Expect lots of time changes for game time this weekend. Not just heat, but also air quality. Here in Denver, we are being effected by the fires on the Utah/Colorado and the Aspen fire.
Been watching Bay vs Boston and Silkowitz has absolutely zero defensive support. I would call Bay's defense cones but they do not even defend that good. The last time i saw such pathetic defense i was watching a U9 rec match and those girls seemed to at least be trying. I do wonder how good Silkowitz would become if there was something close to defense in front of her.
U9??? That’s about my coaching expertise level, lol. One thing I’ve seen is that girls can compete with boys at that age group, but somewhere around 12 years old an boy’s body & bones changes dramatically, able to become way faster stronger & agile than their female counterparts. The one position that reflects this more than anything is unfortunately the Central Back. Men can make pitch perfect tackles as well clear the ball from one goal mouth to another whereas women barely clear the ball 20 yards upfield. In my book, the CB difference is world’s apart. But in the positive side, woso offense can be more entertaining , the one thing the current WC gets me is how many shots get blocked(which don’t really lead to excitement wise)
Can anybody explain the rule that denied NC their FK goal? Something about a player within 1 yard of the "wall." I've never heard of that before.
It's a relatively new rule, maybe a year or two old. Attacking players must be at least 1 yard from the wall of defenders.
I had never heard of the rule either: what was the main reason to introduce it? Is it always accurately respected (and I could mean "VAR enforced")?
anybody following the men's WC & NWS might like this comparison although maybe someone more quirky for Haaland
The rule came in 2019-2020. There was incident in the 2018 World Cup where a Colombian player headbutted Jordan Henderson while players were battling for position around a Colombian wall and I think they wanted to eliminate those situations. Not sure I've ever seen it called though--is the ref supposed to hold up the free kick and make the attacking player move away? I guess you can't do that 100% of the time if the player moves toward the wall as their teammate is in the run-up for the free kick.
I think it is a stupid comparison. And coming from the world of WoSo, I would phrase it the other way. Which on is like Sophia Wilson? Which on is like Trinity Rodman? Who is like Marta? Etc. To me, the only one I think compares is Marta v. Messi. Mbape doesn't defend like Wilson (and I think Wilson is a better passer). Lavelle is better at FKs than Bellingham. Rodman is not "young," and has a world title to her name (Olympics). Haaland is better in the air than Banda. And why no defenders or defensive players? Who is Dickey? Who is Hutton? Who is G Thompson?
back to playing on baseball fields, but judging by the sold out crowd, New Yorkers seems to prefer it
Yeah, not excited to see another baseball field, but this match was heavily promoted, the rivalry, and capitalizing on the announcement that Gotham will move to NYC in 2028. Saw a bunch of comments on the move announcement that a lot of NYC Gotham fans don't go to NJ to see them play.
Denver v. Portland Heaps has made a very clear difference. Passing, creativity, decisions/unpredictability... Sonis was just such a motor up and down the left side. Goal was both deserving and fortunate. Defense was solid. The only shot Portland had on target in the first half was the PK. One of the things Denver does well is shutting down the midfield director - in this case, Moultrie was nearly absent. And once again, we are showing that we don't have a top forward. There was mention from the commentary team that because Wilson had not signed her contract, she might move to Denver. Game started to fizzle about the 60th or 65th minute, but the subs brought the game back to life. Means had such a fluke goal, but the team deserved that 2nd goal. This is the first time I have seen Denver bring on subs that did not noticeably lower the game. Arnold was very good in goal for Portland. And how close are the standings? As of this post, Portland have lost 3 of their last 5, yet are 3 point from being top of the table. Chicago and Louisville are really the only teams out of the running for a playoff spot at this point.
Two good fortune’s for Gotham this weekend; they reinforced themselves with their recent signings of Kerr & O’Sullivan and just won an Argentina style comeback yesterday which put them up on top of the league. One thing they better find out is a permanent home as it’s the third home game in a row played in an different venue, this time at Icahn Stadium, which this time didn’t draw much of an audience. and of course the question for NWSL would be do you really want Gotham(if they win the title again) to represent you again after their twin disasters at the Concacaf Champions League & World Club tournament?
Correction. Sonis said in the post-match that Means told her she saw Arnold giving up the back post and took the shot.
Want and earned are two different things. If Gotham win the Shield or the Cup, they have earned their spot. That said, this year seemed to take more notice and their failure (at least in the CCL) is being viewed as horrendous, as is Washington's. I would be shocked if a similar capitulation happens next year.
Taken from Reddit: That Sarina Wiegman at the Bay v. North Carolina match, checking out a couple of England youngsters.
Once again, Denver dominated the match and showed that we don't have a reliable striker that can score. Should have beat Boston by at least 2 goals (and really should not have given up the goal). That said, overall the team didn't look they played with emphasis in the in the first half. Gaetino looked unsure at times, Oke was slow on her passing, everybody committed fouls. That said, we did what we normally do, and removed the key midfield, than time being Cano. She was almost absent the entire match. The development of the depth was also notable. Means started over Flint, which allowed Flint to come in late with fresh legs and look dangerous. Brazier came on in Sheehan and bringing on a more attacking player did not hurt. And Pickett coming on (and pushing Sonis to the right) was quite good. Boston didn't seem like they could match those subs, and at time were playing with as many as 8 in box to try and nullify the pressure. It worked, barely, and in the end we should have won.
Good on Wiegman for respecting her players and the NWSL. Just 'cause they can't get pt in England doesn't mean they are not national team prospects.
What I'm reading, there is a lot of notice being made about Parkinson (on the right of Wiegman), so even though she was on vacation, I'm sure there was some business involved as well.
Forgot to add that Reale was constantly switching the ball to Prince and looked every so dangerous. Happy that it didn't come off, but says more about Prince and Boston's attack than Reale's switching, which was sublime.
https://bsky.app/profile/yardieball.bsky.social/post/3ms77oksag22x @yardieball.bsky.social Alexis Monteith. Jamaican-Italian "This was massive from Mimi Van Zanten, chasing down Trinity Rodman from deep inside the Washington Spirit half to recover the ball in the San Diego Wave's box. It was perhaps the best example of her relentless, tenacious defending in yesterday's game. Overall, great performance." Click link to see video of TR getting run down last Sunday.
Excited by the Denver win! Something I noticed so far this weekend - 5 of the 8 goal scorers all scored this weekend...so far. Wilson to play tonight, and both Banda and Chawinga away at WAFCON - I would guess Banda to return next weekend.
i figure that Denver has something like a 40-45% chance of winning this and about a 47% chance of at least a draw. the reason i give such a high number to Denver's chances is that the NWSL has done so much to balance the league that a ;pt of the juice and home field advantage has been lended out of the league so the victor in any match is more determined by luck than by anything to do with skill, which is very lacking in the NWSL. The final score can be anywhere from 0-0 to 505 either way. Yes SD is a better team but they are bit really that much better than even the very bottom and Denver is not at the very bottom. It is simply that teams like Denver expect to lose but just a little early luck in the NWSL can often make all the difference and even overcome home field advantage. I think that the nnatc will be decided by which coach give the best pre-match or halftime speech. It is not the skill of the players that will make this match but rather how convinced they are that they can win. Of course SD has a bit of an advantage due to home field but home field is an advantage that is easy to overcome by a good speech or two. If i were a betting man i would bet on Denver tonight for the same reasons i would bet on most underdogs, except maybe Chicago, in most matches. There is more money to ne made betting on underdogs in most betting environments where the field is very balanced.
Well, Denver did manage a draw but the match, at least the first half was horrible to watch. It was so full of errors and stupidity the I became very disappointed by the half and i wen to bed because the play was so bad i simply could ot stay awake. I hope today's matches are better. they pretty much have to be. as do tomorrow's.