#So far I don't think Sonnett does

[falsamoneda]

I don't disagree about Sam Coffey but I also don't think having shinning spectacular moments is what necessarily makes a good 6. Like if you're waiting for everyone to be Julie Ertz you're going to miss out on some great talent.

People were absolutely ripping into Andi the whole world cup but it turned out her stats were some of the best on the team.

I definitely see your point. I think my slight indifference to players like Sam is coming from the fact that 1) her game and technique is not necessarily the most in your face and flashy and 2) her position is one that does the lion’s share of work in the midfield that sometimes is a thankless job. Sometimes we don’t always praise the workhorses of the team because their stats/results of their efforts are not as easily visible as another player.

I think, at the end of the day, I’m waiting for something to happen to make me see the “meeting of the minds” between how highly everyone (media, journos,etc.) rates her and her in game product (which is totally a me issue no doubt). I can only really liken it to how the media and woso journalists treated Sonnett before she stepped up at the World Cup and now. Like, most fans know Sonnett is kick ass and should’ve been given a greater chance far sooner to make an impact. The coverage was somewhat divided, generally being apathetic. Insert that game against Sweden, and holy shit what a 180. You would’ve thought given the NT’s history converting CBs to 6s it would’ve been obvious too.

Aaaaannnd TBH I think one of the downfalls of team/system is when we very pointedly build our system around specific individual players (but that’s a totally unrelated topic for another time that’s TED talk worthy in my world lol).

Again, most obviously a me issue, but maybe I’ll just have to be patient and give it time. It’s not realistic to keep looking for the USWNT of old when the game has evolved so, and my brain still has to reconcile that being technically great doesn’t always = obviously visible results.

[that-soccer-guru]

yes you are right to question the reasoning why twitter stans are suddenly digging up old tweets of sonnett but if you immediately thought that they just hate her and that’s why they’re doing what they’re doing, i honestly think you need to re-evaluate first. initially, it was actually the poc stans who were actively calling her out until the americans woke up and decided to suddenly gang up on sonnett. and please don’t normalize the idea that white people are allowed to have this racist phase of throwing around slurs. the thing is she knows that people have seen these tweets, she deleted some of them. that’s just poor acknowledgment from her part. and i’m sorry if we can’t bank on her suddenly having a character development because you all said so. actual people have been hurt by the same slurs she used and for you guys to say that there *might* be a possibility of her being better now as an excuse is really really hurtful and ignorant.

Hey anon,

I'm not going to lie to you, I was going to ignore this because I feel like I've said the same things over and over and I think I might be defending the words of other people here and, honestly? I don't have the energy for it.

BUT I realize that might be cowardly, and it might be cowardly to only answer to asks that agree with me, so I'm not going to do that.

I'm not stepping back from what I said about the people spreading this like wildfire because many of the loud ones are also the people who have spent weeks being crude and cruel and honestly I'm over having to point it out.

That being said if this started from a place where people were genuinely pointing out the existence of those tweets and asking for some accountability, and it just got bandwaggoned by assholes, then I apologize because I wasn't aware. The truth is that these things should absolutely be brought up, in the hopes that the rotting foundations can be torn down and better people build from the ground up. If that's how this started, it's sure as hell not how it ended.

I didn't normalize having a "racist phase", and I'm not saying that it is normal. There's plenty of people who don't say or think racist, dangerous, frankly horrifying things, but there are those who through their upbringing and their surroundings feel it is normal. It's important to acknowledge that this society creates those spaces where people think this is okay. It's important to acknowledge the people who used to think that was okay. As I said, I myself said and thought horrible things I'm ashamed of when I was a kid. Is it excusable? Hell no. But I came from a middle class catholic conservative white family in a different country where saying horrible racist things was common place. It's taken me a long time to unlearn those thoughts and behaviors, and the only reason I haven't been canceled for it is because I'm not famous. But what I used to say and think was no less damaging or disgusting than what is coming out on Twitter today. I was allowed to prove I could grow, I'm held accountable for my past everyday, and I like to think everyday I try to be better than I was before, and I think Sonnett should be given that same courtesy. Furthermore, I'm just pointing out, as many people have, that context matters for why and how a person does/thinks/says something. I'm not asking or telling you to "bank on some character development", like you I don't know Sonnett personally. All I know is what I've seen from her, heard from people who know her, and have seen in the few years I've followed her. Ive never talked to her personally but I've heard, as you likely have, the opinions and thoughts others have about her. That's all any of us know about her, and that's what I'm going on.

Yes, it's really poor acknowledgement to delete tweets and practice some scorched earth policy on your past like it erases the taint of what you were, what you thought, and how that hurt people. I said it before, I'll say it again as many times as it takes: THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE HURTFUL, MALIGNANT, CRUEL AND HORRIFYING THINGS SHE SAID. NONE. AT NO POINT HAVE I SAID THE PAIN SHE INFLIECTED ON PEOPLE IS FAIR GAME. THE PAIN SHES INFLICTING ON PEOPLE READING IT NOW IS NO MORE FAIR GAME THAN IT WAS THEN. NO ONE SHOULD ACCEPT THAT THESE THINGS ARE THE WAY IT IS, EVER.

I'm not making excuses for what she said. She absolutely has to own up to how shit her views were, how destructive her way of thinking was, and how much it hurt people. How valid it is for people to be hurt by what she said. This isn't something that can be swept under the rug, and I'm not excusing it, or saying the words of a teenager are less hurtful because they were said from a place of ignorance. I don't expect anyone to forgive her for this, because it's unforgivable. And that is true of anyone whose shitty past is coming to light right now.

What I am saying is that the people they are now cannot be treated the same way as the people they were before. Do they have to be held accountable? Absolutely. Can they be allowed to sit back and pretend like their growing is over and they've done enough? Never. Do I think these things should stay buried? Absolutely not. What I do think is that to judge 27yr old Sonnett, her thoughts and ways for what 17 yr old Sonnett said and thought is shortsighted and won't lead us anywhere. Not every racist/homophobic/antisemitic/albeist/etc piece of shit can be redeemed, not all of them should be given a chance to. But anyone who clearly tries should be judged on that, on how much they do to make up for who they were.

Should they be forgiven for the pain they cause? Nope. Forgive and forget is bullshit. But to think that by saying "lol bitch we got you" and closing the book on someone who could've been better you're fixing the world, well, I have nothing else to say if that's how you think.

[pleaserelaxfc]

USWNT: Roster Thoughts

The USWNT roster for their April friendlies against Uzbekistan came out today - here's my thoughts following the drop.

My overarching thoughts are (1) a bit surprised (but not particularly mad) at how similar this roster looks to the last few - I would have expected a couple of the veterans who have been out to start getting back in to develop/maintain chemistry with the largely new back line and the newer forwards, especially since for a while the line has been that the vets would be back in "in the spring," and (2) deeply upset at how many players are injured.

Goalkeepers:

Excited to see Bella Bixby back in the mix, and as a Spirit fan, I love seeing Kingsbury getting call-ups. I just hope that one of them actually gets minutes (particularly Kingsbury, since Washington's depth at goalkeeper is not great - I'd rather she not get called away from the team just to sit on the bench).

Casey Murphy has been out for the Courage since the beginning of the Challenge Cup with a right knee injury, and I would like to know more about that - mostly because of how many USWNT players have suffered season-ending injuries in the last two weeks, I would just like an update on the prognosis for Murphy, since she has been so promising with the national team so far. Vlatko apparently told press that it is just a little knock and she was on the border of being able to make it back in time for these friendlies.

Curious whether the continued selections of Bixby and Kingsbury indicate that Franch and Campbell are now on the outside looking in, or if that's just another part of Vlatko's approach to getting new players into the mix before the World Cup. Personally, I'm fine with Campbell being out of the mix - I don't think she's been as impressive for her club as Bixby, Kingsbury, or Murphy, but Franch is still pretty solid, and since Kingsbury is only one year younger than her, I don't think it's an age thing (although it might also have something to do with wanting to spend more time with her newborn).

Defenders:

Hate to see Tierna Davidson out for any period, and especially for such a long one as this. Hate it absolutely.

Always sad when Becky Sauerbrunn isn't able to play, but glad that it sounds like her injury should have her back on the field in the near-ish future.

Also disappointed that Emily Sonnett's abdominal injury, which Kris Ward said might take a few weeks to deal with, is keeping her out of this camp - with both Davidson and Sauerbrunn out (and Dahlkemper still not at her best), it might have pushed Vlatko and the coaching staff into giving her at least a few minutes at center back, where she should be.

However, very excited to see Naomi Girma get some minutes there - she has looked really good with the Wave. Abby Dahlkemper, Girma's center back partner at the Wave, has looked decent but not back to her pre-2021 form yet. Dahlkemper has still gotten called in to this camp, and maybe she can use this opportunity to shake off any lingering ghosts, but honestly I'm hoping to see Girma and Cook get most of the minutes.

Very glad that whatever took Emily Fox off the field during the first half of last weekend's game isn't anything long-term. Also thrilled that Imani Dorsey is getting another look. Although Fox is probably the starter for both matches, I hope Dorsey does get some decent minutes so that we aren't relying on a single player having experience there (hot take, I know), especially with the recent spate of injuries.

Other than injured players/expected absences due to pregnancy, I don't think there are any other defenders that I would have expected to see here - still a bit confused by the decision not to bring in Caprice Dydasco and/or Carson Pickett (neither of whom would even be thirty by the time the World Cup kicks off) starting in November, but at this point that is what it is.

Midfielders:

Not a lot of surprises here, and almost shockingly injury-free (not to jinx it). Other than Julie Ertz, who hasn't played (or, seemingly, even trained with a team) since the Olympics, the next biggest hit on the roster is probably Morgan Gautrat, who has been on the bubble of making her way back to the national team in recent months - the Red Stars have listed her as out with a calf injury that was probably picked up during the previous national team camp.

Glad that Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle are both far enough along in their recovery to be back in camp. Not sure about Lavelle, but I don't expect Mewis to start in these games - hopefully she'll get some good minutes, though.

Also glad to see both Jaelin Howell and Ashley Sanchez getting some more consistent call-ups. I really dislike Lindsey Horan as a defensive midfielder, and with Ertz out...indefinitely, and Gautrat injured as well, it's important to get Howell some minutes there so that we aren't (again) relying exclusively on one player there (although I do think Andi Sullivan is fantastic). I thought the Sanchez-Kristie Mewis pairing in attacking midfield was very fun to watch in the SheBelieves Cup, and they could probably get even more wonderful things done against Uzbekistan.

Forwards:

Catarina Macario is listed as a midfielder but I'm going to treat her as a forward anyway because given the other players we have on the roster, that is where she belongs. The other forwards are great, of course, but other than Hatch, they are all natural wingers, and I know we aren't going to rely on only one central forward player. Macario was great at that role, particularly when given a little more freedom, and I hope they continue trying to work to her unique strengths this time.

Hate hate hate hate that Lynn Williams has a season-ending injury. I love her playing style, I think it was important to have someone with her experience in a lineup as new as this, and I feel like her issues are more confidence than skill, so I was hoping that after her relative success at the Olympics and with a good amount of time before final World Cup roster selection, she would have a chance to really come into herself on the national team. Hate this for her and for us.

I am surprised that we didn't get at least Christen Press back into the fold this time, especially with Williams out (although honestly, I would have loved to see Press and Williams working together on a pressing strategy - one of the scarier things I could imagine for an opposition team). Press has been on fire for Angel City the last two weeks, and so long as players like Kelley O'Hara (a known quantity and roughly the same age) and Alyssa Naeher (a known quantity and hadn't played since the Olympics until SheBelieves) are getting called in, it is baffling to me that Press wouldn't be called in. I'm hoping this just means that she wanted to focus on club training/didn't want to risk injury in a friendly and decided herself that it wasn't yet time to re-join the national team.

Hatch has been pretty solid in the traditional central forward role, so I'm happy to see her back again, although I would have liked to see Bethany Balcer on the roster as well.

I am interested to see the continued development of Purce, Smith, Rodman, and Pugh on the wings. There were a lot of good moments at SheBelieves, and with a little more time together and being closer to in-season form, these games should see more of their quality chances converted. Again, this pool feels a little bit shallow, especially if Rodman and Pugh are still unvaccinated and planning to stay that way - although perhaps it's less shallow than it looks if Crystal Dunn comes back from maternity leave interested in playing in a winger role.

Another consideration for the forward pool is that OL Reign played Rose Lavelle as a wide forward last weekend (as did Manchester City a few times last year), and several people with more soccer knowledge than I have have also mentioned that Lindsey Horan could play as a striker - with so few forwards, I'm interested in seeing whether any of the midfielders get moved around.

[pleaserelaxfc]

Pregame: Courage vs. Spirit (October 13)

Background and Momentum:

Courage:

Injury Report: Out - Harbison, Mewis, Solaun; Questionable - None

The Courage have been up and down throughout the season, going on a few three- or four-game winning streaks, followed by three- or four-game winless streaks. They've been on a bit of a down-swing lately, with only one win (against Louisville), two draws and three losses in their last six games.

The Courage's last game was a 4-1 defeat to the Dash, their biggest defeat of the season (and it's worth noting as well that the only other time they have allowed more than two goals to be scored against them was only two games before that, against Gotham), so they will certainly be looking to bounce back strong from that. With Solaun their only unavailable player who has been getting frequent minutes recently, they're in fairly good position to do so.

The Courage are currently in fourth place in the standings, with 32 points. With three games remaining, they probably only need one win (or three draws) to make the playoffs, and they might be able to do it with only two draws. After tonight's game against the Spirit, they play Gotham and the Thorns - with the Thorns close to guaranteeing themselves a top-two finish, the Courage won't want to wait until that game to clinch their playoff spot, but since they're probably just as likely to get points against Gotham as they are against the Spirit, tonight's game doesn't quite rise to the level of a must-win for them.

Spirit:

Injury Report: Out - Sullivan; Questionable - None

The Spirit have had a fairly rocky season off the field, but they have been fairly steady on it over their last few games (assuming we discount their covid-related forfeits - which maybe we shouldn't, since they were both against top-of-the-table teams that the Spirit might have fallen to anyway). In the last six games that they have actually played, they have earned three wins and three draws, with no losses since the beginning of August.

Their most recent game was a 3-0 win over Louisville - as the Courage have shown, even a resounding win over Louisville does not guarantee any future results elsewhere in the league, but the Spirit will be coming into this game with some momentum to maintain.

The Spirit are in a slightly more tenuous position than the Courage, in fifth with 30 points and only a one-point cushion over being outside of the playoff positions. They probably want to win two of their remaining three games in order to be assured of a playoff spot at the end of the season, but a win and a draw might do it as well. However, with their only remaining opponents being the Reign, who have only lost one match since mid-July, and the Dash, who have arguably been the most dangerous team to play against since the September international break, the Spirit probably need at least a draw here to keep their hopes alive, and really will want to come away with the win to keep themselves comfortable.

Head-to-Head:

The Courage and the Spirit have played each other twice so far this season, both home games for the Spirit - the first a 2-0 win for the Spirit, and the second a 0-0 draw.

Predictions:

Scoreline: Spirit Win, 1-0

Courage XI (4-2-2-2):

GK: Murphy

4: Pickett, Kurtz, Erceg, Mathias

2: O'Sullivan, James

2: Debinha, Speck

2: Williams, Rodriguez

Spirit XI (4-2-3-1):

GK: Bledsoe

4: McGrady, Staab, Sonnett, Nielsen

2: Roddar, Huster

3: Hatch, Sanchez, Yokoyama

1: McKeown

Warm-ish Takes and Full Disclosure:

With how many games are being played in such a short period of time, I would expect to see some rotation in this game and this weekend's games for both teams. However, between the largely unsuccessful back-three experiment that the Courage tried out earlier this season and Havana Solaun being out with injury, I don't think the defense and defensive midfield will look fairly similar for the Courage as it did over the weekend - I'd expect to see Ryan Williams on for Merrit Mathias at some point, but probably not starting, and we might see Cari Roccaro or another player on for a midfielder at some point as well. In the attacking group, I think Jessica McDonald is the most likely to be rotated, since she has started twice in the last week, and went the full 90 minutes in one and 85 in the other. Here I think it's most likely that Amy Rodriguez will play as a forward with Lynn Williams, and Meredith Speck will come in as an attacking midfielder, but we might see Roccaro instead of Speck, or Amy Rodriguez, who played a couple of full 90s when she first joined the Courage but hasn't since early August, rotated.

For the Spirit, Andi Sullivan's injury is a big problem - she had played every minute of the season until she was taken off on Saturday, other than a game and a half missed due to a red card. I would guess that the Spirit will address that by moving a bit more towards having two players playing at defensive midfield. Personally, I'd like to see that being Roddar and Huster - Dorian Bailey has played two full 90s in the last week, and could probably use a rest, while Roddar and Huster both started once and were subbed out and came off the bench once. I'm also not a big fan of Roddar at outside back, and would like to see her more in the defensive midfield - Kelley O'Hara may need to be rested, but if she is, I would rather see Tegan McGrady take over at left back.

For the attacking players, I think they have to keep Rodman on the bench for this game, since she played 90 minutes on Saturday and started and went nearly the full game last Wednesday, and seems to continue to have problems with her back. With Rodman out, I think we'll see McKeown, Hatch and Sanchez still in the starting lineup, but I'm less sure of who the replacement for Rodman would be - my guess is Yokoyama, but we could see Takarada or Heilferty as well, or if they stay in a 4-3-3, Dorian Bailey might remain in the lineup. I would also guess that we will at least see Heilferty come off the bench, although depending on how they line up in defense, it may be at outside back instead of in the attack.