Well, looks like Obaze is OUT for some unknown knee reason. :(
Pretty big bummer bc Hubly is quite clearly a step down. Hopefully Reign not really being a high-press team, and are without v dangerous forwards, Hubly can manage.
My problem with her is her derpitude. An opponent doesn't HAVE to have dangerous forwards when Hubly's soccer brain goes walkabout, which is usually does at least once per match. When it does it makes Bianca St. Georges into Sophia Smith.
I agree with David; our hope will have to be that 'Brunn keeps her focused and Hubs' keeps her head screwed on for 90+. Fingers crossed.
Totally. It’s not getting beat defensively, you don’t want to see it happen, but it happens to every defender. Forget and move on. It’s the damn passes right to the other team’s forwards that kill me. I love me some Hubs, a couple years ago she was great, last couple….not so much
Hubs was a reserve for several years because 1) The Great Wall of Emily, and 2) she’d do this stuff; play for 89’ then go doolally. Back in about 2021 she seemed to figure it out and keep her head on for the full 90. But this and last season she’s reverted to her earlier form and I wish I knew why.
But regardless of the reason, she’s been a ticking bomb, both defensively and passing out of the back. Given the pressure of the rivalry match this is NOT a good time to have to start her.
"Unknown knee reason" is ominous as hell, especially since it probably happened in practice. Fortunately, someone will probably ask about it post game. Not terribly concerned about effects on this game in particular, but really, really hoping it's nothing serious.
Oh, that's Not Good. Not trying to be too hard on Hubly, but Obaze has simply been better. Kelli needs to step up...to keep her head in the game 100% of the time.
Yeah, that's not good. The danger with Reign is Balcer in the air, and I would feel better having Obaze out there instead of Hubs.
On the bright side, isn't it incredible how quickly we've gone from worrying/wondering about bringing in an unknown 21-year-old from Denmark to seeing her as a real step up from somebody who has been a starter here for several years?
Am not especially concerned vs Reign, who do not possess an abundance of offensive weaponry, but it might be prudent to field lots of speed up front to interfere with easy counter attacks forming on the flanks, if you get my drift and I know you do.
Could put more pressure on Muller and I think she's up to the task. Reyes will likely start.
While I am enjoying all the love for Obaze, and I'm right there with y'all, the words that come to mind with her are "efficient" and "drama-free." I haven't seen anything spectacular, just really steady and doing what's needed.
But Monday I think the standings among the top 8 will be the same. KC and Orlando sitting pretty firmly on top. Washington, Portland and Chicago will be in that second tier.
KC has been a little sterile lately maybe during the second third of the season other teams will have them figured out. Orlando still seems potent and during the summer the weather is their 12 th player. The same would be true for Houston if they had any thing else going for them.
Well, looks like Obaze is OUT for some unknown knee reason. :(
Pretty big bummer bc Hubly is quite clearly a step down. Hopefully Reign not really being a high-press team, and are without v dangerous forwards, Hubly can manage.
Shit.
My problem with her is her derpitude. An opponent doesn't HAVE to have dangerous forwards when Hubly's soccer brain goes walkabout, which is usually does at least once per match. When it does it makes Bianca St. Georges into Sophia Smith.
I agree with David; our hope will have to be that 'Brunn keeps her focused and Hubs' keeps her head screwed on for 90+. Fingers crossed.
I forever dub her Flubly
Totally. It’s not getting beat defensively, you don’t want to see it happen, but it happens to every defender. Forget and move on. It’s the damn passes right to the other team’s forwards that kill me. I love me some Hubs, a couple years ago she was great, last couple….not so much
Hubs was a reserve for several years because 1) The Great Wall of Emily, and 2) she’d do this stuff; play for 89’ then go doolally. Back in about 2021 she seemed to figure it out and keep her head on for the full 90. But this and last season she’s reverted to her earlier form and I wish I knew why.
But regardless of the reason, she’s been a ticking bomb, both defensively and passing out of the back. Given the pressure of the rivalry match this is NOT a good time to have to start her.
"Unknown knee reason" is ominous as hell, especially since it probably happened in practice. Fortunately, someone will probably ask about it post game. Not terribly concerned about effects on this game in particular, but really, really hoping it's nothing serious.
Oh, that's Not Good. Not trying to be too hard on Hubly, but Obaze has simply been better. Kelli needs to step up...to keep her head in the game 100% of the time.
Yeah, that's not good. The danger with Reign is Balcer in the air, and I would feel better having Obaze out there instead of Hubs.
On the bright side, isn't it incredible how quickly we've gone from worrying/wondering about bringing in an unknown 21-year-old from Denmark to seeing her as a real step up from somebody who has been a starter here for several years?
Am not especially concerned vs Reign, who do not possess an abundance of offensive weaponry, but it might be prudent to field lots of speed up front to interfere with easy counter attacks forming on the flanks, if you get my drift and I know you do.
Could put more pressure on Muller and I think she's up to the task. Reyes will likely start.
Also.... beware the Fishlock.
Fleming can earn my undying esteem by annoying the shit out of Jess tonight.
Enjoy the humor. Don’t lie :)
Did you mean humour? Be seeing you at the Centre!
Must have been at practice, because I didn’t notice anything during the game, did you?
While I am enjoying all the love for Obaze, and I'm right there with y'all, the words that come to mind with her are "efficient" and "drama-free." I haven't seen anything spectacular, just really steady and doing what's needed.
Per the impeccably curated NWSL Availability Report, today:
PORTLAND THORNS FC
OUT: None
QUESTIONABLE: None
INTERNATIONAL: None
Not even Weave is listed.
SEATTLE REIGN FC
OUT: Claudia Dickey (knee), Jordyn Huitema (back), Tziarra King (suspension), Quinn (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: None
INTERNATIONAL: None
King should be released from the sin bin today. IDK about the others.
That's still the report for Wednesday's Reign-Spirit game. Today's report will no doubt be out sometime this month.
It was already posted by journos on twitter. Same as usual for us, with the addition of Obaze.
This weekend marks the unofficial 1/3rd point of the season.
A look at the standings is quite illuminating.
3-way tie @ 18 pts. Spirit has 1 more game than the others, so it's not lasting the weekend.
16 pts. after tonight would be a nice gift for mom. Just sayin'.
But Monday I think the standings among the top 8 will be the same. KC and Orlando sitting pretty firmly on top. Washington, Portland and Chicago will be in that second tier.
KC has been a little sterile lately maybe during the second third of the season other teams will have them figured out. Orlando still seems potent and during the summer the weather is their 12 th player. The same would be true for Houston if they had any thing else going for them.