This game was a good exercise for the new players, especially Sams and Sears. Both were outstanding. The front line attack has developed as a timing attack, coordinating the three forwards. You just weren't going to have that in place with new players. Alyssa Thompson was great, both games, but not yet in the "triple espresso" mold of smooth coordination. She and Sears have been revelations up front, though. Albert is better as an 8/attacking midfielder. She doesn't yet have the coordination with Coffey to play the defensive mid with a responsibility to defend then turn and connect going forward. You're right, both she and Coffey were a step out of sync with the rest of the team, but the midfield has been the weakest part of the team.
The difference between Sears and Rodman is pretty obvious on the RW. Don’t know if she has the creativity or passing on the wing but she is good in the box, so all that can be developed under Hayes. Thompson looked really good. Still has to remember to slow down. She overran her ball lol and there was a pass to Smith in the box that was heavy. A better pass and that’s a dangerous shot Smith would have made. It worked out because it bounced off Soph to Sears who redirected it to Williams lol. Thought the right side was pretty poor these two games and it’s usually a strength. There was much more fluidity and movement on the LW
Moultrie did seem kinda slow in that first half. Maybe nerves. But I've always felt Albert has far better ball control than when Horan is in the midfield. Horan did better up high just like the Olympic final.
Moultrie is fairly slow in general. I’m a Thorns fan. There’s a reason why her comp is Horan. I like her as a player but I’m not sure she has the speed to keep up with what Hayes is trying to do. It’s like seeing Horan out there all over again. You can’t teach speed. I do think she as rotation potential though, starting not so sure. Still think she was called up far too soon. Feels a year away
I understand Soph is a phenomenal player. She has proven herself many times. However, I felt like she did not have the best game on Sunday. She often holds the ball too long and can be selfish on the attack. I think the reason the game turned was because a player like Williams who will always have to prove herself despite all of her accomplishments was the reason the tempo, and game turned around. Crediting that to Soph feels a little annoying when she honestly wasn’t impressive this game.
Not Good Enough in game 2 - Nighswonger. Albert. Moultrie. Shaw (as a starter in the forward line). Murphy. stop blocking the growth of Hershfelt by wasting time with Albert. Moultrie is a fun league story & im afraid thats all. she is not physically capable of competing at this level right now - maybe itll come with time. maybe not. Casey Murphy should've been sat down in favor for Haught even before the olympico blunder & PTJ was perhaps the best goalkeeper in the NWSL when she transferred to manchester. don't act like she's not been a full time starter and has only played 4 games or whatever. PTJ is ready. waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting is what gets this team in trouble. move faster with goalkeepers and we might not be so clueless about them right now in the WNT.
sadly I agree with you. Although albert impressed in gold cup and assisted in Olympic final I always feel like something is missing in her play----then again you remember that our midfield is our weakness. It should be fixed asap. Moultrie is not it for this team at the moment unless she elevates her game. Shaw is not a 9 and should not be used as such. Nighswonger concedes a lot of crosses compared to Dunn, which is a liability. Against elite competition, she is not tested and offered barely nothing offensively in this game. I agree with giving chances to PTJ, Mandy Haught etc. in the goalkeepers. Would have loved to see Bethune continuity/growth instead of being impacted by injury when she was flying. Hope she comes back stronger.
Gabby is such an inspiring young woman. Thank you for giving her the spotlight!
Hello Claire. I watch for the football, which is good from a US perspective, but that was an interesting chat too.
This game was a good exercise for the new players, especially Sams and Sears. Both were outstanding. The front line attack has developed as a timing attack, coordinating the three forwards. You just weren't going to have that in place with new players. Alyssa Thompson was great, both games, but not yet in the "triple espresso" mold of smooth coordination. She and Sears have been revelations up front, though. Albert is better as an 8/attacking midfielder. She doesn't yet have the coordination with Coffey to play the defensive mid with a responsibility to defend then turn and connect going forward. You're right, both she and Coffey were a step out of sync with the rest of the team, but the midfield has been the weakest part of the team.
Albert and Moultrie were a step out of sync.
The difference between Sears and Rodman is pretty obvious on the RW. Don’t know if she has the creativity or passing on the wing but she is good in the box, so all that can be developed under Hayes. Thompson looked really good. Still has to remember to slow down. She overran her ball lol and there was a pass to Smith in the box that was heavy. A better pass and that’s a dangerous shot Smith would have made. It worked out because it bounced off Soph to Sears who redirected it to Williams lol. Thought the right side was pretty poor these two games and it’s usually a strength. There was much more fluidity and movement on the LW
Moultrie did seem kinda slow in that first half. Maybe nerves. But I've always felt Albert has far better ball control than when Horan is in the midfield. Horan did better up high just like the Olympic final.
Moultrie is fairly slow in general. I’m a Thorns fan. There’s a reason why her comp is Horan. I like her as a player but I’m not sure she has the speed to keep up with what Hayes is trying to do. It’s like seeing Horan out there all over again. You can’t teach speed. I do think she as rotation potential though, starting not so sure. Still think she was called up far too soon. Feels a year away
I understand Soph is a phenomenal player. She has proven herself many times. However, I felt like she did not have the best game on Sunday. She often holds the ball too long and can be selfish on the attack. I think the reason the game turned was because a player like Williams who will always have to prove herself despite all of her accomplishments was the reason the tempo, and game turned around. Crediting that to Soph feels a little annoying when she honestly wasn’t impressive this game.
Not Good Enough in game 2 - Nighswonger. Albert. Moultrie. Shaw (as a starter in the forward line). Murphy.
stop blocking the growth of Hershfelt by wasting time with Albert. Moultrie is a fun league story & im afraid thats all. she is not physically capable of competing at this level right now - maybe itll come with time. maybe not. Casey Murphy should've been sat down in favor for Haught even before the olympico blunder & PTJ was perhaps the best goalkeeper in the NWSL when she transferred to manchester. don't act like she's not been a full time starter and has only played 4 games or whatever. PTJ is ready. waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting is what gets this team in trouble. move faster with goalkeepers and we might not be so clueless about them right now in the WNT.
sadly I agree with you. Although albert impressed in gold cup and assisted in Olympic final I always feel like something is missing in her play----then again you remember that our midfield is our weakness. It should be fixed asap. Moultrie is not it for this team at the moment unless she elevates her game. Shaw is not a 9 and should not be used as such. Nighswonger concedes a lot of crosses compared to Dunn, which is a liability. Against elite competition, she is not tested and offered barely nothing offensively in this game. I agree with giving chances to PTJ, Mandy Haught etc. in the goalkeepers. Would have loved to see Bethune continuity/growth instead of being impacted by injury when she was flying. Hope she comes back stronger.