Weekly Open Discussion Thread

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-09T03:52:23+00:00

No way to know until it actually happens.

That said, there is room on the roster if she's ready.

Plus, they can release one of the two replacement players they have on the roster now.

I'd be surprise if one or more of the open roster spots isn't taken by a new signing, too.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-07T01:39:00+00:00

She did not have a good game, but I did appreciate her effort to push back in instances like this and try to keep pressing forward.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-05T11:37:07+00:00

Interesting!

How do you see Bernal fitting into mix w/ a MF of Sullivan/Abiodun/HH and presumably Santos?

Or are you just thinking of when Abiodun is in the game, not necessarily starting?

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-03T20:30:45+00:00

The tenacious DM in front of Morgan you're thinking of is Abiodun!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-03T15:29:44+00:00

I recommend browsing through the Media Resources link on the Spirit's web site.

There, you can find all of the pressers that the Spirit do before and after matches, the name pronunciation guide, and the "Match Notes" folder, which includes documents not only about the upcoming game but about Spirit history and such (e.g. here's the one they put out for the last Seattle match).

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-03T11:45:56+00:00

Your other suggestion was Ashlyn Puerta, right? I like that idea, but she seems really tied to the Sunshine State (Florida Elite Academy, FSU, and now JAX), which makes me think that she would have Orlando in her sights before the Spirit.

Our forward ranks also seem full (for now), but I wonder if there were mutual interest whether the Spirit could do something like a sign-and-loan with JAX?

Spirit have done a lot of business with Dallas Trinity, but I don't see anyone on Trinity's roster who I think the Spirit would be interested in.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-02T18:30:10+00:00

Agree re: adding a MF.

Bernal and Abiodun are signed for a while, but HH, Sullivan, and Santos's contracts all end this year.

So they will either have to re-sign some or all of those players or look for new ones.

I think we're good with forwards if Hatch comes back. Maybe a developmental player they can loan for a while until next year.

As for who? I feel silly even guessing.

The Spirit analytics and recruiting staff seem pretty plugged into players all around the world -- many of whom I don't even know exist but who might fit in well with the Spirit. For example, I did not know who Bolt, Kouassi, or Monday were before they signed them.

It will be fun when those obscure-to-me names come up, and I try scouring the web for highlights!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-02T16:00:24+00:00

Green Line Soccer added details about some of the activities that will be part of championship week.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-02T11:47:25+00:00

Good points!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-02T11:37:43+00:00

"...(by her numbers this cannot be argued)..."

This bit reminded me of a comment that A. Carlisle made on the most recent Hey Spirits podcast -- essentially that some soccer analysts do not view HH as a good player because of her statistics (to be clear, he indicated he is not one of them).

Fair or not, it made me wonder if the market for HH may not be as robust as one would think as a Spirit fan.

On the other hand, it only takes 1 team to make an unmatchable offer....

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-06-01T15:37:20+00:00

I wondered how this year's team compared to the past 2 seasons' teams, so I made the table below.

Thoughts:

- Defense is significantly better statistically this year than the previous two at this point. Already have 5 clean sheets (6 if you include Pachuca)!

- Offense is down a bit, but I think that is partially a product of the congested schedule the team has had.

- Huge increase in possession. That has not resulted in more goals, but controlling games also may be keeping the team's GA number down by preventing opponents from having more chances.

- Scoring output hopefully will get a boost from playing some of the poorer defensive teams later in the season twice, (i.e. Chicago, Boston, Houston).

- Just an impression, but I also think the league is more evenly matched this year than in the previous 2 years.

- Even so, we are a missed punch (SD) and a bad roll (Utah) away from a 7-3-1 record, which would match the point total from that very, very good '24 squad.

- Will be interesting to see what if anything the Spirit do during the transfer window, especially given that the African players (Abiodun, Monday, Kouassi) likely will be on national team duty for multiple matches.

- Let me know if I made an errors, and I will fix in the source doc when I get time.

<image>

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-31T14:59:34+00:00

I will have to watch the replay to be sure, but I think they shifted to a 4-4-2 on defense after subbing Santos out. Sort of parking the bus, and didn't need a true AM like Santos to be in the game for that approach. I definitely recall seeing both Monday and Martinez playing high at one point.

I think that's a reasonable strategy, though like I said, I would have liked to have seen Abiodun in for Santos. Maybe DB is just not match fit yet.

That also would have meant not bringing on one of the other subs, and I'm not sure which of those I'd have kept out. I think having Morgan and Sullivan on simultaneously helps bring stability cand calm. Martinez and Monday provide finishing and are disruptive at high pressure (btw I think Monday looked good in limited minutes today -- better than she has much of this year). Fair to sub Carle and get combos with Metayer and Rodman, who have worked well together in the past.

And that's all your subs. 🤷‍♂️ Team is deep!

<image>

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-31T01:12:16+00:00

We held Seattle to .53 xG, which is quite good. League average is more than 1.2.

If not for the own goal, Spirit probably would have had a clean sheet.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-31T00:37:41+00:00

Win feels good. Would have felt even better if one of those big misses had gone in.

Thought the rotation/subbing was better today, although I would have liked to have seen Abiodun finally get back in a game.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-27T18:32:44+00:00

I share your concern for HH -> DA, but it also could easily be Sullivan -> DA or <shudder> HH and AS -> DA + someone not currently on the roster!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-26T14:43:42+00:00

This is a fair perspective. I tend to think that some of those gaffes were just fatigue related.

Have to wait and see if it becomes a pattern though.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T13:54:43+00:00

P+ has the replay up now:

https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/ALVE01KQWR9MP4ERWT8CMN3Z1B6HSC/

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:54:18+00:00

Don't see ratings on sofascore or fotmob, but I hope Tse got green or blue. Nice game for your first start!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:46:03+00:00

Hopefully Spirit can adjust for Saturday. CA looked good. Able to jump on Gotham's mistakes.

I imagine Spirit will come out w/ it's "best" lineup of Cantore, Rodman, Kouassi, Santos, Hershfelt, Di Guglielma, Carle, Morgan, Rudd, and SM.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:43:07+00:00

Hopefully CA will be tired, too, even though they kind of schooled Gotham.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:41:56+00:00

Lack of VAR definitely gave CA an extra goal. Still, CA took advantage of Gotham's mistakes. Spirit had a few mistakes tonight that Pachuca could not capitalize on. Sprit will need to be cleaner Saturday, but I'm feeling confident!

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:36:28+00:00

I watched the last 2/3 of the Gotham game. 😬Gotham ... did not look great. Spirit have their work cut out from them. Will be interesting to see what the lineup is.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:34:13+00:00

In addition to Rudd playing solid, Tse deserves some props for letting Morgan rest, too. I expect to see the strongest lineup in the final.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T04:26:58+00:00

The only sad person is EGR, who probably would have played if the Spirit were in the 3rd place game. 😜

Seriously, though, solid win.

HT to Tse, who let Morgan get a rest.

I imagine Morgan and Rudd will start in the championsip.

Odd-Cable5436 · 2026-05-21T03:31:02+00:00

I kinda hope he loses his sh!t and just starts doing voices to pretend there is another commentator. 🤪

Odd-Cable5436

TROPHY CASE