"On August 9, 2024 Nadim married her long-term partner Idrees in Istanbul, Türkiye. Nadim’s aunt Aryana Sayeed performed at the wedding. According to Nadim’s sister the couple have met when they both resided in Viby near Aarhus."
Nadia is still playing for AC Milan. Congrats and all of life's blessings to Dr. Nadim!
Sam is so, so good. I marvel at her brain and instincts for this game. She's just always where she's needed and always looking to start a play. Now, she needs better than a couple of aging midfield partners on that team.
Totally agree that Vlatko should have taken her, but I'll also add that Sam has gotten significantly better over the last year. Her 1-v-1 defending is better, and her passing has gotten even sharper (not that it was bad before). Not certain about her field awareness/understanding but I think that's gotten better too.
Interesting to see the (mostly, from what I've seen on non-STF platforms) irritated reaction to Alvarado getting bought out from some Thorns/Timbers media people and supporters. GK is a nearly impossible position to break into in any pro league, but especially in one that only has 14 starting jobs. It's kinda part of the biz.
"Alvarado should have gotten a chance and they did her dirty." Okay? So trying to upgrade is bad? Benching Hogan for an unproven backup would have been good? One keeper plays every soccer match. Just how it is!
People have a poor understanding that you get a chance every day in training, especially as a goalkeeper. At the end of the day, the coaching staff are making that determination.
“Hunh?” (wondering why Alvarado and not, say, Kozal…)
“K” (figuring it was because Alvarado is more expensive)
“Meh.”
FWIW, I’m not sure (and I’d argue that at this point it’s impossible to be sure) which of these keepers outside the rooks are “an upgrade”. I’m guessing Arnold is the current #1…but honestly? Her record is mixed, and until we see how she does against NWSL opponents behind our backline we won’t know if we’re getting peaches or lunch meat.
And yes, Arnold could absolutely bomb and then we're back to square one, but it's her job to lose. I'd be *shocked* if Bixby or Hogan get their jobs back unless Arnold is noticeably quite bad, and not just in a "playing in front of Australia's backline in the Olympics" way. Could be wrong!
I doubt you’re wrong as in “WTF?” wrong; I’d be shocked if Arnold steps in at the end of the month and utterly faceplants. She - like practically all of these keepers - is not going to be a critical fail the way Hogan was in the first couple of months; she’s had too many minutes with Australia, and is probably in decent form, so provided her defense doesn’t do what Australia’s did she will be fine.
The big question will be answered (sorta) over the last couple of months. If she finishes the season with a brutally negative GAvsxGa? Then we’ll have to wonder if the coaching staff got their evaluation right.
As you've said, the opportunity to get Arnold for free probably came after they picked up Emi Alvarado (which was probably a panicked purchase)...but yeah, if you get the chance to upgrade, esp at no cost to you, you kinda gotta take those opportunities.
Cassie Miller was doing pretty damn well for Gotham while starting and now she will probably never start again so long as Berger is there or retires. It just happens. At least they've agreed to mutual termination so she can explore other options abroad...
The reasonable complaint is "why did they buy her in the first place," which yes, true, though Hogan was underperforming at the time. I just find it hard to get too upset about taking a flier on a player and then buying out her contract when it doesn't work out. As long as they didn't promise her a starting spot (which I doubt), no harm no foul.
Absolutely beautiful. Clive and his Pilots teams are at the very core of the Thorns' (and Timbers') success and local popularity, whether or not we as fans realize that. One wishes he was here to see what he was so instrumental in creating.
Michelle French is working to bring the Pilots back. Spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon on the Bluff watching the 2024 edition tear up some poor Catholic school from Massachusetts, seven-nil without visible effort.
WCC is a fun and competitive conference comprising mostly like-size schools (esp now that BYU is chasing bucks elsewhere). Now that Pac 12 committed seppuku, have an opportunity for a higher profile. Bring on the Pilots!
Here's another lovely piece by Sam's sister Alex about Sam's NT journey and her Olympic experience, and the rejuvenation of the USWNT (it also features a link to some wonderful footage of the Coffey siblings celebrating).
I’m a big fan of the fast action “ctrl-a ctrl-c” combo, get it off before the paywall loads and you can copy/paste an article into your word document of choice
Shades of the 90s WNBA launch just after the establishment of the WBL (featuring your Portland Power!). A concentration of highly wealthy owners aghast that someone else might profit by so much as a nickel via the promotion of related product. Except in this case they let the competition struggle to grow for a dozen years first.
Yeah, I thought this is sort of the fun house version of the sixties football and basketball league rivalries where the upstart leagues probably had their sights set on a merger from early on; this time it would be the "establishment" league presumably looking to do something like that.
Yeah and I also remember a few months ago hearing about a standing offer for NWSL from MLS, but that was it. I can’t remember the price given….but it seems like they’re trying to make a merge happen and NWSL wants no part of it.
Yeah she's a nice little add as a spark-plug off the bench for peanuts. Very good dribbler, which is something we sorely lack on the wings. Hopefully just the first of a few this summer, though they'll need to announce another departure first if that's the case.
(She and Soph were also best friends as U-18s, fwiw)
It’s a good start…but yeah still see her as a depth player.
Anyone know how she compares on talent or style to Linnehan? If I recall correctly, she was supposed to be one of the best crossers in the winger class when she was drafted…at least we have another true winger now. She was also a part of U23 rosters for the youth national team.
Still need a clear starting attacker with Soph and Weaver, so I’m hoping this is just a start. Gonna need more juice than this, but yeah good pickup for peanuts while KC builds their attack and players are pushed further down the depth chart.
Spaanstra and Linnehan are probably around the same talent-wise, though Spaanstra was more highly rated coming out (and some think she still has a high ceiling). Spaanstra's a better dribbler, Linnehan's probably faster and more direct. Worth noting Spaanstra's started eight matches this season for KC.
It'll be interesting to see if there's one more move coming (big or not), or if it's more a "let's go into the offseason and evaluate" type situation.
Nah she’s started 8, played 11 league matches has came off the bench in all four Summer Cup matches as well. The 8 starts were all in the first 9 games of the season, however, so she’s played much less since Debinha and Cooper came back.
Yeah, that was kinda my read as well from what I knew of the two of them…Hope we never have to see Dias or D’Aquila on the wing again.
As I said in another comment, I do like that we’re getting some decent domestic talent, and for cheap! A good start, but I hope it’s just that. Gotta have that as a foundation to build…
She played mostly on the right side at Virginia from what I recall. She was the second best prospect on that team before Rebecca Jarrett’s potentially brilliant career was cut short by ACL injuries.
I believe that her and Sophia were close from their U20 days.
Hmmm. K. If that’s the case then I’m not sure I see a real obvious “here’s her role” other than general depth.
I’m starting to think that the idea for the final games is to trust that 1) Weaver and Moultrie are fully fit AND in improved form, 2) that Beckie and Fleming start playing like they do for Canada, and 3) Coffey stays healthy and someone (Sugita?) steps in when we need a double pivot.
I know that many of us (ABell4!) have been hoping for some impact signings. But I’m starting to suspect that the FO is mostly good with the current situation roster with the idea that between tactical tweaks such as we saw in the Cup games and player upticks in form the result will be wins.
I've been of the belief (since the beginning of the season, really) that the first season under new ownership would a kind of "see what we have" transition year, especially with the Olympics and how many contracts expire at the end of this season. I think Phuoc hinting at multiple signings a month or so ago got us excited about a potential big add, but it's very possible that the multiple signings are just depth.
If you're one of those that views every season with Smith that's not 100% all-in a year wasted, than you'll probably be frustrated. I'm personally fine with it so long as they then go out and make a few big moves in the offseason.
And I’m fine with not rushing out to throw cash at, say, Alex Morgan or Savannah McCaskill to sign a “big name”. I’m not convinced we’ve seen how well this roster can play, so I’m okay with standing pat - including post-season IF that works. I think the “big signing miss” will turn out to be coaching.
I don't think they can afford to stand pat this offseason (they need another Weaver-or-better caliber winger, a backup six, and a starting-caliber CB imo), but I agree that we haven't seen the best version of this team either.
Agree on the #6 - they never did replace Rodriguez - and the CB; Hubly has become too error-prone and Brunn is aging out. I do think the idea is that Beckie becomes that winger. Not sure I agree it’s gonna happen, but at least on paper she should be.
Should be a decent bench option. The Thorns really need to start bringing up the floor talent-wise and getting decent domestic(!) options is a good start. She has youth national team pedigree and she was cheap. So long as it isn’t our only plan, this is a fine start.
Could be a good move. KC seems not to have figured how to use her and she has a good pedigree from Virginia, starting five years on a good ACC team. Fairly certain I've seen her play in the tournament, but no detailed recollections.
Katie Zelem from Man U to Angel City is kinda lol.
Phuoc, please share any Thorns transfer updates! We’re about to be back in season, the USL is starting, and we’ve done nothing much this summer so far and it’s kinda disheartening. Would love to know if 2-3 more players are still in the pipeline bc at this point it seems last minute. Seems most other teams has brought in good and/or multiple players and we're kinda over here floundering…what gives?
Yeah I said in a comment below that I didn’t realize we weren’t starting up with games again until the 24th. Was hoping to have someone(s) by that first Gotham game. They've leveled up their roster since we've seen them last and it'd be nice to try and compete!
But yeah....trying to be patient, it's just hard seeing everyone else make multiple signings when we made a 6th GK signing 2 months ago. We've also only waived one player. Just...not what we need after like 2 years of sluggish transfer windows.
Given the issues with roster building here I guess I'm more willing to be patient...IF the FO can get it right. The problem right now is that there's a lot of pieces that are not fitting in the puzzle (Provenzano because you can't waive your poor injured reserve player because it's just mean, Weaver because of injury plus early season form, D'Aquila because of no-left-foot plus who knows why she's like that, Dias because...she's just kind of crummy(?), Sinc because she's a zillion years old, Hubly because return of the Derps, Fleming because Why Can't You Play Like That Here?).
I won't pretend I'd want that problem. But it's the FO's to figure out, and if they CAN make a good move or two this August I'd be very pleased.
Crawling out on this limb to propose the appeal of coming to play alongside Soph and Sam has elevated over the last few weeks. In case, you know, somebody just needed an extra nudge.
Yeah, for real...especially Soph, seeing as we need 2 wingers if Beckie leaves. "Wanna come play next to one of the best young strikers in the world?" sounds like a pretty appealing pitch, especially after just winning gold. Gotta take advantage when you have those types of players because it draws more top quality players. Lose those players, and it's really difficult and/or slow to recruit top quality again. My hope is that winning gold comes at the perfect time for Thorns since they really need to rebuild/upgrade in these next 2 windows. I'm guessing there will be players in Europe/overseas who may be slightly more open to it than they were before the Olympics....really hoping Thorns understand the momentum and take advantage.
I know nothing, but I'd guess that the chance of the Thorns announcing *anything* during the climax of the Olympics was zero. Doesn't necessarily mean they have nothing to announce. They may save it to sell tickets to a home game. Fingers crossed for one each the next three weeks.
Yeah I guess I didn’t realize we weren’t starting up with games again until the 24th. Still was hoping to have someone(s) by that Gotham game. Just would love to know if the plan for 2-3 is still the same as it was over a month ago or if something unplanned happened. Every team above us leveled up and we need to to have a chance.
Oh I agree. I guess I'm just resigned to the fact that we'll know when they decide to tell us, and that no announcement doesn't always mean no action. Hoping for the best.
Having watched all or parts of this weekend's 3 USLSL matches, I'd say it's like finding a good red blend on sale at Costco.
No, it's not a Pinot Noir, Barolo, or even a good Syrah, but it's a pleasant surprise that will do the trick and I've certaily consumed worse.
There's a higher quality of players than I expected.
Lots of players who have played not only for good NCAA programs but also in Europe, Australia, or the NWSL, who have played for their national teams at the senior and/or junior levels, and some 16- and 17-year old academy players who are getting pro experience before they head off for college.
There's also some roster-building intention, trying to get some NWSL veterans, players who have local ties to the market, etc.
Also, they've all been low-scoring competitive affairs with good tempo. No blowouts, no team that has looked overmatched. All 1-0 or 1-1 matches.
Checked and last year we had 347 DI soccer programs. If a quarter of their starters graduate each year, that's nearly 2,000 players, most of whom will never lace up their boots again.
The new league gives some a possible landing spot; you know, prior to the real world that is the rest of their lives. Bethany Balcer is available for a consult.
ETA strong barista moonlight gig vibes, pondering what player salaries probably are.
Another good signing for Gotham, who appears to have all of Phil Murphy's money in their pocket....Jess Carter and Silva in this window when it wasn't even needed? I guess that's the difference between "running it back" and literally never settling if there's a way to level up any position. The rich get richer...must be nice!
"Jéssica Silva (Portuguese int'l attacker) appears to be heading to Gotham FC!
The defending champs continue to build in the transfer window"
She played on a pretty bad KC team if I remember correctly. Watched her at the WC and thought she looked better with Portugal than I ever remembered her at KC. Thought it could be a good fit on first thought (esp with current attacking injuries), but I haven't watched her club play recently. Regardless, depth can be the difference in the league at this point when everyone on the team is fresh as a daisy going into the post-season. Anyway, they're trying to upgrade their attacking line, which I can only daydream about at this point. Frustrating that they just keep adding international talent and I have no damn idea how. Is half of their salary like media and NYC-adjacent events so that the club can pay a smaller salary? Like it doesn't make sense.
Sure, but international talent just means they play for an international team lol. Ana Dias is technically international talent.
Silva is super talented --better than she looked for KC anyways, though only starting 5 matches for a shitty team ain't super encouraging imo-- and will probably fit in well with Gotham, but let's just say that a 29 year old from Benfica is not exactly what I want the Thorns going after.
Yeah, I meant they're adding actual decent international talent...not an Ana Dias from the Russian league, which is my point lol. Ana Dias is also a bubble player with like maybe 5 appearances and Silva has over 100 caps and is a decent attacker to add to a roster. They are not the same lol. If we spent an int'l spot on Dias, I'd have rather spent that on Silva. Not saying she's a world beater, but they're still adding experienced talent.
More so, the point is they keep adding international talent....Berger, Carter, Silva into the team that already exists there is levels above anything we're doing. And I continue to wonder how that is working....
Silva's def better than Dias, but it's not like she's any kind of star either. Portugal hasn't been a good national team like, ever.
But yes, point taken- I'm not sure how Gotham is doing any of what they're doing. It certainly helps to have a ton of good domestic talent because Americans --especially the Sheehan/Martin/Hiatt/Freeman/Stevens/Yaz group-- just don't cost as much. Esther, Silva, and Maitane must not be making that much either. Maybe Berger and Carter took discounts idk.
(Or the cap doesn't exist, which is certainly possible too)
Compare USWNT 2023 v USWNT 2024 (denotes alternate)
GK 2023: Kingsbury, Murphy, Naeher
GK 2024: (Campbell), Murphy, Naeher
D 2023: Cook, Dunn, Fox, Girma, Huerta, O’Hara, Sonnett
D 2024: Davidson, Fox, Girma, Krueger, Nighswonger, Sonnett
M 2023: DeMelo, Ertz, Horan, Lavelle, KMewis, Sanchez, Sullivan
M 2024: Albert, (Bethune), Coffey, (Hershfelt), Horan, Lavelle
F 2023: Morgan, Rapinoe, Rodman, Smith, Thompson, Williams
F 2024: Dunn, Rodman, Shaw, Smith, Swanson, (Williams)
A few things to note about the 2024 roster:
- Dunn was used as a defender and Shaw didn't play, so Hayes didn't have much choice except to ride Rodman, Smith, Swanson, and Williams while doing a wonderful job with the defensive selections and rotations.
- Her decisions to bring Bethune and Hershfelt as alternates, on the other hand, are questionable, because they provided no relief for a thin midfield/attack made more so by Macario's absence.
- 12 players from WWC 2023 not on Olympics 2024 roster - huge churn, with only 5 of the new additions (Swanson, Coffey, Albert, Davidson, Krueger) making significant-to-major contributions.
This is like Racing’s 9th forward lol and why tf would they let Howell go?! Maybe Balcer is as good a CF that Racing think they can get, and she’s also not really good enough to start on a team with higher aspirations (like maybe Reign lol.) Reign haven’t had a good CF in a long time and they were just collecting ones that weren’t game-changing good. Probably would’ve kept Balcer over Huitema in terms of pure skill now, but Huitema is still really young. Still what a damn bizarre trade lol. Wonder what this means for Quinn…
Louisville have a ton of wingers, but no real nines that are any good. I kinda get it purely from a fit perspective cause they seem to prefer Flint and Jaelin hasn't really stayed healthy. Balcer getting on the end of service from Bahr and Turner isn't the worst thought, at least in theory. For Balcer, she'll get to play centrally instead of shunted to the wing to fit Huitema in (and, apparently, wanted out https://www.sounderatheart.com/2024/08/reign-fc-trade-bethany-balcer-to-racing-louisville-for-jaelin-howell/amp/)
From a "which player do I like more" perspective though....Howell's their captain, was literally just extended, is only 24, has been mostly pretty good when she HAS been healthy, and has the pedigree. I wouldn't have traded her for Balcer straight up.
Funny trivia: Howell and Soph have known each other since kindergarten. The day they met, Howell, who was new to the class, inadvertently took Soph's nap time carpet square. According to Howell, Soph (who disputes this) whispered to her that she would never be her friend, but they eventually made up while playing on their elementary school soccer team, which I'm guessing must have thoroughly wrecked their competition.
Seeing fan reaction to these sort of trades as a neutral is always hilarious, especially when both the players involved are fan favorites. I think Seattle pretty clearly wins this trade, but Seattle fans are absolutely outraged (somewhat understandably given both how popular Balcer is and their severe goal scoring problem).
I mean the PNW is probably one of the most queer friendly places on earth (Seattle and Portland especially) and they’re closer to home. Overall US though, yeah we’re not going in a good direction lol.
Yeah I definitely wouldn’t go anywhere but Seattle or Portland if I were Quinn. LA maybe. But I could see how it would be imperative to prioritize safety, esp for trans folk. I don’t know anything about Brighton/UK politics at all though w/ regard to queer/trans issues. I’m glad there are safe spaces in other countries!
No one can say that Loovull haven't tried rebuilding.
I think this is at least their third, maybe fourth, attempt at such.
They also have habits of trading away (1) players who were very high draft picks (Fox, now Howell) and (2) players who wanted to be traded there (Monaghan, now Pickett).
But, I'll give them some extra credit for recognizing that they should move on from McCaskill.
Following ABell4's lead, here's Henderson's rating of KC's pick.
"10 - KC - Alexa Spaanstra - F (LF) - Virginia
Value - A+
Fit - A+
I really thought KC needed a left-winger, but I never dreamed they'd see Spaanstra fall to her. Spaanstra's going to be a thrill to watch combining with KC's attacking talent."
I mean...I see where Henderson was going in '23, and if KC hadn't been an utter managerial tire fire that year my guess is that Spaanstra might have had a breakout rookie season.
But with Chawinga? Spaanstra was SO 2023 and disposable; from A+ to "thanks for your service"...
Yeah, I just searched their names and found it quickly enough and was very happy not to have to wade through Musk waste in order to do so. And as I said, you gave me the idea to track that down, so thanks!
I’m so proud of these women and the entire team. It is awesome winning championships! 🥇🏆🫶
THE Brian Setzler? I LOVE "Stray Cat Strut"!
Wait, what?
Just lose the L, Daddy-o. It's the cool way to go!
(shows self out)
I absolutely agree with you. I am so proud of them!
https://www.instagram.com/nadi9nadim/p/C-dZ5vioqmh/?hl=en&img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/nadi9nadim/p/C-dZ5vioqmh/?hl=en&img_index=2
https://www.instagram.com/nadi9nadim/p/C-dZ5vioqmh/?hl=en&img_index=3
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kendte/danmark/sport/endelig-skete-det-nu-er-nadia-nadim-blevet-gift
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kendte/danmark/sport/saa-smuk-var-hun-se-nadia-nadim-i-vidunderlig-brudekjole
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kendte/danmark/sport/nadia-nadim-straalede-i-fantastisk-creation-til-sin-store-kaerlighedsfest-helt
"On August 9, 2024 Nadim married her long-term partner Idrees in Istanbul, Türkiye. Nadim’s aunt Aryana Sayeed performed at the wedding. According to Nadim’s sister the couple have met when they both resided in Viby near Aarhus."
Nadia is still playing for AC Milan. Congrats and all of life's blessings to Dr. Nadim!
Sam is so, so good. I marvel at her brain and instincts for this game. She's just always where she's needed and always looking to start a play. Now, she needs better than a couple of aging midfield partners on that team.
Unbelievable that Vlatko didn't even take her in the squad for the World Cup.
Totally agree that Vlatko should have taken her, but I'll also add that Sam has gotten significantly better over the last year. Her 1-v-1 defending is better, and her passing has gotten even sharper (not that it was bad before). Not certain about her field awareness/understanding but I think that's gotten better too.
Interesting to see the (mostly, from what I've seen on non-STF platforms) irritated reaction to Alvarado getting bought out from some Thorns/Timbers media people and supporters. GK is a nearly impossible position to break into in any pro league, but especially in one that only has 14 starting jobs. It's kinda part of the biz.
"Alvarado should have gotten a chance and they did her dirty." Okay? So trying to upgrade is bad? Benching Hogan for an unproven backup would have been good? One keeper plays every soccer match. Just how it is!
People have a poor understanding that you get a chance every day in training, especially as a goalkeeper. At the end of the day, the coaching staff are making that determination.
My reactions were (in order):
“Meh”
“Hunh?” (wondering why Alvarado and not, say, Kozal…)
“K” (figuring it was because Alvarado is more expensive)
“Meh.”
FWIW, I’m not sure (and I’d argue that at this point it’s impossible to be sure) which of these keepers outside the rooks are “an upgrade”. I’m guessing Arnold is the current #1…but honestly? Her record is mixed, and until we see how she does against NWSL opponents behind our backline we won’t know if we’re getting peaches or lunch meat.
I'd say those are the proper reactions!
And yes, Arnold could absolutely bomb and then we're back to square one, but it's her job to lose. I'd be *shocked* if Bixby or Hogan get their jobs back unless Arnold is noticeably quite bad, and not just in a "playing in front of Australia's backline in the Olympics" way. Could be wrong!
I doubt you’re wrong as in “WTF?” wrong; I’d be shocked if Arnold steps in at the end of the month and utterly faceplants. She - like practically all of these keepers - is not going to be a critical fail the way Hogan was in the first couple of months; she’s had too many minutes with Australia, and is probably in decent form, so provided her defense doesn’t do what Australia’s did she will be fine.
The big question will be answered (sorta) over the last couple of months. If she finishes the season with a brutally negative GAvsxGa? Then we’ll have to wonder if the coaching staff got their evaluation right.
But…we have to wait and see.
As you've said, the opportunity to get Arnold for free probably came after they picked up Emi Alvarado (which was probably a panicked purchase)...but yeah, if you get the chance to upgrade, esp at no cost to you, you kinda gotta take those opportunities.
Cassie Miller was doing pretty damn well for Gotham while starting and now she will probably never start again so long as Berger is there or retires. It just happens. At least they've agreed to mutual termination so she can explore other options abroad...
The reasonable complaint is "why did they buy her in the first place," which yes, true, though Hogan was underperforming at the time. I just find it hard to get too upset about taking a flier on a player and then buying out her contract when it doesn't work out. As long as they didn't promise her a starting spot (which I doubt), no harm no foul.
This is cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njTQq2x07Lw
I'm also wondering if Sinc's letting it go gray is like LeBron's "silverback" move with his beard.
Absolutely beautiful. Clive and his Pilots teams are at the very core of the Thorns' (and Timbers') success and local popularity, whether or not we as fans realize that. One wishes he was here to see what he was so instrumental in creating.
Michelle French is working to bring the Pilots back. Spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon on the Bluff watching the 2024 edition tear up some poor Catholic school from Massachusetts, seven-nil without visible effort.
WCC is a fun and competitive conference comprising mostly like-size schools (esp now that BYU is chasing bucks elsewhere). Now that Pac 12 committed seppuku, have an opportunity for a higher profile. Bring on the Pilots!
https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/sam-coffey-sister-uswnt-olympics-gold-paris-20240812.html
Here's another lovely piece by Sam's sister Alex about Sam's NT journey and her Olympic experience, and the rejuvenation of the USWNT (it also features a link to some wonderful footage of the Coffey siblings celebrating).
Loved this one.
Sadly, kanna get past the paywall.
Family of writers, those Coffeys.
I’m a big fan of the fast action “ctrl-a ctrl-c” combo, get it off before the paywall loads and you can copy/paste an article into your word document of choice
I was worried about that after posting. Guess I slid in before the blast doors slammed shut.
I was able to read it without paywall on my phone! I just clicked on a link from Sam's sister on her twitter post...
https://x.com/ScarvesNSpikes/status/1822763349031141542
Not to be a downer on the celebration thread, but goodness gracious are Don Garber and MLS owners absolute pieces of shit. Nasty, NASTY work.
Really hope this is MLS pricks floating a trial balloon. Also hope it floats like lead.
Wow.
Three leagues, huh?
Merritt is still that bitter about not controlling the Thorns any longer.
Don Garber is not our amigo. Not women's soccer's, not Sacramento's (senior bait-and-switch).
He's the Al Davis of George Steinbrenners.
Can I get a Bob Irsay while you're at it?
Yes and wait, there's more! Act now and receive at no extra cost ONE Donald Sterling and ONE Marge Schott, absolutely FREE. Call now.
Got any Stan Kroenkes in the back?
Shades of the 90s WNBA launch just after the establishment of the WBL (featuring your Portland Power!). A concentration of highly wealthy owners aghast that someone else might profit by so much as a nickel via the promotion of related product. Except in this case they let the competition struggle to grow for a dozen years first.
NWSL feels *too* established now for this not to be some kind of negotiating ploy from MLS
Yeah, I thought this is sort of the fun house version of the sixties football and basketball league rivalries where the upstart leagues probably had their sights set on a merger from early on; this time it would be the "establishment" league presumably looking to do something like that.
Yeah I don’t think this is actual reporting that something’s GOING to happen, but it’s clear that MLS owners want a piece of the pie.
https://x.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1823018044857450729
Fwiw
Yeah and I also remember a few months ago hearing about a standing offer for NWSL from MLS, but that was it. I can’t remember the price given….but it seems like they’re trying to make a merge happen and NWSL wants no part of it.
Nor should they. However, I wonder how many NWSL clubs are guests/tenants in an MLS club's stadium?
BTW, what was the ultimate resolution of the Thorns status in PP? Do they lease directly from the city or do they sub-let from Peregrine?
Good depth acquisition for fairily cheap. Spaanstra was a plus prospect at Virginia. She should be an upgrade at the backup wing.
https://x.com/thornsfc/status/1825579284880310460?s=46
Yeah she's a nice little add as a spark-plug off the bench for peanuts. Very good dribbler, which is something we sorely lack on the wings. Hopefully just the first of a few this summer, though they'll need to announce another departure first if that's the case.
(She and Soph were also best friends as U-18s, fwiw)
Curious how a kid from Michigan and Colorado become super close, but Alexa seemed to be close to several national players when she got drafted
It’s a good start…but yeah still see her as a depth player.
Anyone know how she compares on talent or style to Linnehan? If I recall correctly, she was supposed to be one of the best crossers in the winger class when she was drafted…at least we have another true winger now. She was also a part of U23 rosters for the youth national team.
Still need a clear starting attacker with Soph and Weaver, so I’m hoping this is just a start. Gonna need more juice than this, but yeah good pickup for peanuts while KC builds their attack and players are pushed further down the depth chart.
Spaanstra and Linnehan are probably around the same talent-wise, though Spaanstra was more highly rated coming out (and some think she still has a high ceiling). Spaanstra's a better dribbler, Linnehan's probably faster and more direct. Worth noting Spaanstra's started eight matches this season for KC.
It'll be interesting to see if there's one more move coming (big or not), or if it's more a "let's go into the offseason and evaluate" type situation.
Played eight; her minutes look like she started the first five but was relegated to the bench and she hasn’t played at all since mid-May.
When your primary striker is Chawinga? That’s not embarrassing. But it also makes you disposable…
Nah she’s started 8, played 11 league matches has came off the bench in all four Summer Cup matches as well. The 8 starts were all in the first 9 games of the season, however, so she’s played much less since Debinha and Cooper came back.
https://fbref.com/en/players/0567dc96/Alexa-Spaanstra
I wonder if they tried getting a bigger target, couldn’t, and went for a short term depth piece
Yeah, that was kinda my read as well from what I knew of the two of them…Hope we never have to see Dias or D’Aquila on the wing again.
As I said in another comment, I do like that we’re getting some decent domestic talent, and for cheap! A good start, but I hope it’s just that. Gotta have that as a foundation to build…
Seems like good filler. I recall being a bit wary of her when she was with KCC.
It looks like she's played LW for KCC, and I wonder if that should make me concerned for Weaver's rehab..?
She played mostly on the right side at Virginia from what I recall. She was the second best prospect on that team before Rebecca Jarrett’s potentially brilliant career was cut short by ACL injuries.
I believe that her and Sophia were close from their U20 days.
Hmmm. K. If that’s the case then I’m not sure I see a real obvious “here’s her role” other than general depth.
I’m starting to think that the idea for the final games is to trust that 1) Weaver and Moultrie are fully fit AND in improved form, 2) that Beckie and Fleming start playing like they do for Canada, and 3) Coffey stays healthy and someone (Sugita?) steps in when we need a double pivot.
I know that many of us (ABell4!) have been hoping for some impact signings. But I’m starting to suspect that the FO is mostly good with the current situation roster with the idea that between tactical tweaks such as we saw in the Cup games and player upticks in form the result will be wins.
Thoughts?
I've been of the belief (since the beginning of the season, really) that the first season under new ownership would a kind of "see what we have" transition year, especially with the Olympics and how many contracts expire at the end of this season. I think Phuoc hinting at multiple signings a month or so ago got us excited about a potential big add, but it's very possible that the multiple signings are just depth.
If you're one of those that views every season with Smith that's not 100% all-in a year wasted, than you'll probably be frustrated. I'm personally fine with it so long as they then go out and make a few big moves in the offseason.
And I’m fine with not rushing out to throw cash at, say, Alex Morgan or Savannah McCaskill to sign a “big name”. I’m not convinced we’ve seen how well this roster can play, so I’m okay with standing pat - including post-season IF that works. I think the “big signing miss” will turn out to be coaching.
Hope I’m wrong.
I don't think they can afford to stand pat this offseason (they need another Weaver-or-better caliber winger, a backup six, and a starting-caliber CB imo), but I agree that we haven't seen the best version of this team either.
Agree on the #6 - they never did replace Rodriguez - and the CB; Hubly has become too error-prone and Brunn is aging out. I do think the idea is that Beckie becomes that winger. Not sure I agree it’s gonna happen, but at least on paper she should be.
She's played mostly as an inverted LW for KC cause she loves to cut in on her right and shoot, but I think she played on the right side at Virginia.
I hope she eats into Dias' minutes and not Linnehan's tho.
Should be a decent bench option. The Thorns really need to start bringing up the floor talent-wise and getting decent domestic(!) options is a good start. She has youth national team pedigree and she was cheap. So long as it isn’t our only plan, this is a fine start.
Could be a good move. KC seems not to have figured how to use her and she has a good pedigree from Virginia, starting five years on a good ACC team. Fairly certain I've seen her play in the tournament, but no detailed recollections.
Katie Zelem from Man U to Angel City is kinda lol.
Phuoc, please share any Thorns transfer updates! We’re about to be back in season, the USL is starting, and we’ve done nothing much this summer so far and it’s kinda disheartening. Would love to know if 2-3 more players are still in the pipeline bc at this point it seems last minute. Seems most other teams has brought in good and/or multiple players and we're kinda over here floundering…what gives?
Still only halfway thru the window, tho, and presumably if LeBlanc has someone worth getting the negotiation might take a bit. So…
If there’s still nothing by next Friday? Okay…
Yeah I said in a comment below that I didn’t realize we weren’t starting up with games again until the 24th. Was hoping to have someone(s) by that first Gotham game. They've leveled up their roster since we've seen them last and it'd be nice to try and compete!
But yeah....trying to be patient, it's just hard seeing everyone else make multiple signings when we made a 6th GK signing 2 months ago. We've also only waived one player. Just...not what we need after like 2 years of sluggish transfer windows.
Given the issues with roster building here I guess I'm more willing to be patient...IF the FO can get it right. The problem right now is that there's a lot of pieces that are not fitting in the puzzle (Provenzano because you can't waive your poor injured reserve player because it's just mean, Weaver because of injury plus early season form, D'Aquila because of no-left-foot plus who knows why she's like that, Dias because...she's just kind of crummy(?), Sinc because she's a zillion years old, Hubly because return of the Derps, Fleming because Why Can't You Play Like That Here?).
I won't pretend I'd want that problem. But it's the FO's to figure out, and if they CAN make a good move or two this August I'd be very pleased.
Crawling out on this limb to propose the appeal of coming to play alongside Soph and Sam has elevated over the last few weeks. In case, you know, somebody just needed an extra nudge.
Yeah, for real...especially Soph, seeing as we need 2 wingers if Beckie leaves. "Wanna come play next to one of the best young strikers in the world?" sounds like a pretty appealing pitch, especially after just winning gold. Gotta take advantage when you have those types of players because it draws more top quality players. Lose those players, and it's really difficult and/or slow to recruit top quality again. My hope is that winning gold comes at the perfect time for Thorns since they really need to rebuild/upgrade in these next 2 windows. I'm guessing there will be players in Europe/overseas who may be slightly more open to it than they were before the Olympics....really hoping Thorns understand the momentum and take advantage.
I know nothing, but I'd guess that the chance of the Thorns announcing *anything* during the climax of the Olympics was zero. Doesn't necessarily mean they have nothing to announce. They may save it to sell tickets to a home game. Fingers crossed for one each the next three weeks.
Yeah I guess I didn’t realize we weren’t starting up with games again until the 24th. Still was hoping to have someone(s) by that Gotham game. Just would love to know if the plan for 2-3 is still the same as it was over a month ago or if something unplanned happened. Every team above us leveled up and we need to to have a chance.
Oh I agree. I guess I'm just resigned to the fact that we'll know when they decide to tell us, and that no announcement doesn't always mean no action. Hoping for the best.
Having watched all or parts of this weekend's 3 USLSL matches, I'd say it's like finding a good red blend on sale at Costco.
No, it's not a Pinot Noir, Barolo, or even a good Syrah, but it's a pleasant surprise that will do the trick and I've certaily consumed worse.
There's a higher quality of players than I expected.
Lots of players who have played not only for good NCAA programs but also in Europe, Australia, or the NWSL, who have played for their national teams at the senior and/or junior levels, and some 16- and 17-year old academy players who are getting pro experience before they head off for college.
There's also some roster-building intention, trying to get some NWSL veterans, players who have local ties to the market, etc.
Also, they've all been low-scoring competitive affairs with good tempo. No blowouts, no team that has looked overmatched. All 1-0 or 1-1 matches.
Checked and last year we had 347 DI soccer programs. If a quarter of their starters graduate each year, that's nearly 2,000 players, most of whom will never lace up their boots again.
The new league gives some a possible landing spot; you know, prior to the real world that is the rest of their lives. Bethany Balcer is available for a consult.
ETA strong barista moonlight gig vibes, pondering what player salaries probably are.
Balcer no longer available for a consult. On her way to LOOVULL!!!
Whoa.
Team that can't score trades their scorer. On brand I guess.
Any team would be lucky to have Howell but, supporting cast?
Another good signing for Gotham, who appears to have all of Phil Murphy's money in their pocket....Jess Carter and Silva in this window when it wasn't even needed? I guess that's the difference between "running it back" and literally never settling if there's a way to level up any position. The rich get richer...must be nice!
"Jéssica Silva (Portuguese int'l attacker) appears to be heading to Gotham FC!
The defending champs continue to build in the transfer window"
I'm looking forward to reading an expose, probably years from now, explaining how Gotham managed to circumvent the salary cap and to what degree.
Using the "have you seen what rents are here?!?" clause, as outlined in Section 14 slash C subpart viii.
Utah and Loovull look on in dismay.
And we'll get to see Gotham, in the Batcave, right after the break ends.
Bit of a weird one. Fun player, but kinda stagnated last time she was in the NWSL. Good add, but not sure she adds a ton beyond more depth.
She played on a pretty bad KC team if I remember correctly. Watched her at the WC and thought she looked better with Portugal than I ever remembered her at KC. Thought it could be a good fit on first thought (esp with current attacking injuries), but I haven't watched her club play recently. Regardless, depth can be the difference in the league at this point when everyone on the team is fresh as a daisy going into the post-season. Anyway, they're trying to upgrade their attacking line, which I can only daydream about at this point. Frustrating that they just keep adding international talent and I have no damn idea how. Is half of their salary like media and NYC-adjacent events so that the club can pay a smaller salary? Like it doesn't make sense.
Sure, but international talent just means they play for an international team lol. Ana Dias is technically international talent.
Silva is super talented --better than she looked for KC anyways, though only starting 5 matches for a shitty team ain't super encouraging imo-- and will probably fit in well with Gotham, but let's just say that a 29 year old from Benfica is not exactly what I want the Thorns going after.
Yeah, I meant they're adding actual decent international talent...not an Ana Dias from the Russian league, which is my point lol. Ana Dias is also a bubble player with like maybe 5 appearances and Silva has over 100 caps and is a decent attacker to add to a roster. They are not the same lol. If we spent an int'l spot on Dias, I'd have rather spent that on Silva. Not saying she's a world beater, but they're still adding experienced talent.
More so, the point is they keep adding international talent....Berger, Carter, Silva into the team that already exists there is levels above anything we're doing. And I continue to wonder how that is working....
Silva's def better than Dias, but it's not like she's any kind of star either. Portugal hasn't been a good national team like, ever.
But yes, point taken- I'm not sure how Gotham is doing any of what they're doing. It certainly helps to have a ton of good domestic talent because Americans --especially the Sheehan/Martin/Hiatt/Freeman/Stevens/Yaz group-- just don't cost as much. Esther, Silva, and Maitane must not be making that much either. Maybe Berger and Carter took discounts idk.
(Or the cap doesn't exist, which is certainly possible too)
A fun little article comparing this summer transfer window with last year's...
https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2425/nwsl-secondary-window-signings-2023-v-2024
Hello, Cleveland!
https://neo-trans.blog/2024/08/08/15-women-investors-back-clevelands-nwsl-bid/
City of lights
City of magic
I see what you did there!
Look out Cleveland
Storm is comin' through
And it's runnin' right up on you
Cleveland, you've come a long way, baby!
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/cuyahoga-river-fire-2020-1969/
Compare USWNT 2023 v USWNT 2024 (denotes alternate)
GK 2023: Kingsbury, Murphy, Naeher
GK 2024: (Campbell), Murphy, Naeher
D 2023: Cook, Dunn, Fox, Girma, Huerta, O’Hara, Sonnett
D 2024: Davidson, Fox, Girma, Krueger, Nighswonger, Sonnett
M 2023: DeMelo, Ertz, Horan, Lavelle, KMewis, Sanchez, Sullivan
M 2024: Albert, (Bethune), Coffey, (Hershfelt), Horan, Lavelle
F 2023: Morgan, Rapinoe, Rodman, Smith, Thompson, Williams
F 2024: Dunn, Rodman, Shaw, Smith, Swanson, (Williams)
A few things to note about the 2024 roster:
- Dunn was used as a defender and Shaw didn't play, so Hayes didn't have much choice except to ride Rodman, Smith, Swanson, and Williams while doing a wonderful job with the defensive selections and rotations.
- Her decisions to bring Bethune and Hershfelt as alternates, on the other hand, are questionable, because they provided no relief for a thin midfield/attack made more so by Macario's absence.
- 12 players from WWC 2023 not on Olympics 2024 roster - huge churn, with only 5 of the new additions (Swanson, Coffey, Albert, Davidson, Krueger) making significant-to-major contributions.
https://x.com/Tyler_Greever/status/1825616733308334241
Yo WHAT THE FUCK this is the weirdest trade of all time!
Whhhhhhaaaaaaaaa
This is like Racing’s 9th forward lol and why tf would they let Howell go?! Maybe Balcer is as good a CF that Racing think they can get, and she’s also not really good enough to start on a team with higher aspirations (like maybe Reign lol.) Reign haven’t had a good CF in a long time and they were just collecting ones that weren’t game-changing good. Probably would’ve kept Balcer over Huitema in terms of pure skill now, but Huitema is still really young. Still what a damn bizarre trade lol. Wonder what this means for Quinn…
Louisville have a ton of wingers, but no real nines that are any good. I kinda get it purely from a fit perspective cause they seem to prefer Flint and Jaelin hasn't really stayed healthy. Balcer getting on the end of service from Bahr and Turner isn't the worst thought, at least in theory. For Balcer, she'll get to play centrally instead of shunted to the wing to fit Huitema in (and, apparently, wanted out https://www.sounderatheart.com/2024/08/reign-fc-trade-bethany-balcer-to-racing-louisville-for-jaelin-howell/amp/)
From a "which player do I like more" perspective though....Howell's their captain, was literally just extended, is only 24, has been mostly pretty good when she HAS been healthy, and has the pedigree. I wouldn't have traded her for Balcer straight up.
Funny trivia: Howell and Soph have known each other since kindergarten. The day they met, Howell, who was new to the class, inadvertently took Soph's nap time carpet square. According to Howell, Soph (who disputes this) whispered to her that she would never be her friend, but they eventually made up while playing on their elementary school soccer team, which I'm guessing must have thoroughly wrecked their competition.
But, wouldn't you want Balcer to get on the end of service from, oh I don't know, Pickett?
If she hadn't requested a trade, certainly!
Wonder if that means they didn’t think they could resign Howell in the end.
Seeing fan reaction to these sort of trades as a neutral is always hilarious, especially when both the players involved are fan favorites. I think Seattle pretty clearly wins this trade, but Seattle fans are absolutely outraged (somewhat understandably given both how popular Balcer is and their severe goal scoring problem).
This deal only makes sense if Quinn is going somewhere.
Agreed. Brighton is a wonderful place.
I mean the PNW is probably one of the most queer friendly places on earth (Seattle and Portland especially) and they’re closer to home. Overall US though, yeah we’re not going in a good direction lol.
Yeah I definitely wouldn’t go anywhere but Seattle or Portland if I were Quinn. LA maybe. But I could see how it would be imperative to prioritize safety, esp for trans folk. I don’t know anything about Brighton/UK politics at all though w/ regard to queer/trans issues. I’m glad there are safe spaces in other countries!
In unrelated, Loovull just added Jack Harlow to their ownership group.
Loovull cleaning house. Pickett gone, now Howell.
Well on their way to passing ACFC/Utah/Seattle/Houston in the race to the bottom.
No one can say that Loovull haven't tried rebuilding.
I think this is at least their third, maybe fourth, attempt at such.
They also have habits of trading away (1) players who were very high draft picks (Fox, now Howell) and (2) players who wanted to be traded there (Monaghan, now Pickett).
But, I'll give them some extra credit for recognizing that they should move on from McCaskill.
Following ABell4's lead, here's Henderson's rating of KC's pick.
"10 - KC - Alexa Spaanstra - F (LF) - Virginia
Value - A+
Fit - A+
I really thought KC needed a left-winger, but I never dreamed they'd see Spaanstra fall to her. Spaanstra's going to be a thrill to watch combining with KC's attacking talent."
Plus, "Alexa Spaanstra" is just fun to say.
If she can convert at close to the same rate as "a" appears in her name, we'll all be over the moon about this deal.
Super value on "I'd like to buy a vowel."
Then Came Chawinga.
I mean...I see where Henderson was going in '23, and if KC hadn't been an utter managerial tire fire that year my guess is that Spaanstra might have had a breakout rookie season.
But with Chawinga? Spaanstra was SO 2023 and disposable; from A+ to "thanks for your service"...
Soccer is a damn tough way to make a livin
Ohhhh thank you for finding! I was gonna go back and try to find this later ☺️
Yeah, I just searched their names and found it quickly enough and was very happy not to have to wade through Musk waste in order to do so. And as I said, you gave me the idea to track that down, so thanks!
Musk waste! Loooooool