New Women's Pro League!

The back line didn't exactly have a shining moment in the first three minutes when Cuellar spun both Beuhler and Marshall. Different cast, same result as first time out.

And the boom balls from the back line didn't help thee possession game Cindy said she is trying to develop. In some ways, this team regressed seriously from what we saw at Merlo.

They will have lots of game film to look at.

The forwards were forced to come way too far back to get the ball. Christine was another midfielder for a lot of the game.

I'm with the Geez, the back line was a disaster on the Cuellar goal. I actually thought the problem started earlier in the play, they simply weren't organized on that side of the field. And, where was Washington on that play? Wasn't she the mid on that side of the field. Of all the players, at least from a defensive perspective, I thought she had the poorest performance.

And, I'm with the Geez on the early boom ball. I thought they actually improved on this as the first half wore on and more so in the second half, finding a better balance. But just booming it over the top on that field was a losing proposition. (I noticed that players commented on this after the game.)

As for Christine's position, once Dani went in I think she actually moved back to a central mid-field position. So although she and Alex had to track back quite a bit, earlier, I think towards the end of the game Christine simply was playing mid-field and not forward.

And, the field was atrocious. I'm not talking about the markings, I'm talking about the surface. It looked like playing on a giant pool table.

Did the mids look out of shape to you? It seemed when they had space they started walking instead of using it, and players without the ball didn't show for the passes very well.

They need lots of triangle passing drills.

I thought the crowds over the weekend were less then impressive, other than the the KC game. That is I assume they weren't that great since there was no mention of crowd size in two of the games, and the one mentioned was a sellout at 2700 plus. Would have been better PR to have had the first Thorns game at home where the expected 10,000 or more would make a far larger impression for the new league.

Well, for one the Boston Breakers only play in a 2000 seat stadium out in Somerville... Anything past that would break fire code.

Is that facility for Bostom temporary for a few games? Can't imagine them playing the entire season there.

They announced that was the facility for season.

It will be interesting to see how attendence numbers go this year. 50% of the cities where NWSL teams are have been through 2 attempts in the past. Of the teams that were in the WPS, only Western NY drew good numbers and that was the teams' only year in the WPS with a roster including Sinc, Morgan and Marta. If I'm in Boston, Wshington or New Jersey, I'd probably be skeptical of the league's viability too. If I'm in Chicago, I'm probably in the bleachers at Wrigley.

Does anyone know a good parking spot/lot near Jeld-Wen one hour before the game? I can't get there until 12:45-1:00 p.m. tomorrow and I have yet to make it to the Timbers' games. Help!!

The gates don't open until one hour before the game, so 1:00 tomorrow. You should have plenty of time.

But there really isn't great parking near the stadium. Parking on the street is restricted And rates are expensive per the good neighbor plan. The nearest lots are by Pioneer place, a short hop on the Max line, or at the zoo. I hop the Max from Lloyd center, which is close to home.

The place is designed for public transport.

Thanks Geez!!

There is another alternative, which is one of the trimet trip planners like
http://trimet.org/go/cgi-bin/plantrip.cgi

Just use Jeld wen field as the destination.

There are also APPs like pdx bus for the iOS devices which give a little more flexibility because you can just select " current location", a time you wish to leave or arrive, and it will plan the quickest trip with connections for trains and busses( I don't know if the trolley is included)

For a big event you might want to allow that you might not get on every bus or train in the downtown area and might have to wait a bit.

Will whomever is in charge of the webstream please, for the love of Clive, please learn that you don't do replays while the ball is still in play? I feel like every time they go to a replay, something vital or controversial happens... Blah, back to the books.

Looking at the replay after the game, it seems that Sinclair nutmegged the defender on her game-winning assist.

What a superlative delight to see her in person again. I get the feeling that if she weren't the game's best striker, she'd be the game's best attacking midfielder.

DaTruRochin wrote:Will whomever is in charge of the webstream please, for the love of Clive, please learn that you don't do replays while the ball is still in play? I feel like every time they go to a replay, something vital or controversial happens... Blah, back to the books.

Lotta whining for a free broadcast.

Have you seen what the other teams are putting out?

Sinc was everywhere in the game. I had two main impressions:

1. Every time Fishlock had the ball, I worried; and

2. Every time Sinc got anywhere near a Reign player with the ball, the Reign player worried.

PurpleGeezer wrote:
Lotta whining for a free broadcast.

Have you seen what the other teams are putting out?

No, and I really don't think I'm going to waste my time... I'll just have to wait til I can see it in person

Much better chemistry today and a better result.

Great to see so many current Pilots in the stands and former Pilots on the pitch....DF seemed to be having the time of her life.

What a delight to see 5 Pilots on the pitch today! Keelin looked like her fierce self. Sinc and Angie both looked great. Danielle also played well but limited minutes. Also great to see Eli Reed again.

A little surprising to see Christine in the center midfield, but that's apparently where they needed help. It sure worked out OK. Her assist on the second goal was priceless.

I had to take this picture.

Not today they didn't.

Today's thorns attendance was better than 7 of the 9 MLS games this weekend.

And it was better than the Timbers - Earthquakes match tonight in San José, and better than the average attendance at 2 EPL teams and 4 La Liga sides.

Thorns fans should be very thankful for the facility they get to use for their games.

The Boston Breakers play at a high school multipurpose stadium that barely seats 2,600 out in north Somerville that has no direct public transit routes and a half mile walk minimum coming out of Boston proper. Apparently Harvard Stadium was too expensive this time around...