Stock Report: Ups & Downs - Portland Thorns at Seattle Reign
Whose stock rose and fell after this Cascadia Clash?
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Kelli Hubly: After Isa Obaze went down with injury, Kelli Hubly has started the past five games with four of them being clean sheets. She has stepped up and more for the Portland Thorns.
“Yeah, it’s meant a lot. I think I struggled last year and into the beginning of this year” said Hubly. “Just like showing everyone why I’m on this team, why a couple years ago I had a good season — it wasn’t just a one off. I am that player every day. So just getting back to the gritty performances I know is true to me.”
Against Seattle, she led the team in six different statistics: touches (97), defensive actions (14), clearances (10)/headed clearances (4), passes into final third (8), blocks (3)
"I think her defending was absolutely fantastic — she read the line well” said Rob Gale. “Again, it’s a team effort, I thought Kelli was absolutely outstanding."
For a player who has received so much negativity the past year or so, her teammates, especially Becky Sauerbrunn, and Portland Thorns coaches, have never lost faith in her. She was counted out by so many. Now, Kelli Hubly is shining again and is inching closer to her 2022 form with every second on the pitch. She has been superb these past five games and deserves this moment.