Yeah. As I hypothesized in the other thread, something more is going on here, I’m convinced. People really don’t like being hired to work under people that they out-qualify, unless there’s a carrot or a stick encouraging them.
If I was Norris I’d hire a couple of bodyguards and a water-bottle taster. This has a hint of palace intrigue about it. “Oh, sure, that Octavius guy will make a perfectly fine junior triumvir. Can’t see a downside there, he’s not ambitious, now, is he?”
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie has been named the 2023 Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, awarded to the top player within the United States’ Youth National Team System.
“I’m just super excited and thankful to everyone who voted for me for this award, it’s really special,” Moultrie said. “To see the list of those players who have won it before, and what they’ve gone on to accomplish in their careers, is inspiring and motivating for me. It was a hard year but a fun year and I’m so appreciative of all the older players on the Thorns and the National Team who embraced me and helped me along the way. To grow as a person and a player, you really need your teammates, your coaches and your family, so thanks to all of them. It was a big year of growth for me, and I just hope it’s a step in the right direction. I promise I’m going to work even harder in the coming years.”
Moultrie, 18, wins the award after being nominated for a second consecutive year. In 2023, Moultrie helped lead the United States at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which saw her earn a call-up to the Senior National Team in October and subsequently make her debut against China PR on December 2 in the team’s 3-0 victory. Three days later, in Frisco, Texas, Moultrie earned her second cap, a 2-1 win over China PR.
This past year with Thorns FC, Moultrie recorded a career-high 1,205 minutes across 22 matches, 12 of which were starts. Offensively, Moultrie contributed two goals and three assists for the Thorns, helping the team secure a second-place finish in the NWSL regular season and a semifinal berth in the postseason. The third-year midfielder also appeared in six NWSL Challenge Cup matches, scoring one goal.
Moultrie becomes the second Thorns FC rostered player to be given such an award, joining forward Sophia Smith who earned the title in 2017.
As I understand it, Lowdon has more head-coach experience than Mike Norris did when he was hired, and much more coaching experience outside of GK coach even now. Hooray!
A fun little interview with Sophia on Attacking Third posted today. She was asked about new ownership, and she genuinely seems excited about starting a new chapter with the Thorns, which feels nice. Says she feels she's training in an environment that challenges her every day with her club team (and that's v important imo.) I know money talks, but listening to her, she sounds happy here. She also referred to "teammate Natalia Kuikka at the Thorns" in a present tense in one of the discussions, so it kinda sounds like Natu is staying....which would be good news. Either way, enjoy!
Without reading into it ~too~ much, I especially like her use of “fresh start” and “new chapter” because that sounds, at the very least, like she doesn’t already have a foot out the door.
I hope it's Stoney because I think she's a better coach (and San Diego fans are super annoying about her) but also because I need LH to stay at the Reign for next season because they're gonna be WOOF.
This is what I said prior though....either Stoney or Harvey get the Chelsea job and Carm Moscato will go to whichever club ends up with the vacancy.
man, I just don't see how Harvey is a good fit for that team in 2024. With Stoney I think she'd be a bit more like her United team which wasn't nearly as defensive as San Diego.
My ill-informed stance is '24 is not that year. Seems like a year to either gather a bunch of picks, or trade picks for players. IOW a year where thorough scouting of colleges other than A-list is a big asset. KK, that you?
Tough question. The only redundant position I can think of (with players that would be highly valued) is at the 10 with Moultrie and Hina. Not sure if Moultrie has any Utah connections through her Mormon faith and I would hate to lose her, but that's the only scenario that comes to mind. If she's not assured of the full-time starting gig, maybe she would want to go somewhere where she is. I know her family is local and very supportive with the training facility.
No, you absolutely do not trade any value for the top pick in a draft with no clear Rodman/Soph/Girma/Fox level star. KC screwed up trying it last year with Cooper.
Works for me. I love Liv so I'm good standing pat. I agree with you, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
I guess the equation would change if you knew a player was unhappy, or not wanting to stay long term, or made too much for what the team has planned, etc.
Yeah it would, but I don’t think Liv has given any indication that she wants to leave. I know there’s a lot of stress around the STF comment sections about her not getting enough playing time (particularly in contrast to Sinc), but I think they’ve actually handled her really well given her age. The one thing you don’t want to do with a young player, even one as prodigiously talented as Moultrie, is overplay her as a teen.
Liv was born in Utah but the fam bailed for California PDQ, which I take as a vote they're not terribly committed to living there. Having said that, who the heck knows? I assume she has loyalty to Thorns but the entire group who brought her on board and developed her is now gone. New owners: make this right.
Has Norris ever played Hina at the 10 even situationally? My expectation is she’s the starting 8 with Olivia moving in to replace Dunn
In reality, I think Rocky is a better player than Beckie, so part of me is NOT opposed to Hina at the wing with Rocky at the 8. She’s a fabulous player wherever you put her. I think a lot will be shown by whom we sign and draft.
What Norris has done vs. what he should have done should be taken into consideration.
Are you suggesting Rocky is an option at wing? Seems sketchy. But yes, unless we are using a double pivot, I think Hina will be wing and Moultrie at the 10. I think Hina is a better 10 than winger, thus my original comment about the redundancy at the 10.
Also has INAC Kobe ties...I'm sure a few of our STF friends here know of him. Seems like a good get for an assistant. I've hoped Thorns would look to Japanese coaches in the past...
Looks like our new assistant coach was leading a seminar class at the United Coaches Convention that's happening just before the draft in Anaheim. I saw her post a picture with KK, Vytas, the guy that looks like Draco Malfoy, and some other unrecognized guy, but no Mike.....
That seminar class? Conflict Resolution! Lol. I've heard of her attending these conferences in the past...she seems to be a very ambitious coach, which is more than what I feel like I can say about our HC.
Pete Carroll now available as consultant. He's a zen master when it comes to wrangling personalities. Plus can hit a crossing route ten time out of ten.
Eye on ION, or no eyes on ION, or Door #3. Ready, set, scramble.
"How Do I Watch the Draft?
"Live coverage of the 2024 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, will begin on ION Television at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET and continue until 8 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET, at which time the remainder of the draft will be available on ION Plus.
If you haven't cut the cord Verizon/Comcast carries these jokers as "KPXG", channel 705 on the lineup we get here in NoPo.. It's also local channel 22 for rabbit ears
I wonder if this is an addition by Norris, or by FO? I don’t know if I like this so much. Seems like it might cause rifts in the locker room. If you want to make her coach, just make her the coach and let her get her own staff in here. If Norris brought her in because he understands his weaknesses then good on him
I believe she has an existing relationship with Norris (and they're both geordies!), but even if she doesn't, I've ever heard of a FO bringing in an assistant coach....because it doesn't make any sense. If they wanted to hire a new coach, they could just fire Norris and do that.
It's possible that there's a transition intended, but it's important to remember that Norris was NEVER supposed to be the permanent coach. He was only hired because of the RW resignation, and I'd bet the new owners would have let him go if the sale had closed a few months earlier.
Nah she's a big, pacy striker who's also pretty good technically. Really good profile and she's impressed me every time I've watcher her domestically (and in the WC games for Zambia). https://fbref.com/en/players/32f48f46/Racheal-Kundananji
I hope it wasn't the Reign tbh cause that would indicate they have major money to burn and I want them to continue in this holding pattern lol. They did at least extend Balcer today.
Yeah, that's true also haha. They do NEED a striker in the sense that they have no attack, but they also don't need another on their roster when they just re-signed Balcer and had Huitema protected.
Likely it wasn't us, so I'm ok with a good striker not being picked up lol. I've had my eye on Barbra Banda for years. And I think she's in China? Would love to swoop in for her, but I think she plays predominately at striker? I'm not sure if she could play on the RW, but that would be FUN (and she's only 23!)
Interesting thing...Chris Henderson has a true freshman at the very top of his centerback list. Savy King, 19-year-old out of University of North Carolina. Not huge (5'6") but already a US U-20 and Henderson likes her SO much he says if he was Utah he'd take her with their #1 overall pick. ESPN has her as their #3 overall best prospect,
Anyone know anything about this player? Sounds like a real beast!
She’s the real deal. I watched UNC all season and she did not play like a freshman. Good defensive positioning, footwork, tackling,, and passing. And super fast. Given her size and speed she’d probably be a better outside back than a CB in NWSL. I’d love to see her on the Thorns, but admittedly I’m biased toward INC players.
I do think there's a massive over-emphasis on height for CBs. I'd much rather have a CB who's technically sound, strong, can run with pacy forwards, and is intelligent positioning-wise than a tall player who loafs around and can't keep up with pacy forwards but occasionally wins an aerial duel.
You know who else is 5'6? Naomi freakin Girma, who just won USWNT POTY.
I wonder if that will change, though. A bunch of centerbacks at the top of the draft lists this year are closer to BroSo heights: Maycee Bell (5'11"), Hannah Anderson (5'10"), Bridget Rieken out of Wazzu is freaking six feet tall!
Kinda what I mean. American CB development tends to favor bigstrongtall (mostly because CB is where players with those traits are pushed to as kids), so we still primarily do see bigger CBs. To be totally fair, that's also true most places outside of the U.S as well, but I think it's especially noticeable in the American soccer.
I personally think that should change, but I don't think it has yet. It's worth noting that some of the really successful national teams of late -- Spain and Japan in particular-- have been just fine without a lot of size in their backlines because their players are so smart tactically in addition to being proficient technically that they don't need to rely on size to win. That's not to say that I think all CBs need to be short, or that there's no benefit to having large CBs, but it would be nice if this country produced more woso CBs in the Girma mold.
Lots more 5’3” Spaniards and Japanese might have some impact on development in those countries, too. A WE club waiting on a six-footer to complete their backline is gonna have a long wait.
I think it also depends on how the game is played and officiated. Our version is getting more technical but is still pretty physical and as such rewards a bigger defender.
I’m not sure the jury is in. I could see the faster, lighter (let’s call it “Spanish” just for simplicity) style making the six-footers a rarity…but I could also see it going the other way - the “Spanish” clubs hunting for tall central defenders who can play well with the ball at their feet, too.
I do think it's a very common (and really, distinctly American) view of the CB position. I think the size element is more important on the men's side than the women's, but it's generally much harder to find a defender with the technical and mental attributes than the physical ones.
My top three CBs in the world right now -- Girma, Mapi Leon, and Leah Williamson-- are all 5'7 or smaller. Even Sauerbrunn is only 5'7 herself. Maybe size gets more important as the women's game evolves, but right now I'd always lean towards the mental/speed components if I have to choose.
Ertz at 5'7" played like a six-footer. She and Horan were such an aerial double-threat on Team US in their prime. US lacks that, Thorns badly lack that.
Yeah, I'd take either! Sentnor is in one of our most crowded position groups, but Wesley would be a great defensive pickup for sure. There are a lot of good CB's and RB's in this draft class.
This is kinda the WoSo equivalent of hiring Sir Alex Ferguson as assistant to Big Sam Allardyce, or a pitchbot remake of "Who's The Boss".
I expect a technical box coup before midseason.
Yeah. As I hypothesized in the other thread, something more is going on here, I’m convinced. People really don’t like being hired to work under people that they out-qualify, unless there’s a carrot or a stick encouraging them.
If I was Norris I’d hire a couple of bodyguards and a water-bottle taster. This has a hint of palace intrigue about it. “Oh, sure, that Octavius guy will make a perfectly fine junior triumvir. Can’t see a downside there, he’s not ambitious, now, is he?”
Or unless they're at a point in their careers when they don't want the responsibility of being in charge. Probably not the case here.
BTW, Vlatko officially added Freya to his technical staff.
No subs for KC in 2024. They play until 90 or they're banished forever lol.
That's it! Soccer as "The Weakest Link"!
Can we get big sam? Pies at Providence park, I'm all in!
But he'd eat all the pies, so none for us!
Yes, absolutely earned Liv!
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie has been named the 2023 Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, awarded to the top player within the United States’ Youth National Team System.
“I’m just super excited and thankful to everyone who voted for me for this award, it’s really special,” Moultrie said. “To see the list of those players who have won it before, and what they’ve gone on to accomplish in their careers, is inspiring and motivating for me. It was a hard year but a fun year and I’m so appreciative of all the older players on the Thorns and the National Team who embraced me and helped me along the way. To grow as a person and a player, you really need your teammates, your coaches and your family, so thanks to all of them. It was a big year of growth for me, and I just hope it’s a step in the right direction. I promise I’m going to work even harder in the coming years.”
Moultrie, 18, wins the award after being nominated for a second consecutive year. In 2023, Moultrie helped lead the United States at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which saw her earn a call-up to the Senior National Team in October and subsequently make her debut against China PR on December 2 in the team’s 3-0 victory. Three days later, in Frisco, Texas, Moultrie earned her second cap, a 2-1 win over China PR.
This past year with Thorns FC, Moultrie recorded a career-high 1,205 minutes across 22 matches, 12 of which were starts. Offensively, Moultrie contributed two goals and three assists for the Thorns, helping the team secure a second-place finish in the NWSL regular season and a semifinal berth in the postseason. The third-year midfielder also appeared in six NWSL Challenge Cup matches, scoring one goal.
Moultrie becomes the second Thorns FC rostered player to be given such an award, joining forward Sophia Smith who earned the title in 2017.
Now, PLAY HER. I stg if I see Sinc start over her this year....
Nah, this is the Ichiro/Griffey farewell tour season. Let's hope it goes better than those did.
Rumors swirling that Sarina Wiegman will be brought in as goalkeeping coach under Norris.
It appears that Norris has taken up chain smoking to calm the shakes, as seen in this interview:
https://youtu.be/98MNisZJyFI?t=141
As I understand it, Lowdon has more head-coach experience than Mike Norris did when he was hired, and much more coaching experience outside of GK coach even now. Hooray!
A fun little interview with Sophia on Attacking Third posted today. She was asked about new ownership, and she genuinely seems excited about starting a new chapter with the Thorns, which feels nice. Says she feels she's training in an environment that challenges her every day with her club team (and that's v important imo.) I know money talks, but listening to her, she sounds happy here. She also referred to "teammate Natalia Kuikka at the Thorns" in a present tense in one of the discussions, so it kinda sounds like Natu is staying....which would be good news. Either way, enjoy!
https://youtu.be/mdGWnlirKRU?si=2x65lXCQdsb1V8Wz
This is good, it makes me happy.
Without reading into it ~too~ much, I especially like her use of “fresh start” and “new chapter” because that sounds, at the very least, like she doesn’t already have a foot out the door.
I'm still going with Sarah "The Dirty" Lowdon.
I wonder wonder wonder wonder who...
Looking forward to our future interim coach come August/Olympics. Hopefully full-time coach come 2025.
https://x.com/M0lly_Writes/status/1745771583132586266?s=20
Either of those two going to Chelsea would be hilarious
I bet the coolers at Chelsea are super nice.
I've heard they come with tucked-and-rolled cushions.
Bespoke hides sourced from Bentley.
And a tapestry hanging from the cooler handle.
"Three months into her tenure as manager, Chelsea players accidentally discover Laura Harvey is a replacement."
I hope it's Stoney because I think she's a better coach (and San Diego fans are super annoying about her) but also because I need LH to stay at the Reign for next season because they're gonna be WOOF.
This is what I said prior though....either Stoney or Harvey get the Chelsea job and Carm Moscato will go to whichever club ends up with the vacancy.
man, I just don't see how Harvey is a good fit for that team in 2024. With Stoney I think she'd be a bit more like her United team which wasn't nearly as defensive as San Diego.
Sporting supporters supposedly unsupportive of Sporting Sporting Director. Story at 11.
Seriously, the Sporting KC & KC Current fan podcast hosts are not well pleased that Gavin has been brought in.
Ok good food for thought for the draft:
What would you give up to move into the #1 (or early) pick?
Any specific players you’d move up for?
My ill-informed stance is '24 is not that year. Seems like a year to either gather a bunch of picks, or trade picks for players. IOW a year where thorough scouting of colleges other than A-list is a big asset. KK, that you?
Nah, there aren’t any can’t miss players that would be worth giving up what it would cost.
Not sure what we have to do that, but I’d sure like Savannah King.
Think anyone would take Beckie, Hubly, and Porter for King at #1?
KK would. Clearly.
Ooo and let's sweeten the pot with McGrady. She's supposed to be pretty good at soccer, right?
Tough question. The only redundant position I can think of (with players that would be highly valued) is at the 10 with Moultrie and Hina. Not sure if Moultrie has any Utah connections through her Mormon faith and I would hate to lose her, but that's the only scenario that comes to mind. If she's not assured of the full-time starting gig, maybe she would want to go somewhere where she is. I know her family is local and very supportive with the training facility.
No, you absolutely do not trade any value for the top pick in a draft with no clear Rodman/Soph/Girma/Fox level star. KC screwed up trying it last year with Cooper.
Works for me. I love Liv so I'm good standing pat. I agree with you, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
I guess the equation would change if you knew a player was unhappy, or not wanting to stay long term, or made too much for what the team has planned, etc.
Yeah it would, but I don’t think Liv has given any indication that she wants to leave. I know there’s a lot of stress around the STF comment sections about her not getting enough playing time (particularly in contrast to Sinc), but I think they’ve actually handled her really well given her age. The one thing you don’t want to do with a young player, even one as prodigiously talented as Moultrie, is overplay her as a teen.
Liv was born in Utah but the fam bailed for California PDQ, which I take as a vote they're not terribly committed to living there. Having said that, who the heck knows? I assume she has loyalty to Thorns but the entire group who brought her on board and developed her is now gone. New owners: make this right.
Has Norris ever played Hina at the 10 even situationally? My expectation is she’s the starting 8 with Olivia moving in to replace Dunn
In reality, I think Rocky is a better player than Beckie, so part of me is NOT opposed to Hina at the wing with Rocky at the 8. She’s a fabulous player wherever you put her. I think a lot will be shown by whom we sign and draft.
What Norris has done vs. what he should have done should be taken into consideration.
Are you suggesting Rocky is an option at wing? Seems sketchy. But yes, unless we are using a double pivot, I think Hina will be wing and Moultrie at the 10. I think Hina is a better 10 than winger, thus my original comment about the redundancy at the 10.
Nope. I’m suggesting they may keep Hina at the wing and play Moultire / Rodriguez / Coffey in the midfield.
I don’t believe they are going to play Hina at the 10 regardless. I think she’s viewed as an 8 even thoiugh I personally would put her at the 10
Her family is "local" in as much as they moved here from California so that Liv could play for the Thorns. They are originally from Utah.
"Chicago Red Stars have added Masaki Hemmi as assistant coach for the club.
Hemmi will join head coach, Lorne Donaldson, and the rest of the coaching staff at the #NWSL Draft taking place Friday, January 12, at 5 p.m. PT."
https://twitter.com/tayvincent6/status/1745538261064499589
Also has INAC Kobe ties...I'm sure a few of our STF friends here know of him. Seems like a good get for an assistant. I've hoped Thorns would look to Japanese coaches in the past...
Can Hemmi and Donaldson also suit up for the No Stars, if needed? I'm asking for a friend, whose name rhymes with Pal Monson.
Looks like our new assistant coach was leading a seminar class at the United Coaches Convention that's happening just before the draft in Anaheim. I saw her post a picture with KK, Vytas, the guy that looks like Draco Malfoy, and some other unrecognized guy, but no Mike.....
That seminar class? Conflict Resolution! Lol. I've heard of her attending these conferences in the past...she seems to be a very ambitious coach, which is more than what I feel like I can say about our HC.
Heh.
Pete Carroll now available as consultant. He's a zen master when it comes to wrangling personalities. Plus can hit a crossing route ten time out of ten.
Eye on ION, or no eyes on ION, or Door #3. Ready, set, scramble.
"How Do I Watch the Draft?
"Live coverage of the 2024 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, will begin on ION Television at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET and continue until 8 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET, at which time the remainder of the draft will be available on ION Plus.
"Viewers can find access to ION in their area or via streaming platform by visiting https://iontelevision.com/find-us.
My guess: log into CBS Sports Network, go to search, use search term "find hidden double-secret probation draft site." Apple Pay only.
If you have an LG Smart TV, they are channels 201 and 202 (free).
If you haven't cut the cord Verizon/Comcast carries these jokers as "KPXG", channel 705 on the lineup we get here in NoPo.. It's also local channel 22 for rabbit ears
I wonder if this is an addition by Norris, or by FO? I don’t know if I like this so much. Seems like it might cause rifts in the locker room. If you want to make her coach, just make her the coach and let her get her own staff in here. If Norris brought her in because he understands his weaknesses then good on him
I believe she has an existing relationship with Norris (and they're both geordies!), but even if she doesn't, I've ever heard of a FO bringing in an assistant coach....because it doesn't make any sense. If they wanted to hire a new coach, they could just fire Norris and do that.
It's possible that there's a transition intended, but it's important to remember that Norris was NEVER supposed to be the permanent coach. He was only hired because of the RW resignation, and I'd bet the new owners would have let him go if the sale had closed a few months earlier.
I was thinking they know Norris is not their guy and Lowdon is their choice, or seeing how they feel about her, kinda giving her a trial by fire.
https://x.com/womenstransfer/status/1745469125428756559?s=20
Wonder which team this is. Kundananji's a beast. Also, where can I get a Madrid CFF jersey ASAP?
I don't know much about her but those jerseys are NICE! Is she a winger? I hope it was OL Reign who got denied lol.
Nah she's a big, pacy striker who's also pretty good technically. Really good profile and she's impressed me every time I've watcher her domestically (and in the WC games for Zambia). https://fbref.com/en/players/32f48f46/Racheal-Kundananji
I hope it wasn't the Reign tbh cause that would indicate they have major money to burn and I want them to continue in this holding pattern lol. They did at least extend Balcer today.
Yeah, that's true also haha. They do NEED a striker in the sense that they have no attack, but they also don't need another on their roster when they just re-signed Balcer and had Huitema protected.
Likely it wasn't us, so I'm ok with a good striker not being picked up lol. I've had my eye on Barbra Banda for years. And I think she's in China? Would love to swoop in for her, but I think she plays predominately at striker? I'm not sure if she could play on the RW, but that would be FUN (and she's only 23!)
Interesting thing...Chris Henderson has a true freshman at the very top of his centerback list. Savy King, 19-year-old out of University of North Carolina. Not huge (5'6") but already a US U-20 and Henderson likes her SO much he says if he was Utah he'd take her with their #1 overall pick. ESPN has her as their #3 overall best prospect,
Anyone know anything about this player? Sounds like a real beast!
She’s the real deal. I watched UNC all season and she did not play like a freshman. Good defensive positioning, footwork, tackling,, and passing. And super fast. Given her size and speed she’d probably be a better outside back than a CB in NWSL. I’d love to see her on the Thorns, but admittedly I’m biased toward INC players.
I do think there's a massive over-emphasis on height for CBs. I'd much rather have a CB who's technically sound, strong, can run with pacy forwards, and is intelligent positioning-wise than a tall player who loafs around and can't keep up with pacy forwards but occasionally wins an aerial duel.
You know who else is 5'6? Naomi freakin Girma, who just won USWNT POTY.
KNow who else is 5' 6" (allegedly)? Sophia Freaking Smith, who has to get passed the USWNT POTY.
I wonder if that will change, though. A bunch of centerbacks at the top of the draft lists this year are closer to BroSo heights: Maycee Bell (5'11"), Hannah Anderson (5'10"), Bridget Rieken out of Wazzu is freaking six feet tall!
Kinda what I mean. American CB development tends to favor bigstrongtall (mostly because CB is where players with those traits are pushed to as kids), so we still primarily do see bigger CBs. To be totally fair, that's also true most places outside of the U.S as well, but I think it's especially noticeable in the American soccer.
I personally think that should change, but I don't think it has yet. It's worth noting that some of the really successful national teams of late -- Spain and Japan in particular-- have been just fine without a lot of size in their backlines because their players are so smart tactically in addition to being proficient technically that they don't need to rely on size to win. That's not to say that I think all CBs need to be short, or that there's no benefit to having large CBs, but it would be nice if this country produced more woso CBs in the Girma mold.
Lots more 5’3” Spaniards and Japanese might have some impact on development in those countries, too. A WE club waiting on a six-footer to complete their backline is gonna have a long wait.
I think it also depends on how the game is played and officiated. Our version is getting more technical but is still pretty physical and as such rewards a bigger defender.
I’m not sure the jury is in. I could see the faster, lighter (let’s call it “Spanish” just for simplicity) style making the six-footers a rarity…but I could also see it going the other way - the “Spanish” clubs hunting for tall central defenders who can play well with the ball at their feet, too.
Point taken. I didn’t know Girma was only 5’6”. She certainly plays taller.
I do think it's a very common (and really, distinctly American) view of the CB position. I think the size element is more important on the men's side than the women's, but it's generally much harder to find a defender with the technical and mental attributes than the physical ones.
My top three CBs in the world right now -- Girma, Mapi Leon, and Leah Williamson-- are all 5'7 or smaller. Even Sauerbrunn is only 5'7 herself. Maybe size gets more important as the women's game evolves, but right now I'd always lean towards the mental/speed components if I have to choose.
Ertz at 5'7" played like a six-footer. She and Horan were such an aerial double-threat on Team US in their prime. US lacks that, Thorns badly lack that.
Also a good point. Aerial ability is more about coordination, leaping ability, and timing than pure height.
UNC
If I were KK I'd be doing all I could to trade up to get her. She'd anchor the backline for a long time to come.
Who does ESPN have at 1 and 2?
1. Ally Sentnor, MF, UNC
2. Kennedy Wesley, Defender, Stanford
Yeah, I'd take either! Sentnor is in one of our most crowded position groups, but Wesley would be a great defensive pickup for sure. There are a lot of good CB's and RB's in this draft class.