I think Leroux is trying to tell Tom Sermanni something... Portland Thorns are so gross right now I barely recognized them and thought they were the Washington Spirit at first. Geez what a bad game!
Williamson has been such a revelation this season. I didn't expect much from her after her supposedly terrible game against UP, but she is proving me wrong. She's another one I'd like to see get a NT callup in the near future.
Just saw the replay, very petty! "What a pass by O'Reilly!" We miss her in NJ. edit: This Sanderson to O'Reilly to Leroux thing really works!
I knew the Edwards injury would hurt, but even I didn't think it would be this much of a loss. If they look this bad against Boston, I hate to think how terrible they could look against WNY next Sunday.
portland can't play defense. they just need to sit in a 4-4-2 defensive posture and counter with long balls to sinclair and morgan. i have no clue why they dont. no way you beat them in that type of game. you make a turnover, they get going. plus sinclair and morgan get to play catch, pass and shoot with each other at the top of the box.
What's the "autograph voucher" that was mentioned on the POR-BOS broadcast? In Portland, do fans need to obtain a voucher to gain admittance to the after-game autograph area? I like Portland's broadcast announcing team, but the control room frequently missed showing live play on the field in favor of showing replays and graphics. But, the broadcast is otherwise professional quality, and their live streaming video is free so I probably shouldn't complain. I was also impressed with Williamson.
Portland has been playing like dead skunk lately. They need to get out of this funk. Only one win this season against Top 5 teams in the standings. All the rest of their wins are against Washington, Seattle, and Chicago.
CP went back to the Carolina 3-4-3 in the 2nd half. At least the started getting shots in the 2nd half.
their defense is horrible in the 1st 45 without edwards. they need to pack it in until they get some continuity, which takes at least 1 half sometimes. they have the forwards just to play counter until everyone settles into the game. 4-4-2 and boston wouldn't have got those 2 quick goals, but they'll keep playing it offensively when heath arrives while the defense gets torched in the 1st half of games.
She also subbed in Kerr for Washington and it made a huge difference. Both last week and this, almost every time Washington got the ball the offense came to a standstill. Whatever she does that is good, her speed of play is about the pace of one of our Pacific Northwest banana slugs. Parlow, if she's a decent coach, must be seeing this.
as was i. i was also impressed with noguiera in the middle. she's not there yet, but is she potentially a boxx replacement for the wnt?
Naeher is an amazing player and she might lead the Breakers to the playoffs this season. She was amazing during her time in Potsdam and it looks like she continues to impress after joining NWSL. Portland need to change something in their game, otherwise they might find themselves fighting for a spot in the playoffs until the very last match. Their July schedule is not helping them either.
Do you all agree that CPC has not handled the adversity created by injuries well, though she was suspect from the beginning with her player selections. How does the downfall of Portland effect the league as a whole? Will they bounce back with the addition of Tobin Heath?
Well, I think she shot herself in the foot with a poor draft. Then the decision to waive Avant puzzled me since she actually looked decent and got more playing time than others (O'Neil for example). Of course that looked like an even bigger burn last night with Avant playing pretty well and for the full 90 against the Thorns. If you look at her post-game comments from the past few games, they all seem to be the same. She acknowledges her teams tendency to give the ball away in the midfield and then doesn't make any changes. Long and Washington have been pretty poor all season. Heath's arrival will help a bit because she will displace one of them, but I don't think it's enough still. I've actually thought Kerr has played well lately and she probably deserves a chance to start, as does Foxhoven. The biggest thing, though, in my mind is that Sinclair has to get out of the midfield. She is being wasted and there was a huge difference last night when she was moved up top. Three straight games being shutout with Morgan and Sinclair is absolutely inexcusable in my opinion. Not to mention being shut out three times at home so far this year. As for Portland and the league, I don't think it'll have an effect. They are basically guaranteed a playoff spot and once that begins, anything can happen. Seeing how poor the Timbers have been in years prior and how it has had zero effect on their attendance, I'm not too worried about that.
Kerr and Foxhoven both helped. Washington is playing like she's still hurt in which case she shouldnt be playing. The big thing is no DM. Long might be alright when shes paired with another holding mid but she cant do it alone. They need a bona fide ball stopper in the middle. Buehler and Williamson desperately need someone in front of them. I think Heath helps for no other reason than she wants to have the ball and make a play. I watched the Portland midfield try and avoid be the one stuck with the ball like it was musical chairs. One of the few positives was Weimer who has at least solidified the left side. My line up for next week Morgan - Foxhoven ......Sinclair(withdrawn) Weimer - Heath .....(someone from the stands...or Wetzel) Rameriz-Williamson-Buehler-Marshall How long is Dougherty out for???
As to Boston... hold on before u order the ticker tape parade. Whle Boston is great on the counter attack and Im prolly the biggest HAO supporter on the board, I lay both those goals at feet of the Portland defense. Did they not get the memo that Boston has three great players on offense? Does Buehler have amnesia? Did the Portland CBs honestly think they could run with HAO and Leroux? I'll give the Portland dee a compliment...it wasnt 4-0 at half time. As to the much maligned Boston defense, Portland shot themselves in the foot in the first half and drilled Naeher all second half. I will say the more I see of Noguiera the more I like her and the Sanderson/HAO/Leroux combo is sublime. Still, all of Portland's shot either went right at Naeher or were off frame.
Portland's finishing last night was some of the worst I've seen this season. How many of Naeher's 7 saves were anything other than shots right at her?
I couldn't agree more. I do wish that the Mewis foul had been booked, but that's my only real complaint. Well, that and no Flash goals.