u/readbetweenthesubs

Sol Rosa fans, this looked like a tough matchup for us and the game definitely had its moments where it looked grim but we again rallied and stay undefeated in our last three games. If I told you we'd tie pre game most of would be happy. But after watching it play out I'd say many felt we couldn't get some crucial 3 points. Let's get into it.

The Good

- Very happy to see Aly have a great attacking game. The ref really was disappointing and I saw nothing that should have called the ball back and disallowed the goal. Sentnor was productive trying to set up other attackers and also doing what she's known for which is bangers from outside the box. Let's see more of that please!!!

- It's been mentioned many times but welcome back Savy and Syd!!! Savy as an outside back??? But she was quick, defensively sound, and just for eight in. Dare I say she replace Sam's? But I'll get into that later. Syd didn't get many minutes but glad she can come and hopefully be a super sub in the future.

- Prisca is soooo good. Sure she's gotta work on her crossing timing and working as a full-time starter with her other attackers but she's fast, strong, and really is relentless and give defenders fits. Keeping her on when Svendís and Mai come back might shift some other players off but she's electric.

- Team play overall was good and kept everyone except Rodman from getting anything dangerous on goal. Lots to clean up still in the attack but the team never felt frazzled or leaving in grot or energy. Let's keep the momentum up!

The Bad

- VAR and the Ref and whatever/whoever said to have a second look. I believe it was an egregious call and no clear evidence showed have it looked it or disallowed. Ughhh....

- The attack.... We're so f*cking close to putting up like 3-4 goals a game. The attack is 90% beautiful but then it's a bad touch, a missed timed pass, shots just off the heel, shots just wide, crosses just past... So frustrating. If they can polish that last 10% we'd win a lot more games. Easier said then done but so many attacking runs tonight were just off and killed some good chances.

- The last 20-30 minute or so I didn't like that the whole defensive line was attacking. Usually two at a time with two left on the back. Why is Sam's, Gorden, and King in the attack?? Shores and Thompson Ive seen but please leave the attack to the attackers. It just leaves us vulnerable in the counter.

- Speaking of counters, two uncharacteristically bad pass attempts by Thompson turned into a turnover and counter that left us flat footed with Rodman going at Sam's leading to Washington's goal. Bad mistakes from Thompson and Sam's left on an island was not ideal. Imo I'm not sold on Sam's... Counter me please but imo I think Savy, once she's full game fit should be with Sarah as the two CBs. Leaves Shores/Mattice and Thompson as our otisde backs. Sam's one on one with elite attackers just isn't it. But I'll take a counter argument...

- We have two games in hand but Seattle notched a win and we got a tie. So as of now we drop out of the playoff line and tow pints back. We have time but we'll need some W's. Toes keep us floating for now now but we don't want to sink and become desperate.

Overall

- What looked like a winable game shifted to be a loss and then a solid tie. We look good in the attack with Prisca in but again need to finish. Against a top team we looked good. Better? I dunno but we looked like we can ball against playoff teams. Let's rest up and look. Forward to getting three pints next week. Volemos!

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Sol Rosa fans, we come back home with a point in a crucial game in the PNW and stay in the playoff hunt. With two of our top scorers out it was gonna be a tough game but better to win an ugly game then to lose a close well played game. Let's get into it.

The Good

- Zambia may be out of AFCON but that's good news to us because Prisca made a big difference getting us a point in her quick sub on. With Niehues a big question mark and Svendís out probably for some time she'll be looking to get a bigger role in our attack.

- Gotta give credit to Smerud for dealing with more injuries and putting in Shores and Prisca at the right time as they combine for the game tying goal. He's slowly giving me more and more confidence as a manager but is this a promise of a future full time manager or another Tweed situation in the making?

The Bad

- Our defense has really stepped up most of the season as our GD has shown but tonight Sam's, Borges, and Anderson really put us in bad spots with bad giveaways in the midfield. And honestly the play was pretty erratic in passing between the team. Play wasn't crisp and almost cost us the game. But again we'll take a point in an ugly game.

- Worried meter with scoring is creeping up. Up until late our only goal came from our cornerback in GT. Not exactly comforting with Svendís and Mai out. I think I'm with many when I say Prisca needs more minutes. But also with injuries this isn't the normal lineup. It's gonna take time for Aly, Tiernan, and Emslie to gel together in a game state. Big wtf moment was in the last minutes when we had a three on two and couldn't/didn't shoot. Ughh.

Overall

- Should've left with three points but a point is better than no points especially against a team right on our heels. Lots to clean up and we'll see what Svendís's timetable is and Mai's situation. Fingers crossed she's not gone. We have the Spirit at home next week so we'll need to be absolutely locked in. We rest, we train, we go again. We're still in it! Volemos!

We have a 4th keeper??????

Sol Rosa fans, we went into KC and left with a point but also a key injury again. We looked good in spots but also the same issue keeps us out of getting more points. Let's get into it.

The Good

- Lageyre keeps showing massive growth in such a short time. And it shows again with her assist to Suarez who also looked really good on the outside. Good to see rookies stepping up with so many injuries popping up. A first assist and goal for the pair!

- Anderson had a good game again. Keeping the ball out multiple times. A good bounce back after last week. KC even without Chewinga are dangerous and she kept us in.it to get a point.

- Sentnor looked to be growing showing growth with connections with her teammates knowing when to pass it off and when to attack.

The Bad

- Injuries are a forever curse with this team... Can we sage the team please????!!!!!! Svendís goes down with a damn bad clip of the ankle and hopefully it's not an SEI injury but it definitely looks like she'll be out for a good while. With her out we lose some speed over the top and the threat of long throw ins. Niehues should be back and others are stepping up but it's just BAU with injuries and I'm sick of it.

- I'm gonna try to back to the beginning of the season but to me, attacking crosses are literally killing us. Seems like most goals against us this season have come from a cross into the box with someone unmarked with an open shot. If we cannot fix this we'll continue to bleed points. We could've had 3 but this persistent issues keeps coming up almost every game i feel.

Overall

- We gotta see how the rest of the weekend goes but we're still in eighth place. We may be hovering around this spot the rest of the season but we'll need to get a streak or two to really move up in a more secure playoff spot. We don't leave e.pty handed though and we got a draw with a new lineup with rookies, new starters, and not a of play time with each other in KC. So not all bad but we.cpuldve had 3 for sure. But overall good bounce back.

Sol Rosa fans, we came into tonight with a chance to jump to 6th I believe in the standings and add to our win streak. Unfortunately we never looked settled and couldn't find one more goal to get a point. We're still in 8th above the playoff line but not the results we wanted/needed. Let's get into it.

The Good

- Legeyre has looked really good in the midfield and looks confident all over. Mattice came in for a struggling Cherry and had a boot of a ball to assist Jonsdottir in her goal. Jonsdottir added to her great season with another solid finish.

- The subs that came on brought a refreshing energy. Tiernan looked dangerous and I liked Mattice. Good to see her back on the pitch.

The Bad

- According to ESPN we had 80% completed passes but in the attack the passes looked really off most of the night. All.but the last 20 minutes the attack would build up but then we'd have just awful giveaways and Louisville would counter. We didn't look in sync at all. Sentnor and Emslie couldn't find a rhythm, passes with not connecting in key spots. It frustrated the players and us fans a like.

- Louisville all but the last 20 minutes were high pressing the team and I think that surprised the team to have to play out that constant pressure for 80 minutes. We couldn't get into our flow state and it was a little too late for us to try to get a point back. Credit though we had more quality chances the last 20 minutes. I think the subs were great for creating new energy and momentum. Some of the players that came off looked gassed and frustrated. Sometimes it's just not our night.

- Tough task for Cherry with her first start and I knew that was the "weak" point that Louisville would try to break. A rookie with her first start and I'm glad she got some real game experience but it does show how big Shores has been solidifying that back line of ours. Shores was missed this game for sure.

- I believe now we are negative at home this season with 5 losses now and 4 wins... Not having home field advantage is not good for us trying to get into payoffs. We have to turn it around at home in the second half of the season.

Overall

- Most of the team all night just didn't have their A-game. Back line especially Sam's and Cherry looked overwhelmed at times. Anderson didn't again feel settled and let some balls that she would normally hold or keep getting away from her and unfortunately leading to some goals against. The midfield and cohesion with attackers were not crisp considering it's been a solid same lineup for like three weeks now. This will be a good game to learn from as there will be a lot to look at and improve on. We're still able the playoff line and our attack can still be dangerous. We move on...

Did we play down to our opponent or did we just not have it tonight? Credit to Racing to pushing us in uncomfortable spots most of the game.

Sol Rosa fans... A lot of uncertainty and questions were left going into and through the break and we were all wondering what Angel City 5.0 would look like. Well I dunno what you could call it but we look solid. Hard work, new tactics, new energy, rest, at home? Whatever it was it worked. Let's get into it.

Currently typing from the stands before the fireworks go off so I'll keep this by the halves what I saw live.

First Half

- Sentnor really looked comfortable in the midfield and was gelling with most of the team. She played smart and looked for her own and other opportunities in the attack.

- Both sides of the ball looked really well. Attacking wise we were really aggressive and pushed the ball towards goal. No driving to the box and then holding up play. Better combination play too between players. Defensively we were pestering and that followed through the whole game.

- With only 46% possession in the first half we were better suited to waiting for mistakes then in transition making quick attacks in. I think this style fits us better.

- Niehues continues to be a smart aggressive goal scorer for us. She is a baller!

Second Half

- The intensity really continued and we didn't give Orlando really many chances to develop anything in their attack.

- Svendís went one on one and got a goal! Love that growth. Love that she got on the board and she looks healthy.

- AA made some really good saves and one in particular when Washington got past Sams and Thompson. A clean sheet which is well deserved.

Overall

- This team looks better and more energized. After the second goal Orlando just looked lifeless. We gotta see some more games but this was probably the best finish coming off a long break. But again just really positive vibes here at BMO.

Are we back chat?????

What we hoped would be a good jump into a world cup break instead leaves this club with deep issues unanswered on both the attack and late goals on the defense. Five of the last seven resulted in losses with four of them at home. Let's get into it but I'll keep it short and leave y'all to answer two questions if we can...

Overall Match

- NCC is a tough team, they can be middling but they can also shoot up the standings if their play continues. Sanchez and Manaka were the two major threats but overall a lot of players can score and they did strike blood first. We came back with a nice cross from Jun to Maiara to level it up. There seemed to be a lull for a bit as energy wained. The first half emegy we had kinda dimmed and although we had chances it was ultimately NCC with a quick transition that sealed our loss. Also I feel like an Achilles heal in those transitions are always on Shores side I feel. Lots of ball watching and not fast enough shifting to help cover. Anyone else see this or am I trippin???

The big two questions needing answered I feel that are most relevant are how can we create good chances and score? And how do we fix the late defensive collapses?

- With the first question we have plenty bark and at times it can look electric. We're usually good for at least a goal but I feel they leave a lot on the table. Wether it's a unlucky bounce or pass that just quite doesn't make it we leave goals on the pitch. So little success (goals) with so much work put into the build up, frustrating...

- Combined with a low scoring average we hold stout defensively for 80-90% of the game but opponents find chances and usually off a quick transition when our numbers are up they score to put the game away. We lead the league in late goal giveaways.

The summer ahead and answers incoming???

- We have I believe two international roster spots and there's some big names from Europe becoming available. We gotta put some serious money forward to land some top attacking talent. That'll help but I also feel like our attack again has some good bark and we can get into good spots but a player cant fix the finishing

- For the late goals the team will have to work on 90 minute full game composer and discipline. We'll have to work and keep opponents in front of us on counters and quicker recovering. It can be a little tough when we're essentially playing a three back with Giselle in the attack. Open spots open up and opponents capitalize waiting for the counters.

Have a fun summer break y'all. I'm sure we'll have some news dropping from the club but let them have a little break, reset, and come back strong after the break. Volemos!

Sol Rosa fans, it's been a long week and unfortunately we leave without much needed points to stay above the playoff line. What looked like a good chance to win and coming off a KC win earlier in the week, we ran out of gas late. I'll just make some points tonight.

What a bummer to end the week on, I know the three game week definitely was felt and seen on the pitch with tired legs. But historically we've done well in Houston. This is another bitter loss, especially late. That's a late loss they will feel for a while. We just ran out of gas the last 15 minutes. The late goal attested to that. Quick tansition from Houston and that was that. While we shut down KC speedy attack Houston managed to get behind us and get all three points.

Houston matched up pretty well against us, they got through the middle while we tried to open up through the sides. They had multiple chances as well as us but they just had better open chances. With mixed lineups this week to rest legs, the progression with final touches and passes were still shaky at times. Again we just gotta put away chances, been a big issue this losing stretch.

The last 10 minutes of each half felt lax. I understand they didn't want to make a mistake the first half and tired legs again at the end but I felt both endings of the halves felt more to be desired. The first half they was a lot of resets and passes to the back, would've liked to see more focus to put us up 1 at the half. The second half I know most were tired but again with KC, I felt the attack was aggressive to the end. But again tired legs.

With how physical the game was and Houston picking up multiple yellows I thought it was our chance to either be more aggressive to draw out a red or that Houston would back off allowing better space for the attack. Unfortunately we didn't use that to our advantage.

Overall, the late goal just puts a sour taste again because again we were close to getting another much needed point. I think saw we lead the league in goals allowed in the final 15 minutes. Seems like this is an angel city problem that has lingered. Closing out games is a big issue. Defensively we solid for like 80-90% of a game but the lapses kill us. Scoring helps alleviate these issues but holding a point is crucial down the stretch.

Was tonight just a case of exhaustion after a long week or are these issues that need attention?

Sol Rosa fans, we are so back! A very clean but scrappy game and we probably had our best game of the season against an opponent that have been finding their stride. Let's get into it!

The Great

- Straus coached a hell of a game, lineup again looked inexperienced at first and new but they really got things going with a very attack minded game plan. If the Portland game felt like a shell game, this felt like the true vision of Straus's game plan. The subs that came on too came in not only at the right time the right players came in and made the finishing difference.

- The rookies are leveling up every game. They're developing really nicely. Lageyre looked right as rain against a tough experienced KC team. If she dipped her toes in Portland, she fully jumped in this one. Suarez also in attack really brought pace as well.

- Giselle is just exploding this season, the defense, the balls skills, the attack. She truly looks like the future of outside backs. A goal and assist tonight is just awesome.

- The attack was attacking!!! The midfielders had space, the field felt open and not compressed. The touch and goes with each players in combination getting better at working together. Having Niehues back really helped and Phair is getting more confidence with her first start. But also, when the ball got turned over the team was able to collapse and cover stopping Chewinga and Co.

- Anderson stand the F up!!! KC was also dangerous tonight with having chances to put up multiple goals but AA was in her bag making multiple stops and a soft PK kick. We don't won, let alone get any points without her heroics. I'm sure this was extra sweet against KC which she had one of her worst games in the past.

The Bad (forget about it!)

- Hard to nitpick after such a solid win. And I won't, it's been a tough few weeks for the team but they really put it together tonight and I feel like this is a time to really appreciate everyone's effort.

Overall

- This is the team we've been waiting to see. And sure we saw it early but this was against a top after a slump. SD did us a favor and stopped out next opponent in Houston from keeping up with us. Let's keep the momentum going! Volemos!

We managed to get a point on the road in Providence Park. The win in Portland still eludes us but we stopped the bleeding. It was a tough match and we held Portland to nothing which is a win in itself but we continue to not be able to put one in the back of the net. Let's get into it.

The Good

- The defense again kept us in the game. Gorden, Thompson and Anderson really kept the game level the whole game. Wilson was frustrated a lot of the game and although she had chances, we kept her out of the net.

- Fuller is a game impact player. She needs to be on, she's one of the few that's able and willing to go 1v1, run into open space, and find fellow attackers. When she came on the attack really changed.

The Bad

- Have you seen our midfield???? Even the commentators were highly noticable, especially the first half, of our lack of attack. It felt like Tweed ball all over again. We just couldn't break through space. No one would check in close or we couldn't overload, or we didn't have our speedster go off for balls over the top. We just can't see the path to the goal and it's frustrating as hell.

- Along to go with the last point, tactically I don't like player positions especially in our midfield. Borges is like another McCaskill just sort of running around but not setting up meaningful attacks. Martin is and extra defender especially when Thompson runs up. Jun is still amping up her endurance and cohesion with her teamates. Lageyre was pretty invisible in her minutes. We don't have a coordinator or a facilitator. We are desperately missing Hina.

Overall

- I don't know how we'll pull ourselves out of this scoring funk. The defense is great but they can hold out only so much. Other teams will just look for errors and capitalize. We just aren't threatening at all. We move up one spot and to break the losing streak, away, and in Portland still is upside. But short rest and against a hot hot KC with Chewinga and Co wanting to stop our progress.

- Is our attack lost? Is is more on Straus or players to be the deciding factor on getting wins?

Another tough loss, maybe more so than the other three this year. We looked really strong especially the first half but with our scoring woes really piling up and a bad second half from the coach and possession we eventually break and take another loss. Let's get into it.

The Good

- Two goals against so one could say our defense wasn't up to it, but if you watched it for most of the game they were frustrating San Diego. Hell, SD could've had a few more if it wasn't for our backline and great save from Anderson. They really played lights out for 85'.. unfortunately they faultered in a couple moments. But overall really good play.

- The stadium was probably the most full and the most rowdy I've seen all year. Too bad the results didn't match the energy.

- We got to see the return of Claire. I think we all wished she came in sooner but I'm sure that was the plan before it chnaged or minutes restriction. Regardless it was great to see her back. We also saw Phair come in and play significant minutes. Love to see her come into the fold but was this the game and time to do it???

The Bad

- Really bad second half from Straus. It was a tough physical game so I'm sure players we're exhausted but I didn't like the subs this game. Fuller and possibly Jun (minutes restriction?) should've stayed in. Svendís possibly popped her ankle out but still played? Putting in Phair when we're down? Not the best moment to put her as it was pretty much her first real minutes.

- The second goal just kind of rubs me the wrong way, maybe because we've seen the ball watching before this season with opposing players sneaking in and putting a goal away. We can't keep losing players that lead to goals.

- Can we stop with the Jonsdottir throw ins? I just think there's better opportunities to set up a better Cross or something. Announcers keep saying it's a threat but so far it's a cold one.

The Absolute Gawd Awful

- In our 4 losses this year we had Chilufia, a sub, score at the death. And then Thompson and Sam's. So in our last 4 games not one starter on the attack can put a goal away. And it's not a lack of effort. Suarez had a chance to put one away and Fuller too. I don't know if it's a mental thing or what but our attack is sunk. Straus and staff really need to go back and see what worked so well or shuffle players. We need Emslie and Jun to get full game ready for sure.

Overall

- The hustle is there but it's not just getting it done. They team looked really dejected after this loss but hopefully they pull together and fix it. But this may be the more or the same in season 5. It was a tale of two halves this game and since we couldn't capitalize early we eventually broke apart. It's like an itch on the back that you can't quite reach. But the itch is getting worse and worse. On to next week.

What looked like a possibility to right the ship we now fall to three straight losses to balance the three straight wins to start the season. Currently in 8th and that top spot looks like a distant memory. Let's get into it.

The Good

- Angelina had a great save early in the first half to save a great goal attempt. She looked better this game with some other good saves.

- Defensely except for Utah's one goal we played really well, especially the second half when we were down a player. Unfortunately we couldn't transition well to the other end of goal.

The Bad

- 6 games in, the 2nd post break and we look worse then coming out of the pre-season. Now I know we had a player down but especially the first half and less so but we don't look cohesive, we're messy, bad giveaways, not real good setups in attack, no creativity, lack of open spaces, not playing through the field and lots of long balls to Svendís. Looks like the focus was on wings but I think we could've used Fuller in the middle this match. Other teams have looked smooth on the ball setting up good passes, reading each other well. Basically it feels like struggle ball on our end in the attack.

- Diminishing returns on the attack. 4,3,1,1,0, that's the goals from game one till tonight. Since game one, our goal scoring has diminished. We started off red hot and now we're cold as ice. Sure we had 9 shots with 4 on goal tonight but unlike other teams we can't finish right now. Close calls but no goals is very worrisome.

Overall this was a tough watch. Very physical first half that ended in a red for Niehues. Imo I think it was soft but hey the ref was on one tonight. We didn't even get a foul against Chilufia outside the box after a lengthy review. The red definitely messed with our second half adjustment plan I'm sure but I'd hoped we'll pull one to at least get a point... What are you seeing that you feel is our biggest hindrance right now? Was the first three games smoke and mirrors? See y'all next week against.....San Diego