Week 10 Vibe Ranking
Musings right before the international break
Saturday, Arsenal defeated Barcelona in the Champions League finals 1-0. It was one of those games that was an upset on paper, but when you were watching the game, Arsenal were challenged, sure, but Barca never looked like a serious threat to win the game. But that’s not really the reason I bring it up.
I grabbed the screenshot above from Sam Mewis’s Women’s Game social feed. It’s of Arsenal captain Leah Williamson, who was immense on Saturday, in 2007 as a mascot for Arsenal in the Champions League final against Umeå from Sweden.1 Leah is 10 years old there, and 18 years later, she captains her team to their 2nd Champions League title.
On Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur men beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final. It was a terrible game to watch, but I was on the edge of my seat2 until the minute the team I’ve followed intently since I was 10 years old won their first trophy in 17 years. When Spurs won, I fell to one knee and, briefly and softly, cried. It’s the cry you have when there is joy, yes, but also a huge bit of relief. You see, perennial embarrassment Tottenham Hotspur were going to the Champion’s League as well, despite finishing just a hair above the relegation zone. It’s absurd.
The two things I’m going to remember as a Spurs fan is that all season, despite the league form being the worst of Tottenham since the Premier League was founded in 1992, Ange Postecoglou said that he always wins trophies in year 2.
Jim Ratcliff, who I talked about last week, was in person to see boys ManU fail. It ruled.
Anyway, to tie this all up, to me, and I really hope for you, football is a game that gives you moments like I had on Wednesday or what Leah had on Saturday…no matter the scale of the competition or being a player or supporter, the sport has the power to free you from whatever life you’re living and transport you back to being 10 years old again.
Kansas City Current Last week: 1
In the last week, they lost two starters to knee injuries, Alana Cook for the season with tears to her ACL, MCL, and meniscus, and Debinha for an undetermined amount of time. Of course, the schedule Gods smiled upon them as the next time they took the field, it was against Chicago. 90 minutes, and 3 goals later, our little Machine in the Midwest is still plugging along.
San Diego Wave Last week: 2
Playing this game at 10pm my time on a Sunday is absolutely diabolical. Real insult to me, a Huge San Diego Wave Backer from about 2 weeks ago. How can they expect me to be able to watch my girls play? Something I think is representative of the Wave season so far is Kimmi Ascanio shouldering a lot of the goal scoring load the last few weeks, having a completely invisible game, and Wave win 5-2 against the team only other team as in-form as they were.
Orlando Pride Last week: 3
Orlando suffocating a team while Banda goes crazy seems oddly familiar and very comforting for those out there who like Seb ball. The interesting thing I saw about Banda’s goals that were a minute apart was how different they were. The first goal of the pair, Banda collected an over hit pass by Thomsen, beat Del Fava to the ball, and then had a one on one3 with McGlynn to slot it home. Poacher’s goal. The second goal was sprung by McCutchen going line where Banda collected, dribbled into the box, and sliced a shot near post that McGlynn probably didn’t even see until it was right on top of her. Distributer’s goal.4 Funnily enough the stats bear this out, as the first goal was had a post-shot xG of .96 and the second goal had a post-shot xG of .06.
Washington Spirit Last week: 5
Washington are getting healthier, played their most complete game of the year on the road, and have a week off with the international break coming. I know I’ve been saying this pretty much all year, but the Spirit might finally be on their way to becoming the team we all thought they were. Croix looked very good for the first time this season, and Ashley Hatch looked like her old self re: goals. The team created for her, and she did not miss. Not only that, but Rebe played her best game as a Spirit player, and Kouassi is a certified menace. Seattle isn’t a team that’s going to really challenge your defenders for 90 minutes, so the question of the backline still remains.
Portland Thorns Last week: 4
Three Olivia Moultrie facts you might not realize while Portland is on Rob Gale’s Mexican Third Place Adventure:
She leads the NWSL in shot creating actions.
Last year, she lead all Portland Thorns in goals once you remove Sophia Wilson.
She’s still not 20 years old.
Gotham FC Last week: 9
As impressive as the wins against Mexican powerhouses America and Tigres was, the feel in the states is still off. Between the playing of a middle schooler, JCA’s football terrorism, and the Esther-and-pray offense that Gotham has put out, winning a trophy still isn’t enough for me to not feel gross watching them play. Practice your PKs.
Seattle Reign Last week: 7
Yeah, man.
Angel City Last week: 6
Sam Laity’s last game in charge before Straus takes the reigns was him doing what he loves best: Needing a goal late while in an advantageous position, and completely ignoring that Christen Press is on his team.5 Angels did make a rather big signing this week, getting the signature of 23 year old Icelandic forward Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir from Wolfsburg on a free. Questionable handball no-call on Elle Jean has AC fans acting normal also.6
North Carolina Courage Last week: 8
I don’t know anything, except Ashley Sanchez and Jaedyn Shaw really struggle to play together for reasons I don’t understand. Sanchez was subbed out at 65 minutes, and had 15 touches, had 0 shots, and completed 6/9 passes. Koyama subbed in for Shaw at 74’ (which means she got 16 minutes of game time), had 14 touches, 2 shots, and completed 9/11 passes. The one positive for Courage is that Matsukubo scored again putting her on 3 goals for the season, and is quickly turning into one of the best passing center forwards in the league.
Bay FC Last week: 10
Imagine being an away team going to Houston and not getting all 3 points?
Houston Dash Last week: 11
Dash continue to follow the same pattern of all the soccer teams I support…little hope is given, and then smashed to shit, only to be replaced by a glimmer of hope for next week.7 Messiah Bright’s goal in the 88’ was the first time in a while I felt like this team might break it’s patterns moving forward, but I think we all know how this story ends, yeah? This game had to be moved from 4pm local time to 7pm because of the excessive heat warnings, which leads me to ask…why was it ever scheduled for 4pm in the first place? Houston is hot.
Racing Louisville Last week: 12
Yes they won, but this is a vibes ranking. I don’t want to moralize or call for grand inquisitions or anything like that. Sports are sports, and aggressive conduct happens. There are victims of said violence. Kayla Fischer, who is a reckless player in the most charitable circumstances, should miss a significant amount of time for grabbing Madison Hammond by the hair and violently pulling her head down. I was taught as a U6 not to ever, ever pull someone’s hair during a game, and that takes out the what should be obvious human decency element.
Utah Royals Last week: 13
What the chart above shows that in an absurd season, Utah seems to be able to top themselves. Despite being on 5 points, and having a -11 goal differential, the Royals are pretty much exactly where they should be.
Chicago Stars Last week: 14
Shea Groom scored. They were able to hold KC scoreless for over a half hour. Jenna Bike made her season debut. They might have a stadium solution next year? Yes, Alyssa Naeher had to leave the game late with an injury, but the international break has come at a good time for her recovery if it isn’t serious. This is what passes for good news this season.
Boston Legacy Last week: 15
Actually a very heavy news week for the squad.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the group that is suing the city and team to prevent them from using White Stadium, is appealing the judge’s decision against them in March.
June 7th is Crest Day
Delays unrelated to the lawsuit are forcing the team to play it’s first season at Gillette Stadium, where the New England Revolution8 play.
Boston have their first coach picked out, as they are reportedly hiring Benfica’s Filipa Patao
Denver Last week: 16
They also are joining the league next year.
On the Swedish side? Two current NWSL players: Marta and Ramona Bachmann. Arsenal won the two legged finale 1-0 on aggregate.
Quite literally. Also my heartbeat tracker had me clocked about 62 most of the day, and 118 when the final whistle blew.
Well, she shielded Lauren Flynn all the way, but as much as I might like LoFlo as a player, she was severely overmatched there.
Not really, but I had a coach that called all my goals “distributer goals” as a back handed way to say “hey good goal, but your job out there is to distribute, and you had options”. Soccer is a fun sport to play.
Six minutes while they were up a player for 23.
I don’t think it was a handball as someone who, when she’s playing, thinks every single call/no call against her is a personal attack.
Though I suppose that can be said for any soccer team, except like Liverpool men and the like.
And Patriots in American “Foot”ball (am I the first to make that joke? I bet I am).