@thebestisjeff
I like PDX footy, WoSo, sports in general, SciFi, learning from interesting people, other stuff. Unabashed A’ja Wilson fanboy. At this point I pretty much post about women’s soccer. Read stuff: https://thewosoroundup.beehiiv.com/
The 2026 #NWSL season is here already. For the Thorns, the beginning of the season seems like a placeholder:
-until the players return to health
-until Vilahamn gets settled
-until those Coffey $$ get spent in the summer (right?!?)
So what do we make of this first match? #BAONPDX
A preview:
Martinez has made some good saves for Toluca tonight, but she couldn't keep out Ribeiro that time. Pumas lead 1-0.
I know we're all excited about the impending return of #NWSL, but #LigaMXFemenil is still in action, and there's a good match on now. Toluca vs Pumas. You can watch on Vix or via YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Koec...
Also, obviously that should say 433 in the first skeet, but if they league'll let us play with 12 on the field, I'll take it.
Big Q is how the 'back 6' will perform (double pivot & defenders)?
Another Q is how they will handle their possession in their defensive third and deep build-up play?
Perhaps biggest Q is their offseason "acquisitions"- all of the players returning from injury/leave. Will they resume form?
Goalkeeper feels the most up-for-grabs? Arnold is clearly the top choice, but she's been inconsistent. She can be unseated by a backup. I don't think she will, however. But that's also part of the concern here. It generally does feel like Thorns are betting on Arnold to be consistently good.
In defense, the outside backs have a lot of potential, but Reyes needs to keep form and Vignola & Muller need to return to their pre-injury quality. McKenzie is solid depth.
Center back are fine but thin. Maybe Immethun will get to shine here, but some kind of solid addition seems needed.
In midfield, the attacking role is also pretty solid with Moultrie is lead.
Behind that role is Fleming and the kids covering the double pivot. I don't hate this, but it's a bet on potential that doesn't always come good. Experienced bench depth would be nice if no direct Coffey replacement.
The forward line has A LOT of depth. You can add Moultrie and Alidou to that line, and there's good reason to think Renee Lyles will soon be on a longer contract.
Also, there's a lot of flexibility there, but I'd expect the team to generally try to find a place for Wilson and Turner.
An attempt at a "mid-season" depth chart. In other words, bringing in the players that are still SEI but will likely play a good chunk of the season (e.g., Hanks and Weaver) but excluding players are longer-term SEI or on short-term contracts.
I'm assuming Thorns will play a 443/4231 #BAONPDX
#BAONPDX
I believe Nantes vs Fleury will be streamed on the Akrema Premiere Ligue YouTube channel.
For your late night reading, a brief look back on the U20 South American Championships.
I review how the action unfolded, and I highlight my players of the tournament in each position. Despite winning the tournament, none of them are Brazilian. #WoSo #Sub20Fem
Yeah. Mexico have done well to turn the tide in this match. Goal aside, they’ve been in the ascendancy for the past 10+ mins now.
For sure. And right as I joke a bit about the ref letting things go, Mexico had another tackle a little too strong for a match of no major consequence.
Well you can’t ask the players to go easy, but we can hope the ref is generous in situations that warrant procedural reds.
I mean, that probably shoulda been a red to Farmer for dogso, but this is a friendly. Good to let ‘em play.
Lelê makes the save!
A yellow. A VAR review. A saved penalty. All in the opening 8 minutes. If you’re not watching, tune in to Mexico vs Brazil
US finally starts attacking that right side, and they create danger and score.
Caicedo has been wondering to find the ball but not as aggressively as she did against Argentina. Still Colombia are getting some of the dynamism in progressing up the field, which they’ve been struggling with since last summer.
And yes, Julie Foudy, Colombia desperately miss Mayra Ramirez.
Ana Maria Guzman is where I’d attack the defense, but Alyssa Thompson is not seeing a lot of the ball.
Hey Jeff Agoos, that was Vanegas that nearly scored there. Sign her.
Go off @juliefoudy.bsky.social on caps and goals! Worthy rant
I said Vanegas at RB. I meant left back. Guzman will play her usual role on the right.
If similar to ARG match, Caicedo will roam to get ball, then run at the defense to get COL forward momentum, playing off Santos, Lopez, Pavi & advancing wide backs to build up field.
It got ARG’s defense turned and retreating, and that’s what Colombia want, but #USWNT stronger in middle than ARG.
Colombia starting lineup vs USWNT.
Here’s Colombia’s starting XI.
Keeper and back 4 the same, with Vanegas moving to RB and Carabali in CD. Restrepo & Montoya to shield back 4
Interesting to see Maithe Lopez starting up top. I suspect we’ll see Linda Caicedo roaming again to find the ball at her feet facing the US goal. #USWNT
A great save from Solana Pereyra.
Argentina getting little offense. Feels like Canada’s goal will come eventually.
Aly Riley noted it a second ago, but Argentina are in their standard 442, not the 532 they showed on broadcast.
On the right, they’ve pushed Sofia Dominguez to right mid (where she often play for club) and Abril Reche at right back.
For any #CanWNT fans wanting a preview of Argentina before the last #SheBelievesCup match, I wrote this before Argentina’s match with the US. #WoSo
Colombia may be more familiar than the other South American sides the #USWNT have played recently, but a preview never hurts. Squad and tactical reviews. Is Linda Caicedo's new role roaming the entire field?
And if Jeff Agoos is lurking, my brief appeal to sign Manuela Vanegas. #SheBelievesCup