Will be interesting to see if we get the first Ludmila start of the season. Chicago's pretty weak everywhere else (especially in central midfield, but also defensively where they've been not so hot since Staab and Rall went down) so it is, as usual, going to depend a lot on if Gale actually starts his good players or not.
Same way it’s “worked” every other time he’s (and RW, and Norris) tried it: It’ll play like a lopsided 4-3-3 and Smith will have to play two positions.
Yeah Sinc will drop into the midfield likely as a more withdrawn 9, with Soph and Alexa coming in more narrow at times. But yeah, also just the weird lopsided thing he does on the wings. But yeah ”work” isn’t really how I’d describe it lol.
that's three games in a row fleming has started on the bench. given what a poster here said last week is there a chance she could be leaving? does anyone know what the transfer windows are for the other leagues?
I don’t know who she replaces in the midfield is the thing. It’s def not Coffey or Hina. I’d say Moultrie would be most likely, but Jessie isn’t really a 10. So it’s just kinda a numbers thing atp. I’d be fine with swapping Moultrie though!
Fleming came here to play since she wasn't getting minutes at Chelsea and now she's not getting minutes here. She is better than a bench player for a team that's struggling to do anything other than survive 90 minutes. Moultrie has been average at best lately and I'm not sure it's worth sticking with her when we could try playing Fleming.
Yeah that’s a GM issue. She was never gonna replace Hina or Coffey. Moultrie is def not a starter imo, so that’s kinda the only open spot if we’re only going 3 in the mf. I’d be fine trying Jessie again in attacking mf because I think she has the potential to see and execute final passes…but so then that’s kinda the only option. She’s not a F. I’d agree re: Liv though…I kinda don’t think either are great 10’s tbh. Not sure what KK’s plan was, then again I generally don’t!
She’s played triple the amount of minutes already she played last year at Chelsea and has started 15 of 18 matches. I’d personally start her over Moultrie, but you can’t play both of them.
And Moultrie's passes to ghosts and lack of energy does? Neither one has been amazing this season but for two games Moutlrie has struggled to do anything.
Moultrie will create opportunities and create problems hough mostly for herself. Can't remember the last time seen a JF pass into the box that created opportunity. Neither defends well at all.
Unfortunately we’ve tried Fleming and the results were underwhelming. I sure wish I knew why! She seems to become a different player for Canada. But here? Pretty much “replacement-grade/squad player”…
Moultrie has been actively bad in all but about two matches this year. Not all her fault- she’s gotten played out of position multiple times- but Fleming at least brings activity and had strung a few really nice games together before Moultrie got stuck back in the lineup.
Well that's generous! The Thorns coverage in the NWSL preview (https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/9-13-16-match-preview) mentions "losses in their last two regular season games." Last I checked, we'd lost three in a row.
She has not, however, had a good season- Really, really rough 1v1 metrics and has struggled quite a bit with the shift back to CB. Wonder if they target her at all.
Will be interesting to see if we get the first Ludmila start of the season. Chicago's pretty weak everywhere else (especially in central midfield, but also defensively where they've been not so hot since Staab and Rall went down) so it is, as usual, going to depend a lot on if Gale actually starts his good players or not.
Memo to ownership:
New strategy--maneuver for high draft pick. Sure you'll understand.
-Management
Damnit, they killed the draft!
How does Sinc-Smith-Spaanstra even work? Not as part of a 4-3-3. Maybe 4-4-2 with Sinc in midfield?
Same way it’s “worked” every other time he’s (and RW, and Norris) tried it: It’ll play like a lopsided 4-3-3 and Smith will have to play two positions.
That’s kinda my point…
Yeah Sinc will drop into the midfield likely as a more withdrawn 9, with Soph and Alexa coming in more narrow at times. But yeah, also just the weird lopsided thing he does on the wings. But yeah ”work” isn’t really how I’d describe it lol.
that's three games in a row fleming has started on the bench. given what a poster here said last week is there a chance she could be leaving? does anyone know what the transfer windows are for the other leagues?
I don’t know who she replaces in the midfield is the thing. It’s def not Coffey or Hina. I’d say Moultrie would be most likely, but Jessie isn’t really a 10. So it’s just kinda a numbers thing atp. I’d be fine with swapping Moultrie though!
Transfer windows are closed now, methinks.
I’d put her in place of Sinclair in a 4-4-2, but I genuinely can’t figure Ken’s formation here…
Having Moultrie and Flemming on at the same time is rips a hole in space time.
Fleming came here to play since she wasn't getting minutes at Chelsea and now she's not getting minutes here. She is better than a bench player for a team that's struggling to do anything other than survive 90 minutes. Moultrie has been average at best lately and I'm not sure it's worth sticking with her when we could try playing Fleming.
Yeah that’s a GM issue. She was never gonna replace Hina or Coffey. Moultrie is def not a starter imo, so that’s kinda the only open spot if we’re only going 3 in the mf. I’d be fine trying Jessie again in attacking mf because I think she has the potential to see and execute final passes…but so then that’s kinda the only option. She’s not a F. I’d agree re: Liv though…I kinda don’t think either are great 10’s tbh. Not sure what KK’s plan was, then again I generally don’t!
She’s played triple the amount of minutes already she played last year at Chelsea and has started 15 of 18 matches. I’d personally start her over Moultrie, but you can’t play both of them.
She has played more here that's for sure. I would start her over Moultrie, even if it was for the CA game in the CONCACAF Cup game.
despite how average Moultrie has been it is still better than Fleming. The number of positive touches from JF would not justify her starting.
This is objectively false lol
And Moultrie's passes to ghosts and lack of energy does? Neither one has been amazing this season but for two games Moutlrie has struggled to do anything.
Moultrie will create opportunities and create problems hough mostly for herself. Can't remember the last time seen a JF pass into the box that created opportunity. Neither defends well at all.
Unfortunately we’ve tried Fleming and the results were underwhelming. I sure wish I knew why! She seems to become a different player for Canada. But here? Pretty much “replacement-grade/squad player”…
She should be starting over Moultrie on merit, though.
I’d call that a coin flip, frankly. Unless Moultrie is really the Moultrie we saw in Washington. But I’m guessing that was just a bad outing.
Moultrie has been actively bad in all but about two matches this year. Not all her fault- she’s gotten played out of position multiple times- but Fleming at least brings activity and had strung a few really nice games together before Moultrie got stuck back in the lineup.
Sinc at the 9, I’m gonna go home lmao
Ugh. I’d say “you gotta be shittin’ me” but I saw the XI.
SurrenderBall.
Cool.
Well damn, Bay FC has taken an early lead over NC. If Bay win they'll be tied with us on points.
[update] Ashley Sanchez has tied it up for NC.
Yes, it looks like Bay are going make us earn 6th or 7th place.
Well that's generous! The Thorns coverage in the NWSL preview (https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/9-13-16-match-preview) mentions "losses in their last two regular season games." Last I checked, we'd lost three in a row.
I'll be "surprised" if Sinclair starts. I'd be "disappointed" if she didn't play at all.
Welp
well the last time she started she scored two goals so let's hope that version of sinc shows up.
Only if the LigaMX Feminil version of Chicago shows up, too…
if wishes were fishes
that was against a rec team
Sinc rule for 2024, second half of:
If time >75 and lead >3, then by all means send her out. Leadery leadership for the kids.
Kuikka has saved at least a couple of goals this season. Guessing she does it again today.
She has not, however, had a good season- Really, really rough 1v1 metrics and has struggled quite a bit with the shift back to CB. Wonder if they target her at all.