I actually like this move. When I watched the CNT she was one of the players I always thought was really good. Of course I also thought she was much younger too. I didn’t realize she has been around so long. I think that improving the talent pool on any club should always be the goal. Of course there are money and team dynamic concerns as well. If she can honestly beat Weaver out for the position then so be it. That’s the nature of sports. I’m sure Weaver welcomes the challenge.
My favorite attribute of Leon is her feistiness. She will mix it up with anyone and I have often felt like the Thorns could use a little of that with Heath gone. She's also hard to push around. I can envision corner kicks where Izzy pops out from behind Leon to get a clear header.
Let’s not start with the tin-hatting here: Leon is a good player who needs minutes and fills the one position the Thorns lack depth in. Teams don’t do deals that they don’t think will benefit them.
We have 16 games over the next 2.5 months before the WC, or a game every 4.5 days or so. Leon is an undeniable upgrade on any of our current backup wing options- No offense to Michelle, but I’m pretty glad that we can go from replacing Weaver with Vasconcelos to replacing her with Adriana Leon. We also have CC games she can and should start.
Is the Portlanada thing getting a little tiresome and does this help Leon get minutes before the WC? Yeah, definitely- But it’s much more tiresome from a “are we actually doing any scouting” perspective than a “can Adriana Leon help the team” perspective.
Leon is a very, very good winger. She is going to fit in this system very well. It's perfect for both sides. One needs minutes before WWC and Thorns need someone who can help fill the RW with a schedule that requires most Internationals to play 5 games in 15 days. Mike Norris said today at training they will need to make sure everyone is ready in order to play a bunch of games in a short time span.
I don't see that happening, Izzy is going to get her minutes either way. Right now Michele Vasconcelos is the first winger off the bench. Leon will need to get used to the system first, so looks like she'll be taking that role. Especially with the challenge cup coming up, they'll need to rotate and having a high quality winger next to Izzy during it will be important.
Leon plays primarily on the left for club and country. I’d expect her to get a little time on the right, but I’d hope Izzy will get most of her starting minutes (i.e CC) at striker.....which is her natural and best position anyhow.
Regardless, between the CC and the WC, there's plenty of minutes for Izzy- I think she'll get plenty of time if she earns it.
You assume that Leon will be taking a backup's role when it could just as easily be either Sugita or Weaver that hits the bench for this two and a half month workout for Leon. Sure she may be better than Vasconcelos but Vasconcelos will be here during the WC and needs the playing time to get ready for that. What hole does Leon really fill for a couple of months?
Leon fills the very real hole at wing created when Yaz got traded and Beckie tore her ACL. I think she’ll probably get a few starts (again, we have a ton of games in the next few months and Weaver shouldn't be starting every game given the load she's gonna have to carry during the WC period) but yeah I do assume she’ll mostly be used off the bench as a rotational piece. A team is more than the 11 players that start any given match.
I don’t understand the anti-competition mindset: If she’s good enough to start, I don’t really care if she gets some of Hina or Weaver’s minutes, though I'd be surprised if Hina gets her minutes reduced given how important she is. Are we really arguing that Vasconcelos needs minutes so that she can prep for the WC period? I’d rather have the unquestionably better player play those minutes so the Thorns have a better chance of winning games.
100% agree with this. With the amount of games we have coming up you need at least 17 players or so who can start. We've got the first XI, Rocky, Moultrie, and Menges if fit. Beyond that it's choosing three from D'Aquila, Vasconcelos, Reyes, Taylor Porter, and now Leon. That's a healthier amount.
Yeah, I'd definitely be side-eyeing this deal if it were for longer honestly. But, truth is we need experienced depth now in this period pre-WC, and I definitely prefer Leon over Vasconcelos for those sub minutes. Leon is much faster/stronger on the ball and has a better foot. We're severely lacking any RW'ers, and I think Leon might actually be used as a Hina sub most often. Or, whoever needs to come out first of Hina/Weaver. Vasconcelos is generally more used as a sub on the left side for Weaver. Leon will also likely get all the starts during the CC games, which I am totally ok with. Let Leon, Weaver, and D'Aquila play those games with Vasconcelos as the sub. It also allows D'Aquila to play centrally more often, which is where her strengths are.
Overall, I think this was actually a smart move by KK. Probably cheap because it was a loan, and it benefits both parties immediately. Just hope she gets here soon!
Yeah I mentioned Vasconcelos because Leon plays mostly on the left as an inverted winger, but she could easily be used as a utility player across the front line. I'd also hope D'Aquila keeps getting the backup minutes over Vasconcelos once Leon is available, and she's been playing exclusively on the right.
I'd like to see a Challenge Cup front three of Leon-D'Aquila-Vasconcelos. Weaver is gonna burn out if she doesn't get some rest and we're really going to rely on her during the WC.
Sugita is a good winger but an incredible central midfielder, so better play her in her better position instead of forcing her to cover a different position
I also think she has better ball control than Beckie, is much stronger, and is an overall better F in regards to shooting the ball....but that's off of my kinda limited watches of Canada. She's also very fast.
Loan until June 30th? Sure why not? She's the definition of good depth player, just as Beckie is.
Whether this is a good deal depends entirely on what we paid for her. If it was some minimal amount, then it's definitely a good deal. If we had to pay out a bunch of our funds from the Yazmeen Ryan trade, it's not a good deal. We should be saving that for (a) keeping Smith for the long run, (b) keeping Smith for the long run, (c) keeping Smith for the long run, and (d) acquiring a really good player in a position of need (backup winger is one of these), preferably one who will be here during the World Cup.
It’s a short term loan. I doubt there even is an associated loan fee, but it would be minimal if there is one. Wages are also separate from transfer funds, fwiw.
If Manchester United qualifies for the UWCL, and that seems quite possible this season, the most probable thing is she stays with the club, unless they only offer her a shitty salary, but she has said that at some point in the future she would love to play in the NWSL, so perhaps in 4 or 5 years.
Another great characteristic of him was the way he built the team, he cares a lot about players chemistry, how they work together, how they get along, and fortunately that seems to continue on the Thorns.
She's similar to Beckie in terms of nationality, position, likely role, and stats...but they're veryy different players. Leon is much more direct and likes to cut inside a lot more, whereas Janine is a straight-line, whip in the cross-type player.
Per the Thorns website it is still pending P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. So we might not see her rostered Friday. Could be good rotation fodder for Wednesday game in San Diego.
Norris is excited for her ability to help the team press high. I am happy with it.
At least by Wednesday for the CC game! Def gonna need some fresh legs on the wings over the next 8 days.
How does the rest of the team look? Are all the Nats who've returned fresh, or will there likely be a lot of rotation tomm? I know Natu and Rocky both played a ton of minutes in Europe....kinda worried bc we don't really have a valid backup R fullback and we're facing two pacey skilled wingers.
Interesting XI; Norris anticipating the midweek Cup tie, I think. Reyes for Kuikka, Rocky-Moultrie-Coffey in midfield, Weaver-Vasconcelos-Smith up top.
Coach Mike is very analytical and his trainings are run with very good energy. He will do what's best for the team and what helps them win. I have full confidence the best player will get more minutes.
Taylor Vincent of the Equalizer and I had a chance to speak with Head Coach Mike Norris after training today.
https://twitter.com/tayvincent6
Be sure to check out his preview for tomorrow's game, Leon addition, and more on her Twitter.
I actually like this move. When I watched the CNT she was one of the players I always thought was really good. Of course I also thought she was much younger too. I didn’t realize she has been around so long. I think that improving the talent pool on any club should always be the goal. Of course there are money and team dynamic concerns as well. If she can honestly beat Weaver out for the position then so be it. That’s the nature of sports. I’m sure Weaver welcomes the challenge.
My favorite attribute of Leon is her feistiness. She will mix it up with anyone and I have often felt like the Thorns could use a little of that with Heath gone. She's also hard to push around. I can envision corner kicks where Izzy pops out from behind Leon to get a clear header.
This seems like a deal to benefit the Canadian national team more than the Thorns. It's fishy.
Let’s not start with the tin-hatting here: Leon is a good player who needs minutes and fills the one position the Thorns lack depth in. Teams don’t do deals that they don’t think will benefit them.
We have 16 games over the next 2.5 months before the WC, or a game every 4.5 days or so. Leon is an undeniable upgrade on any of our current backup wing options- No offense to Michelle, but I’m pretty glad that we can go from replacing Weaver with Vasconcelos to replacing her with Adriana Leon. We also have CC games she can and should start.
Is the Portlanada thing getting a little tiresome and does this help Leon get minutes before the WC? Yeah, definitely- But it’s much more tiresome from a “are we actually doing any scouting” perspective than a “can Adriana Leon help the team” perspective.
Leon is a very, very good winger. She is going to fit in this system very well. It's perfect for both sides. One needs minutes before WWC and Thorns need someone who can help fill the RW with a schedule that requires most Internationals to play 5 games in 15 days. Mike Norris said today at training they will need to make sure everyone is ready in order to play a bunch of games in a short time span.
When do we play ACFC? I'm stocking up popcorn in anticipation of the first time McCaskill tries to body-up Leon. I did take physics.
Who wins that encounter?
Saturday April 29th is when Angel City first come to town.
Excited for that game. First time we will get to see Alyssa Thompson at Providence Park.
Just would hate to restrict growth of a younger player who is committed to playing here the remainder of the year.
I don't see that happening, Izzy is going to get her minutes either way. Right now Michele Vasconcelos is the first winger off the bench. Leon will need to get used to the system first, so looks like she'll be taking that role. Especially with the challenge cup coming up, they'll need to rotate and having a high quality winger next to Izzy during it will be important.
Young, less experienced players will be relied on during the World Cup, in addition to getting other playing time.
I assume you’re talking about D’Aquila, who doesn’t play in the same position as Leon.
Hmmm. Aren’t we talking about right winger and hasn’t Izzy played that position a few times already this year?
Leon plays primarily on the left for club and country. I’d expect her to get a little time on the right, but I’d hope Izzy will get most of her starting minutes (i.e CC) at striker.....which is her natural and best position anyhow.
Regardless, between the CC and the WC, there's plenty of minutes for Izzy- I think she'll get plenty of time if she earns it.
You assume that Leon will be taking a backup's role when it could just as easily be either Sugita or Weaver that hits the bench for this two and a half month workout for Leon. Sure she may be better than Vasconcelos but Vasconcelos will be here during the WC and needs the playing time to get ready for that. What hole does Leon really fill for a couple of months?
Leon fills the very real hole at wing created when Yaz got traded and Beckie tore her ACL. I think she’ll probably get a few starts (again, we have a ton of games in the next few months and Weaver shouldn't be starting every game given the load she's gonna have to carry during the WC period) but yeah I do assume she’ll mostly be used off the bench as a rotational piece. A team is more than the 11 players that start any given match.
I don’t understand the anti-competition mindset: If she’s good enough to start, I don’t really care if she gets some of Hina or Weaver’s minutes, though I'd be surprised if Hina gets her minutes reduced given how important she is. Are we really arguing that Vasconcelos needs minutes so that she can prep for the WC period? I’d rather have the unquestionably better player play those minutes so the Thorns have a better chance of winning games.
100% agree with this. With the amount of games we have coming up you need at least 17 players or so who can start. We've got the first XI, Rocky, Moultrie, and Menges if fit. Beyond that it's choosing three from D'Aquila, Vasconcelos, Reyes, Taylor Porter, and now Leon. That's a healthier amount.
Yeah, I'd definitely be side-eyeing this deal if it were for longer honestly. But, truth is we need experienced depth now in this period pre-WC, and I definitely prefer Leon over Vasconcelos for those sub minutes. Leon is much faster/stronger on the ball and has a better foot. We're severely lacking any RW'ers, and I think Leon might actually be used as a Hina sub most often. Or, whoever needs to come out first of Hina/Weaver. Vasconcelos is generally more used as a sub on the left side for Weaver. Leon will also likely get all the starts during the CC games, which I am totally ok with. Let Leon, Weaver, and D'Aquila play those games with Vasconcelos as the sub. It also allows D'Aquila to play centrally more often, which is where her strengths are.
Overall, I think this was actually a smart move by KK. Probably cheap because it was a loan, and it benefits both parties immediately. Just hope she gets here soon!
Yeah I mentioned Vasconcelos because Leon plays mostly on the left as an inverted winger, but she could easily be used as a utility player across the front line. I'd also hope D'Aquila keeps getting the backup minutes over Vasconcelos once Leon is available, and she's been playing exclusively on the right.
I'd like to see a Challenge Cup front three of Leon-D'Aquila-Vasconcelos. Weaver is gonna burn out if she doesn't get some rest and we're really going to rely on her during the WC.
Clearly the talks about this deal were done in the previous days it was teased 4/12, announced 4/13 but Leon was already in Portland by then.
Sugita? She glues this team together.
Sugita is a good winger but an incredible central midfielder, so better play her in her better position instead of forcing her to cover a different position
I agree with you, but if I think about it like, "Nevermind, Beckie wasn't injured, she's just 5 inches shorter," I'm okay with it.
I also think she has better ball control than Beckie, is much stronger, and is an overall better F in regards to shooting the ball....but that's off of my kinda limited watches of Canada. She's also very fast.
Loan until June 30th? Sure why not? She's the definition of good depth player, just as Beckie is.
Well she has some fun goals in her reel, I'll say that:
https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1646566629294374913
She is going to give this team another huge boost, for sure!
First time I watched her play she dropped four goals on...? I was like holy hell, who's this?
I'm fine with this loan for the short term, but I sure hope we can sign a quality player or two for the World Cup period.
Definitely a concern, will see if KK will have a presser in the next few months.
Whether this is a good deal depends entirely on what we paid for her. If it was some minimal amount, then it's definitely a good deal. If we had to pay out a bunch of our funds from the Yazmeen Ryan trade, it's not a good deal. We should be saving that for (a) keeping Smith for the long run, (b) keeping Smith for the long run, (c) keeping Smith for the long run, and (d) acquiring a really good player in a position of need (backup winger is one of these), preferably one who will be here during the World Cup.
It’s a short term loan. I doubt there even is an associated loan fee, but it would be minimal if there is one. Wages are also separate from transfer funds, fwiw.
Probably just her salary while she plays for the Thorns.
https://twitter.com/tayvincent6/status/1646607354237157377?s=20
Any chance her permits are processed by tomorrow?
I’d imagine there’s not much red tape for a Canadian player coming from the UK?
Yes it is possible.
WSL regular season wraps up in May so, anybody <i>else</i> from Man U want to play some ball in the States this summer? {cough} Russo {cough}
She will definitely be with the England Nats over the summer...
We're not getting Alessia Russo. She's either a) Staying at United b) Going to Arsenal c) Going to Lyon
If Manchester United qualifies for the UWCL, and that seems quite possible this season, the most probable thing is she stays with the club, unless they only offer her a shitty salary, but she has said that at some point in the future she would love to play in the NWSL, so perhaps in 4 or 5 years.
https://twitter.com/JasonDCsoccer/status/1646569530708332544?s=20
On another note :(
Mark the tactician and coach was getting a little stale but I do think Mark the scout was an underrated part of what he brought as a coach.
The parting gift of Sophia and Morgan is still pretty great.
Agree that sussing out underappreciated talent is a MarPar strength.
Ryan and Coffey (and Amirah Ali) were also MarPar picks as well that have been good.
Another great characteristic of him was the way he built the team, he cares a lot about players chemistry, how they work together, how they get along, and fortunately that seems to continue on the Thorns.
What could of been...
Oh boy what could have been...
She is only here until June 30th of this year, at least for now. It is almost a direct copy of Beckie. Similar goal assist credits.
Will be gone for the world cup, we seem to know this as the loan (for now at least) only goes until the end of June this year.
We get depth to play 15-75 minutes a game to fight for playing time with Izzy, Weaver etc.
It is fine stop gap replacement.
She's similar to Beckie in terms of nationality, position, likely role, and stats...but they're veryy different players. Leon is much more direct and likes to cut inside a lot more, whereas Janine is a straight-line, whip in the cross-type player.
If she's like-for-like with Beckie, then I should get used to complaining about her leaving Kuikka high and dry on defense!
Per the Thorns website it is still pending P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. So we might not see her rostered Friday. Could be good rotation fodder for Wednesday game in San Diego.
Norris is excited for her ability to help the team press high. I am happy with it.
On that note, I'm curious when the team photographer took these photos, if she's not here, and she's been in France for the last week or so.
https://twitter.com/HolgrenLars/status/1646573837889445890
Breaking: The photos were taken an hour ago. So I'm guessing she's actually in Portland.
https://twitter.com/craigmdyer/status/1646581020324683777
That's great. She's likely already practicing, just needs clearance before she can be rostered for games.
Yeah she was at practice and even participated a bit.
Looks to be be observing and learning the system.
If they could get the visa approved and have her play minutes, will be a huge boost.
At least by Wednesday for the CC game! Def gonna need some fresh legs on the wings over the next 8 days.
How does the rest of the team look? Are all the Nats who've returned fresh, or will there likely be a lot of rotation tomm? I know Natu and Rocky both played a ton of minutes in Europe....kinda worried bc we don't really have a valid backup R fullback and we're facing two pacey skilled wingers.
That is a fair question. It is a non descript background. The home jersey could have been sent anywhere I suppose.
Yes, definitely, but the photo credit says Craig Mitchelldyer, who is the primary photographer for PTFC and was with the Whitecaps last weekend.
Just observing that this deal has probably been close to final for awhile.
No match thread?
Interesting XI; Norris anticipating the midweek Cup tie, I think. Reyes for Kuikka, Rocky-Moultrie-Coffey in midfield, Weaver-Vasconcelos-Smith up top.
Portland Thorns vs Houston Dash
Providence Park (10:30PM ET)
REF: Alexandra Billeter
AR1: Chris Canales
AR2: Tiffini Turpin
4TH: Aidan Velasco
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
AVAR: Chantal Boudreau
Will the Thorns play her in support of Canada or will they first play Vasconcelos and other forwards? This feels off to me, nothing against Leon.
Coach Mike is very analytical and his trainings are run with very good energy. He will do what's best for the team and what helps them win. I have full confidence the best player will get more minutes.