Category: Opinion

6 Takeaways from NWSL: Week 18

Posted on by RJ Allen

Week 18 has come and gone. As we head into the final stretch of games, the mad dash for the NWSL playoffs continues in what aims to be a season for the record books. This week involved four games, three identical score lines, a team trying to stop a freefall, and a natural disaster that could have long-lasting, devastating implications moving forward.

Chicago Slows Down the Bleeding But Still Needs Stitches – Alyssa Zajac

If you are a Red Stars fan, you probably went into Saturday’s game hoping and wishing for a vital three points and a snapped losing streak. Wish granted! Chicago escaped the Spirit’s home turf with the win and their first three points since Aug. 5. And yes, I did use the word “escaped”- if Christen Press hadn’t done Christen Press things in the 87th minute after Cheyna Williams scored the equalizer in the 81st minute, the game would have ended in a draw and two points lost for Chicago. Which leads me to my take.

Chicago’s weakness is their inability to close out games.

Looking back at Chicago’s season, they have given up nine goals in the 80th minute or later of games. Out of the 24 goals Chicago has allowed, 37.5% of them came in the waning minutes of matches. Which … is not a great thing. I dove into the impact of  these goals, and this is how it broke down:

  • Houston (Daly 80’) – goal differential. Result: 2-0 Loss
  • North Carolina (Debinha 82’) – goal differential. Result: 3-2 Win
  • Seattle (Rapinoe 84’ [P]) – goal differential, one point. Result: 2-1 Loss
  • Sky Blue FC (Kerr 90’) – goal differential, two points. Result: 2-2 Draw
  • Orlando (Kennedy 93’) – goal differential, loss of clean sheet. Result: 2-1 Win
  • Seattle (Kawasumi 90’, Johnson 92’) – goal differential, three points, loss of clean sheet. Result: 1-2 Loss
  • FC Kansas City (Kelly 80’) – goal differential. Result: 1-3 Loss
  • Washington (Williams 81’) –  goal differential, loss of clean sheet. Result: 1-2 Win

Basing ‘what could have been’ results on what the scores were before the late goals were conceded, Chicago has directly given up at least six points in the last minutes of games. If the Red Stars had managed to close out these games, they would currently be at 38 points, just one point shy of first place. What also needs to be taken into consideration is goal differential. Should the final standings come to the goal differential tiebreaker, the Red Stars have made things very difficult on themselves.

There may be nothing that Chicago can do about the past, but the final four games of the season are going to be key. Losing games and conceding goals in the final minutes is no longer an option for the Red Stars, and they need to figure out how to close out games. In my eyes, it’s do or die time. I really hope they come out on the side of “do.”

An End of an Era Approaches FC Kansas City, and They May Not Be Prepared – Alyssa Zajac

Nicole Barnhart isn’t going to play forever.

Our hearts may not want it to be true, but our heads acknowledge reality. There will come a day when FC Kansas City exists without Barnhart in goal. But the team may not fully be prepared for that eventuality.

Let me explain. Throughout FCKC’s existence, Barnhart has been the go-to starting goalkeeper. However, the position of backup keeper has had a seemingly endless turnover. From Bianca Henninger in 2013,  Sara Keane and Cecilia Santiago in 2014, Katelyn Rowland in 2015, and Cat Parkhill in 2016 and 2017, there really hasn’t been a chance for a goalkeeper to extensively learn from and train with one of the best goalkeepers in the game.

In comparison, the Seattle Reign initially drafted Haley Kopmeyer in 2013, re-signed her in 2014, and had her train with and learn from Hope Solo – arguably the greatest goalkeeper to ever play the game – consistently over the next two years. When Solo took an indefinite leave of absence in 2016, Kopmeyer was well equipped and prepared to take over the starting role.

Kansas City doesn’t really have that luxury. That’s not to say Cat Parkhill isn’t capable of being the starting goalkeeper. I’m sure she could be, I’m just not sold on how well the team and defense are prepared to play without Barnhart in goal.

As the off season approaches, FCKC should be looking to potential goalkeepers to invest in – whether they be potential draftees or goalkeepers who are already in the playing pool. Just in case, because the future comes whether we’re ready for it or not.

Let’s Talk Six, Baby – Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

With a scant few weeks left in the “historic fifth season,” it’s time to start thinking about the even more historic sixth season.

I’ve been thinking all week about this, and there are a few areas I think the NWSL needs to address as it moves into the second half of their first decade.

First, stop using the word “historic.”

Okay, that one’s a joke.

First, stop hiding behind artificially inflated “maximum NWSL salary” lies. RJ Allen wrote a great piece earlier this season about how despite the fact that the minimum and maximum were raised for the 2017 season, in actuality, if one player makes the maximum, the rest can earn only slightly more than the minimum. And this is because of the NWSL team salary cap. In reality, the league needs to expand salary caps as well as their minimums because almost all non-Federation players are hovering around the poverty line unless they have some other source of income. 

Second, the bar for refs needs to be raised.  This season has seen everything from referees choosing not to intervene after flagrant, card-worthy offenses to illogical cards for imaginary fouls. The refs need to be held to a higher standard, and their interventions need to be consistent. I’m a sports-fan, so of course, I’m going to scream at my television now and then, disagreeing with a call. But this season’s PRO performance has been appalling, and the complaints and concerns being raised are far more credible than the usual armchair quarterbacking that goes on in sports. Coaches, players, and fans are all concerned not only with the quality of the game but the safety of the players on the field. 

Third, the NWSL needs to make improvements to its streaming. 2017 has been an inconsistent (and sometimes downright ridiculous) mess. The deal with Go90 was thrown together and implemented with no coherent structure or support. Go90 is clunky–both in terms of watching and navigating. I don’t know anyone who really watches via that platform, most choose to use a VPN and watch on the NWSL site itself with the international viewers. It’s only sheer laziness that’s kept me from doing the same. When watching, and especially as someone who sometimes needs to watch a particular play over and over again in order to write about it, the ability to pause, rewind, fast-forward, etc., is frequently absent. Or maybe others have figured it out and I’m just dumb–that is always a possibility.

And last, advertising. Every Go90 game has that “in commercial” screen, except the event is not taking a commercial break. But what a great opportunity to sell some ads during the non-Lifetime games. You’ve got a few designated times of known length. You’re a young league that should always be looking for steady income streams. Get out there and find some sponsors to fill that blank space. Please. Because I’m tired of hearing the chatter as the announcers forget to turn their mics off during those designated break segments. 

#1, #1, #1 – Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

Watching the games this past weekend, all I can think about is the 2018 NWSL College Draft. Who will go #1? 

Last year was a no-brainer. Rose Lavelle was going first. This year, I’m a little less confident, but I know most people think it’ll be Andi Sullivan, and I can definitely see that. Right now Boston and Washington are both falling over themselves to see who can play worse, and I’m honestly pretty sure it’ll end up being Washington in the end. They might have Mallory Pugh, but their bench is just too thin these days, with Arielle Ship’s recent ACL injury the latest in a long line of Washington’s SEIs this year. Can you imagine an Andi Sullivan-Mallory Pugh connection? 

But then, if it’s Boston, they’d be crazy not to take Sullivan. Putting her in the midfield with Lavelle–listen, I’m drooling just as much at that possibility as any other. Either way, if Sullivan is the #1, and if either Boston or Washington draft her, they’ll have made the move that could see them finding the success next year that has eluded them this season. 

Tom Sermanni Makes a Case for Coach of the Year – Luis Hernandez

The start of the season was rough for the Pride, who were at the bottom of the league standings for the first month. In fact, even though Orlando had added Marta, the team was one of the bottom three teams until Week Nine. Coach Sermanni was adjusting and reevaluating every aspect of his roster. Making position changes with Ali Krieger and Alanna Kennedy while changing up the shape of the squad, he was able to orchestrate a five-match unbeaten streak for his squad, which actually included a four-game winning streak in the month of August.

This past weekend, Sermanni shifted his tactics on the road to give his side the full three points. He subbed in Rachel Hill for Kristen Edmonds in minute 69 and then just ten minutes later inserted Toni Pressley for Chioma Ubogagu. Of course, the players on the pitch have to execute, and Alex Morgan put away Marta’s service from a free kick which went through Nicole Barnhart’s hands. There is a lot to expect from Orlando with the talent on the roster, but Sermanni has kept the team loose and had had his adjustments work out. He could certainly see himself picking up coach of the year as well.

Houston (and All Areas Affected by Harvey) You’re in Our Thoughts – Luis Hernandez

Sometimes, there are things bigger than soccer. Friday the league announced the postponement of the Houston Dash match against the North Carolina Courage, just before Hurricane Harvey began its reign over Texas which caused catastrophic and life-threatening flooding. Our thoughts are with those people affected by Hurricane Harvey. The impact of this storm will be felt for a long time to come.

Irreplaceable: 5 Reasons Christie Pearce Should Stick Around

Posted on by RJ Allen
Leanne Keator

Earlier this year Christie Pearce stated that this would be her last season playing professionally. So when it was reported that she was finished for the season because of an accumulation of injuries I felt my heart drop to my stomach. I wasn’t ready for it. In my mind, she was always that constant on the pitch. She has always been around. Ever since I was a kid watching the ’99 World Cup. And then she was just gone. In a second. And I didn’t like it one bit. I still don’t. I thought I had at least six more matches to watch her play. And now it looks like that won’t be the case. But there is a slim chance that she returns next season. In what capacity? I don’t know. And what are the chances of that happening? It’s hard to say. But all I know is that the sport needs her to stick around. Whether that is as a player, a coach, a commentator, or an ambassador for the sport, it doesn’t matter. We still need her…And maybe some of us still aren’t ready to let her go.

Regardless, here are the five reasons Christie Pearce should stick around:

She’s Still Good At Her Job

It’s easy to say that Christie Pearce was still a competitor in the league this year. She was the fastest defender in the league, she was tough to beat in a one-v-one on the back line, and she could help be that steady, calming force for Sky Blue FC. But her job wasn’t simply to be a center back. It hasn’t been for a long time. She is Captain America. She is a leader, and an on-field player-coach when she needs to be. She is a mentor to younger players, and a role model for the league veterans to idolize. She inspires the next generation by being the living legend of the sport. It’s a lot of responsibility. And sure, someone else would step up if she walked away from the sport for a while. But it wouldn’t be the same. No one else could juggle so many roles so effortlessly.

 

Her Soccer IQ Is Off The Charts

There isn’t anyone in the league that has a higher Soccer IQ than Pearce. She simply knows how to win, and how to innovate, and how to inspire a team. So even if her insanely good skillset isn’t utilized on the pitch, it could definitely be taken advantage of off of it. Because I think she still has more to give to the game. She has coached Sky Blue to a championship before while she was playing in 2009. Why not use that knowledge of the sport as a full-time coach? She will succeed in it. And I guarantee it will be much less stressful than the last time she coached. Why not make a run at being the next Alex Ferguson?

 

The League (and Everyone Else) Respects Her

No one speaks a bad word about Christie Pearce. She holds herself to a standard that all athletes should. She is poised and humble, but still commands respect from her peers. And through the years her prior peers have become ambassadors for the league, commentators, or coaches. Now her peers are twenty-somethings that look at her as if she walked on water. Everyone, including the fans, will support her in whatever decision she decides to make for her future. Because she has made some pretty great choices in her career this far. I mean, I don’t see any other 42-year-old players on the pitch with two World Cup wins, three Olympic Gold Medals, and a Women’s Professional Soccer Championship, so she must be doing something right. So if she decides to hang up her boots and call it a day, everyone will respect her choice. And if she decides to stick around, in whatever capacity that is, her choice will be welcomed with open arms.

 

Soccer Mom/Mentor

After the news broke of the end of Pearce’s season, Lifetime reported on it before their Match of the Week. And during their report, they stated that the young players of Sky Blue FC call Christie Pearce ‘Mom.’ And I get it. She is that person that they can always call on for reassurance or advice or a swift kick in the ass. But it isn’t just the Sky Blue women that see her in the mentoring role. It’s almost hard to not see her as that. She has seen more games and more situations than anyone else in the league. And going back to the second reason, she is great at knowing what to do and how to advise these women on the game. So if she hangs around, regardless of her position, she is still going to be looked to for the answers. Because she has seen it all – three separate professional leagues, pay disparities, and a bunch of FIFA politics. To put it simply, her input for these women and this league is invaluable.

 

We Don’t Want To Let Her Go

I get it if she wishes to walk away. She deserves a break. She deserves a happy retirement. She has been playing professionally for longer than any other active player. Think about the players that came and went during her career; how many of her friends she watched retire while she kept going. But then I think about her not being around to mold and shape the future of the sport and I have a difficult time thinking that anyone else wouldn’t want her to stick around. The players, the coaches, the fans, and the league hold her to a higher standard. And it is a standard that no one else has reached yet (and maybe never will). But the real question is if we are ready to let her go. I don’t think that we are. We can if we have to, but like that first Sky Blue match without her, it will be a strange experience.

At the end of the day, the choice is Christie’s. And we will all respect it no matter what, whether she stays or takes her much deserved retirement to be with her family. And maybe this article is a selfish plea to get her to stick around. I recognize that. I also recognize that my opinion undoubtedly holds zero weight in Christie Pearce’s mind. The whole point of this article is to highlight how she still holds a very meaningful place in the sport. One that cannot be filled by anyone else. And it doesn’t matter how she would decide to fill that place if she does. We will take anything that she is willing to give us. Because for us, she is irreplaceable.

The Unused Sub: The Home Stretch

Posted on by RJ Allen

THE TABLE IS SILLY, THE SEASON IS SILLY
Turnabout is fair play in the NWSL. Seattle beats Sky Blue in a bonkers 5-4 match because of a stoppage time winner, Sky Blue beats Seattle in a bonkers 5-4 match with a goal in stoppage time too. Look, can we just agree now that all regular season matches between the two just be scoreless draws in 2018? It will save a lot of aggravation for everyone, physically and mentally.

And yes I still miss the sharp-dressed man, Christy Holly.

Looking at every team’s position over the course of the season, a couple thoughts.

That moment in the sun where the Houston Dash were in first place. Also let’s pour some out for Boston Breakers and their two-week run of being in the top four.

No surprise that Seattle and Sky Blue have been hanging around the 4 to 6 neighborhoods all season long. That final spot in the playoffs is going to come down to the final week, I think so buckle the hell up for one crazy ride.

If the Chicago Red Stars keep this fall and finish level on points with Seattle, they are going to rue that midweek loss against Seattle. They should have closed the game out and for Seattle, if they get into the playoffs, that milestone win against Chicago is going to look back as the win that saved their season.

It’s spectacular that Orlando spent a month at the bottom, have been subpar for most of the season and are right in the mix for playoff spot. I can certainly understand why Tom Sermanni has a good case for Coach of the Year considerations.

WEEK 18 PREDICTIONS
Bottom line for this weekend’s predictions: nothing will get settled as far as painting a clearer picture of who is joining the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL Playoffs.

FC Kansas City OVER Orlando Pride.

The Fightin’ Vlatkos will continue their hot streak and jack up the road to the playoffs to make everyone think louder and stronger, “HMMM…. Could they?!”

Seattle Reign FC and Portland Thorns play to a DRAW.

A win gives either team their 50th in league history. Seattle needs it more than Portland does. For one weekend, both Seattle and Portland soccer teams on the NWSL and MLS will be in Seattle for big ol’ derpy rivalry weekend and yeah, the ladies will play to a draw. Seattle Reign FC fans will continue to live in anxiety as to if this team can claim a playoff spot with four games left to go.

Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars play to a DRAW.

Spirit get the lead and will carry the lead long enough to make us think yep Chicago is falling off the cliff but then will get some stoppage time equalizer and we’ll all go ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Boston Breakers OVER Sky Blue FC.

I hilariously called it right the first time at the start of the season and I’ll stick my neck out and say the Breakers do it again.

And honestly, with the forecast of Hurricane Harvey hitting land around Friday or Saturday, it’s probably fair to wonder if Houston Dash versus North Carolina Courage will even happen. Yes, the game is scheduled for Sunday. It’s hard to say at the time of writing this what the result of that match will be because we may not even get a match on Sunday. So for now, Houston Dash versus North Carolina Courage gets a ¯_(ツ)_/¯ prediction from me.

And here’s your tunes to send you into the weekend.

Song: “Shot At The Night” | Artist: The Killers

Love and Soccer: A Queer Writer at Backline Soccer

Posted on by RJ Allen

I’m gay.

I’m a big fat lesbian.

Before anyone misinterprets who I am or what I’m about to say, know that.

Earlier this year, a member of Backline Soccer’s staff wrote an opinion piece about Jaelene Hinkle. The article was neither supportive of Hinkle’s views nor homophobic. It was immediately received as such, though, and knowing what a light trigger some communities of US women’s soccer fans have about Hinkle, some members of staff and I did express hesitation about publishing it.

But we value our writers’ opinions, and we value their work. Our writer had something she wanted to say, and we support her. We continue to support her.

The backlash has been interesting, coming and going in waves. Now, every time someone doesn’t like what a member of staff says in an article or on one of our social media accounts, they’ll throw “homophobic” at us, or re-share that piece, reigniting the conflict they see in it.

But what was actually in that piece?

What was actually expressed?

One of our writers explained that having been raised in a conservative Christian household herself, she could understand how Hinkle had come to believe what has been inferred from her social media posts. She could put herself in Hinkle’s shoes because she had once been in them herself. She knows the growth and the journey it takes to become an open-minded person who accepts and celebrates people of all identities into her life. Because she has taken that journey herself.

Our writer then said she didn’t support Hinkle’s beliefs but believed that in certain ways, with certain criteria, she could respect Hinkle: her skill as a football player, her dedication to her sport, and the part that most of you seem to have misunderstood, her loyalty to her convictions. Not her convictions, but how strongly she believes in them. To our writer, that is admirable.

This, from what I can tell, is what people have objected to and misinterpreted. I get that. When Hinkle was mysteriously absent in Europe, I ugly-laughed (the ugly-side of me did, anyway, the side that is small and bitter and petty; the side I’m never proud of). Because as an out and proud queer woman, I’m pretty much not a fan of those who don’t believe I should be able to live as I live and love as I love. And the thing is, we would never ask anyone to respect someone or something that goes against their own convictions.

The sad fact of life is that there are people in the nation who believe that LGBTQIA+ folk don’t deserve equal rights or respect or even human decency. They exist, and would that I could, I’d wave my magic wand and change that, make the world a better place for all of us. But it seems that I was probably daydreaming when the announcement for wand distribution went out because I still don’t have one.

What I have, and what our writer was trying to get at, is a love of soccer. An international sport that transcends boundaries, languages, political ideologies, and all of the things that get in the way of human beings loving and celebrating each other.

Soccer is a common ground where people come together. We’ve all seen the pictures–the young boys comforting a grown man after their team won against his, the child in Afghanistan whose homemade Messi jersey made us all “awww” a little (or a lot) on the inside. Soccer, football, our love for it, it makes the world smaller. It makes friends of strangers.

And this was our writer’s purpose, to remind us of the power of soccer.

We live in a time unimaginable once. When there are men and women who are willing and able to come out as LGBTQIA+ publicly and live openly. They are role models and inspirational and heroes, all of them. Every time an athlete takes that brave step (every time anyone takes that brave step) a big gay rainbow sparkles inside my heart. And though the world is becoming more and more open, more and more accepting, there is still work to be done. Our world isn’t finished yet.

And neither is our work.

I could tell you the percentage of Backline Soccer members who identify as LGBTQIA+, but for those who have already made up their minds that we’re homophobic, that we believe in injustice and inequality, I don’t think it would matter.

I could tell you that the writer of the article, the editor, haven’t a homophobic bone in their bodies, but those who have already made up their minds wouldn’t care.

What I can tell you is this.

We love soccer. We love soccer fans. We love what we do.

We don’t ask that anyone agree with us. We encourage debate–with our articles, with our opinions.

Because we want Women’s Soccer to grow. And we know it’s a platform for change, for progress.

Because we love the beautiful game.

Which is why we need to talk about this:

Threats 1

Threats 2

This was sent to a member of our staff today, on her personal account.

I don’t care what you believe. I don’t care what you think.

This is unacceptable.

The kind of person who does this doesn’t get to call themselves a fan of the beautiful game. Bullying isn’t a strong enough word for what this is, but whatever you call it, whoever sent it should take a step back and think long and hard about what kind of person they want to be in this world.

Take it from me, this kind of negativity, this kind of hatred? It’s a poison.

In the end, I can’t change your mind, no more than I could change Hinkle’s. But I wish I could.

But if you’re going to spread that kind of hatred around? If there’s something that dark inside of you?

Send your poison my way.

I can take it.

 

The Unused Sub: Holly, We Hardly Knew Ye

Posted on by RJ Allen

I am going to miss Christy Holly. He was a sharp-dressed man and built something good with Sky Blue FC and I think was on the cusp of something great with them.

ON THE TYLER LUSSI SUSPENSION & MORE
The NWSL DisCo’s decision to suspend Tyler Lussi of the Portland Thorns three matches and an undisclosed fine for pulling Chicago Red Stars’ Dani Colaprico last Saturday is fair. Tyler Lussi doesn’t have an ill-reputation, either as a rookie nor one from her college playing days. Could it have played a factor in say maybe she should have only received 2 matches? Probably, but the DisCo is at least consistent with making it loud and clear for everyone in the league – DO NOT PULL HAIR. Simple enough of a rule, right? That said, Tyler Lussi is not a dirty thug with anger issues. Merritt Mathias of the Seattle Reign FC is also not a dirty thug with anger issues, who also got suspended for three matches and an undisclosed fine for the same thing. Yes, shit just does happen on the field during the height of competition. No one is naive enough to think professional athletes are cordial for every single second of competition. There’s probably going to be another instance of this happening in the near future and yes we’ll all get angry about it. IT DOESN’T MEAN people can get on their social media and direct messages to the culprit and bully them about it. Empathy, kindness, respect. Look up what those words mean and try to live by their definitions. You just might enjoy the escapism of sports a little bit better that way.

Dom Dwyer said he hopes Sydney Leroux will be in Orlando with him soon. In other statements from the Department of DUH, the guy that’s in the White House isn’t popular nor good at his job.

The FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year top 10 nominees were released this week. – Lesson to the kids out there playing soccer: With hard work and persistence comes recognition of your contributions on the field, like elbowing people in the head. Just ask Carli Lloyd.

WEEK 19 PREDICTIONS
Playoff races are fun.

North Carolina Courage OVER Washington Spirit

  • The Courage continue to pad their lead atop the table. Next.

Boston Breakers and Orlando Pride play to a DRAW

  • You read that right. Breakers hold the Pride to a draw and every Orland Pride fan will direct their special brand of Mad Online at me for calling it.

Seattle Reign FC OVER Sky Blue FC

  • The Reign just got rid of one bugaboo and finally won in Chicago. I think they got their mojo back from the win and will keep it going against a Sky Blue FC that who really knows which version of them shows up.

Portland Thorns OVER Houston Dash

  • Mark Parsons remembers he can make up to three substitutions and really losing to FC Kansas City was inexcusable and they’ll take it out on Houston.

Chicago Red Stars OVER FC Kansas City

  • They shouldn’t lose to a Kansas City team that’s going nowhere. If they lose this one, it’ll be time to wonder out loud (and some here on this site might write about it) if they’re running out of gas and won’t have enough to get to the playoffs. They’re the superior team on paper and should rebound to show it on the field too.

And here’s your music video break. Enjoy.

Song: “Black & Gold” | Artist: Sam Sparro

Unsung Hero of the Week: Hip-Hip Horan Leads Portland

Posted on by RJ Allen
Kelley Piper

In this weekly series, I will be highlighting a player from the weekend who was their respective team’s unsung hero, win, lose or draw. A player who does the dirty work, does the little but important things in a game and someone who didn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet but found other ways to contribute.

This week I’ve chosen Portland Thorns midfielder Lindsey Horan.

The Colorado Native may only be 23-years-old, but she already has plenty of experience having played four years with the French giant Paris Saint-Germain from 2012-2015. She was certainly a force in her time overseas, scoring 46 goals in 58 appearances. Horan really developed further as a technical player and one who is gifted with a strong passing ability. She has also earned time on the U.S. National Team, becoming a regular now and already has 37 appearances and three goals.

Both teams had quite the star power and her current club team is no different, spoiled with Christine Sinclair (CAN), Tobin Heath (USA), Amandine Henry (FRA) and Nadia Nadim (DEN, each who are successful veterans of their respective National teams. Horan has fit in well in Portland, appearing in 33 games over her two years and contributing nine goals.

Portland 3-2 Chicago:

This was an intriguing matchup for several reasons; the pure star power each team has on paper, two of the best defenses in the NWSL and two clubs who are poised to likely meet in the playoffs in less than two months. Prior to this game, Portland had only scored five goals on the road all season long but they almost matched that total at Toyota Park in front of 4,934 people.

Despite missing a handful of key players the last few weeks due to the European Championships, the Portland Thorns came into this game riding a three-game win streak. They set the tone early, with Horan leading the way and Aussie Hayley Raso as her speedy sidekick. Both were getting involved in the attack early and it paid off to stun a Chicago club and honestly, I wasn’t expecting that fast of a start by the Thorns.

In the third minute (told you it was early!) Horan found herself not being pressured at all and had time to look up and pick who she wanted to give the ball to. The Chicago backline somehow let Sinclair and Raso in behind and with a blink of an eye and lovely 30-yard pass from inside her own half, the Thorns were in business. Raso caught up to Horan’s pass and two touches later found the back of the net, despite a valiant effort from Chicago keeper Alyssa Naeher.

Like I mention earlier, Horan has become known for her passing and it was on full display. I think it’s the most valuable part of her game, to be able to make those gorgeous passes not only to switch field or spring an attack but in tight spaces as well. This Portland team has many technical players but Horan was the one who stood out the most on this day.

Just a few minutes later, Horan tapped into another a part of her game, one that I have not paid much attention to until lately, her ability to dispossess threats. Last week she did a fantastic job keeping tabs on Houston’s midfield and more importantly worked well to minimize the threat known as Carli Lloyd. This particular play versus Chicago was impressive again because of the opponent–Christen Press, a player with 33 goals across her NWSL career, the second-most in league history. Horan took the ball so effortlessly from Press at midfield, another thing we don’t see, Press actually losing possession.

In the eighth minute, Horan put herself into position to receive a ball and then earned a corner against her fellow National Team teammate, Casey Short. Horan made the extra effort to make the run to drive 20 yards to the end line, giving her team yet another strong play.

The first 10 minutes Horan was everywhere, working a double-team on defense, spraying passes out wide or over the top, earning corners and helping keep possession for a lengthy amount of time. The energy she brought not only created chances on goal but momentum as well. Throughout the first half she also was making several aerial challenges, getting in the passing lanes to disrupt Chicago, just had a really calming presence overall.

Portland added another in the ninth minute, and then Chicago scored a goal in the 15th thanks to Press and again in the 38th minute to equalize before the half, and to make for a wide-open game once the players returned to the field.

Horan was back at it again in the 48th minute, this time executing another part of her game that I’m sure opposing fans don’t care for: the keen ability to draw fouls. It brings me to my next point, Horan is so good at keeping the ball close to her, she’s really mastered that control and it shows just how much work she has put in over the years and continues to do so with Portland. In doing, opponents often do foul her, hacking at her shins or getting in a hip check every now and then. Doesn’t matter, the concentration Horan displays with the ball sure is fun to watch.

That’s become part of her craft, putting herself in positions to draw a foul. At times, it’s so hard for defenders to get the ball, that giving a foul is the last resort and the easy way to try to break up her rhythm. On the flip side of that, Horan is also a player who loves to tackle and go after the ball, and has no problem contesting for it.

Portland would get the eventual game-winner in the 55th minute by way of defender Emily Sonnett, who has recently caught fire as well.

In the 66th minute Horan got a shot off on her own and while it went a few feet wide, I have no problem with her taking a chance from distance. Even if the shot wasn’t quite on frame, getting the keeper on their toes is important and you never know when you might sneak one by. Ten minutes later and Horan showed her skill while juggling to keep the ball while at the same time create space to get away from a defender. She maintained control and volleyed it to a teammate, not letting the pressure distract her. She had a player in her back pocket and could’ve easily cleared it upfield but instead, Horan made the quick decision and kept possession for the Thorns.

While it may not seem like a big deal or one with minimal significance, this game was completely unpredictable, each team scoring goals very fast and in lovely fashion. So, to make that kind of smart play that deep into the game to me showed that Horan was still focused and making sure she didn’t make a mistake that would cost her team.

In a game where Portland was missing Allie Long due to an excused absence, continued to play with out the injured Tobin Heath, and with Amandine Henry and Dagny Brynjarsdottir not quite having their usual impact, Horan stepped up in all the right ways. These three points were vital in the Thorns’ quest to secure to the first trophy of this season’s two trophies, the Supporters Shield, and an important confidence booster as they set their sights on the Championship game itself.

With the loss, Chicago drops to third place while Portland leapfrog them into the second spot. With seven games left in the regular season, the race for the playoffs is on and Portland seems to be heating up at just the right time.

Under the Radar: 5 Reasons Rachel Daly Is Underrated

Posted on by RJ Allen

[media-credit name=”Leanne Keator” align=”alignnone” width=”300″][/media-credit]

Rachel Daly isn’t the best player in the league. She isn’t even the best player on the Houston Dash. But she is everything that you would want a soccer player to be. She plays extremely hard, makes an impact, and is willing to play any hand she is dealt. Sure, she might not be the name that pours out of fans’ mouths when they talk about the Dash. She takes the back burner to the likes of Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian, and Poliana. But she should be noticed more for the work she puts in.

Here are the five reasons why:

She Is All Over The Pitch

When Rachel Daly doesn’t have the ball in the attacking half it’s hard to not find her pressing some poor defender to try and win it back. She is everywhere, she is fast, and even though she is the kind of forward that likes to play high, she has no issue with dropping back in order to steal the ball in the midfield. And this makes her dangerous for opponents – they don’t see her coming. She is also the kind of player that didn’t bat an eye when placed at right back when injuries left Houston’s back line in need of some filling. And that is what anyone wants out of a soccer player – someone who is willing to put in the extra effort, no matter where that may be on the pitch, in order to create positive opportunities for the team.

 

She Comes In Like A Wrecking Ball

When the Houston Dash played Portland two weeks ago, the focal point of aggression was definitely coming from Carli Lloyd (which isn’t surprising). But day in and day out, Daly makes some really intense tackles that no one really seems to care about. She can be rough out there, and she doesn’t mind taking another player to ground if it can win her team the ball back. She just tends to be a little smarter about it than other players.

 

She Can Stretch A Back Line

Technically this reason is a team effort. But Rachel Daly plays a very intricate part in breaking down the opposing team’s defense. Because the Houston Dash have a rather impressive attacking side between Carlie Lloyd, Poliana, Kealia Ohai, and Rachel Daly, it can often be difficult for a defense to cover them all with ease. Choices have to be made, and with Poliana pushing up the wing, this often leaves Daly with room to move, collect, and drop a slip ball back into the box for Lloyd. And if that option isn’t available she can always shoot the ball, or look across the field to Ohai. So she has a lot of guns in the Dash arsenal to use in her attack, and she isn’t too selfish to only use her own. She also has the skillset and intelligence to make and execute this choice with ease. She can see the advantages of having Lloyd back on the pitch with her, and now that the Dash are beginning to turn a corner from the rough start they had at the beginning of the season, her role in this offense will only expand and become more dynamic.

 

She Owns Her Shortcomings

When Jane Campbell had her first NWSL start against the Seattle Reign on April 22 it didn’t really go her way. It was a 5-1 beating against Houston. And it would have been easy to point the finger at the rookie and just move on to the next match. But Rachel Daly acted like a true professional after the game. She acknowledged that she and the team could have played better, she acknowledged that it was a tough loss, and then she acknowledged that it was time to move on to the next game. That’s class, ladies and gentlemen. And that is something we all like out of our athletes.

 

She’ll Play Until She Literally Passes Out

Rachel Daly is tough, and she is passionate about the game that she plays. And she will work as hard as possible for all 90+ minutes of a match. And as many fans saw in May, she will literally play until she passes out from heat exhaustion, has to be taken out on a stretcher, and hospitalized. Then she would play in the immediate next match. Dedication is an understatement. She literally sacrificed her body to play at her top level on a day that was unsafe to play, and in a match that the league should have postponed. But if you ask Rachel Daly to do something, she will do it to the best of her abilities.

So, the next time you watch a Houston Dash game make sure to watch for Rachel Daly. Acknowledge her. Cheer for her. You’ll find it’s pretty easy. Because she is the type of player that will do everything you ask of her. She is what we all want in a soccer player. And she may not ask for the spotlight, but there are often times that she definitely deserves it.

The Unused Sub: August In Kansas Is A Hot Seat?

Posted on by RJ Allen
Kelley Piper

Hi.

UNPOPULAR… BUT SURELY A PROVOCATIVE OPINION
Most of the time I look past whenever people are playing the occasional hashtag game on Twitter. However taking part in #ConfessYourUnpopularOpinion, our very own fearless leader RJ Allen tweeted something that sure was provocative.

https://twitter.com/CaptainWOSO/status/894381935807561732

Full disclosure, what I am about to say here is based on limited knowledge about the team as in I don’t have day-to-day access/insights to them, what their fans are saying, etc. And while their biggest victories came at the expense of the team I am a fan of, I am very much a fan of Vlatko Andonovski. That said …

I disagree with the idea Andonovski should be dismissed after this season, but I sure see why RJ thinks he should be. And likely others are thinking the same thing but don’t want to admit to it. It has been a problem for them to find a solid goal scorer not named Amy Rodriguez. Unfortunately, the cruel bastards that are the Soccer Gods deprived us (and them) of her, and now FCKC can’t score for the life of them. You might be saying: well, it’s on the coach to adjust his plan to handle the situation dealt, but it’s really easier said than done.

Look at the Seattle Reign FC last year. Simply put, teams figured out how to play against Seattle. And it took Laura Harvey and the squad pretty much the entire season to come up with something new. In fact, they’re still in the midst of that process. The 2017 NWSL has no room for error and will not hesitate to punish a team that’s still looking to make adjustment. For Kansas City, the strike force going into the year looked good. But once Rodriguez went down, it’s been rough going. Sydney Leroux’s successful comeback from 2016 was reliant on Amy Rodriguez doing her thing. Can’t count on Shea Groom, when she is being chief instigator more than the chief creator. And Brittany Ratcliffe and Maegan Kelly are fine players, but they’re still wet behind the ears as far as getting comfortable with the pace of the NWSL. Kelly played two seasons overseas after being drafted by KC in 2014 and Ratcliffe is only in her second season as a pro.

I remember when FCKC were up here in Seattle a couple months ago. It was the game where Reign defender Lauren Barnes was issued the straight red four minutes in. Kansas City should have won that match, being up a player the whole game. But they couldn’t get it done. After the game, Andonovski said that it was just too risky to go all in on Seattle, even with the player advantage, knowing how tough they are at Memorial Stadium. No one is going to dispute that, given Andonovski’s prestige in the league.

But even without a full assault, they had plenty of chances. They just couldn’t do anything with them. Largely because, of all things, they kept sending crosses into the box hoping, apparently, that Leroux had suddenly become a target forward who could get a head on the ball. But if Leroux was ever that player, she sure isn’t now. And there was no way Shea Groom was going to bail her out when she basically had her right arm in a 90-degree angle all match. A friend post-match was wondering the same thing: “Why are they sending crosses into the box like Syd can get to them? They blew this game.”

We know Kansas City has a solid defense, with Becky Sauerbrunn there and Nicole Barnhart in goal. They just can’t score, and it’s upsetting the whole balance of the team. Still, I don’t think it warrants Andonovski getting his walking papers at the end of the season. Maybe it’s a silly thing, but I think winning your league’s championship puts some credit in the bank, and it takes more than one lost season to squander it.  Yes, a playoff format means that the NWSL functions a bit like a Random Champion Generator, but still … winning two in a row is some feat.

In 2017 FCKC won’t be making the playoffs. Once the season is put to rest, we’ll all look back and wonder “what could have been?”  If Rodriguez didn’t tear her ACL and if the team could have built around her. Would Leroux have looked better in her more natural role? Would Groom have been able to play off the other two more easily?

Andonovski certainly won’t try to shift the blame. He’ll tell you that the bad results are his responsibility. But I think his resume is solid enough that he deserves some benefit of the doubt. Maybe there were some mistakes, and maybe they shouldn’t have relied so heavily on Rodriguez. Maybe they missed out on an international signing or a trade that could have turned the ship around earlier. But that’s all speculation. What we know from the record is the Vlatko put in an earnest effort, and sometimes things go wrong. A big injury to a key player can ruin a season. But he deserves a chance to show what he can do in the offseason.

So, while I don’t think Vlatko Andonovski should lose his job at the end of this season, the seat will definitely be hot come 2018. Not like the dead man walking situation of former Houston Dash head coach Randy Waldrum this season, but plenty of eyes will be on Andonovski to show that those championships were for real. For me, I think the key is to get a forward with a proven resume of goals at the club and international level to compliment Rodriguez. Get that done, and FC Kansas City is back in the mix come 2018. Imagine if Kansas City pulled a coup and got someone like Jodie Taylor fresh off her Golden Boot-winning campaign from the Euros.

Is it guaranteed that Andonovski will turn it around? Nope. And will he definitely get the chance? Maybe not. Perhaps the KC ownership will make a change. That would be a little unfair, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He certainly wouldn’t be unemployed for long. And if it did happen, at least there would be some chaos in the game, which is only more fun for us media folks–from the fully established folks all the way to yokel bloggers like me.

What RJ tweeted probably is incredibly unpopular, and I disagreed with it, but I also understand why she thinks it. And disagreeing about contentious things is ultimately what this thing is all about, right?

WEEK 16 PREDICTIONS

The race for the playoffs is on.

Washington Spirit and Boston Breakers play to a DRAW.

  • Washington clowned Sky Blue last weekend. Orlando clowned Washington on Tuesday. Boston is rested but they’re still Boston. I still think Boston can jack up one of the teams hoping to get into the playoffs, but this weekend it’s going to be a meh match between these two.

Sky Blue FC and Orlando Pride play to a DRAW.

  • I think should there be a winner and a loser in this, yet I struggle to think which team could get the full 3 points. Orlando has momentum after taking care of Washington. At the same time, Sky Blue got humiliated by Washington last weekend and wants get that out of their system. If anyone does lose, their campaign is close to over, so there might be a lot of fear about getting that L and falling out of contention. So I’m going to be lame and say it will be a draw, with both teams taking the point and struggling on to the next battle.

Chicago Red Stars OVER Portland Thorns.

  • One Chicago player who wore the number 23 made mincemeat pie out of a Portland team so many years ago.  I think the current Chicago player wearing the number 23 will do much the same this time.

Houston Dash and FC Kansas City play to a DRAW.

  • This is a game that the Dash should win because KC is bad and can’t score to save themselves, yet they’ll somehow hang with Houston and the Dash will rue not getting the full points.

Seattle Reign FC OVER North Carolina Courage.

  • It won’t be a fireworks spectacle like the last Reign FC home match, but they’ll get the points to keep their playoff hopes alive. Memorial is still a fortress. It’s the road games that will make or break Seattle’s season.

Here’s this week’s music video break.

Song: “Adventure” | Artist: Cheat Codes

Unsung Hero of the Week: LaBonta Playing With Confidence

Posted on by RJ Allen

[media-credit name=”Kelley Piper” align=”alignnone” width=”300″][/media-credit]

In this weekly series, I will be highlighting a player from the weekend who was their respective team’s unsung hero, win, lose or draw. A player who does the dirty work, does the little but important things in a game and someone who didn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet but found other ways to contribute.

This week I’ve chosen FC Kansas City midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta.

The 24-year-old playmaker seems to have found a home with the Blues. After a solid college career at Stanford, she was drafted 37th overall by Sky Blue in the 2015 College Draft. After making six appearances for the New Jersey Club, the California native was let go, only to be signed by FCKC in 2016. Now in her second season in the Midwest, LaBonta has earned a starting position with head coach Vlatko Andonovski utilizing her at forward, holding mid and now at attacking mid. LaBonta has played and started in 13 games this season, quietly improving while at the same time finding her confidence.

Kansas City 2-2 Boston:

Right off the bat, LaBonta worked her way onto my radar in the sixth minute. Commanding the middle of the field, she took the space racing towards the Boston box and slid a perfectly weighted ball to Shea Groom. Groom, in turn, got a toe-poke in but the ball went just wide of the goal. I love the energy LaBonta started the game with, showing on this particular play that she can make those kinds of passes in tight spaces.

One minute later, LaBonta and Groom connected once again, a partnership that would be on display all night. In the final third, Labonta dropped a ball over the top of the Breakers defense, in a spot that only her teammate could get to. Groom’s attempt went wide for the second time, but the two players were already setting a tempo for the game, which is important for any team to do, especially when on the road. The tiny and talented midfielder’s passing is an area of her game that is a joy to watch, and her vision has been a key part of her continuing development.

In the 17th minute, LaBonta fought for the ball, daring the backline of Boston to step in, make a decision, and take a risk. She won possession against Julie King just 20 yards from the Breakers goal, and somehow managed to provide service from a wide position. Her effort found Brittany Taylor, whose shot, unfortunately, went wide. At this point, Kansas City was getting all the right opportunities but not finishing the way they need to. Still, LaBonta was on fire, and the fight against King and service into Taylor was a nice example of LaBonta’s aggressiveness and ability to pressure an opponent and win the ball anywhere on the field.

That pressure paid off for Kansas City just a few minutes later, when Christina Gibbons found Maegan Kelly, who tapped the ball in for the go-ahead goal in the 20th minute.

LaBonta would push the ball forward in the 24th minute, taking space once again in the middle of the park, this time drawing two Boston defenders with her. She sprayed a pass out wide to Taylor who sent it to the back post looking for Kelly. For the fourth time in under 25 minutes, the Kansas City shot went wide. It was positive to see the attack clicking but at the same time, not finding the back of the net was giving viewers some serious deja vu.

Boston would respond in an empathic way thanks to New Zealand international Rosie White, who scored a brace in a span of 4 minutes (26’, 30’) to take the lead.

But despite Boston’s quick scoring, the first half was so encouraging for Kansas City, with LaBonta leading the way on the offensive side of things. She facilitated, created opportunities, pressured the backline, and really set the tone for the game.

One of LaBonta’s last contributions was in the 65th minute (she was subbed out in the 70th minute). All night we saw her make magic in the middle but on this play she found space on the wing and took a chance on stretching the Breakers backline one more time. LaBonta received a floating ball from Groom and pushed it deep towards the corner flag but Amanda Frisbie recovered in time to take it away and give Boston possession.

In her 70 minutes, LaBonta was the best player for Kansas City. Her quality really showed on the night, and she did her part in so many ways. It’s clear that she has put in the work in the off-season to get to this level of play and to maintain it as well through. LaBonta has become an important player for the Blues and I have a feeling she will have much more to offer as time goes on.

The Blues did manage to find the equalizer in the 81st minute thanks to Erika Tymrak, whose effort secured a point in Boston. The Breakers sit in eighth place with 15 points while Kansas City are currently in 10th with 14 points.

6 Takeaways from NWSL: Week 15

Posted on by RJ Allen

After all the excitement that was the inaugural Tournament of Nations, the NWSL returned on Friday night. While many internationals did not play, there was plenty of goals, saves, and comebacks to welcome us back. Now, let’s dive into our takeaways for Week 15 of the NWSL.

The Injury that Could Be the Breaking Point for Sky Blue – Jordan Small

In the second half of the Washington Spirit vs. Sky Blue match, Sky Blue goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan went down with an apparent lower leg injury after limping minutes before. The rookie has played every minute for Sky Blue this season and is a big reason for their success this year. While Sky Blue has been injury-ridden all season, this injury could be the breaking point for Sky Blue. The team is just one point out of a playoff spot, but an injury to their star rookie could cost them points down the road. If Caroline Casey is forced to step in against Orlando, it could put even more pressure on an already unstable backline.

The Youth Movement Has Arrived in the Nation’s Capitol – Jordan Small

The past five goals that have been scored for the Washington Spirit have been from players who have played in two or fewer NWSL seasons. Havana Solaun has lead the youth movement in Washington with two goals in the past two games and four overall this year. Against Sky Blue on Friday, Arielle Ship and Meggie Dougherty Howard, both rookies, each scored their first professional goals. Second-year player Cheyna Williams also netted a goal against Sky Blue to give them a 4-1 win. And then there’s Mallory Pugh, the phenom with three goals in her seven games. While there is little left of the season for Washington, it appears as if the younger players have come to life, all fighting to move Washington up the ranks. 

Minimal Impact from International Absences – Luis Hernandez

There was some serious doubt the two tournaments would cause more of a disruption than what was really felt this last weekend. One notable exception, Line Sigvardsen Jensen of the Washington Spirit tearing her ACL while playing for Denmark will have a long-term impact on her club team.  But most players from the Tournament of Nations were able to play with their clubs in Week 15. Sky Blue, though, certainly missed Sam Kerr and Kelley O’Hara. Perhaps Megan Rapinoe could have changed the fortune of the Seattle Reign. The Orlando Pride, the team most impacted from the Tournament of Nations with seven absences, benefited the most from the arrival of Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan, Marta, and Alanna Kennedy while the Chicago Red Stars were missing Casey Short, Christen Press, and Julie Ertz. Those key losses allowed Orlando to take a point for the first time against the Red Stars. The league is starting to come down to crunch time for those fighting for the last playoff spot, and happily, there won’t be any more interruptions for the rest of the season.  

There’s Only One Playoff Spot in Question – Luis Hernandez

Speaking about the last playoff spot, call it premature, but if you ask me, I think there’s realistically only one spot left to be determined. In my book, I’m penciling in North Carolina, Chicago, and Portland for the postseason with the only question being which team falls where. The fight for the fourth spot has Sky Blue and Seattle in tight competition with Orlando and Houston, who are all within four points of the place currently held by the Reign. Who actually ends up in the playoffs will come down, in part, to which team has the more favorable schedule and which team gets hot at the end like the Western New York Flash did last season. I’m not going to say who will wrap up the last spot, but it will be fun to see those team battle it out.

Lucky Lussi – Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

Tyler Lussi could be the Portland Thorns’ saving grace this season. The former Princeton player was signed by the Thorns a month ago to help fill in the gaps that the Euros, the Tournament of Nations, and injuries have left on their roster. Lussi has played in a few games so far and scored her first NWSL goal on Saturday against the Houston Dash. The absences on the team have forced Coach Mark Parsons to adjust the look of his team, and in the win on Saturday, he put Lussi up top, where she was a persistent thorn in the side of the Dash defenders. (See what I did there.)  Christine Sinclair played a little more of a supporting role, threading passes through to Lussi, who, more often than not, was making a run in toward goal. Putting Sinclair in a more creating and distributing role than scoring one allowed the speedy new forward Lussi the freedom to roam and seek out openings in the Houston backline. It’s brought a dynamic quality to their attack that the team has been lacking so far this season. And in her few early games with Portland, Lussi has made an impact. Much was made of Emily Sonnett’s first NWSL goal on Saturday, the one that put the team up early in the match, but if you look carefully, Lussi is the reason anyone in red in the box even has a chance on that ball, set up at the far post and heading Klingenberg’s cross in toward her teammates. Then, in the 39′, Lussi notched her own first goal, waiting in the box as Klingenberg brought a pass from Sinclair down the field. She had the presence of mind to collect a deflection off a Dash player, turn towards goal, display a little footwork to throw off the defense, and curl a shot past Jane Campbell and into the net. As their internationals come back, and Lussi settles into the team, the Portland Thorns could be finding their groove this season.

The Times, They Are A-Changin’ – Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

The UEFA Women’s European tournament hasn’t had a new champion since 1995. In the nine times this tournament has been held since 1991 (not counting the other forms it took in the 1980s), Germany has hoisted the trophy every single time but once–in 1995, when Norway faced the Italian hosts in the final and Germany settled for fourth. This year, the German team didn’t make it past the knockout round, and neither did other top-ranked FIFA teams who various Carnac the Magnificents predicted would be contenders for the championship game. No, Germany, France, England, and Norway were all sent home early as #12 Netherlands and #15 Denmark fought their way to the top, with the Dutch hosts eventually winning in regulation after a fast and furious 4-2 victory. 

And then there’s the Tournament of Nations, where four of the top teams in the world–#1 USA, #6 Japan, #7 Australia, and #8 Brazil competed in a friendly tournament, the first of what the US has stated will be a recurring tourney in non-Majors years. And while the US was not heavily favorited to win–especially after their dismal showing at their own She Believes Cup back in the Spring, Australia’s domination of the games came as a complete surprise. The Matildas didn’t drop a single point over their three matches, and by comparison, their opponents really looked like amateurs against the Sam Kerr-led offense. 

The women’s soccer world has been run by a few select teams over the past twenty years, teams whose early investment into development has obviously paid off. But the rest of the world is catching up. And there’s a shake-up ahead–I can’t wait to watch as it all happens.