We also just paid Chelsea $317K in transfer fee for someone who was only playing 40 minutes a match and starting only 40% of the time for them, and to get her and make room for her we traded away a very good player. Something about eggs and omelets comes to mind... at least I hope.
We also just paid Chelsea $317K in transfer fee for someone who was only playing 40 minutes a match and starting only 40% of the time for them, and to get her and make room for her we traded away a very good player. Something about eggs and omelets comes to mind... at least I hope.
It’s Chelsea. They’re at WORST the third or fourth best team in the entire world. Fleming’s recent lack of playing time in that midfield doesn’t reflect on her quality as a player, and is the only reason we even had a chance of acquiring her in the first place.
This isn’t like we’re gambling on some rando unproven prospect to replace Rocky- Anyone who’s watched Fleming consistently knows how good she is.
...which was EXACTLY my thinking about why it was a good idea for the Thorns to take that 2022 friendly against them seriously. Not often you get to test yourself against one of the top 4 clubs in the world, even if it's just their preseason.
And Chelsea is scrambling those eggs trying to replace Sam Kerr, signing Mayra Ramirez (club-record fee) and pursuing Lena Oberdorf, who will cost even more.
The transfer fee we paid was less than Horan and Menges (with about 25 to 30k left) when you consider the USD exchange rate.
I’m curious what they are buying with the Rodriguez money, because I don’t think they needed it. A RB comes to mind.
To be fair, Chelsea’s other players at her position look like world class players as well. How many minutes did Macario or Fishel play before Kerr’s injury? I’d be happy with either of them too
Coming out of UCLA, she was as highly regarded as Sophia for what it’s worth
I’d say Fleming was even more highly regarded than Soph. People forget Smith was the consolation (albeit an excellent one) once it became clear Macario was going to Europe. She was a clear number 1 pick, but she’s turned into something much greater than most would have expected.
I'm assuming by draft year, you're referring to if each player had finished a full four years of college. I was saying that had Macario or Fleming decided to enter the draft in 2020, both of them would have been drafted ahead of Soph. They both decided to go abroad (we always knew Fleming wasn't going to enter the draft, but there was some uncertainty about Cat), so Smith and Sanchez became the top prospects in the 2020 draft. Smith only entered the draft once the Thorns traded for the #1 pick.
Smith would have likely stayed at Stanford if Portland didn’t guarantee selecting her. Macario was never coming out that year. She was always finishing her degree.
Fleming bypassing the draft led to that option opening up.
As a senior, Fleming has more film but Sophia as a sophomore was likely going to develop into a similar prospect with more time. I do believe Portland would have selected Fleming at 1 if she came out that year, but it was never an option.
Sophia would likely be playing for the San Diego Wave the following year
That's my hope - that we're using the $$$ to shop for an RB.
Well, Macario didn't play because she's taken a long time to come back to form and fit. As for Fishel, that's fair.
I know that Fleming has long been regarded very highly. I'm not down on her or anything like that. We may actually have procured someone whom we couldn't get otherwise, precisely because she wasn't in Chelsea's plans.
We also just paid Chelsea $317K in transfer fee for someone who was only playing 40 minutes a match and starting only 40% of the time for them, and to get her and make room for her we traded away a very good player. Something about eggs and omelets comes to mind... at least I hope.
It’s Chelsea. They’re at WORST the third or fourth best team in the entire world. Fleming’s recent lack of playing time in that midfield doesn’t reflect on her quality as a player, and is the only reason we even had a chance of acquiring her in the first place.
This isn’t like we’re gambling on some rando unproven prospect to replace Rocky- Anyone who’s watched Fleming consistently knows how good she is.
...which was EXACTLY my thinking about why it was a good idea for the Thorns to take that 2022 friendly against them seriously. Not often you get to test yourself against one of the top 4 clubs in the world, even if it's just their preseason.
And Chelsea is scrambling those eggs trying to replace Sam Kerr, signing Mayra Ramirez (club-record fee) and pursuing Lena Oberdorf, who will cost even more.
Wonder what that's like?
Anyhoo, they need some Fleming cash is my guess.
The transfer fee we paid was less than Horan and Menges (with about 25 to 30k left) when you consider the USD exchange rate.
I’m curious what they are buying with the Rodriguez money, because I don’t think they needed it. A RB comes to mind.
To be fair, Chelsea’s other players at her position look like world class players as well. How many minutes did Macario or Fishel play before Kerr’s injury? I’d be happy with either of them too
Coming out of UCLA, she was as highly regarded as Sophia for what it’s worth
I’d say Fleming was even more highly regarded than Soph. People forget Smith was the consolation (albeit an excellent one) once it became clear Macario was going to Europe. She was a clear number 1 pick, but she’s turned into something much greater than most would have expected.
Fleming was a senior when Sophia was a sophomore and Macario was a junior.
Fleming and Castellanos were 1-2 in the 2020 draft
Macario and Sanchez were 1-2 in the 2021 draft
Sophia was the 1 in the 2022 draft
When Macario decided to go back and Fleming/Castellanos went overseas, both Sanchez and Smith came out early.
Smith was likely going to be rated similarly, but Fleming had the career
I'm assuming by draft year, you're referring to if each player had finished a full four years of college. I was saying that had Macario or Fleming decided to enter the draft in 2020, both of them would have been drafted ahead of Soph. They both decided to go abroad (we always knew Fleming wasn't going to enter the draft, but there was some uncertainty about Cat), so Smith and Sanchez became the top prospects in the 2020 draft. Smith only entered the draft once the Thorns traded for the #1 pick.
Smith would have likely stayed at Stanford if Portland didn’t guarantee selecting her. Macario was never coming out that year. She was always finishing her degree.
Fleming bypassing the draft led to that option opening up.
As a senior, Fleming has more film but Sophia as a sophomore was likely going to develop into a similar prospect with more time. I do believe Portland would have selected Fleming at 1 if she came out that year, but it was never an option.
Sophia would likely be playing for the San Diego Wave the following year
Things work out for a reason
That's my hope - that we're using the $$$ to shop for an RB.
Well, Macario didn't play because she's taken a long time to come back to form and fit. As for Fishel, that's fair.
I know that Fleming has long been regarded very highly. I'm not down on her or anything like that. We may actually have procured someone whom we couldn't get otherwise, precisely because she wasn't in Chelsea's plans.
The tough thing is how do players adjust to the physical nature of the NWSL.
Endo was someone everyone was afraid was signing with ACFC and she’s been outplayed by Sugita.
Everyone was fearful of Sofia Jakobssen when she signed with San Diego and she’s struggled.
Others have become immediate MVP candidates
Could be a LB as well.
Maybe we bring in Sydney Nasello and Jaelene Daniels as NRI’s to remove all good will.
That would get KK fired, but this was an exciting move even though it has risks
she signed a new contract a year ago.