Quick Update: After posting this piece, Tom Bogert also reported on Twitter that "This doesn't impact the future of Felipe Mora or Jonathan Rodriguez... sources say Portland Timbers fully planning for them at the club and haven't had conversations with other clubs about either player.
Kelsy would join via U-22 initiative if Portland get deal done."
"Internationally, Daiane has earned 12 caps for the Brazil National Team, including at the 2019 FIFA WC."
Alright, look. Rob Gale seems to be "Acting GM." By "acting" I mean literally. What I take from this announcement is that he remains obsessed with avoiding transfers from most recent World Cup team players and 2024 Olympic medalist national team players.
Kelsy - First impressions via good ol' YouTube: Let's get it done!
He's left footed and finishes around the box; looks really good and active in the air; looks like he can dribble pretty well and can take players on; very good foot skill and can create his own shot; Folks are reporting that he's 6-4, but ESPN roster for Shaktar has him listed as 6-2 and 185. He does look tall relative to other players.
He's got a lot of skill and he's not slow, but he's definitely not a burner. He'd be really effective in the box, imo, but also looks like a good player to have in the buildup as well. I think he offers more than Mora, or at least has the potential to. Mora, Kelsy and Rodriguez as forward options sounds like a really good combo of forwards. Not sure why Cincinnati wouldn't try to sign him.
It kinda makes me nervous, because all I see when I see the Timbers interested in a tall dude is Tactical Genius Phil Neville thinking "LET'S JUST START PUMPING BALLS INTO THE BOX FROM THE WINGS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS", because that's how the 90's worked.
I hope I'm wrong and I hope there's more to this potential signing than that, but it just doesn't quite give me the happy joyful excitement that a transfer rumor probably should.
Nothing wrong with a strategy of attacking the flanks and pumping balls into the box. Isn't that what it's all about? Yes, there are other ways to attack, but it's probably one of the toughest to defend when the quality is high. But I digress. People are keying on his size and thinking he is some sort of statue. From what I saw, he's very mobile and likes to take guys on on the dribble, something Mora just doesn't do, so he's not totally dependent on service. He looks like a handful for a defender.
"Nothing wrong with a strategy of attacking the flanks and pumping balls into the box."
I was just so happy with how the Timbers played last season, for the most part, that all of a sudden having them revert to a hit-and-hope like they did in the Adi days (and I liked Adi!) feels like a step back, at least to me.
I see Phil using a target man as a crutch, and I fear that his instructions to his creators will be less about creating through movement and more about looking for opportunities to put the ball on someone's head.
Again, and maybe this kid is part of a plan that is more than that; I'm just skeptical of both Phil and Ned and what they're capable of at this point. Hopefully I'm wrong.
The problem is that crossing well is a very, very hard thing to do successfully, and it's also a very, very low percentage way to create a goal. It's probably the least efficient way to score when you compare it to through passes, cutbacks, or progressive buildup play - the likes of which Portland used to absolutely lethal effect for much of last season.
I'm just leery of going away from that approach just when it was starting to actually go well, and I'd rather see the Timbers evolve that style than try to move to something that carries a much lower chance of sustained success.
Word from Cinci fans was he’s got good potential but still raw, and not with the $5 million asking price there was to buy him. Started well with them but then didn’t do much after that. We’d definitely be taking a bit of risk on him, but he’s still young and already had his first mls season under his belt, so adjustment won’t be nearly as bad. It’s not a world breaking signing and doesn’t get me out of bed in the morning, but it could end up being really good. Not the most ambitious but might be really smart
He's got a good, big frame, so in a year or two as he matures he's gonna be a real specimen.
I watched him with VEN in a few U-20 Copa matches. He looked very imposing in that group... got up and down the field real well, battled hard in front of goal and played big minutes, too.
I think there's a lot to like about him - and I'd sure like him to get a chance to learn some of the dark arts from Jona and Mora, too!
Do you know why there was never an end of season presser for the Thorns? Or any idea why the fired GM is making signings and roster decisions? Has there been any communication from the org about anything offseason related?
I think a lot of us find it vaguely unsettling that the new regime is conducting itself pretty similarly to how Peregrine does/did from a transparency perspective and I would be curious to hear y'all's thoughts.
It’s also a bit concerning that there seems to be a lot of the “old regime” left in place. That, in turn, may be one of the reasons why the continued opacity from the FO.
Or possibly it’s just that the two organizations do things similarly. Which would be unfortunate, in the implication that it won’t change.
News about Karina LeBlanc moving to a new role was announced over two months ago. Parson is the only name I've seen rumored. Regardless, what the hell is taking so long?
The thorns are making moves but it just seems so confusing . You have Hiatt good addition ( the only one with years of nwsl experience), Obaze ( who was injured a lot and only played half the matches ), and now Daiane ( international spot and she’s only played 24 total games since 2022) . For reference Becky played 31 games just this year. I’m not entirely sure that’s building depth all that much.
Spending an international spot on a defender that has played even less than the players you had this season doesn’t seem very smart.
I like Marie + Obaze a lot. A little worried about Obaze and injuries but she’s young and maybe it was a one season type of thing. Daiane is 27 though and hasn’t played a full season in a long while.
Quick Update: After posting this piece, Tom Bogert also reported on Twitter that "This doesn't impact the future of Felipe Mora or Jonathan Rodriguez... sources say Portland Timbers fully planning for them at the club and haven't had conversations with other clubs about either player.
Kelsy would join via U-22 initiative if Portland get deal done."
"Internationally, Daiane has earned 12 caps for the Brazil National Team, including at the 2019 FIFA WC."
Alright, look. Rob Gale seems to be "Acting GM." By "acting" I mean literally. What I take from this announcement is that he remains obsessed with avoiding transfers from most recent World Cup team players and 2024 Olympic medalist national team players.
What the %#@*&!!! is going on here?
Would be lovely to know but we aren’t getting that information.
Kelsy - First impressions via good ol' YouTube: Let's get it done!
He's left footed and finishes around the box; looks really good and active in the air; looks like he can dribble pretty well and can take players on; very good foot skill and can create his own shot; Folks are reporting that he's 6-4, but ESPN roster for Shaktar has him listed as 6-2 and 185. He does look tall relative to other players.
He's got a lot of skill and he's not slow, but he's definitely not a burner. He'd be really effective in the box, imo, but also looks like a good player to have in the buildup as well. I think he offers more than Mora, or at least has the potential to. Mora, Kelsy and Rodriguez as forward options sounds like a really good combo of forwards. Not sure why Cincinnati wouldn't try to sign him.
It kinda makes me nervous, because all I see when I see the Timbers interested in a tall dude is Tactical Genius Phil Neville thinking "LET'S JUST START PUMPING BALLS INTO THE BOX FROM THE WINGS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS", because that's how the 90's worked.
I hope I'm wrong and I hope there's more to this potential signing than that, but it just doesn't quite give me the happy joyful excitement that a transfer rumor probably should.
Nothing wrong with a strategy of attacking the flanks and pumping balls into the box. Isn't that what it's all about? Yes, there are other ways to attack, but it's probably one of the toughest to defend when the quality is high. But I digress. People are keying on his size and thinking he is some sort of statue. From what I saw, he's very mobile and likes to take guys on on the dribble, something Mora just doesn't do, so he's not totally dependent on service. He looks like a handful for a defender.
"Nothing wrong with a strategy of attacking the flanks and pumping balls into the box."
I was just so happy with how the Timbers played last season, for the most part, that all of a sudden having them revert to a hit-and-hope like they did in the Adi days (and I liked Adi!) feels like a step back, at least to me.
I see Phil using a target man as a crutch, and I fear that his instructions to his creators will be less about creating through movement and more about looking for opportunities to put the ball on someone's head.
Again, and maybe this kid is part of a plan that is more than that; I'm just skeptical of both Phil and Ned and what they're capable of at this point. Hopefully I'm wrong.
crossing is just another form of passing. good crosses doesn't have to be hit and hope that is a bit naive of the technical skill of crossing
The problem is that crossing well is a very, very hard thing to do successfully, and it's also a very, very low percentage way to create a goal. It's probably the least efficient way to score when you compare it to through passes, cutbacks, or progressive buildup play - the likes of which Portland used to absolutely lethal effect for much of last season.
I'm just leery of going away from that approach just when it was starting to actually go well, and I'd rather see the Timbers evolve that style than try to move to something that carries a much lower chance of sustained success.
Word from Cinci fans was he’s got good potential but still raw, and not with the $5 million asking price there was to buy him. Started well with them but then didn’t do much after that. We’d definitely be taking a bit of risk on him, but he’s still young and already had his first mls season under his belt, so adjustment won’t be nearly as bad. It’s not a world breaking signing and doesn’t get me out of bed in the morning, but it could end up being really good. Not the most ambitious but might be really smart
He's got a good, big frame, so in a year or two as he matures he's gonna be a real specimen.
I watched him with VEN in a few U-20 Copa matches. He looked very imposing in that group... got up and down the field real well, battled hard in front of goal and played big minutes, too.
I think there's a lot to like about him - and I'd sure like him to get a chance to learn some of the dark arts from Jona and Mora, too!
STF Folks:
Do you know why there was never an end of season presser for the Thorns? Or any idea why the fired GM is making signings and roster decisions? Has there been any communication from the org about anything offseason related?
I think a lot of us find it vaguely unsettling that the new regime is conducting itself pretty similarly to how Peregrine does/did from a transparency perspective and I would be curious to hear y'all's thoughts.
It’s also a bit concerning that there seems to be a lot of the “old regime” left in place. That, in turn, may be one of the reasons why the continued opacity from the FO.
Or possibly it’s just that the two organizations do things similarly. Which would be unfortunate, in the implication that it won’t change.
I share your concern
What's the rumored name(s) for the GM for the Thorns? Mark Parsons....?
I was not shared any names, but I have a general timeline when it'll be done.
Could you share that timeline?
News about Karina LeBlanc moving to a new role was announced over two months ago. Parson is the only name I've seen rumored. Regardless, what the hell is taking so long?
The thorns are making moves but it just seems so confusing . You have Hiatt good addition ( the only one with years of nwsl experience), Obaze ( who was injured a lot and only played half the matches ), and now Daiane ( international spot and she’s only played 24 total games since 2022) . For reference Becky played 31 games just this year. I’m not entirely sure that’s building depth all that much.
Spending an international spot on a defender that has played even less than the players you had this season doesn’t seem very smart.
This profiles a lot like the Mueller and Obaze signings. Younger foreign national with some upside.
Müller was 23 and Obaze 21. Daiane is 27.
She might end up being good, but not really the same type of profile.
And 1) has not been in the XIs regularly either at her clubs or for the Seleção, and 2) had a major knee injury in 2021.
She’s kind of similar to the Ana signing. Don’t really know what you’re getting imo .
Yeah she has a slightly better pedigree than Dias, but mostly unknown.
Sparsely used plus big knee injury in 2021 is a bit of a red flag. Looks chancy to me.
I like Marie + Obaze a lot. A little worried about Obaze and injuries but she’s young and maybe it was a one season type of thing. Daiane is 27 though and hasn’t played a full season in a long while.