Looks like Leon is a short-term loan until June 30th. It's a blatant favor from KK to get her Canadian compatriot minutes before WC, but I'm actually ok with having her as depth at RW for a few months if it means her over Vasconcelos. It's a bit more sensible of KK. Happier it's a short-term loan ending before WC. Just hoping it's depth minutes she'll be getting (sub minutes + CC starts.) She's a better overall F than Beckie imo, but honestly that's on seeing her a limited amount of times. She's fast and strong and has the potential to score some good goals.
Also seems that KK is still planning for WC depth because that roster spot will free up end of June. Overall, ok with it as long as Sugita isn't displaced.
Was wondering if this might be a loan until the WC to give her some game time given she's under contract. Hopefully something else in the pipeline for the WC period.
Phoucerman, I’ll give you &100 if you ask LeBlanc in a presser why she signed someone that the team doesn’t need now but who won’t be around when the team does need her during the WC break.
Ordonez should strike fear in the Thorns- she’s really good at exactly the thing the Thorns backline and GK are poor at defending . Last time we saw her on PP she brought NCC back from 2-0 down almost all by herself.
One thing I've noticed during training is how Hubly is way more dominant winning headers and think this is a perfect game to see that. I do agree that this frontline poses a huge goal scoring and chance creative opportunities. Backline will need to be at their best for sure.
Kel scored a sweet header last year so has that in her toolkit. Hope we Release the Izzy at some point, because she has this wired into her game. And don't think watching Horan with the Nats isn't a harsh reminder of how very good she is at headers.
Yes, we've definitely had problems with Ordonez and Kornieck for the same reason. I hope more is being done this week on the defensive side to prepare. They really need to work on snuffing out the service from the wide areas to deprive Ordonez of any oxygen. Tall task with Sanchez and Salmon on the wings. The whole backline needs to be working together this weekend.
Eh- no transfer fee, gives her a chance to get some minutes pre-WC, gives the thorns some depth at wing, keeps the option open for signings during the WC period. No issues from me.
Yeah, I actually much much prefer this. We needed the depth (we have CC games coming at us fast next few months) and will be happy to have the roster spot back before WC. I prefer Leon as a sub or CC starter over Vasconcelos for sure.
Yes. To this point: if there's something lined up for the summer, then this is fine just to keep numbers up, and there's a sneaky amount of games in the next two months. If there's nothing lined up for the summer, then it doesn't make sense at all.
Kk has been the GM for 2 years and the team has been very good. She’s kept the core in tact and adeptly handled the expansion draft. This seems like a good short term depth option in Leon. The team seemed to underachieve in the immediate years before she got her. Outside of selecting the top rated player without checking her social media, I’m not sure she has a negative move.
I’m not sure what she’s paying Beckie or Sinclair, but this team seems to have adeptly managed a lot in her two years. Part of the dialogue surrounding her sounds like it’s coming from the corpse of Gavin Wilkinson
She’s a perfectly competent 30 year old backup winger type who doesn’t score or assist very much- She moved to Manchester United from West Ham and hasn’t been able to get in the squad. She had 9 goals and an assist in 4 years with west ham and played for a bevy of NWSL teams in her younger days.
A direct replacement for Beckie in every sense, including that she’ll be in New Zealand playing for Canada this summer.
Underwhelming to say the least- KK doesn’t seem to have any juice with anybody other than Canadians, tho I doubt MP would have authorized a big signing on his way out anyhow. Best I can say is that she’s better than Betfort, Vasconcelos, and Beckman..... but I’m not sure how much help she’ll be since she won’t even be around when we actually need the depth.
I don't think Leon is as fast as Beckie, although she's not slow. She brings a more physical presence, which I'm ambivalent about; she may help convince teams that they can't push us around, or she may contribute to an escalating situation. A lot will depend on the officiating.
I'm disappointed that it looks like we won't be getting a player for the World Cup break, which seems like it should have been doable at this level.
Yeah as mid-tier CWNT players go, I actually like Leon better than Beckie: She’s slower, but more physical and probably better on the ball as well. She’ll probably play more inverted whereas Beckie wants to get to the end line and cross.
She’s a fine ( if uninspired) depth piece that will limit the Vasconcelos minutes so long as the fee isn’t crazy and they plan on bringing in someone else for the summer.
Yeah she’s been on the roster consistently and starts for them reasonably often. She’s a good player, just not super productive. Again, very much in the Janine Beckie mold: A winger who played in the NWSL early in her career, moved to The WSL, didn’t play much, and is now being brought back to play in Portland because she’s Canadian.
If she wasn’t going to the WC, she’d be a nice piece off the bench.....but she is going to the WC. I suppose it’ll be good to have someone for the challenge cup games.
Well, I suppose we can consider this a like-for-like replacement for Beckie - and hopefully KLB also has some plans for the WC period, even if the plan is more Canadians.
What they needed was someone who was going to be around this summer, mid or not. Parris would have been a nice add, but ant experienced vet with some talent would have been nice.
As much as I would have loved a big international signing, that was neither necessary given the roster talent or feasible given the ownership situation. Leon splits the difference, which is the issue.
yes, and she's got a year left on her contract at United who rejected an offer for her in January from Milan, so I imagine there's money here.
They'll argue that they were going to lose Beckie anyway, but for me this is why you need some imagination. Instead it seems like KK went through her rolodex of Canadians, rather than scout the market. And to your point about the summer: they didn't need to do this now. They have enough to get to the World Cup period.
They did if the Canadians in charge of our club think Leon needs to be rescued and given minutes for their chances before the WC. I’m a bit pessimistic about this one bc Beckie was a weird choice when we had Yaz…then we sold Yaz…then we get another Canadian who needs minutes after Beckie is out for the year. Not sure I like it if it doesn’t help us during the WC…
I’m reasonably pleased to have her on the roster prior to the WC because it presumably means Vaconcelos won’t be the first winger off the bench anymore.
The lazy Canadian rolodex aspect bugs me plenty and the need for WC depth is certainly a real issue. If they sign someone else for the summer I’ll feel better about this one.
I wouldn't mind seeing Rodriguez and Moultre starting over Sinclair and Dunn based on the workload this past week. It is important to keep players fresh and sharp. Dunn has been amazing but if she played 150+ minutes over the weekend getting some time off would be good for her. Can't argue with the others. Smith also might need some time to recover from the international break.
As for a score, I'm pretty bad at this. Feeling a 2-0 win, but I do have some concerns about Houston scoring (based on the KC game flow).
Rocky just played two full games in short succession for Costa Rica this week. I can't imagine she's gonna be ready for a start on Friday. Kuikka also has played two full games for Finland over the past week. Hina played a full game and then 10 minutes of the second game for Japan. Sinc played 60 min yesterday, I would def use her as a sub Friday. Dunn didn't even play in the last USWNT game, so it seems she'd be fresher than Rocky. Soph also got 45mins, likely for NWSL reasons, but I hope she's fresh for significant minutes Friday. We need her!
Ahh, good to know. In that case I think Coffey, Dunn and Sinclair start, with Rocky and Moultre coming off the bench. If Kuikka played two full games she should also start on the bench. Not sure if Hina and Sophia start, depends on how they feel with the turnaround. Smith should be more fresh as she played in the States.
Sinclair definitely- Dunn didn’t play yesterday so she should be good to go. I’d imagine Soph starts (she only played 45 yesterday) but gets subbed in the second half.
Nikita Parris would fit - we need a winger because of Beckie's ACL, and she's not really playing much at Manchester United, and is on the outside of the England team.
But also, Julie Ertz is supposed to be announcing her club team this week…she was a red star…? God I hope that’s not the case. Last thing we need is another midfielder going to the WC.
Yeah, thought her also! She would be a good Beckie replacement. Russo was more wishful thinking but I don’t think it would make sense bc we still need folks here during the summer and she plays more centrally, as you mentioned. Leon is also on Man U, and is a Canadian….but again, doesn’t help our depth problem in the summer. Has NP not been called up lately? Would be a bummer to get her and have her leave.
Also another name to throw out there…Deanne Rose…Canadian currently at Reading.
Thing is though….do we want someone who is gonna be a starter when everyone is here? Where does Hina go in that case? I would hope it would mean back to the midfield and Sinc is benched but I’m not thinking that’s what happens…I’m not sure I wanna rescue another Canadian from their spot on the bench at a European club. Leon has played 81 minutes in the WSL this whole season, and I saw her last appearance was January! I don’t think Beckie was even a starter here either. I don’t really wanna see another Canadian come here to get minutes before the WC just to put Hina on the bench if it’s her sitting instead of Sinc.
I have to say, this is fairly unimaginative, and she'll likely go to the World Cup. As you say, she's not been playing in the WSL, and her record is fairly poor: 10 goals and 1 assist in 5 seasons. It's one thing for our Canadian GM to get only Canadian players; but we don't even seem to be getting the Canadian players with high upside and talent.
Per French reporters. Kang majority owner of the Spirit is to become majority owner of Female Lyon team. Lyon current owner to retain 48% of Lyon in France team as well as OL Reign and other OL subsidiaries. Kang/Current ownership would splitting just the Lyon France female team.
Hey everyone, sorry for being away from the comments for a bit. Will be a lot more active this week.
I'll be live tweeting from the STF Twitter on Friday for the game.
Working on features right now, should start coming out.
What are your score predictions for the game?
Looks like Leon is a short-term loan until June 30th. It's a blatant favor from KK to get her Canadian compatriot minutes before WC, but I'm actually ok with having her as depth at RW for a few months if it means her over Vasconcelos. It's a bit more sensible of KK. Happier it's a short-term loan ending before WC. Just hoping it's depth minutes she'll be getting (sub minutes + CC starts.) She's a better overall F than Beckie imo, but honestly that's on seeing her a limited amount of times. She's fast and strong and has the potential to score some good goals.
Also seems that KK is still planning for WC depth because that roster spot will free up end of June. Overall, ok with it as long as Sugita isn't displaced.
https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1646559024220102656?s=20
Was wondering if this might be a loan until the WC to give her some game time given she's under contract. Hopefully something else in the pipeline for the WC period.
Phoucerman, I’ll give you &100 if you ask LeBlanc in a presser why she signed someone that the team doesn’t need now but who won’t be around when the team does need her during the WC break.
Ordonez should strike fear in the Thorns- she’s really good at exactly the thing the Thorns backline and GK are poor at defending . Last time we saw her on PP she brought NCC back from 2-0 down almost all by herself.
One thing I've noticed during training is how Hubly is way more dominant winning headers and think this is a perfect game to see that. I do agree that this frontline poses a huge goal scoring and chance creative opportunities. Backline will need to be at their best for sure.
Kel scored a sweet header last year so has that in her toolkit. Hope we Release the Izzy at some point, because she has this wired into her game. And don't think watching Horan with the Nats isn't a harsh reminder of how very good she is at headers.
Release the Izzy! Love it!
Could be the week to let her score first goal.
Yeah Kuikka is gonna have to stay tight to Sanchez on the left wing to prevent those crosses that Ordonez kills teams with.
I feel like Salmon on the right isn’t fully using her best traits, but she is pacy and strong- Kling will have to get some help from Weaver.
Yes, we've definitely had problems with Ordonez and Kornieck for the same reason. I hope more is being done this week on the defensive side to prepare. They really need to work on snuffing out the service from the wide areas to deprive Ordonez of any oxygen. Tall task with Sanchez and Salmon on the wings. The whole backline needs to be working together this weekend.
A loan? This extremely doesn't make sense now
Eh- no transfer fee, gives her a chance to get some minutes pre-WC, gives the thorns some depth at wing, keeps the option open for signings during the WC period. No issues from me.
Yeah, I actually much much prefer this. We needed the depth (we have CC games coming at us fast next few months) and will be happy to have the roster spot back before WC. I prefer Leon as a sub or CC starter over Vasconcelos for sure.
I get that perspective. But I'm really not sure who we're getting during the WC period, given the track record of the GM.
Well yes, I don’t really trust KK’s player acquisition ability either, but that’s a separate issue imo.
I’d rather have that possibility remain open than spend real money on Leon midseason and close the door on a signing for the summer.
Yes. To this point: if there's something lined up for the summer, then this is fine just to keep numbers up, and there's a sneaky amount of games in the next two months. If there's nothing lined up for the summer, then it doesn't make sense at all.
KLB *has* stated that she has both internationals and trades in the works for the summer. I'll believe it (and be very happy) when I see it.
Kk has been the GM for 2 years and the team has been very good. She’s kept the core in tact and adeptly handled the expansion draft. This seems like a good short term depth option in Leon. The team seemed to underachieve in the immediate years before she got her. Outside of selecting the top rated player without checking her social media, I’m not sure she has a negative move.
I’m not sure what she’s paying Beckie or Sinclair, but this team seems to have adeptly managed a lot in her two years. Part of the dialogue surrounding her sounds like it’s coming from the corpse of Gavin Wilkinson
I'm not sure who we're getting, either. I need to keep better track of what Canadians are available...
Sounding like it’s Adriana Leon! Please discuss, I don’t know much about her. 🍁
She’s a perfectly competent 30 year old backup winger type who doesn’t score or assist very much- She moved to Manchester United from West Ham and hasn’t been able to get in the squad. She had 9 goals and an assist in 4 years with west ham and played for a bevy of NWSL teams in her younger days.
A direct replacement for Beckie in every sense, including that she’ll be in New Zealand playing for Canada this summer.
Underwhelming to say the least- KK doesn’t seem to have any juice with anybody other than Canadians, tho I doubt MP would have authorized a big signing on his way out anyhow. Best I can say is that she’s better than Betfort, Vasconcelos, and Beckman..... but I’m not sure how much help she’ll be since she won’t even be around when we actually need the depth.
I don't think Leon is as fast as Beckie, although she's not slow. She brings a more physical presence, which I'm ambivalent about; she may help convince teams that they can't push us around, or she may contribute to an escalating situation. A lot will depend on the officiating.
I'm disappointed that it looks like we won't be getting a player for the World Cup break, which seems like it should have been doable at this level.
Yeah as mid-tier CWNT players go, I actually like Leon better than Beckie: She’s slower, but more physical and probably better on the ball as well. She’ll probably play more inverted whereas Beckie wants to get to the end line and cross.
She’s a fine ( if uninspired) depth piece that will limit the Vasconcelos minutes so long as the fee isn’t crazy and they plan on bringing in someone else for the summer.
Is she for sure going to make the Canadian WC roster? Your CV for her didn't leave me ultra-impressed, haha.
Yeah she’s been on the roster consistently and starts for them reasonably often. She’s a good player, just not super productive. Again, very much in the Janine Beckie mold: A winger who played in the NWSL early in her career, moved to The WSL, didn’t play much, and is now being brought back to play in Portland because she’s Canadian.
If she wasn’t going to the WC, she’d be a nice piece off the bench.....but she is going to the WC. I suppose it’ll be good to have someone for the challenge cup games.
Well, I suppose we can consider this a like-for-like replacement for Beckie - and hopefully KLB also has some plans for the WC period, even if the plan is more Canadians.
it's very mid, and depending on the money involved a complete waste. They clearly needed someone but it's so unimaginative.
What they needed was someone who was going to be around this summer, mid or not. Parris would have been a nice add, but ant experienced vet with some talent would have been nice.
As much as I would have loved a big international signing, that was neither necessary given the roster talent or feasible given the ownership situation. Leon splits the difference, which is the issue.
yes, and she's got a year left on her contract at United who rejected an offer for her in January from Milan, so I imagine there's money here.
They'll argue that they were going to lose Beckie anyway, but for me this is why you need some imagination. Instead it seems like KK went through her rolodex of Canadians, rather than scout the market. And to your point about the summer: they didn't need to do this now. They have enough to get to the World Cup period.
They did if the Canadians in charge of our club think Leon needs to be rescued and given minutes for their chances before the WC. I’m a bit pessimistic about this one bc Beckie was a weird choice when we had Yaz…then we sold Yaz…then we get another Canadian who needs minutes after Beckie is out for the year. Not sure I like it if it doesn’t help us during the WC…
I’m reasonably pleased to have her on the roster prior to the WC because it presumably means Vaconcelos won’t be the first winger off the bench anymore.
The lazy Canadian rolodex aspect bugs me plenty and the need for WC depth is certainly a real issue. If they sign someone else for the summer I’ll feel better about this one.
Yeah that was frustrating, but I thought D’Aquila should’ve been getting those minutes. Does Leon come here to only get sub minutes? Hope so.
Exactly, re: your closing comment. Using a roster slot on yet another player who will be gone for WWC23 would be stupid, bordering on incompetent.
I wouldn't mind seeing Rodriguez and Moultre starting over Sinclair and Dunn based on the workload this past week. It is important to keep players fresh and sharp. Dunn has been amazing but if she played 150+ minutes over the weekend getting some time off would be good for her. Can't argue with the others. Smith also might need some time to recover from the international break.
As for a score, I'm pretty bad at this. Feeling a 2-0 win, but I do have some concerns about Houston scoring (based on the KC game flow).
Will be at Thorns Training tomorrow. I am curious how Coach Mike sees it as well.
Rocky just played two full games in short succession for Costa Rica this week. I can't imagine she's gonna be ready for a start on Friday. Kuikka also has played two full games for Finland over the past week. Hina played a full game and then 10 minutes of the second game for Japan. Sinc played 60 min yesterday, I would def use her as a sub Friday. Dunn didn't even play in the last USWNT game, so it seems she'd be fresher than Rocky. Soph also got 45mins, likely for NWSL reasons, but I hope she's fresh for significant minutes Friday. We need her!
Ahh, good to know. In that case I think Coffey, Dunn and Sinclair start, with Rocky and Moultre coming off the bench. If Kuikka played two full games she should also start on the bench. Not sure if Hina and Sophia start, depends on how they feel with the turnaround. Smith should be more fresh as she played in the States.
Sinclair definitely- Dunn didn’t play yesterday so she should be good to go. I’d imagine Soph starts (she only played 45 yesterday) but gets subbed in the second half.
Uhhhm, is this a new signing announcement?!
https://twitter.com/thornsfc/status/1646335698772033538?s=46&t=e8Gx9bM3HEyE6UzYl-Lilw
Goddam I don’t even care who it is, a real new signing announcement is such a rush lmao
It’s gonna be another Canadian lol, that’s all we sign
Oh yeah after seeing the Clarke tweet I put the chance of it being Leon prettyyyy high
https://twitter.com/TheDanLauletta/status/1646517882057265155?s=20
Aaand scene
I swear if this is Alessia Russo…!
I don't think it's Russo, for two reasons: she can really only play 9, and we've got Soph, and I think she's going to go to Lyon in the summer.
However, the RED hint and Clarke's tweet makes me think it's an English player. https://twitter.com/RyanTClarke/status/1646349346986942464
Nikita Parris would fit - we need a winger because of Beckie's ACL, and she's not really playing much at Manchester United, and is on the outside of the England team.
It is a new signing. We will find out tmrw morning :)
But also, Julie Ertz is supposed to be announcing her club team this week…she was a red star…? God I hope that’s not the case. Last thing we need is another midfielder going to the WC.
Yeah, thought her also! She would be a good Beckie replacement. Russo was more wishful thinking but I don’t think it would make sense bc we still need folks here during the summer and she plays more centrally, as you mentioned. Leon is also on Man U, and is a Canadian….but again, doesn’t help our depth problem in the summer. Has NP not been called up lately? Would be a bummer to get her and have her leave.
Leon would've made a lot of sense but doesn't line up with that Clarke tweet. Parris hasn't been in the last two England squads
Leon doesn’t line up with a lion? Or was there another tweet?
Yeah... Wut? Her last name is literally lion in Spanish.
Also another name to throw out there…Deanne Rose…Canadian currently at Reading.
Thing is though….do we want someone who is gonna be a starter when everyone is here? Where does Hina go in that case? I would hope it would mean back to the midfield and Sinc is benched but I’m not thinking that’s what happens…I’m not sure I wanna rescue another Canadian from their spot on the bench at a European club. Leon has played 81 minutes in the WSL this whole season, and I saw her last appearance was January! I don’t think Beckie was even a starter here either. I don’t really wanna see another Canadian come here to get minutes before the WC just to put Hina on the bench if it’s her sitting instead of Sinc.
Looks like it's Leon.
I have to say, this is fairly unimaginative, and she'll likely go to the World Cup. As you say, she's not been playing in the WSL, and her record is fairly poor: 10 goals and 1 assist in 5 seasons. It's one thing for our Canadian GM to get only Canadian players; but we don't even seem to be getting the Canadian players with high upside and talent.
No. Sinclair will trudge through her government-mandated 70-90 minutes every match day regardless of how many better players are on the bench
Wait... could it be the return of AMC Theaters?
Naw.... Switzerland is in the World Cup and she's mostly been playing right back recently.
Per French reporters. Kang majority owner of the Spirit is to become majority owner of Female Lyon team. Lyon current owner to retain 48% of Lyon in France team as well as OL Reign and other OL subsidiaries. Kang/Current ownership would splitting just the Lyon France female team.
Now OL openly refuting the initial report and saying they’re *actually* looking to sell the Reign, not OL Feminin. Very strange goings on.
Yes, that's what I understood from this:
https://justwomenssports.com/reads/olympique-lyonnais-feminin-ol-reign-ownership-group-sale/
Yeah, per The Athletic, NWSL spokesperson confirms that Reign is for sale.