u/Either_Ambassador_41

There is plenty to be angry about how tonight turned out. But I am so proud of the team’s fight and the fans’ belief. Down 2 goals and a player, the entire stadium was pushing for a result and the team was playing their hearts out. Love this team and this club.

I heard a U12 club coach with a European accent yelling “save your legs” at a player making a hopeless run at a ball that was heading over the goal line for a goal kick. It was definitely the best advice, but after playing or watching youth sports for my whole life, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard a player told it’s not smart to “hustle” or “play to the whistle.” Just another way that the American culture from football/baseball/basketball … even hockey … doesn’t translate into soccer (where limited substitutions, long runs, and lengthy games turn too much “hustle” into a mistake).

I’m constantly astonished by how few “soccer people” (coaches, players, fans) seem to have anything approaching a comprehensive understanding of the Laws of the Game. They know (mostly) what offside is and when you get a PK. But DOGSO double-jeopardy; what resets offside or counts as involvement in the play; how drop ball restarts work; what parts of the body count for a back pass. Parents are obviously much worse — don’t know about no offside on own half, etc. I don’t encounter that level of ignorance in any other US sport (even golf and tennis).

A few theories:

1. There are many important truly subjective calls (foul v normal contact) that people think there are no rules, just vibes.
2. Rarely having rules commentators on broadcasts (and commentators themselves who are laughably ignorant).
3. General lack of soccer culture.

Agree with the premise? Thoughts on the explanation?

Are there any Portland area courses that are chill about when you get carts back in the evening? I’ve always had Glendoveer be alright with keeping carts out until it’s too dark to play. Any others? (Opposite: Heron Lakes—wants even walkers out by official sunset.)

EDIT: I am NOT asking where I can scofflaw the cart return times. I am asking which courses have later cart return times.

I hope we have some chants that callback to the amazing home opener this year. My entry:

We beat you with NIIIIINE ...
Just WAIT for all eleven!

Open to others!

After day 1 of Group G play, FIFA ranked #85 New Zealand leads Belgium and Egypt on goals scored and leads Iran on disciplinary points.

Go Finn!

Today’s game should demonstrate to Emma Hayes that leaving Moultrie on the bench is just a mistake. Rodman was horrible in the midfield — completely worthless, losing every ball. Yohannes was better but totally uninspired, uncreative, and yielded basically nothing with the skill she showed on the ball. None of our set pieces were truly dangerous. Other than Wilson creating for herself in the high press, the attack was listless.

Moultrie could solve basically every one of these problems. She was the best player through the start of the NWSL season and deserves to be in the starting XI.