After last night's match, I am extricating myself from the dead horse flogging, having done enough of it myself.
This is a disspirited team that has all but given up on the season.
The Prez of Soccer/GM and the HC aren't up to the job.
Ownership hasn't yet shown us that they're willing to make any bold moves.
This isn't going to change until ownership removes the Prez of Soccer/GM and we have a proper global search for the next HC.
If ownership does not step forward soon, and it allows this slide to continue without making the beginnings of obviously needed changes, then they won't continue to have my money in 2025.
Such a depressing season. Watching Sophia's goal, she looked tired - no energy, no enthusiasm. Worried that our best players will be planning their exit if something doesn't change and fast.
The pedigree of this club really demands better than this. The way last year finished out where the Thorns controlled their own destiny of winning everything and walked away with nothing was for me the most disappointing season ever. It's been comically bad ever since. Up to ownership now to fix a broken club. I really hope they do and we see real changes made. Until then I have to find enjoyment of watching other clubs play the beautiful game properly.
Right now I'd settle for a team with some fight left in it at least and work towards getting better for next season. In 2017 the Thorns were no way better than the Courage but they had a lot of heart and fought like hell to get that star. It wasn't pretty but they showed real determination. Can we at least get some fight out of this team for now?
I’d love for them to bring Parsons back as GM if he’s come to the conclusion that he won’t get a good head coaching gig. Maybe bring in Tony Gustavsson as the head coach and go from there.
As far as I know, Sinclair has never scored against the Thorns. Stability kinda disqualifies you from this particular achievement. (I don't know that she's scored against all the newer teams anyway.)
We decided to watch the Timbers game, as I wasn't sure I could find the Thorns game. Much more enjoyable, which isn't something I've said much the past years. I guess we will see what it will take for the ownership to notice the team is floundering. Two months of poor play would tend to indicate there is a problem.
Yes, def. Chop from the top needs to happen now otherwise I will def rethink my ST next season. If I'm gonna watch kindergarten recess every game, it might as well be at home with a reasonably priced beer, in my pajamas, with my dog.
What message is that? You are willing to support an enabler as long as you win? I think being vocal should enable an obvious decision. KK has to go and I’ve defended a lot of her moves. Ultimately, her coaching hires have led to this mess.
So what the hell happened? What did San Diego do (or Portland fail to do) that turned this around? Was it the Gale subs? Tactical breakdown (“defensive derp” is kind of the Thorns meme…)? Sounds like bad luck was involved…TWO penalties? Was this on the CR?
I guess I’m tempted to just lump this with the rest of the dross. But…yes?
I cited Thornado's comment previously but it's a good one, they basically were just playing formless scrimmage out there, no organization or plan to be seen, everyone running around freelancing and seeing what they could improvise. The Thorns started with enough talent on the field and SD looked disorganized enough themselves that they capitalized on some good luck, but then subs happened, SD got themselves together, and the Thorns stopped catching lucky breaks on both sides of the ball but especially defending the box. I think the Thorns spent literally every minute between Moultrie's goal (~56') and stoppage time in their own half, on the defensive, and doing so poorly, the entire game was a scrambled blob from the team.
I'd have to rewatch (and I won't) to be more certain, but Fleming looked to have a very bad night, multiple bad passes, and Moultrie and D'Aquila continued the form we've seen most of the season. Spaanstra and Hirsch were pretty toothless, Obaze had some good stops but also poor passes out that resulted in turnovers and at one point Mueller was vocally and visibly angry at her poor marking in the box, rightfully so. Kling had some good effort in her but lacks the speed, agility, or stamina to make much a difference and got skinned on defense a couple times. Turner had a nice finish but didn't seem to have the pace to replace Smith or Weaver or to make up for Moultrie and D'Aquila. Overall, not great!
I’ve been consistently frustrated with the turnovers. They’re brutal, rec-league-level poor play, and usually not forced by opposing pressure. They reek to me of poor training. As with so much else here, it looks like coaching.
We got lucky on the first goal as a weak cross along the ground that was dummied over to Sophia that should have been easily handled by a defender, saw the defender fall over allowing the ball to roll to smith who was able to get the ball near post. Good finish still from Smith.
Second goal saw us take a quick throw in sending Moultrie down the wing who is able to cut in and find Turner who was able to put it away.
Those were basically our only 2 real chances all game and we finished them.
Rest of the game was defending, poor passes to no one and the opposition, the usual stuff. We did less trying to escape pressure to our keeper since it wasn't Macca in goal but no one knew where anyone else was it was a mess.
First PK poor passing but this time in front of goal instead of midfield, to recover Sam does her tackle near the 18 box line. Coffey adamant she committed it outside the box ref said inside. No VAR and no real camera angle shared that was conclusive.
2nd goal 2 minutes later Cross from the goal line to the far post their player gets up and smashed the header off the grass and into the goal.
3rd goal 2nd PK Sauerbrunn judged to committed a handball by the ref. Off the arm and out for a corner. With VAR this one likely comes back. Arm was downard and maybe 5-10 degrees away from the torso. Referee calls it a handball.
The first half was mostly San Diego dominance but they were not able to get any of their chances to go in. Second half was more of the same but they were able to convert just enough to win. Hogan made a few saves but showed how bad she is at distribution again, in comparison.
Smith came out at the half, after game Gale said she was on a minutes restriction and medical had him remove her. We had Kling playing a LB most of the game and being effective in the wings has been lost to her.
More news: US U-20's got beat 1-0 by North Korea, a not-unexpected result (the Norks have a really good U20 side right now). Japan crushed the Netherlands 2-0. I know that margin doesn't seem, er...crushworthy, but the match wasn't really even that close. Some nice saves and the woodwork hit saved it from being 4 or 5 to nil. How good is the Young Nadeshiko defense? Netherlands had one shot. Not one shot on goal...one _shot_ (a rip from range that sailed over the bar). Gonna be a close final.
Aside: I'm always gassing on about the merits of Japanese players (broken record, I realize), but I gotta say that it really rubs me the wrong way that the Damned Courage have got Manaka Matsukoba. She scored both goals against the Netherlands today to send the Young Nadeshiko to the U20 World Cup Final (v North Korea...all Asian Final!). And she may only be the third best attacking midfielder in their pool (Yui Hasegawa* and young starlet Miharu Shinjo, although the latter's still a kid of 17).
Yui plays at the 8 for City, but almost always at the 10 for the senior Nadeshiko.
She’s so good, I could see it the first time she played for NCC! There’s about 5-7 players I’d love from Japan honestly. How fun that you get to see them play in Japan! Are WE league games accessible to go to where you’re at?
Closest WE league team is Mynavi Sendai, and I've been to a game vs my Beleza. New season's getting underway, and I'll try to do more. I travel down to Tokyo (from Sapporo) with some frequency for music stuff, and I intend to try and fit a Beleza match into a trip.
My local team is 4th division with all probability of returning to 3rd. But the field is really hard to get to w/o a car...which I've somewhat reluctantly decided to address (reluctantly because I'll probably be moving down to Tokyo some time next year, and I really don't want/need a car there).
I get to see coverage that's probably not available outside Japan...DAZN has WE League games.
After last night's match, I am extricating myself from the dead horse flogging, having done enough of it myself.
This is a disspirited team that has all but given up on the season.
The Prez of Soccer/GM and the HC aren't up to the job.
Ownership hasn't yet shown us that they're willing to make any bold moves.
This isn't going to change until ownership removes the Prez of Soccer/GM and we have a proper global search for the next HC.
If ownership does not step forward soon, and it allows this slide to continue without making the beginnings of obviously needed changes, then they won't continue to have my money in 2025.
Such a depressing season. Watching Sophia's goal, she looked tired - no energy, no enthusiasm. Worried that our best players will be planning their exit if something doesn't change and fast.
The pedigree of this club really demands better than this. The way last year finished out where the Thorns controlled their own destiny of winning everything and walked away with nothing was for me the most disappointing season ever. It's been comically bad ever since. Up to ownership now to fix a broken club. I really hope they do and we see real changes made. Until then I have to find enjoyment of watching other clubs play the beautiful game properly.
I've always found enjoyment watching other clubs, especially those that play the well-organized possession-oriented style that I enjoy most.
I have wished the Thorns played more possession-oriented even at their best and most consistent.
Right now I'd settle for a team with some fight left in it at least and work towards getting better for next season. In 2017 the Thorns were no way better than the Courage but they had a lot of heart and fought like hell to get that star. It wasn't pretty but they showed real determination. Can we at least get some fight out of this team for now?
I’d love for them to bring Parsons back as GM if he’s come to the conclusion that he won’t get a good head coaching gig. Maybe bring in Tony Gustavsson as the head coach and go from there.
I sure picked a good night to go to the movies. Yikes.
You sure did lol.
Fun film, too, very odd little anime. But sounds like a screening of the Madonna “Body of Evidence” would have been a better option than that game.
This was Ishtar level shit.
What a sad disaster 😞
With a goal against Bay FC on Friday, NC Courage forward Ashley Sanchez became the first NWSL player to score against all active clubs in the league.
I am surprised. I assumed that after all her years in the league, Sinclair would have achieved this milestone long ago.
As far as I know, Sinclair has never scored against the Thorns. Stability kinda disqualifies you from this particular achievement. (I don't know that she's scored against all the newer teams anyway.)
My bad.
We decided to watch the Timbers game, as I wasn't sure I could find the Thorns game. Much more enjoyable, which isn't something I've said much the past years. I guess we will see what it will take for the ownership to notice the team is floundering. Two months of poor play would tend to indicate there is a problem.
Season ticket holders need to be sending messages to the rep. That they won't renew if this is not addressed
Yes, def. Chop from the top needs to happen now otherwise I will def rethink my ST next season. If I'm gonna watch kindergarten recess every game, it might as well be at home with a reasonably priced beer, in my pajamas, with my dog.
What message is that? You are willing to support an enabler as long as you win? I think being vocal should enable an obvious decision. KK has to go and I’ve defended a lot of her moves. Ultimately, her coaching hires have led to this mess.
So what the hell happened? What did San Diego do (or Portland fail to do) that turned this around? Was it the Gale subs? Tactical breakdown (“defensive derp” is kind of the Thorns meme…)? Sounds like bad luck was involved…TWO penalties? Was this on the CR?
I guess I’m tempted to just lump this with the rest of the dross. But…yes?
It was the kind of night when Coffey and Sauerbruun pick up penalties.
I cited Thornado's comment previously but it's a good one, they basically were just playing formless scrimmage out there, no organization or plan to be seen, everyone running around freelancing and seeing what they could improvise. The Thorns started with enough talent on the field and SD looked disorganized enough themselves that they capitalized on some good luck, but then subs happened, SD got themselves together, and the Thorns stopped catching lucky breaks on both sides of the ball but especially defending the box. I think the Thorns spent literally every minute between Moultrie's goal (~56') and stoppage time in their own half, on the defensive, and doing so poorly, the entire game was a scrambled blob from the team.
I'd have to rewatch (and I won't) to be more certain, but Fleming looked to have a very bad night, multiple bad passes, and Moultrie and D'Aquila continued the form we've seen most of the season. Spaanstra and Hirsch were pretty toothless, Obaze had some good stops but also poor passes out that resulted in turnovers and at one point Mueller was vocally and visibly angry at her poor marking in the box, rightfully so. Kling had some good effort in her but lacks the speed, agility, or stamina to make much a difference and got skinned on defense a couple times. Turner had a nice finish but didn't seem to have the pace to replace Smith or Weaver or to make up for Moultrie and D'Aquila. Overall, not great!
I’ve been consistently frustrated with the turnovers. They’re brutal, rec-league-level poor play, and usually not forced by opposing pressure. They reek to me of poor training. As with so much else here, it looks like coaching.
Thorns were never the better team all game.
We got lucky on the first goal as a weak cross along the ground that was dummied over to Sophia that should have been easily handled by a defender, saw the defender fall over allowing the ball to roll to smith who was able to get the ball near post. Good finish still from Smith.
Second goal saw us take a quick throw in sending Moultrie down the wing who is able to cut in and find Turner who was able to put it away.
Those were basically our only 2 real chances all game and we finished them.
Rest of the game was defending, poor passes to no one and the opposition, the usual stuff. We did less trying to escape pressure to our keeper since it wasn't Macca in goal but no one knew where anyone else was it was a mess.
First PK poor passing but this time in front of goal instead of midfield, to recover Sam does her tackle near the 18 box line. Coffey adamant she committed it outside the box ref said inside. No VAR and no real camera angle shared that was conclusive.
2nd goal 2 minutes later Cross from the goal line to the far post their player gets up and smashed the header off the grass and into the goal.
3rd goal 2nd PK Sauerbrunn judged to committed a handball by the ref. Off the arm and out for a corner. With VAR this one likely comes back. Arm was downard and maybe 5-10 degrees away from the torso. Referee calls it a handball.
The first half was mostly San Diego dominance but they were not able to get any of their chances to go in. Second half was more of the same but they were able to convert just enough to win. Hogan made a few saves but showed how bad she is at distribution again, in comparison.
Smith came out at the half, after game Gale said she was on a minutes restriction and medical had him remove her. We had Kling playing a LB most of the game and being effective in the wings has been lost to her.
That’s pretty damning. San Diego is not a good team right now yet somehow we were worse? Ugh.
Our defensive ineptitude made them look good offensively.
Rob Gale is in fact worse than Landon "Landycakes" Donovan
They were pretty bad the whole game. Basically couldn’t muster any real threat going forward.
More news: US U-20's got beat 1-0 by North Korea, a not-unexpected result (the Norks have a really good U20 side right now). Japan crushed the Netherlands 2-0. I know that margin doesn't seem, er...crushworthy, but the match wasn't really even that close. Some nice saves and the woodwork hit saved it from being 4 or 5 to nil. How good is the Young Nadeshiko defense? Netherlands had one shot. Not one shot on goal...one _shot_ (a rip from range that sailed over the bar). Gonna be a close final.
Even without playoffs, we still have 7 more weeks and 8 matches to go, regular season and CONCACAF W.
Grim.
Can we just announce we're pulling out of the race this year? We need a head start on offseason lol.
I'd say this level of "performance" has announced exactly that...loud and clear.
Truly, but at least give the gals a vacation!
Aside: I'm always gassing on about the merits of Japanese players (broken record, I realize), but I gotta say that it really rubs me the wrong way that the Damned Courage have got Manaka Matsukoba. She scored both goals against the Netherlands today to send the Young Nadeshiko to the U20 World Cup Final (v North Korea...all Asian Final!). And she may only be the third best attacking midfielder in their pool (Yui Hasegawa* and young starlet Miharu Shinjo, although the latter's still a kid of 17).
Yui plays at the 8 for City, but almost always at the 10 for the senior Nadeshiko.
She’s so good, I could see it the first time she played for NCC! There’s about 5-7 players I’d love from Japan honestly. How fun that you get to see them play in Japan! Are WE league games accessible to go to where you’re at?
Closest WE league team is Mynavi Sendai, and I've been to a game vs my Beleza. New season's getting underway, and I'll try to do more. I travel down to Tokyo (from Sapporo) with some frequency for music stuff, and I intend to try and fit a Beleza match into a trip.
My local team is 4th division with all probability of returning to 3rd. But the field is really hard to get to w/o a car...which I've somewhat reluctantly decided to address (reluctantly because I'll probably be moving down to Tokyo some time next year, and I really don't want/need a car there).
I get to see coverage that's probably not available outside Japan...DAZN has WE League games.
isn't Yui a 6 for City?