Gale and the players. I'm going to try to think of each game as a friendly, and welcome both wins (of course!) and good play by any of our many unknown players. Go Thorns!
Maybe having a knowledgeable GM and some analytic staff will help Gale see where players should play. Whoever got him to use Castellanos and Linnehan the way he did against Utah needs to keep working on him. I know it's a lot to ask of a rookie, but maybe Hanks will slot in at wing fairly quickly.
Its an important time for the younger players to show what they can do! The forwards are going to get the opportunity to have an increased role, because there really aren't any established players in that group. Lets hope a number take advantage of this, because it isn't often that a position group is so wide open.
I really hope Gale stays away from trying to shoehorn either Moultre or Sugita into a forward position. Neither are well suited to it, and it takes them away from the positions they are better at. I also hope that Fleming is more impactful this year. Her tendency to disappear last year was really frustrating. I appreciated her willingness to track back, but she needs to be more decisive when the opportunities are there.
My predictions this season, though I think the Spirit could absolutely be tops if they get healthier (and stay healthier) than they are. I know NC acquired Shaw, but they also lost Kerolin (who I know didn't play much last year) and I think they only ended where they were last season because everyone else under them were bad and/or still figuring things out. I think other teams below them had better offseasons. Didn't move Bay up more bc of their GK situation. P high on Utah's ceiling, and I do think they have a nice home advantage with the altitude. Could see us dropping below San Diego into 13th because SD has a better GK and attacking line, but hey, I'll give us the benefit of the doubt:
I'll agree with most any crystal ball-based end of season order that show the Thorns well out of play off contention. I'm not talking about "hang on there's one more game left" thing. No "if this team wins and that team loses and if the Moon is in the Seventh House" stuff. I'm talking about an "even if the Thorns win their last four games (taking three points for each) they are still out of the playoffs. Don't tease me, or give me cold sweats. That would be cruel, so FINISH IT EARLY!
I'll never root against them. I'm no traitor (See, if you think about it, a Thorns fan whose original decision to root for them was because there was no Bay FC at the time, I could easily have decided to switch allegiances last season. But I didn't and I never will. Love is like that.) I just don't want to agonize for a month like what happened last season.
Hopes versus expectations is a dilemma. The pessimistic fan will probably be the least disappointed. I "hope" that Moultrie plays at the front of the diamond midfield and never retreats to the defensive third in open play. I "expect" that Moultrie will be played at left wing and will have almost no possession in the attacking half. I "hope" that Castellanos takes the open shot herself but I "expect" she will pass it resulting in a goal kick. I "hope" Gale has a specific plan for preventing service to Chawinga but I "expect" it will not matter even if he does. I "hope" for a draw, but I "expect" a result like last year but without the Thorns comeback. Here's hoping!
While I'm not a huge fan of Payne, the Thorns are going to miss her in this game. I think Reyes is a better player, but Payne had the speed to keep up with Chawinga. The team is going to have to do a good job not turning the ball over in the midfield, and then not letting Chawinga get behind them. Both are easier said than done.
I also agree that we are going to need the forwards to convert their opportunities. Get that shot on target, make the keeper stop the ball. Lets hope the team is better prepared for KC than they were last year. Time for the players to step it up! Go Thorns!
Here's a pretty fair hour-long pod exclusively about the Thorns from the Expected Own Goals folks. Some talk about different formations possibly used to get the best out of this roster...in particular, the 442 diamond, which many of us here have also talked about. Fair, but bleak:
*Personal goal: learn players names before the half. Since it's on Big ABC there should be enough cameras to show them individually and not just 2" tall in the wide shot. Sit close to teevee, just in case.
*We're about to discover just how important Muller is.
*Is scoring in 2025 even feasible? Experts disagree but could still form a consensus.
1) Can Moultrie distinguish when a shot on goal is necessary, and when it essential to get the ball off her foot. The latter means, know when to make a pass and do "it like yesterday." (Pssst. Liv, your not Ashley Sanchez. Rob, Moultrie will never be your Ashley Sanchez.)
2) Is there any Thorns player who can it a corner kick such that the ball isn't hanging in the air forever, and place it near or far post in or around the six yard box so that someone can leap up to head it in a downward direction between the pipe?
4) Last season showed an incredible lack of focus and awareness of positive and strategic distribution by goalkeepers. This year let's have no holding the ball in your hands and then throwing it to the nearest opponent. Let's have no standing deep in the box with the ball at your feet so that a speedy forward on the other team can poach it or intercept it as the keeper is thinking that there must be possession out of the back come hell or high water; in those situations it makes more sense for the keeper to pick up the ball with her hands and punt it for distance; she may have the skill to punt for accuracy so if she does, she could be known for being the 2nd assist for a goal be scored.
We have this a little bit with Yaz, but Ally Watt and Angelina both going to Orlando and immediately being awesome has gotta sting for Seattle. Angelina legit has turned into one of the best midfielders in the league.
This Houston team might not get anything out of tonight, but they're MILES ahead of last year already. Sheehan looks freakin awesome, Bright finally getting a legit chance somewhere, and the shape looks excellent against a fully healthy Washington midfield three which bodes very well for a positive Gautrat eval.
They aren't REALLY tho. Houston was comfortably the better team pretty much the whole half, Washington just put their few chances away....which is what the best teams do!
(Washington also is missing their entire front line though, so...there is that piece of it too lol)
Spirit is just a better more complete team with more elite talent, but I fully think Houston will beat up some teams on the bottom half of the table (we did lose to them in preseason, albeit sans Coffey.) They seem entirely mid, which is much better for them than last year.
Not that she wasn't great at Gotham too, but Sheehan's first 30 has been really something (complimentary). Whole system looks like it's built around her. Playing much higher than she did at Gotham.
(Sophie Schmidt is cooked sadly, they need a new six)
As they should! Now they have pretty identifiable positions they can improve, without it being "needs everything but GK, basically." A really good year 1 rebuild for them. Would have been better if they were able to retain Tarciane, but that transfer likely gave them $$$ to make the moves they made. Should have some money (and int'l spots) to make some more movements, if they want to be aggressive in the summer.
Feels like this season, or at least the early part of it, will be mostly about player evaluation. Which is too bad, since Gale has repeatedly shown that he can't set players up in positions where they'll succeed.
But there's always hope for improvement, on the part of both Gale and the players. I'm going to try to think of each game as a friendly, and welcome both wins (of course!) and good play by any of our many unknown players. Go Thorns!
Every game for me will be like a "please, not in the face" meme (lol). I
Maybe having a knowledgeable GM and some analytic staff will help Gale see where players should play. Whoever got him to use Castellanos and Linnehan the way he did against Utah needs to keep working on him. I know it's a lot to ask of a rookie, but maybe Hanks will slot in at wing fairly quickly.
Agreed! I'm thinking of now until June as preseason. A true assessment of the Thorns will be how they preform August thru October.
Its an important time for the younger players to show what they can do! The forwards are going to get the opportunity to have an increased role, because there really aren't any established players in that group. Lets hope a number take advantage of this, because it isn't often that a position group is so wide open.
I really hope Gale stays away from trying to shoehorn either Moultre or Sugita into a forward position. Neither are well suited to it, and it takes them away from the positions they are better at. I also hope that Fleming is more impactful this year. Her tendency to disappear last year was really frustrating. I appreciated her willingness to track back, but she needs to be more decisive when the opportunities are there.
Sadly didn’t have the time to finish my preseason tiers this year, so here’s my official 2025 shield standings prediction:
1. Washington
2. Orlando
3. Kansas City
4. North Carolina
5. Gotham
6. Utah
7. Bay
8. Houston
9. Angel City
10. San Diego
11. Portland
12. Seattle
13. Louisville
14. Chicago
My predictions this season, though I think the Spirit could absolutely be tops if they get healthier (and stay healthier) than they are. I know NC acquired Shaw, but they also lost Kerolin (who I know didn't play much last year) and I think they only ended where they were last season because everyone else under them were bad and/or still figuring things out. I think other teams below them had better offseasons. Didn't move Bay up more bc of their GK situation. P high on Utah's ceiling, and I do think they have a nice home advantage with the altitude. Could see us dropping below San Diego into 13th because SD has a better GK and attacking line, but hey, I'll give us the benefit of the doubt:
1. Kansas City
2. Washington
3. Orlando
4. Gotham
5. Utah
6. NC Courage
7. Bay
8. Houston
9. Angel City
10. Louisville
11. Seattle
12. Portland
13. San Diego
14. Chicago
It pains me to see Angel City ahead of us in any forecasted or real standings, but here we are.
I'll agree with most any crystal ball-based end of season order that show the Thorns well out of play off contention. I'm not talking about "hang on there's one more game left" thing. No "if this team wins and that team loses and if the Moon is in the Seventh House" stuff. I'm talking about an "even if the Thorns win their last four games (taking three points for each) they are still out of the playoffs. Don't tease me, or give me cold sweats. That would be cruel, so FINISH IT EARLY!
I'll never root against them. I'm no traitor (See, if you think about it, a Thorns fan whose original decision to root for them was because there was no Bay FC at the time, I could easily have decided to switch allegiances last season. But I didn't and I never will. Love is like that.) I just don't want to agonize for a month like what happened last season.
Hopes versus expectations is a dilemma. The pessimistic fan will probably be the least disappointed. I "hope" that Moultrie plays at the front of the diamond midfield and never retreats to the defensive third in open play. I "expect" that Moultrie will be played at left wing and will have almost no possession in the attacking half. I "hope" that Castellanos takes the open shot herself but I "expect" she will pass it resulting in a goal kick. I "hope" Gale has a specific plan for preventing service to Chawinga but I "expect" it will not matter even if he does. I "hope" for a draw, but I "expect" a result like last year but without the Thorns comeback. Here's hoping!
"The pessimistic fan will probably be the least disappointed."
Stop staring into my soul.
You said it, Sacto!!!
Eeyore is my spirit animal
While I'm not a huge fan of Payne, the Thorns are going to miss her in this game. I think Reyes is a better player, but Payne had the speed to keep up with Chawinga. The team is going to have to do a good job not turning the ball over in the midfield, and then not letting Chawinga get behind them. Both are easier said than done.
I also agree that we are going to need the forwards to convert their opportunities. Get that shot on target, make the keeper stop the ball. Lets hope the team is better prepared for KC than they were last year. Time for the players to step it up! Go Thorns!
Here's a pretty fair hour-long pod exclusively about the Thorns from the Expected Own Goals folks. Some talk about different formations possibly used to get the best out of this roster...in particular, the 442 diamond, which many of us here have also talked about. Fair, but bleak:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nwsl-preview-week-portland-thorns-with-kim-mccauley/id1698924172?i=1000699018528
*Personal goal: learn players names before the half. Since it's on Big ABC there should be enough cameras to show them individually and not just 2" tall in the wide shot. Sit close to teevee, just in case.
*We're about to discover just how important Muller is.
*Is scoring in 2025 even feasible? Experts disagree but could still form a consensus.
Should the Thorns poach Lorne Donaldson? He’s pretty close with Soph right? He’s gotta want out of Chicago…
I wouldn't be surprised to see him with the new Denver club.
I'll be looking for three things in this match.
1) Can Moultrie distinguish when a shot on goal is necessary, and when it essential to get the ball off her foot. The latter means, know when to make a pass and do "it like yesterday." (Pssst. Liv, your not Ashley Sanchez. Rob, Moultrie will never be your Ashley Sanchez.)
2) Is there any Thorns player who can it a corner kick such that the ball isn't hanging in the air forever, and place it near or far post in or around the six yard box so that someone can leap up to head it in a downward direction between the pipe?
4) Last season showed an incredible lack of focus and awareness of positive and strategic distribution by goalkeepers. This year let's have no holding the ball in your hands and then throwing it to the nearest opponent. Let's have no standing deep in the box with the ball at your feet so that a speedy forward on the other team can poach it or intercept it as the keeper is thinking that there must be possession out of the back come hell or high water; in those situations it makes more sense for the keeper to pick up the ball with her hands and punt it for distance; she may have the skill to punt for accuracy so if she does, she could be known for being the 2nd assist for a goal be scored.
Those are the things I'll be looking for.
I just hope both teams have fun.
I'm hoping the Thorns have fun, because when KC is having fun it's because the opponent is getting torched by Chawinga.
You got this Thorns! đŸŒ¹
Good lorddd Chicago is gonna get their breaks beaten off a few times this year. That lineup is BLEAK
(meanwhile, Sheehan and Yaz looking great already as dual eights for Houston)
Orlando already have one and should probably have four lmao
We have this a little bit with Yaz, but Ally Watt and Angelina both going to Orlando and immediately being awesome has gotta sting for Seattle. Angelina legit has turned into one of the best midfielders in the league.
I don't think anybody could possibly look worse than this Chicago team, so at least we got that goin for us.
Guys they're so bad
SO BAD
This Houston team might not get anything out of tonight, but they're MILES ahead of last year already. Sheehan looks freakin awesome, Bright finally getting a legit chance somewhere, and the shape looks excellent against a fully healthy Washington midfield three which bodes very well for a positive Gautrat eval.
Not accustomed to Dash not sucking.
Ryan Gareis the GOAT to Maggie Graham!
It pained me to put Houston many slots higher than Portland in my rankings lol.
Wash progressively bending them to their will. Will call Houston promising for now.
They aren't REALLY tho. Houston was comfortably the better team pretty much the whole half, Washington just put their few chances away....which is what the best teams do!
(Washington also is missing their entire front line though, so...there is that piece of it too lol)
Yep. One of the Trinitys is missing just for starters.
Impressed by Dash but not ready to rank them higher than 10 or so.
Spirit is just a better more complete team with more elite talent, but I fully think Houston will beat up some teams on the bottom half of the table (we did lose to them in preseason, albeit sans Coffey.) They seem entirely mid, which is much better for them than last year.
Not that she wasn't great at Gotham too, but Sheehan's first 30 has been really something (complimentary). Whole system looks like it's built around her. Playing much higher than she did at Gotham.
(Sophie Schmidt is cooked sadly, they need a new six)
As they should! Now they have pretty identifiable positions they can improve, without it being "needs everything but GK, basically." A really good year 1 rebuild for them. Would have been better if they were able to retain Tarciane, but that transfer likely gave them $$$ to make the moves they made. Should have some money (and int'l spots) to make some more movements, if they want to be aggressive in the summer.
So, for our Friday amuse bouche, Houston-Washington, Orlando-Chicago? I have not converted the home into sports bar so it's gotta be just one.
It's always going to be Red Stars, whatever fiddling they may have done in the meantime. La-la-la, I can't hear you.
COMFORTABLY Houston-Washington. Anyone who willingly watches Mal-less Chicago (against Orlando no less) is a masochist.