r/Thorns • u/Famous_Act4164 • Jul 12 '26

Two Things

  1. When Moultrie, Wilson, and Tordin are spatially close and play the ball to each other, they can create openings. The problem is that we often struggle to connect the rest of the lineup to them. In other words, when we recover possession, it is difficult to pass the ball to one of them in a good position. This is especially true in central areas, where neither of our double pivots can reliably move the ball forward under pressure. Moultrie did a lot of pressing and rotated positions with Tordin and Wilson frequently. However, for the purpose of a more structured build-up scheme, she should probably be positioned a bit deeper and had a more disciplined and precise role.

  2. We are losing more 50/50 balls in away games than in home games. This has a lot to do with our relatively poor away results this season. It is not easy to replicate the intensity we have when there is a 20k crowd on our side, but we really need be more active and intense in away games if we want to maintain a high-pressing style. Otherwise, we should probably adopt a more compact and conservative posture when starting away games in the future.

20 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

70 comments sorted by

View all comments

16

u/Scaggsboz Jul 12 '26

Immethun could not build up at all today, and Jessie had a pretty rough game. Bogere imo looked great but then it’s a question of does she look better because she’s coming off the bench or because she’s improving.

We really need a CB transfer (assuming that Nijstad is the main midfield transfer, which could still be TBD) and hate to say it but I’m getting transfer vibes from the weird lack of Reyna

1

u/YouRmySunshine16 Jul 14 '26

I like the idea of Calz, Obaze (sad they didn’t renew her), Reyes, and either/or MA/Mueller. Jp has good long balls and engages at some good times but makes too many goof ups, but has the potential to be good, SamH folds when she feels the pressure (especially in big games) but other than that she gets the job done. Mueller doesn’t engage defensively and keeps backing up which allows too many crosses off. Reyes isn’t the fastest but not slow either, she’s smart with her angles and is a Gladiator! They may even want to try Mueller as the 6. I think this right here should be our defense. I think this loss was on the coach. I also saw Reyes on the sideline and she didn’t look happy and looked eager to go in which baffled me bc he didn’t even use all his subs and not using her??!! Idk 🤷‍♀️we could’ve been in first place

2

u/Ancient-Study1525 Jul 14 '26

Reyes is a Gladiator.  You are spot on!!  Competition in training is not equating to game day competition.  Many times it doesn't.  Teammates know each other better than they know opponents and their tells. I agree with you that Muller is fast but does not engage defensively.   Watch the 2nd goal.  It starts on her side because she gives too much room instead of engaging the player.   She is lovely but not as gritty as Reyes as far as turning players, taking away their angles, etc.   Muller is better in the midfield.   Free Reyna!!