I know the season has been a complete shitshow, but everything off-field that's happened since the Bhathals have taken over has been really, really encouraging:
- Moultrie extension
- Smith extension (and the faith that her signing amidst said shitshow indicates)
- Academy investment
- Focus on training facility (though they'll need to do more than talk)
- Quick action on getting rid of Norris once it became clear the situation was untenable
- Staff expansions
- Promising young international signings
Really excited to see what they can come up with coaching prospect wise. I hope we hear about potential candidates cause I'd love to know what pools they're swimming in and what type of profiles they're looking at. Exciting times!
I said this elsewhere, but fortunately (unfortunately for her), Becky Sauerbrunn will be around during the summer and I really hope she is involved. I think she would help with the process immensely, not just from a player perspective, but a human one also. The Bhathals seem to value player input, and I do hope that continues here...
I’d be more enthusiastic had ‘Brunn’s backline been doing better. Her biggest selling point was “veteran leadership” and so far I think she needs something a bit more forceful, like a cattle prod, to get Kelli Hubly’s head right to begin with…
I mean, I like Brunn! But at some point good intentions have to show results or they’re just nice thoughts…
I’m not talking about her on-field leadership, which I’d still argue doesn’t undercut her credibility off-field in any way. She’s just a really good person with thoughtful insight and she’d be a valuable voice, from a player perspective, but also a human one.
She’s 38 and our coach sucks and our backline is completely new. Hubly is always gonna Hubly. Doesn’t make her input any less valuable in a coaching search imo…her judgement and character are far and above most.
But I don’t know her, or how she fits within the organization; all I have is the mismatch between her visible attributes (which are, as you correctly note, outstanding) and the lack of effect those attributes have on the pitch.
But, again, as fans we’re trying to suss out these huge issues by peeking thru a pinhole in the door into a dark closet. The mass of what we DON’T know vastly outweighs what we do. So I guess we just have to hope you’re right about what she will bring.
Re: new coach talk....I should say though, that even if I don't think that SW is in the realm of possibility here, I very much appreciate the Bhathals saying "why not Portland?" just like Kang said with regard to Jona and the Spirit. $$$ and vision can go a long way and I appreciate they are really going for the top.
I imagine they recognize this is their big chance to make a huge splash for their new team. The first giant hire that will tell a lot about their ambitions. I imagine they're also looking at all the new ownerships coming in and really swinging for coaches. Chicago- took a big swing. Spirit- took a big swing. Gotham and KC- have recently taken big swings. Even SD when they were new- took a big swing. All of these teams have done well, or have started this season well. I imagine the Bhathals are paying attention. They have meetings with all of these FO people for each team, and I'm betting the league is also very supportive of aiming high because it does so so much for the league. I just saw that they had another BOG meeting a few days ago (maybe yesterday)....so I imagine they were able to ask questions and advice from other clubs about their coaching searches. I just don't see them coming away with Sarah Lowdon at the end of this...no disrespect to her.
Fwiw, this is also part of what's bothered me about the discourse around the Thorns this season, both locally and nationally: As I commented earlier in this thread, the body of the Bhathals work to date has been so clearly excellent, that even the bad start really shouldn't be covering that up. Part of it is having a roster that is so clearly too talented to be struggling like this on the field, but even WITH the roster talent, it was always more productive to look at this as a "prove it" year than "must win" year.
With the recent Red Stars, Spirit, Bay FC, Gotham, and Pride rebuilds it's always been "It might not look great now, but we can TELL that the org is on the right path." With the Thorns it's "Ahhh ummm IDK what's going on in Portland!" I'd argue that it's pretty clear that the Thorns are moving in the right direction and that the owners have real ambition, but the higher expectations that come with the Thorns as a franchise (and, frankly, the jealousy of other fans) seem to limit the amount of praise the Bhathals should be getting for their off-the-field work.
YES. Yeah, I can totally divorce what's happened on-field with their tenure. The plane was clearly headed downward before they were even involved. I haven't felt so calm about losing ever, I think, lol because I really do think it's all going to work out really well long-term. They haven't really had a misstep yet imo...they've been smart, but also humane in decision-making. Hearing that they even were targeting SW is huge because of the ambition it shows.
The media I've seen around Norris being let go has been really weird to me too...like, we JUST had a sale a couple months ago AND this coach hasn't been good. Of course ambitious new owners wanna start right... it's weird how much grace and empathy they give other clubs going through very similar growing pains (not that long ago for Chicago!) but for Portland, it's like "OH NO MORE DRAMA IN PORTLAND." Like, all those people have been clowning the Thorns for a month about their results, and then they make a change and it's more disarray? Give me a break, people are showing their whole asses with regard to just hating Portland lol. They would've loved for us to keep Norris until September, I'm sure...
Yeah if you're successful, which the Thorns are, people are going to scrutinize you and get on your case. I try not to worry about it, though with social media chatter, "getting on your case" can really blow out of proportion, sometimes quickly.
The situation in Houston, which leaves me no choice but to call the dirty Sanchez (go ahead and cancel me), is exactly why it doesn't bother me that Soph only signed for a year. If Soph wants to leave tomorrow, this season, or next year, then she will leave. Signing her is encouraging but the NWSL's star players have more power than their teams. Which is probably how it should be.
Oh, gawd! The Les Paul reference made me wince, esp. since I almost did my gorgeous Epi LP in a week ago (except in this case I leaned it up against a box, and then it fell over and took the brunt of the fall w/ the headstock. No break or cracks though, he said as he knocked on a maple/mahogany laminate).
Which makes for a nice 2024 Thorns metaphor: this season is like a wonderfully constructed guitar, albeit one with a terrible finish, that has a nasty crack in the headstock.
Wow...dodged a bullet there! I don't gig my LP (I'm too damn old and broken to gig a 10lb+ guitar these days...I have lighter stuff!), but if I did, straplocks, for sure (if not big ol' washers sandwiching the strap!).
Life has been so busy lately that I haven't been able to poke around but maybe I can do that tonight lol.
Usually there are some easier tells just on twitter, but I haven't seen anything about rumors for any defensive players anywhere really....I imagine we have to just be looking at a back 5 position at this point. And if it's a GK, that means we should also be releasing players by tomm as well.
What did your "friend" tell you? Just that "news was coming"? That sounds ominous and my human propensity for the negativity bias has my brain going there first lol...
I'm hoping that the context of the conversation implied good news as opposed to bad. In the last several years for the Thorns, "some news about to drop" would have instilled some impending doom for me lol.
Good to see some acknowledgement of her many accomplishments to date.
At the time she started against OL, the real OL during WICC she was what, 15? I remember thinking she must believe she's dreaming—a Portland pipsqueek mixing it up against Endler, Morroni, Renard, Sylla, Cayman, Henry, Majri, Malard, van de Donk, Cascarino, F Bruun, best of the best.
Who does that?
Still don't understand how a university signs an 11 YO.
When the new owners declared their goal is to field the best women’s team in the world, I suspect the hire will be top-notch and expensive. And want to build their own staff.
Anyone know what the technical director will be responsible for? It almost sounds like a promotion. I get he's a nice guy and players/staff seem to like him, but some of the responsibilities noted - player development and scouting - make me a little nervous. One of the most glaring weaknesses of the team since he took over seemed to be fitting players into the right spot given their profiles. Maybe he will be better suited with more focus and a head coach with a clearly articulated vision.
I sure hope global search means more than looking immediately north. I feel like we've been over-reliant on the Canadian connections and have likely tapped that out. Fresh perspectives, please!
I don't know if it's a promotion as much as a horizontal move to a new role still reporting to KK . A Technical Director focused solely on the scouting and player development (ex, winter loans to other leagues) is welcome and Mike may be better suited to that than setting up and executing a game plan.
Gotham-Spirit also a delightful game, Rodman is absolutely toasting that Gotham line high line. Cassie Miller is giving the Gotham FO a big fuck you with some of the saves she's making 1v1.
Anyone who wants to watch my dear adopted Orlando Pride dominating a full strength SD without Adriana, Gautrat, Banda, or Rafaelle can do so on Amazon currently.
I thought she was a top 8 player in her draft class until people showed me her socials. She had a very good career at UW and with the junior nationals. I had her right behind Clara Robbins from a talent perspective offensively. My biggest issue with her was she chose to not play defense in college despite having the skill set to do so.
The year before, she had played well enough to be a top 6 player in that abysmal post COVID draft where all the depth had been destroyed. She went back, chose to not play defense her senior year.
I’m of the belief there are plenty of players in the league with her political affiliations, but having the judgment not to make it public considering how polarizing it can be is important
Aww damn that's too bad, she's such a fun (and suuuuper talented) player. Glad I can enjoy from a distance and not have to worry about her posting habits lol
Yeah she dropped waaay beyond where she should’ve and I’m guessing it’s bc some teams checked socials and some didn’t. She was a very highly regarded attacker going into the draft though…(like a top 10 pick.) Had some youth US experience. She’s from small town eastern WA, I believe, and her politics reflect that unfortunately…
So it goes I suppose. Hopefully she's learned a little bit from city life.
She's been the best player on the field and has been great all season for Orlando, to the extent Hines benched Adriana for her tonight. She plays pretty much exactly how I want to see Moultrie play lol.
Orlando and NC are what I have in mind when I think about having the willingness to start over, move out pieces that don't mesh and bring in ones that do. Going into last year, I thought Orlando and NC were going to finish at the bottom of the table. Instead, they're showing how quickly you can turn it around and get back to competitive.
OT: remember how the KC Current social media team was killing it a while back? Their PR person just announced she's leaving the Current- she's from here, a former Oregon Duck- PTFC, snap her up!
Ohhh that’s interesting. She’s def been like very top social media person in the NWSL lol. She does great work for sure and I believe was doing this in OR before she left for KC. I’ve seen her talk about missing Oregon in the past…I always wondered if or when the Thorns were sold if she’d come back here. Very interesting she’s leaving now…
I have been curious if the Thorns and Timbers would continue sharing social media teams. They have been so far this season but it seems unlikely to continue for long
I think there’s been some change-ups already. Def the person posting Thorns content is different. Last Thorns person had jokes and was funny. Some swagger in their posts. This person now seems like an 20 yr old intern lol. They’ve made numerous mistakes where they’ve posted and deleted content, uploaded grainy photos, ect…all happened right after the sale was announced. It was a pretty obvious changeover lol, at least on that level.
Sanderson is adroit at shifting from just announcing to providing the player's perspective, which is what you want in the second chair. And for sure she's no homer and criticizes as she sees fit.
Because she seems to have dialed it back from 11 to say, 8 I no longer cringe when she's on a broadcast.
Unprompted I believe the overall broadcast quality is better this year, and far less is paywalled.
I like Sanderson a lot despite her propensity to yammer; she sees the game well and isn't afraid to criticize. Never really liked Kyle tbh, she always felt like woso Taylor Twellman to me.
I loved listening to Kyle and found her fascination with alliteration interesting. "I just love saying Rocky Rodriquez" or "if my name was Bella Bixby I would not change it when I got married." But actually BB is Bella's married name, her maiden name was just as interesting, but not alliterative; Bella Geist or Beautiful Spirit.
Kyle's husbands name is Harrison Heath so my guess is all her kids will have alliterative names.
She was a pretty decent midfielder for the Thorns; good in the air for only a moderately tall player.
Yeah they have a tactical preview up of the Gotham-Spirit game this weekend and Darian Jenkins does a nice job. Great to see some knowledgeable talking heads for NWSL.
I know the season has been a complete shitshow, but everything off-field that's happened since the Bhathals have taken over has been really, really encouraging:
- Moultrie extension
- Smith extension (and the faith that her signing amidst said shitshow indicates)
- Academy investment
- Focus on training facility (though they'll need to do more than talk)
- Quick action on getting rid of Norris once it became clear the situation was untenable
- Staff expansions
- Promising young international signings
Really excited to see what they can come up with coaching prospect wise. I hope we hear about potential candidates cause I'd love to know what pools they're swimming in and what type of profiles they're looking at. Exciting times!
I said this elsewhere, but fortunately (unfortunately for her), Becky Sauerbrunn will be around during the summer and I really hope she is involved. I think she would help with the process immensely, not just from a player perspective, but a human one also. The Bhathals seem to value player input, and I do hope that continues here...
I agree. I'd love to see Becky in just about any organizational role of her choosing when she hangs em up.
I’d be more enthusiastic had ‘Brunn’s backline been doing better. Her biggest selling point was “veteran leadership” and so far I think she needs something a bit more forceful, like a cattle prod, to get Kelli Hubly’s head right to begin with…
I mean, I like Brunn! But at some point good intentions have to show results or they’re just nice thoughts…
I’m not talking about her on-field leadership, which I’d still argue doesn’t undercut her credibility off-field in any way. She’s just a really good person with thoughtful insight and she’d be a valuable voice, from a player perspective, but also a human one.
She’s 38 and our coach sucks and our backline is completely new. Hubly is always gonna Hubly. Doesn’t make her input any less valuable in a coaching search imo…her judgement and character are far and above most.
And I’d love for that to be the case.
But I don’t know her, or how she fits within the organization; all I have is the mismatch between her visible attributes (which are, as you correctly note, outstanding) and the lack of effect those attributes have on the pitch.
But, again, as fans we’re trying to suss out these huge issues by peeking thru a pinhole in the door into a dark closet. The mass of what we DON’T know vastly outweighs what we do. So I guess we just have to hope you’re right about what she will bring.
I'm not sure that Hubly's Head is a resolvable matter. I think she is what she is.
Then again, Menges looks like Menges of old, so maybe Hubs needs a change of scenery.
please no more Canadian retreads , been in that pool and the water is ......
Nice guy, good guy, company man, would love to have a pint and talk footy with him.
The Bhathal era has officially begun, and Karina is on the clock.
Re: new coach talk....I should say though, that even if I don't think that SW is in the realm of possibility here, I very much appreciate the Bhathals saying "why not Portland?" just like Kang said with regard to Jona and the Spirit. $$$ and vision can go a long way and I appreciate they are really going for the top.
I imagine they recognize this is their big chance to make a huge splash for their new team. The first giant hire that will tell a lot about their ambitions. I imagine they're also looking at all the new ownerships coming in and really swinging for coaches. Chicago- took a big swing. Spirit- took a big swing. Gotham and KC- have recently taken big swings. Even SD when they were new- took a big swing. All of these teams have done well, or have started this season well. I imagine the Bhathals are paying attention. They have meetings with all of these FO people for each team, and I'm betting the league is also very supportive of aiming high because it does so so much for the league. I just saw that they had another BOG meeting a few days ago (maybe yesterday)....so I imagine they were able to ask questions and advice from other clubs about their coaching searches. I just don't see them coming away with Sarah Lowdon at the end of this...no disrespect to her.
Fwiw, this is also part of what's bothered me about the discourse around the Thorns this season, both locally and nationally: As I commented earlier in this thread, the body of the Bhathals work to date has been so clearly excellent, that even the bad start really shouldn't be covering that up. Part of it is having a roster that is so clearly too talented to be struggling like this on the field, but even WITH the roster talent, it was always more productive to look at this as a "prove it" year than "must win" year.
With the recent Red Stars, Spirit, Bay FC, Gotham, and Pride rebuilds it's always been "It might not look great now, but we can TELL that the org is on the right path." With the Thorns it's "Ahhh ummm IDK what's going on in Portland!" I'd argue that it's pretty clear that the Thorns are moving in the right direction and that the owners have real ambition, but the higher expectations that come with the Thorns as a franchise (and, frankly, the jealousy of other fans) seem to limit the amount of praise the Bhathals should be getting for their off-the-field work.
YES. Yeah, I can totally divorce what's happened on-field with their tenure. The plane was clearly headed downward before they were even involved. I haven't felt so calm about losing ever, I think, lol because I really do think it's all going to work out really well long-term. They haven't really had a misstep yet imo...they've been smart, but also humane in decision-making. Hearing that they even were targeting SW is huge because of the ambition it shows.
The media I've seen around Norris being let go has been really weird to me too...like, we JUST had a sale a couple months ago AND this coach hasn't been good. Of course ambitious new owners wanna start right... it's weird how much grace and empathy they give other clubs going through very similar growing pains (not that long ago for Chicago!) but for Portland, it's like "OH NO MORE DRAMA IN PORTLAND." Like, all those people have been clowning the Thorns for a month about their results, and then they make a change and it's more disarray? Give me a break, people are showing their whole asses with regard to just hating Portland lol. They would've loved for us to keep Norris until September, I'm sure...
Yeah if you're successful, which the Thorns are, people are going to scrutinize you and get on your case. I try not to worry about it, though with social media chatter, "getting on your case" can really blow out of proportion, sometimes quickly.
Week 4 Recap, featuring:
- Houston's mad hatter [derogatory] of a manager
- Washington's new-look front three and an A++ 2024 draft class
- Sam Coffey as Jon Snow
- Orlando ARE COMING BABY
https://www.theeaststandnwsl.com/post/nwsl-week-4-recap-it-s-defcon-5-in-houston
Uhhh...hi Phuoc. :)
I know there's a lot going on lol, but didn't you say the Thorns were expected to have another signing before Friday? Any updates there?
The situation in Houston, which leaves me no choice but to call the dirty Sanchez (go ahead and cancel me), is exactly why it doesn't bother me that Soph only signed for a year. If Soph wants to leave tomorrow, this season, or next year, then she will leave. Signing her is encouraging but the NWSL's star players have more power than their teams. Which is probably how it should be.
Hey, I've already called her the Dirty Lowdon. But you, you're just doing them dirty.
This weekend's matchup can be deemed the Dirty Derby
FINALLY!!!! Our team has deserved this for a LONG time. 🌹
By "this" do you mean a commitment from ownership to bring in a top-level coach? If so, wholeheartedly agree.
More news about to drop…. Don’t know what tho 🤷🏽
dropped like a bad habit?
dropped like a mic?
dropped like a new album?
dropped like a ball you should have caught?
dropped like a lemon?
dropped like a kick?
dropped like an uninsurable motorist?
dropped like my drawers when i finally tell my boss "kiss my curvy butt goodbye!"?
what are we talking here???
Dropped like the bass on a Nightcore remix of Angels Among Demons.
Dropped like the guitar tuning on a Meshuggah album.
Dropped like a Les Paul when you're too cheap to buy straplocks.
Dropped like an opening band that upstages the headliner.
Okay, they're all music related...gotta go with what you know.
Oh, gawd! The Les Paul reference made me wince, esp. since I almost did my gorgeous Epi LP in a week ago (except in this case I leaned it up against a box, and then it fell over and took the brunt of the fall w/ the headstock. No break or cracks though, he said as he knocked on a maple/mahogany laminate).
Which makes for a nice 2024 Thorns metaphor: this season is like a wonderfully constructed guitar, albeit one with a terrible finish, that has a nasty crack in the headstock.
Wow...dodged a bullet there! I don't gig my LP (I'm too damn old and broken to gig a 10lb+ guitar these days...I have lighter stuff!), but if I did, straplocks, for sure (if not big ol' washers sandwiching the strap!).
Also, dropped like acid.
I think they are referring to TTPD dropping at 9 pm tonight!!!
?? Watchu mean, where do you see that?
My assumption is roster news but I genuinely don’t know. Friend of a friend…
Is it presumed good news at least? Lol.
Yeah roster window closes tomorrow night!
Haven’t you been using your trick to see who started following the thorns? Any ideas?
Life has been so busy lately that I haven't been able to poke around but maybe I can do that tonight lol.
Usually there are some easier tells just on twitter, but I haven't seen anything about rumors for any defensive players anywhere really....I imagine we have to just be looking at a back 5 position at this point. And if it's a GK, that means we should also be releasing players by tomm as well.
What did your "friend" tell you? Just that "news was coming"? That sounds ominous and my human propensity for the negativity bias has my brain going there first lol...
Phuoc has said to expect another signing so I’m guessing it’s that until we know.
Haha, I wonder if it's just this:
https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1781069748413005834
They always do these camps...if you heard there was supposedly a big news drop I'd doubt it was this lol.
What was the context in which you heard about the news?
A friend has a friend who works in their marketing department said some news was about to drop.
Was that before or after Norris was fired lol...
I'm hoping that the context of the conversation implied good news as opposed to bad. In the last several years for the Thorns, "some news about to drop" would have instilled some impending doom for me lol.
Well *I* heard it after Norris was fired, but I don't know when my friend heard it from their friend.
Exciting times!
Well then IT'S DEFINITELY SAM KERR TO PORTLAND lol
Crossing fingers for good news. :)
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39946072/olivia-moultrie-paved-way-nwsls-youth-movement
Good to see some acknowledgement of her many accomplishments to date.
At the time she started against OL, the real OL during WICC she was what, 15? I remember thinking she must believe she's dreaming—a Portland pipsqueek mixing it up against Endler, Morroni, Renard, Sylla, Cayman, Henry, Majri, Malard, van de Donk, Cascarino, F Bruun, best of the best.
Who does that?
Still don't understand how a university signs an 11 YO.
When the new owners declared their goal is to field the best women’s team in the world, I suspect the hire will be top-notch and expensive. And want to build their own staff.
Anyone know what the technical director will be responsible for? It almost sounds like a promotion. I get he's a nice guy and players/staff seem to like him, but some of the responsibilities noted - player development and scouting - make me a little nervous. One of the most glaring weaknesses of the team since he took over seemed to be fitting players into the right spot given their profiles. Maybe he will be better suited with more focus and a head coach with a clearly articulated vision.
I sure hope global search means more than looking immediately north. I feel like we've been over-reliant on the Canadian connections and have likely tapped that out. Fresh perspectives, please!
I don't know if it's a promotion as much as a horizontal move to a new role still reporting to KK . A Technical Director focused solely on the scouting and player development (ex, winter loans to other leagues) is welcome and Mike may be better suited to that than setting up and executing a game plan.
It's pretty hard to fall upstairs, but I suppose you can fail upward.
I would not be surprised to see Carm Moscato and Bev Priestman on a list of people to call...
If that's all the new owners bring to the table, I'll be incredibly underwhelmed
My vague understanding is more an administrative role, overseeing staff and coaches and whatnot
Gotham-Spirit also a delightful game, Rodman is absolutely toasting that Gotham line high line. Cassie Miller is giving the Gotham FO a big fuck you with some of the saves she's making 1v1.
(Until Bethune scores again lol)
I can't even put that on Miller. Just a world class goal.
For sure, just a great hit near post.
Anyone who wants to watch my dear adopted Orlando Pride dominating a full strength SD without Adriana, Gautrat, Banda, or Rafaelle can do so on Amazon currently.
This is, no joke, the best half of soccer I've seen by an NWSL team this season.
Wasn't there someone on this board who was a big Summer Yates fan when she was coming out of college? She might just be a legit star now lol
I thought she was a top 8 player in her draft class until people showed me her socials. She had a very good career at UW and with the junior nationals. I had her right behind Clara Robbins from a talent perspective offensively. My biggest issue with her was she chose to not play defense in college despite having the skill set to do so.
The year before, she had played well enough to be a top 6 player in that abysmal post COVID draft where all the depth had been destroyed. She went back, chose to not play defense her senior year.
I’m of the belief there are plenty of players in the league with her political affiliations, but having the judgment not to make it public considering how polarizing it can be is important
I think there was but her social media was v questionable when I looked during that draft lol so I knew it would def not be here…
Aww damn that's too bad, she's such a fun (and suuuuper talented) player. Glad I can enjoy from a distance and not have to worry about her posting habits lol
Yeah she dropped waaay beyond where she should’ve and I’m guessing it’s bc some teams checked socials and some didn’t. She was a very highly regarded attacker going into the draft though…(like a top 10 pick.) Had some youth US experience. She’s from small town eastern WA, I believe, and her politics reflect that unfortunately…
So it goes I suppose. Hopefully she's learned a little bit from city life.
She's been the best player on the field and has been great all season for Orlando, to the extent Hines benched Adriana for her tonight. She plays pretty much exactly how I want to see Moultrie play lol.
Orlando and NC are what I have in mind when I think about having the willingness to start over, move out pieces that don't mesh and bring in ones that do. Going into last year, I thought Orlando and NC were going to finish at the bottom of the table. Instead, they're showing how quickly you can turn it around and get back to competitive.
Marta : the ageless wonder. Exactly how many sets of eyes does she have?
Orl 1 SD 0 at 29min
Haha unexpected considering what else has happened today, but Emily Alvarado to Portland.
https://x.com/theolloydhughes/status/1781469757276930428?s=46&t=Xqcn-ILJiYl3NWCnoazg7A
Is dash... gonna keep existing?
OT: remember how the KC Current social media team was killing it a while back? Their PR person just announced she's leaving the Current- she's from here, a former Oregon Duck- PTFC, snap her up!
https://www.reillywadsworth.com/
Ohhh that’s interesting. She’s def been like very top social media person in the NWSL lol. She does great work for sure and I believe was doing this in OR before she left for KC. I’ve seen her talk about missing Oregon in the past…I always wondered if or when the Thorns were sold if she’d come back here. Very interesting she’s leaving now…
I have been curious if the Thorns and Timbers would continue sharing social media teams. They have been so far this season but it seems unlikely to continue for long
I think there’s been some change-ups already. Def the person posting Thorns content is different. Last Thorns person had jokes and was funny. Some swagger in their posts. This person now seems like an 20 yr old intern lol. They’ve made numerous mistakes where they’ve posted and deleted content, uploaded grainy photos, ect…all happened right after the sale was announced. It was a pretty obvious changeover lol, at least on that level.
What a great web page! She will get a job somewhere. I hope it is here.
Finally, a consistently informed studio show for the NWSL, here discussing the Norris reassignment and what to expect against Houston.
https://youtu.be/BtXdc3Uddoc?t=202
I've really enjoyed Darian Jenkins's work this season.
JMac's too.
I think Leanne Sanderson is improving and she knows the game. Both her and JMac tell it like it is. I miss Kaylyn Kyle alwast honest and interesting.
Sanderson is adroit at shifting from just announcing to providing the player's perspective, which is what you want in the second chair. And for sure she's no homer and criticizes as she sees fit.
Because she seems to have dialed it back from 11 to say, 8 I no longer cringe when she's on a broadcast.
Unprompted I believe the overall broadcast quality is better this year, and far less is paywalled.
I like Sanderson a lot despite her propensity to yammer; she sees the game well and isn't afraid to criticize. Never really liked Kyle tbh, she always felt like woso Taylor Twellman to me.
I loved listening to Kyle and found her fascination with alliteration interesting. "I just love saying Rocky Rodriquez" or "if my name was Bella Bixby I would not change it when I got married." But actually BB is Bella's married name, her maiden name was just as interesting, but not alliterative; Bella Geist or Beautiful Spirit.
Kyle's husbands name is Harrison Heath so my guess is all her kids will have alliterative names.
She was a pretty decent midfielder for the Thorns; good in the air for only a moderately tall player.
"She was a pretty decent midfielder for the Thorns; good in the air for only a moderately tall player."
I can't wait for Kling to be calling games! That low center of gravity really helps!
Yeah they have a tactical preview up of the Gotham-Spirit game this weekend and Darian Jenkins does a nice job. Great to see some knowledgeable talking heads for NWSL.
Replace Lisa Carlin with Angeli and you got me all the way in.
Totally agree.