The biggest gripe Thorn fans should have with Morgan is deciding to clean up her knee after the WC instead of waiting until after the NWSL season. I have to assume this was at the urging of USSoccer who wanted her ready to play in the VT but whatever the reason it was a clear case of disregarding the needs of her club to appear in a bunch of meaningless friendlies.
The Thorns announced today that they've signed Sykes, to be available June 10. They haven't announced it yet, but there's also a reliable report that they've traded with the Courage for GK Britt Eckerstrom, which will fill their need for a keeper to go along with Franch. The report doesn't indicate what the Thorns have given up, but with the acquisitions of Sykes and Eckerstrom, they're at 22 players, which is two too many. It's possible that Nadim, if she isn't ready to play yet could go on the Disabled List. That would take her out for at least 45 days and would put the Thorns at 21. It will be interesting to see what the Thorns are giving up for Eckerstrom.
It turns out that for Eckerstrom, the Thorns have traded two fourth round draft picks in the 2018 draft. With three GKs on the Courage roster, they doubtless had to move one, so they didn't have much trade leverage and didn't get much from the trade.
Yeah, I think a 3rd round pick would've been fair for her (that's where she was selected). But I guess two 4th rounders was the best that NC could get.
RE: POR vs, CHI I did not watch the game, but I get the impression that AD Franch played like she showed us in 2013 when she SHOULD have been Rookie of the Year.
She had some good saves. Her decisions clearing the ball out of her own end were an adventure, as it has been all season for her and the defense. Things were slightly better in the second half. It will cost them unless they solve that.
It is too bad those things are still a problem. We may find out how motivated she is to make the Nats and how good a keeper coach Nadine Angerer really is over the course of the season.
Nadine needs to get Franch to do what she does best with her skill set, not with Nadines skill set. The last thing the team needs is the defenders and Franch playing a short game against a pressing front line.
Heath has been named assistant youth technical director for the Thorns' DA: http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/ar...technical-director-thorns-development-academy I think it'll be a great fit for her, and I can see her stepping into a bigger role in technical development once she hangs up her cleats.
True. Franch with the ball at her feet looks like she has two left feet -- but her stats so far in the league are good. Her goals against average for 34 games in her career is 0.82, including 6 games this season. (Thanks to Jen Cooper for her statistics book.) That's better than any other goalkeeper in the NWSL. Hope Solo is second with 1.02. That's a big difference between No. 1 and No. 2. . Yeah, I know statistics lie -- especially in soccer -- but if Franch finishes this season with a sparkling goals against average, I think I will conclude that, appearances aside, she is one helluva good goalie.
From what I've seen so far, Franch is a great shot stopper. And, you're right, her weakness is distribution. But, her distribution is improving, and pretty quickly. I'm guessing that with Angerer as her coach, they spend a lot of time on distribution and playing with the ball at her feet. One of the things I've noticed is that her long ball from the ground is a rifle shot -- very hard, relatively low trajectory (occasionally too low). It gets down the field much more quickly than most keepers' long balls and with much more pace on it.
During yesterday's USA v Brazil game, I saw Brandi Chastain wearing a shirt with a California Thorns logo, which matches the Portland Thorns logo except for the "California." After doing a little on line research, here's what I found: YOUNG WOMEN RISE UP The California Thorns FC Academy is built with the purpose of empowering young women soccer players to rise up and achieve all of the goals they have set. Programs such as Life Academy, led by World Cup veteran Danielle Slaton, will mentor the Thorns players. Empowered as women by women and with the guidance of a successful Professional Team. With leadership training and character building, these young women will be playing at the highest level of soccer and also taught key life skills to help prepare them for college and their professional life, both on and off the field. Starting in Spring 2017, the California Thorns will begin tryouts and player selection. The players will be evaluated throughout the spring in preparation for the official Academy season, which will begin in Fall 2017. California Thorns FC will be led by an executive committee of World Cup stars and have coaches who have played at the highest level, including some Women’s World Cup veterans like Brandi Chastain. California Thorns FC's inaugural season will begin with an Academy team in the following age groups: 1999/2000, 2001/2002, 2003 and 2004. In addition, our program will have a Thorn's Futures Pre-Academy team in the following age groups: 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Portland Thorns FC professional team are leaders in women's soccer both on the field and off. With soccer stars and role models like Tobin Heath and Meghan Klingenberg. they are leading the way in empowering young female athletes. "We are very excited to have a presence in the Bay Area which has always been a hot bed for soccer talent. We also feel bringing a female guided approach to elite girls development will be incredibly successful" said Mike Smith Director Youth Development, Portland Timbers/Portland Thorns FC.
https://www.socceramerica.com/artic...sets-record-at-toyota-park.html?edition=17655 NWSL Portland Thorns drew the largest NWSL crowd of the season when 19,672 fans turned out for their 2-0 win over Houston.
Thorns just announced today (Mon 08/28) that: 2. Tobin Heath is activated off the 45d disabled list; and ... 1. Meleana Shim is waived to make room for Heath. Ugh, that's ... bittersweet. Shim's tenure was probably winding down regardless, given Portland's preference for so many other players ahead of her. At least she has something already lined up overseas.
Any rumors of Portland bringing Shim back next year? With Henry and Nadim departing there is more space in the midfield. Unless Paulson/Parsons plan to sign more internationals to fill those spots.
No rumors about Mana that I've heard. I did hear, however, at the time we learned that Henry and Nadim wouldn't be back, that the Thorns already had or were working on some internationals to fill their spots.