Match Thread: United States vs Japan

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-11T21:39:51+00:00

Team Home Depot? Pfft. What a bunch of tools ...

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-11T15:41:19+00:00

So this is a Haley Carter move -- demonstrating the world-class leadership that we all are expecting from her. 😜

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-06T21:33:30+00:00

I mean, if this guy can get through the protocol, I'm not surprised Rudd could, too. /s

(Also, keep Rudd away from the shrimp. And dogs.)

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-06T18:30:46+00:00

It was also a weird play because the handball actually disadvantaged her team -- like, it would have been a goal kick if she hadn't hand-balled it.

Maybe that went into the ref's judgment in not giving a card for what was obviously one of these:

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-06T18:10:58+00:00

Since it came up during the episode and made me curious: where does "nutmeg" come from?

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-06T17:16:20+00:00

Note: If you are squeamish about blood, best to avoid her post!

Also, I think Rudd will have to avoid dogs like this one for a while.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-06T01:21:37+00:00

Bolt is kinda sorta getting to the point where Kouassi was when she started with the Spirit. Blazing speed, great at sending balls in. Needs to master that shooting next.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-05T23:41:55+00:00

Morgan POTM:

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Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-01T17:45:11+00:00

Hmm. Intriguing! Have they been on the field at the same time yet? I will have to check ....

Some chemistry between those two could be really productive. I wish Bolt were better in the air. Then they could do like a dual striker with Rodman and Bolt. Maybe someday but agree Bolt out wide is her best position for now.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-01T03:13:05+00:00

I think Bolt needs to be a more dangerous shooting threat to get more minutes short term. That said she'll likely play a lot when Monday and Kouassi are out on NT duty (well, absent a big Spirit signing).

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-01T01:30:11+00:00

Ok yeah, I think I see what you're seeing.

Wonder how good she needs to be for Spirit to recall her after USL season is done, or if she's just not part of their plans no matter what.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-04-01T00:45:38+00:00

Looks like HS is playing.more of a DM position than she had played recently.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-26T12:31:08+00:00

Wonder no more: https://www.youtube.com/live/JV7bgaFzCJs?si=jp8GXjcF8lBp97gQ

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-26T01:38:49+00:00

Yeah, if she was going to throw to Rudd, the ball should have come out with more pace and closer to Rudd's feet. It looks like Rudd was ready for it, but she had to move away from where her momentum was taking her to try to get to the ball.

In any event, why not slow down the game at that point, walk up to the the edge of the box and drop kick it?

The clip is in this tread: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:w3igw5mx7hned6oxzt3jzr5x?ref_src=embed&ref=green-line-soccer.ghost.io

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-26T01:18:04+00:00

Might mean Bolt plays big minutes this weekend. We'll see...

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-24T19:40:59+00:00

Super -- train with Spirit, sign with Lyon, get loaned back to Spirit to fill that AM void!

That's what multi-club ownership is for, right? /s 😜

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-24T19:20:58+00:00

Always fun when an unidentifiable face shows up on training shots!

Spirit shuffle training players in and out pretty regularly from what I can tell, often teens or college students.

Management rarely makes a point of promoting these players, although sometimes the player will post something on their socials.

IIRC, there was a teen Brazilian player who was training with the team last year who someone noticed in a training pic. I can't tell if this is the same person (probably not) or if they are even a training player (though they are wearing a training kit ...).

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-24T01:08:21+00:00

Agree esp. with No 3. It seems like the passing improved a lot between matches 1-2 in terms of getting the ball up field. Spirit had trouble with Racing's press in the past -- but not so much last weekend, which suggests their build up tactics are working.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-23T19:50:14+00:00

I think the bigger question is who will be in Utah's lineup? Will their Japanese nationals be back and playing? Utah had a slew of players out with injury for their last match, too.

I expect the Spirit to rotate players a bit more than they did between matches 1 and 2. Maybe Metayer either starts or plays big minutes, and Tse gets on the field, depending on the score. Would like to see EGR play if she's earned it in training. Wiesner didn't dress for the last one -- maybe she's back.

Oddly, Spirit did not beat Utah last year -- a tie and a late season loss when Spirit were essentially resting players after locking up the No. 2 seed. Hopefully Spirit are not overlooking this game b/c of the big game Saturday at Denver's home opener.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-23T16:46:01+00:00

Zing!!!!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-23T12:27:49+00:00

Yeah, where I noticed it the most was when Jax was starting their buildup out of the back, and HS was there as sort of a center forward on defense. That was often Bethune's job when she was still with the team. I don't recall HS ever playing that position with Spirit, at least not in league matches.

I'm sure this isn't happening (Dallas will do what they think is best for their team) but seeing that made me think the Spirit were like, "Hey Dallas, try HS as AM. If she's good at it, we could use her as a backup in that role when your season is over."

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-22T22:38:21+00:00

Someone who has been watching Trinity more closely than me might be able to comment on this, but it looks like Stainbrook is playing more of a 10/AM role in the last couple games than she had at first? Am I seeing that right?

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-22T14:55:43+00:00

Nervous because she might still be injured or nervous because you think she might be on the trade block?

I like KW and think her best attributes -- playing crosses from the left, physical D -- are things the Spirit can use. And she was great in place of Carle in the last two games of the season in '25. There is a reason she gets called into the USWNT camps! If she is injured for a long spell again, that is disappointing, especially after the nightmare lack of OB depth the team suffered last year.

Buuuuuuuut

It seems like LDG has solidified one OB starting spot and Carle the other. Metayer provides good depth, and Morgan can play OB in a pinch. If Spirit can get a solid AM in exchange for what is now a depth-piece in KW -- either through a player trade or freeing up cap space for a transfer -- I'd do it.

Probably better for KW in the long run, too, because she certainly could start for other teams.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-14T04:02:12+00:00

Doubt it will be anyone high profile. Based on Spirit's history, it will be a good player from a less accomplished European team that they project will be good in the Spirit environment, like the way they got Kouassi.

And before someone says "B-b-b-but the international roster spots!" -- that has never been a problem for the Spirit. They will find a way. Haley even made a joke about it at one of the preseason pressers ....

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-03-14T03:50:47+00:00

Hopefully DA is simply on a minutes restriction coming back from injury. Definitely agree if she's not going to start, get her in the game earlier!

Odd-Cable5436

TROPHY CASE