12 Comments

So none of the Tijuana internationals are in Paris? Daaaamn.

FWIW, the official nickname of the LMXF club may be “Xolos” but my scurrilous sources report that the unofficial nickname plays on the canine badge and the team calls itself the “Bad Bitches” (“Perras Malas”) which is made of 100% awesome.

Expand full comment

I'm excited for this! Bummed that the front line is decimated, but it's gonna be super cool to see OWK and Izzy get real chances for the first time against some new opposition.

I'd like to see a shape change to a diamond (Kling-OWK-Hina-Sinc, Dias-Izzy up top), but I imagine it'll be a 4-3-3 with Kling-Hina-OWK / Dias-Sinc-Izzy. Maybe Sheva gets a look to provide some theoretical wing play.

Expand full comment

I just want to see some ridiculous fun soccer; D’Aquila with the bike, Sinc dribbling around defenders, Hogan saving off her line with the scorpion kick. Who gives a shit about formations and tactics with this dog’s breakfast of a roster? Let’s just be silly and entertain the groundlings!

Plus we should be allowed to field multiple keepers. Why get ‘em if you can’t play ‘em..?

Expand full comment

Even with a 433, I wonder if it could still look more like 4 in the mf if Sinc just plays more of a withdrawn 9. Seems the better option when we have 2 9’s so she can just sit low and feed, or make late runs into the box (or late shuffles, if you will lol.)

Or, yeah we could get Sheva on a wing. I know she just got back from Euros so she’s been traveling, but not sure she even played…I think she subbed in at the 8(?) recently, which was weird. Maybe it was the KC game…I remember being like ??? Could be a mf sub also because we kinda have no subs in mf. Mallie McKenzie is there but honestly I have no idea what she actually plays…I think we’ve seen her at fb?

Expand full comment

Yeah probs right that that it'll look like a 4 (or a 3.5) lol

The only time I watched McKenzie was the UP friendly and she subbed in at defensive midfield.

Expand full comment

This will be a good test for our players because most of them will be unfamiliar with the attacking style we're likely to see. I don't recall whether it was Pachuca or Tigres, but last year one of them scored 22 goals from OUTSIDE the box. Be prepared to see players uncork it from outside the box and put it on frame as often as possible today. Absolutely no reason why Xolas should hesitate to let er rip.

Expand full comment

Yeah all Mexican woso teams I’ve ever watched (including the national team) def all have a propensity to shoot from outside the box.

Expand full comment

Reposting here since we got a new thread (yay):

I’m addition to Melina’s very helpful primer, here’s what Henderson had to say about TJ with regard to this tourney:

“Tijuana

Could be a bit underpowered for this competition. Angelina Hix was 8th in xG + xA per 90' last season but is gone.

Top returnees in that department is Venezuelan international Paola Villamizar (0.72, 13th) and Mexico international Daniella Espinosa (0.66, 17th).

Florida Gator fans will recognize Mayra Pelayo as a key figure on the wing.

GK Maricruz Gonzalez was 18th in Liga MX in Prevented Goals Per '90 (-0.13)“

Expand full comment

Familiar theme to the availability report.

PORTLAND THORNS FC

OUT: None

QUESTIONABLE: None

INTERNATIONAL: None

TIJUANA

OUT: None

QUESTIONABLE: None

INTERNATIONAL: None

Seems as though a faith healer has visited both locker rooms. "Devil: git out!!!"

Expand full comment

Taylor Vincent posted it on twitter yesterday. League page hardly bothers this season:

#PORvTIJ #NWSL  Summer Cup

#BAONPDX 

OUT: Bella Bixby (ML), Payton Linnehan (knee), Olivia Moultrie (knee), Gabby Provenzano (SEI), Morgan Weaver (D45)

INTL: Janine Beckie, Jessie Fleming, Sophia Smith, Sam Coffey, Nicole Payne, Mackenzie Arnold

Club Tijuana Femenil

OUT: None

Expand full comment

Except that at least 10 Thorns (Bixby, Provenzano, Weaver, Moultrie, Smith, Coffey, Beckie, Fleming, Arnold, and Payne) all are out, either on injury or international duty.

Expand full comment

Kinda hoped that we’d see either Weaver or Moultrie get some limited minutes today to suggest their rehabs are getting close…no. Neither in the 18. Shitload of keepers, tho!

Expand full comment