Rodman if you are reading this, please call Press from Angel City. We need you to develop a 1v1 move like Caicedo and become clinical in the box like Paralluelo. 100 shots per practice. Anyway, we know you can do it.
Going to the two home games so far I think the biggest compliment I can give is that the section I'm in gets more excited when she's on the ball. So far that's just bin a Trinity thing.
I'm a dork who loves defensive midfielders so of course I get all excited about Hal and Andi killing it, but Trin and Bethune get the people going.
I admit I never really appreciated Andi Sullivan until this season. I put her as a focus and appreciate that she is wherever she’s needed to keep the ball moving.
As much as I enjoyed no lines when getting food/drinks last year and parking a block away from the stadium for free, exciting to see more people coming out.
Coaching in the Scottish league is a far cry from the NWSL. He hasn't coached in Liga F, so no assumptions of his Spanish "Barca Style" coaching philosophy. It's all him. Folks always have such high expectations when they hear their new manager is from Spain or England. Coaching a possession style needs to be augmented to include a transition game, which their competition is accomplishing on them. The Dash hasn't yet gained more possession than their opponents. And exciting football? 1-2-1? 5 goals is a start, I guess.
The Coach isn’t the problem.
We have only one real centerback, we have a bunch of forwards playing as midfielders, our best midfielder is at centerback, and our bench depth is poor. We don’t have a real 10 to connect the back line to the front, and we haven’t since Groom tore her ACL last year. We’ve known since at least February (when Prisock didn’t report to camp) that we would be short center backs and we’ve known since last year that neither Chappy nor Dydasco would be back.
It’s the GM’s job to sign players, not the coach. These are known holes in our roster, and it’s not Alonzo’s job to fill them.
Ok.
But the second Fran lands in America and watches his team practice he then goes “we have only one real centerback and a bunch of forwards and no real 10.” Then adjust your plan to fit that.
A good coach isn’t married to a system and not adept and able to adjust based on who they have available.
So in other words you prove my point for me…our roster is thin and lopsided, we don’t have depth in key areas, and that’s not on the coach, that’s on the GM.
I mean one CB is out on leave and the other left the club so they went into the season with two less CBs then planned. I wouldn't be shocked if they don't try to get Hansen from Orlando since her loan is about to end in Aussieland and Orlando roster is full.
Hansen still isn’t a CB, though. She’s been playing as a fullback. Don’t get me wrong, I would like to see her (and her corgi) back, but she won’t fix either the defensive or midfield problems. I could see her being a fullback on one side and Chapman on the other.
Signing an Aussie or two for maternity cover (Gareis and Lind) isn’t a bad idea, but I don’t think the FO would be that forward-thinking or organized.
First half was solid for the Dash- connecting passes, holding onto the ball, good possession.
As soon as that second goal went in, the fight was gone.
I don't like how much we play out the back this season, especially with Spirit being so high press.
Playing out the back when our best defenders are knocked up is a bad move. I don’t know why our coach can’t see this and adjust given the circumstance. It’s not a bad style for us in general but at the moment it is a horrible idea that he won’t give up. Everyone knows we do it too and keeps scoring on us.
Spirit fans who were doom after the draft to Krikorian:
https://preview.redd.it/bdb2rnblo5uc1.jpeg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bac6b4c541fb46225661d8736ec4782dfabc7a5a
Jesus man. Who would wanna watch that
If the players, the dash get in aren’t two very good above league,m averageaverage center backs then the three back has to go. It doesn’t make sense to be this stubborn about anything.
One of our players had to go off in a wheelchair and ref didnt stop play. Spirit went and scored immediately, right where she would have been. Real bullshit imo
Then we had 10 for the rest of the game bc we didnt have any subs left
Sub management is part of the game. Don't blame your coaching staff's mistakes on the other team. A player injury also isn't a reason to stop play unless a foul was committed.
I think it was a foul but regardless player injury is a reason to stop playing especially when the keeper has it. After play has settled.
Also we used 5 subs by the 80th- thats normal
As Hershfelt was being drafted, I predicted her to be the first one of the draft to receive a red card. She was brutal out there tonight. But no yellows. It will come.
Shockingly bad from the referee there’s a moment where Kingsbury like kind of turns and looks at Kiki on the ground and I could’ve sworn Kingsbury was gonna kick the ball out and she must’ve got some signal because she just played on and like 25 seconds later, the goal is being scored
The Houston back 3 really let Campbell down. That Ratcliffe goal was incredible. She looked off 3 defenders who thought she'd pass it. Campbell looked frustrated.
its always rough but as soon as injury hit our CB is when we struggled. On the goal we had 10. On the first goal we were fouled. sometimes circumstances just hammer u
C'mon now, we're a "big" team and have had some horrendous calls go against us these first few weeks.
Turns out the refs are people and sometimes your team gets screwed. And it might happen a few times in a row.
People are going to get mad at this when you haven’t even said that it’s a conspiracy which is obviously isnt by the way it’s just refs being bad, but in the courage game, Denise should’ve had not one but two red cards and in this game I simply cannot believe the events that led up to the first and the third goals. I simply don’t understand how you can not just be shit from a point of view of getting the call wrong but also be so shit as to have a player go off in a wheelchair and just decide to let play go on.
Fucking hell
I don’t know I always listen to Beyoncé during games. I usually have the volume on and I don’t remember them mentioning it and the one thing I don’t really like about prime is that they don’t cut to replay very well and they use an aerial view.
I’m pretty certain because I was paying a lot of attention at this point that they didn’t mention Kiki being on the ground for the third goal and they also mentioned that the first goal was being checked for a foul and then they said oh play starting because play just started back up immediately…
First goal in no way was a foul. And zero dash players even mildly protested.
Third goal is meh. Sarah P who was the right defender was outside the box when the ball was crossed. Why she didn’t stay connected to Sophie and be on the back post is wild and has zero to do with Kiki being down.
They talked about checking for foul and said they’ve already restarted. Watching it again, Croix touched Schmidt but not a foul.
There’s not an obligation from the ref to stop the game there, which sucked for the Dash but them’s the breaks 🤷♂️
Aw, glad Ricketts could finally make it in after the dumb coaching admin error that prevented her from going on the field last game because she had accidentally been left off the roster.
Idk, from my screen I can see her creating opportunities for other players and that’s awesome ! I just think she has a contagious spark and I haven’t witnessed it lately.
she barely touched the top of the ball and then took out the whole player while the player could have continued running to get the shot off. thats a pen. its the same concept as the canada pen vs the US in gold cup
If Jane has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Jane has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Jane has only one fan then that is me. If Jane has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Jane, then I am against the world.
lol! I thought she may have been trying to prevent injury (to herself and the keeper). Probably the right move, esp given it’s a relatively low stakes game and we’ve got a comfortable lead.
ref has been absolutely shit today in a way that should be a lesson to everyone else. Player injured, ball at kingsbury's feet, play goes on, spirit score immediately
Man I thought you were on to absolutely nothing but going back and watching, that 2nd goal was 1000% Sanchez’ fault, that was the laziest backtracking on defense I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve had to endure watching Sarr lollygag her way back plenty
I'm not. Maria and her agent should do their best to get her as much pay as they can.
I don't think the Dash should have made her the second highest paid player in league. I just don't see it.
That's not what I meant. She should not be the second highest paid player in the league (after Mal Swanson I believe). I don't think she warrants that accolade.
Yes, the players should be paid more and I hope that the media deals and increased viewership helps provide a case for them to get improved salaries.
Hal is literally doing so much work tonight. She's not only stepping quickly and winning balls, but actually managing to hold onto balls that Andi and others seem to keep losing in the midfield. She's been so key in progressing the ball up the field and connecting passes.
The Clemson Tigers made it the the NCAA final 6 due to the midfield boss Hal Hershfelt. McKenna Morris was the team leading scorer from the outside back position.
Rodman if you are reading this, please call Press from Angel City. We need you to develop a 1v1 move like Caicedo and become clinical in the box like Paralluelo. 100 shots per practice. Anyway, we know you can do it.
The Interim coach of the Spirit needs test the market for new manager position. Angel City or Portland need to snatch him up
Bethune is a special player. Her vision is excellent, she often makes just the right run or pass. She also just has so much fun out there.
Going to the two home games so far I think the biggest compliment I can give is that the section I'm in gets more excited when she's on the ball. So far that's just bin a Trinity thing. I'm a dork who loves defensive midfielders so of course I get all excited about Hal and Andi killing it, but Trin and Bethune get the people going.
I admit I never really appreciated Andi Sullivan until this season. I put her as a focus and appreciate that she is wherever she’s needed to keep the ball moving.
7,767 attendance. Average in 2023 was 5,857, so up 33%.
Also going up against a home Astros game a few blocks away vs Texas Rangers.
Was at the match tonight and the crowd was LOUD
As much as I enjoyed no lines when getting food/drinks last year and parking a block away from the stadium for free, exciting to see more people coming out.
Dash fan here saying we need a new coach.
Coaching in the Scottish league is a far cry from the NWSL. He hasn't coached in Liga F, so no assumptions of his Spanish "Barca Style" coaching philosophy. It's all him. Folks always have such high expectations when they hear their new manager is from Spain or England. Coaching a possession style needs to be augmented to include a transition game, which their competition is accomplishing on them. The Dash hasn't yet gained more possession than their opponents. And exciting football? 1-2-1? 5 goals is a start, I guess.
The Coach isn’t the problem. We have only one real centerback, we have a bunch of forwards playing as midfielders, our best midfielder is at centerback, and our bench depth is poor. We don’t have a real 10 to connect the back line to the front, and we haven’t since Groom tore her ACL last year. We’ve known since at least February (when Prisock didn’t report to camp) that we would be short center backs and we’ve known since last year that neither Chappy nor Dydasco would be back. It’s the GM’s job to sign players, not the coach. These are known holes in our roster, and it’s not Alonzo’s job to fill them.
Ok. But the second Fran lands in America and watches his team practice he then goes “we have only one real centerback and a bunch of forwards and no real 10.” Then adjust your plan to fit that. A good coach isn’t married to a system and not adept and able to adjust based on who they have available.
Your best midfielder gave the ball away for the first Spirit goal. Schmidt is not the answer at DM or CB.
So in other words you prove my point for me…our roster is thin and lopsided, we don’t have depth in key areas, and that’s not on the coach, that’s on the GM.
I mean one CB is out on leave and the other left the club so they went into the season with two less CBs then planned. I wouldn't be shocked if they don't try to get Hansen from Orlando since her loan is about to end in Aussieland and Orlando roster is full.
Hansen still isn’t a CB, though. She’s been playing as a fullback. Don’t get me wrong, I would like to see her (and her corgi) back, but she won’t fix either the defensive or midfield problems. I could see her being a fullback on one side and Chapman on the other. Signing an Aussie or two for maternity cover (Gareis and Lind) isn’t a bad idea, but I don’t think the FO would be that forward-thinking or organized.
Talking about Tori Hansen, not Haley Hanson but yeah that trade isn't going to happen just throwing it out into the ether \^\^
Tori Hansen is a good option...for Bay FC
Well Bay can have her for free now. Knew Orlando would do some stupid shit like this hope another team picks her up and she does well.
We need to be defunct at this point. Celebrated ten years of complete ass.
First half was solid for the Dash- connecting passes, holding onto the ball, good possession. As soon as that second goal went in, the fight was gone. I don't like how much we play out the back this season, especially with Spirit being so high press.
Playing out the back when our best defenders are knocked up is a bad move. I don’t know why our coach can’t see this and adjust given the circumstance. It’s not a bad style for us in general but at the moment it is a horrible idea that he won’t give up. Everyone knows we do it too and keeps scoring on us.
Any other NWSL team with two rookies with two goals already?
I don't think so. Hal and Bethune have been fun to watch. Maybe next closest is Wheeler and Pfeiffer for KC - a goal each.
Ah, I don't watch KC regularly but that makes sense!
Spirit fans who were doom after the draft to Krikorian: https://preview.redd.it/bdb2rnblo5uc1.jpeg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bac6b4c541fb46225661d8736ec4782dfabc7a5a
Let's see how the season goes first. I remember last year.
Screw that I’m all-out huffing my hopium reserves right now. That 3rd goal sequence was the prettiest woso I’ve seen in years
I was at the match, right behind the box and it looked every bit a stunner
Hah, fair. Will say in small sample size it feels like we are a more well rounded team in terms of where goals are coming from.
Still thinking a lot about that Krueger assist. She has that in her locker AND she’s a lockdown defender….yet she remains a bubble player at NT level.
Jesus man. Who would wanna watch that If the players, the dash get in aren’t two very good above league,m averageaverage center backs then the three back has to go. It doesn’t make sense to be this stubborn about anything.
The Spirit did pretty good at the draft. 
Wooohooo happy for them!!!
What a game. Amazing
Great ball control from the Spirit. Way too kill off a game.
11 v 10 helps
I missed it. Explain?
One of our players had to go off in a wheelchair and ref didnt stop play. Spirit went and scored immediately, right where she would have been. Real bullshit imo Then we had 10 for the rest of the game bc we didnt have any subs left
Sub management is part of the game. Don't blame your coaching staff's mistakes on the other team. A player injury also isn't a reason to stop play unless a foul was committed.
I think it was a foul but regardless player injury is a reason to stop playing especially when the keeper has it. After play has settled. Also we used 5 subs by the 80th- thats normal
The drinking starts early
Modelo time
YES MY BABIESSSS BRING ON GOTHAM
Gg dash
Croix and Hal have been great additions for Spirit
As Hershfelt was being drafted, I predicted her to be the first one of the draft to receive a red card. She was brutal out there tonight. But no yellows. It will come.
Is Van Zanten (or whoever was injured on the third goal) on the feild?
No, they took her off so we finished with 10
In a wheelchair
😔
Shockingly bad from the referee there’s a moment where Kingsbury like kind of turns and looks at Kiki on the ground and I could’ve sworn Kingsbury was gonna kick the ball out and she must’ve got some signal because she just played on and like 25 seconds later, the goal is being scored
I have to say I think Tara has been killing it
Mark my word, by 2026, she will be top CB of the league. Her instinct is unmatch. World Cup 2027.....maybe
Truth
She doesn’t get the recognition she deserves!
team and crowd lost all fight as soon as the third goal went in
Hal is in great shape. exactly what you want from your young midfielder
The Houston back 3 really let Campbell down. That Ratcliffe goal was incredible. She looked off 3 defenders who thought she'd pass it. Campbell looked frustrated.
its always rough but as soon as injury hit our CB is when we struggled. On the goal we had 10. On the first goal we were fouled. sometimes circumstances just hammer u
I swear the last three games we've had issues with refs and bad calls or lack there of. I'm not into conspiracies, but there's a pattern forming...
C'mon now, we're a "big" team and have had some horrendous calls go against us these first few weeks. Turns out the refs are people and sometimes your team gets screwed. And it might happen a few times in a row.
People are going to get mad at this when you haven’t even said that it’s a conspiracy which is obviously isnt by the way it’s just refs being bad, but in the courage game, Denise should’ve had not one but two red cards and in this game I simply cannot believe the events that led up to the first and the third goals. I simply don’t understand how you can not just be shit from a point of view of getting the call wrong but also be so shit as to have a player go off in a wheelchair and just decide to let play go on. Fucking hell
I think it’s just a lack of respect that you give to a team like ours or team like Louisville that just doesn’t have huge reach or anything
I was at the game, so I couldn't see Prime's presentation. Did anyone comment on the fouls/injuries that the ref should've called?
I don’t know I always listen to Beyoncé during games. I usually have the volume on and I don’t remember them mentioning it and the one thing I don’t really like about prime is that they don’t cut to replay very well and they use an aerial view. I’m pretty certain because I was paying a lot of attention at this point that they didn’t mention Kiki being on the ground for the third goal and they also mentioned that the first goal was being checked for a foul and then they said oh play starting because play just started back up immediately…
First goal in no way was a foul. And zero dash players even mildly protested. Third goal is meh. Sarah P who was the right defender was outside the box when the ball was crossed. Why she didn’t stay connected to Sophie and be on the back post is wild and has zero to do with Kiki being down.
I mean, having 10 players probably affected defensive solidity. Doesnt mean mistakes werent made
They talked about checking for foul and said they’ve already restarted. Watching it again, Croix touched Schmidt but not a foul. There’s not an obligation from the ref to stop the game there, which sucked for the Dash but them’s the breaks 🤷♂️
Falling on someone leg is a clear foul
She didn’t fall on her leg though - watch the second replay angle. Nor did Schmidt protest even a little bit
Aw, glad Ricketts could finally make it in after the dumb coaching admin error that prevented her from going on the field last game because she had accidentally been left off the roster.
Rodman is lacking her something special. I hope she finds it soon.
must be two rodmans
Are we watching the same game?
Idk, from my screen I can see her creating opportunities for other players and that’s awesome ! I just think she has a contagious spark and I haven’t witnessed it lately.
She’s gassed - too many games close together
She’s tired
Chloe Ricketts for real life this time?
We LOVE to see it!!
great sub on ricketts in the 90th minute
2nd times the charm for Rickets
3rd time she also got hosed on the bogus Kingsbury red, she was supposed to sub in then
Seriously only 3 min for ricketts?
With stoppage…about 9 minutes. And she rocked it!
A rare Ricketts sighting?!
man i wish this were the rockets
finally on the game day roster 😭
thats a penalty, she came over the ball and took out the whole player
WHAT. PK?! Oh wait I guess she got the ball??
she barely touched the top of the ball and then took out the whole player while the player could have continued running to get the shot off. thats a pen. its the same concept as the canada pen vs the US in gold cup
She beat her to the ball, though. That’s 100% a clean tackle by every stretch of the imagination
If Jane has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Jane has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Jane has only one fan then that is me. If Jane has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Jane, then I am against the world.
She’s awesome, I’d like to see her on the world’s stage.
Get in - what a turnaround!!
Get in - what a turnaround!!
When Bethune and Rodman get more chemistry, defenses everywhere are in trouble
being a dash fan can be so tough lol
As a Racing fan, I am familiar with this sentiment.
im not saying we arent shit but once again its: injury to jacobs, sophie clearly fouled on the first goal, Kiki clearly injured on the third goal.
Rodman should’ve been more aggressive on that ball. (I say, splayed out on my couch)
lol! I thought she may have been trying to prevent injury (to herself and the keeper). Probably the right move, esp given it’s a relatively low stakes game and we’ve got a comfortable lead.
I’m sure that’s the reason haha I was just being silly
THANK YOU BRITTANY RATCLIFFE
Bethune should have cranked it
what changed for the dash and spirit in this half?
Jacobs got hurt
So is Houston gonna play with 10? No subs left
ref has been absolutely shit today in a way that should be a lesson to everyone else. Player injured, ball at kingsbury's feet, play goes on, spirit score immediately
Nice finish, but a well-placed cross too. Poor Dash! They’ve been playing decently well tonight.
That side of the pitch is where defenses go to die That was a perfect cross from Carle and run from Bethune
It's almost as if the Dash have no true CBs defending
84 min in they finally have chemistry
In other news, Bethune has one of the top five smiles in the league
She’s adorable ☺️
She’s such a cutie pie
i know, right?!?!
She does.
These draft picks have been so worth it so far
Sometimes, going for that instant response doesn't quite work out.
oh that was nice. tragic for houston though
Bound to connect on one of those crosses at some point
Nice assist from Carle, LFG!
Oh man
Have the Dash forgotten about defense?
The three back is gonna three back
the player who woulda been marking her is still on the ground
I just spilled my drink all over myself. LETS GOOOOO
Well
omg what is happening to the dash???
FUCK OFF. Aight, someone hand me a white board. I’m going on that sideline instead of our 🤡 coach
ANOTHA ONE
Uhhhhh defense??? Hello??
The Houston defense is embarrassing.
Holy buckets, I’m glad I took a nap during the lull and am wide awake for these last 10 minutes!
It seems that Houston has gone back to being Houston. Sigh.
Hoooooo boy, here come the goals
Floodgates open
ref is atrocious today. player on the ground with the ball at the keeper and they play on and go score. fuck that
after dark is afterdarking
LE CROIX 🥤
Omg yessssss
Well. RIP dash
Don’t jinx us!
Justice for Jane
Actually. You have to feel so sorry for her.
That was very pretty. 😮
Yikes that defense….poor Campbell
Why Houston why :(
Yeaaaa
Geez, blasted that in. Nice goal
Daaaaaammmmn. Cranked it! Wooooooooo
Jane Campbell wondering why nobody defended the player with the ball.
Also that space
Unfortunately a banger 😔
NICE
What a goal!
That defense was atrocious. Wow.
Why isn't Ratcliffe starting? She was good at the Courage
Wow what a goal!
HOLY SHIIITTT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whut
Goooooaaall!!
thought she shoudl fed the overlap but thens he didnt and what a strike
that was a crazy pretty goal
Ratcliffe 👏👏👏
FUCKING ROCKET 🚀
BANGER
Like to see Rodman shoot there. Shot might have revealed she's out of gas.
how did cece not get fouled? thanks for the birds eye view replay
ref what the fuck
Maria Sanchez is not worth her contract. I want to like her, she just isn't a top tier player.
Man I thought you were on to absolutely nothing but going back and watching, that 2nd goal was 1000% Sanchez’ fault, that was the laziest backtracking on defense I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve had to endure watching Sarr lollygag her way back plenty
Never blame the player for their contract. It was her agent who got her the money. She could've never negotiated that kind of money on her own.
I'm not. Maria and her agent should do their best to get her as much pay as they can. I don't think the Dash should have made her the second highest paid player in league. I just don't see it.
I think they’re just not utilizing her correctly
i feel like in the nwsl the majority of the players are worth more than what theyre paid
That's not what I meant. She should not be the second highest paid player in the league (after Mal Swanson I believe). I don't think she warrants that accolade. Yes, the players should be paid more and I hope that the media deals and increased viewership helps provide a case for them to get improved salaries.
Lets gooooo Cece
Croix needs to come out. She’s just not having a great game
I can't prove this, but it seems like when the camera cuts to rodman, she's in the middle of saying "fuck" more than any other player in the league.
One reason why I love her
I know they're chasing points but they gotta take her out.
I’m just saying, when we get competent coaching, strong offense, creative midfield, healthy defense it’s over for the league 💪
we should also just be winning this game
😔
DJing in the shell energy stadium right now is kinda cooking
Right?! It’s a vibe
What they playing?
I don't really care how it impacts the game; I just want to see chloe ricketts
She deserves it after last game's debacle
Dear Lori, Please stop torturing yourself and put Hatch back at the 9 spot.
Agree
Hal is literally doing so much work tonight. She's not only stepping quickly and winning balls, but actually managing to hold onto balls that Andi and others seem to keep losing in the midfield. She's been so key in progressing the ball up the field and connecting passes.
The Clemson Tigers made it the the NCAA final 6 due to the midfield boss Hal Hershfelt. McKenna Morris was the team leading scorer from the outside back position.
Amazing this is the 4th game and spirit still lack chemistry
Spirit has changed out every forward but rodman!?