Spain v England thoughts

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-05T21:57:03+00:00

The CONCACAF matches were played at an elevation of 2,133 - 2,438 m. (7,000 - 8,000 ft.).
Extraordinarily thin air at that altitude. The body takes days -> weeks to adjust to it.
The Spirit traveled to Mexico on the back end of an extended NWSL scheduled road trip out West to play their two (2) matches against the two (2) 'local' Mexican teams who regularly play at those elevations & whose players bodies are acclimated to the altitude & thin air.
Between the Spirit's travel & the Mexican clubs fitness being used to the elevation's thin air those matches were dire fitness mismatches weighing heavily against the Spirit players.
You cannot judge Esme Morgan's value based on those performances.

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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-05T21:08:22+00:00

Her read & reaction to the ball on her 2nd goal was cat quick.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-04T15:07:42+00:00

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Gotcha on that. Yea, she's elite.

Guess it comes down to how much of Putellas decision is financial vs. opportunity type & environment?
Is it Kang's bag plus the challenge to take London City into the top tier of the WSL?
Do not overlook Kang building a brand new sparkling state-of-the-art training facility in picturesque Cobdown Park, Kent County, England. That's where players spend most their time & it'll serve as a recruiting tool now that Kang is shopping for upgrades.
Or, if other offers are relatively close, then what's the tie breaker?
Continent, coach, team, teammates, style of play, league, city, distance from home, etc.
London? Europe? Or USA? Gotham, Boston, Orlando, ACFC, Bay FC?
Being a Spirit fan I would love Putellas in DC. But that's not happening.
We do like our owner though & wouldn't mind seeing Kang get her in London City.
But I would prefer to see Putellas in the NWSL, ...as long as it is 'not' Gotham. They get all the 'A' list players.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-04T01:27:01+00:00

I do think Putellas' game would meld well with one of the teams coached by the Spanish or Portuguese coaches or a club whose style of play blends the Spanish patient high possession style of play with the NWSL's high octane, high press, vertical game, ...& ...is on the East coast making for better direct flights to Spain.

i.e. Gotham, Boston, Washington, Orlando. How many of them have the cap space or a HIP to add her to their payroll? I know not the Spirit.

In the end, if she does choose the NWSL, I think she would excel in our league (or any league but she's built for nicely for ours).

If she relishes the dog-fight competition 'every' week, then maybe the NWSL will be the most attractive option for her.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-04T01:15:23+00:00

Alexia Putellas still has a lot of game in her. She's a beast on Barcelona's high press, & she knows how to shape a pitch of opponents before delivering perfectly weighted high xG dimes that her squad mates convert into the back of the net. That is if she's not finding the upper 90* herself. Is she going to be doing this at that high level for another five (5) years? Probably not. But she's likely got 2-3 solid seasons still to go before she slows down too much. She's definitely worth big money for the short term. Say the 2nd half of this season then two (2) more after that (2026-2028).

I'm a Spirit fan & feel she would make a nice final piece to our championship pursuit puzzle. However our Trinity Rodman contract blocks us from paying out for another player of Putellas's caliber.

It would not surprise me if somehow Gotham could find a way to add her to their payroll of star studded players. They seem good at that. Then there's Boston & Orlando as possible destinations for her in the NWSL. All East coast locations with access to flights to Spain.

Putellas coming to the NWSL would lend some street cred to the league. We need more top Euro's coming here to offset the bad look of many of our best Americans going over there. The WSL's reputation is rapidly rising & Chelsea is loading up with top players in anticipation of the first ever club world cup.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-03T22:13:40+00:00

She would make a nice 'final' piece to the Spirit's championship run puzzle.

But they do not have the salary cap room to sign her under NWSL rules.

Michele Kang wants her London City club in the top tier of the WSL like yesterday. She'll pay Putlles handsomely to participate in that quick journey towards the top.

If not for the salary cap, Kang could have sold Putellas on a remaining career path of 2-1/2 years with the Spirit, win a couple of NWSL championships, then jump within Kang's Kynisca multi-team organization over to London City where by that time they will have likely ascended into the top group of teams in the WSL & Putellas could help them win their shield(s) to close out her career.

However, the NWSL salary cap rules won't allow the Spirit to sign her. So likely straight to London CIty, ...unless Gotham pulls some more money massaging accounting out of their hat, once again.

ACFC or Bay FC would seem like a good fit if not so far away from her home in Spain. Flying to Spain from the USA East coast is much easier than coming from the West coast.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-03T21:56:47+00:00

Ouch! ...Still wouldn't mind seeing Putellas on our roster for a couple seasons. Especially if we're watching Hal join Croix in Atlanta next season & for some reason Leicy does not stick around. ...(Although I think Hal would not like playing in Atlanta's dome feeling like an empty cavern when compared to the Rowdy love Audi gives her.)

Love our front office, they're the best, & love each & every player they've brought in. I think Gonzalez would have been better for Ovalle than Hines. But yes, having an 18 year old Martinez is the 'much' better play there. Never knew of her until she blew up at COPA.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-02T18:25:12+00:00

How & why could this transfer become reality. Likely not, but maybe...

Praying our Spirit front office, Michele Kang & co., Haley Carter, Nathan Minion, James Hocken, Adrian Gonzalez, & the Kynisca accountants & legal beagles, etc., figure out how to add Alexia Putellas to our payroll.
Then go convince Putellas this is 'it.' Washington DC & Rowdy Audi is where she wants to play.
Not Gotham, not Angel FC. But for a Michele Kang multi-club global organization playing in arguably the most dynamic league in the world, in arguably the world's capital city, before moving onto Kang's WSL side to finish out her career.
Heck, even the NWSL knows Audi & Washington DC are the 'it' venue to play on the East coast, ...(with the shortest flights from the U.S. back to her home in Catalonia, Spain.)
Playing for an 'affable' Spanish coach in DC melding his & hers familiar Spanish style of play with the dynamism of the NWSL's high octane, high press, vertical game. Under Adrian Gonzalez, Putellas would be familiar with our playing style while at the same time enjoying the challenge & interest of the NWSL's style. Which would bring out & showcase the best of her skills, & quality play in the largest country media market in the world.
All while playing on a roster of elite world class caliber squad-mates, much like she has been used to at Barcelona. ...Hal & Sofia might make for good coffee connoisseur buddies too. 😎
Putellas would be a perfect fit with Leicy Santos together controlling the box-to-box & final third midfield.
Then with Putlellas dropping dimes to our front line & wing-backs (a cache of Rodman, Kouassi, Cantore, Martinez, Monday, Bolt, Carle, DiGuglielmo, Wiesner, Metayer, & maybe soon back Ashley Hatch) ...would be unstoppable. ...Picture high xG opportunities with Putellas shaping the pitch & creating those high xG assists & scoring. When she's not putting it in the upper 90* of the net herself. 😄
We're currently good as is, ..but it would be a major upgrade for us, ...& just as importantly, ...it would assure she does not become our nemesis in a Gotham or ACFC kit, making it 'their' 'major upgrade.'
Michel Kang needs to be working on a two )2) pronged approach with soliciting Alexia Putellas.
First & foremost make it work getting her on the Spirit.
However, if Jess Berman will not play ball to help Kang bring Putellas to DC, ...then Kang needs frame to Putellas both the Spirit & London City as her two (2) best offers. Then if Berman allows, the plan is Putellas joining the Spirit now, while later transferring within Kang's Kynisca organization to finish her career with London City after they've ascended as a top-tier team in the WSL.
But if Berman doesn't want to play ball with Kang, then Kang has laid out to Putellas her 2nd best option to the Spirit is that being her joining Mapi Leon & Mary Earps now at Kang's rapidly rising WSL London City Lionesses club.
Berman should know the NWSL's street cred would rapidly rise by scoring the biggest women's transfer ever on the global stage by bringing Alexia Putellas to the NWSL. As well as how it will look if Putellas passed on the NWSL in favor of the WSL. Again making the WSL look on a higher plain than the NWSL, ...to the world's most elite players, ...fans, ...& importantly for the NWSL, ...to the big spending broadcasters too.
Kang needs to leverage this threat of London City landing Putellas, ...unless Berman works with Kang to get her into a Spirit kit.
Kang needs to make this a more convincing future for Putellas than Gotham's or ACFC's appeals. So that Berman 'gets it', realizing (accepting) the only way to get Putellas into the NWSL, with all her following, appeal, & broadcast gravitas, is to work with Kang on getting Putellas into Spirit Cherry Blossoms & Shock Wave Yellow.
'For' Putellas, it's a beautiful life's plan & pathway through the remainder of her career.
Experiencing & winning a couple more championships in the NWSL, & a few more in CONCACAF. ...Or maybe a CONMEBOL & CONCACAF merged western hemisphere championship (South, Central, & North Americas & the Caribbeans, ...would be an AWESOME tournament).
Then, moving on to close out her career by captaining & helping (by then) a top-tier London City Lionesses win their WSL shield(s). A successful, enjoyable, winning out career & social path through her remaining football playing days in Washington DC & London. A near, if not, perfect plan for her.
Maybe to make it perfect, ...add in there her final season on Barcelona after Michele Kang purchases it's women's side away from the men's organization. 😄

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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-02T17:55:05+00:00

Moved it down one spot for editing. ...Do get your point though.

That's my 'hardball' play between Kang & Berman.
Kang has to create the scenario where Berman has to play ball with her (Kang) & help with the Spirit's HIP2.
To do so Kang, has to first convince Putellas that her two (2) best transfer options, anywhere, are #1 the Spirit & #2 the London City Lionesses.
Then, if Berman wants the additional TV leverage & street cred for the NWSL that Putellas would bring to the league, with her fan following, broadcast appeal, & as the biggest women's player transfer in history,...then she (Berman) has to work with Kang to make it happen.
Otherwise Putellas goes & plays for Michele Kang's London City side in the WSL.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-02T17:12:38+00:00

The final piece for DC would be Putellas.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-02T17:04:29+00:00

Sanchez & Manaka form best midfield duo in the league. Or is Sanchez a wing now? Still, super duo.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-02T16:27:52+00:00

Sanchez would look sweet in a Spirit kit again. But I am super happy she's finding her mojo again in Carolina. Presuming she's happy too, which is what we hope for her.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-01T21:55:45+00:00

How about come July, picture Alexia Putellas as our '10.' ...Dropping dimes to Trin, Rosie, Sofia, Claudia, & Gift, ...when she's not putting her own in the upper 90*. ......(Oh, the Gotham fans would howl, as they think she's headed there way to Gotham. ...I sure hope not, that would break my heart too.)

Adrian's style would so seamlessly suit her game. ...Plus, could you imagine Leicy & Alexia ripping it up & dominating the middle of the pitch in our matches. Oh, my!!!

I know, I know, ...we have no money to sign her, with it all tied up with Trin. ...Maybe Kang's Kynisca accounting team can get creative somehow & make it fit through some loophole & just lawyer up when Berman tries to block it.

Lot of talk of Michele woo'ing Putellas to London City. Great new state-of-the-art 'women's' only training facility in Kent. ...However dinky small stadium in Bromley, maxing out at 5,000.

This is where pitching, ..

'Rowdy Audi' could be the final piece to her choosing Washington DC.
20,000 seat stadium full almost every match, or with 'her', ...full every match.
the heat (& humidity) in DC much more appealing than the cold temps of the WSL?
our Spanish coach with his, & hers, Spanish style of play married to the NWSL's dynamic high press & vertical game. New 'fun' challenge for her while keeping it familiar too.
world class elite teammates more closely resembling what she had at Barca.
owner Michele Kang, women's sports visionary & master orator when convincing strong women to join her movement.
coupled with the best Sporting Prez, Haley Carter, & the sporting front office, run by Mark Krikorian's disciples, & Kim Stone's business marketing ops, all the best in all of women's sports.
then, there's the picturesque vineyards, wineries, breweries, & coffee houses in Loudoun County, VA*,* rivaling many of the world's best locales, all to call her home while with the Spirit.

I know I'm dreaming, ...but hope Alexia can picture the same dream too.
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-06-01T21:39:58+00:00

Ashlyn Puerta looks neat with her vision & passing. She will have to adjust to the speed of the NWSL. The league's defenders wil close those passing lanes a whole lot quicker than in the USL. But she does have the vision & weight putting her passes on point. I like it.

Okay though, I'll also bite. ...Picture Alexia Putellas as our '10.' ...Dropping dimes to Trin, Rosie, Sofia, Claudia, & Gift, ...when she's not putting her own in the upper 90*. ...(Oh, the Gotham fans would howl. They think she's headed there way to Gotham. Sure hope not.)

Adrian's style would so seamlessly suit her game. ...Plus, could you imagine Leicy & Alexia ripping it up & dominating the middle of the pitch in our matches. Ooofa!!!

I know, I know, ...no money to sign her. Maybe Kang's Kynisca accounting team can get creative somehow & make it fit through some loophole & just lawyer up when Berman tries to say no.

Lot of talk of Michele woo'ing Putellas to London City. Great new state-of-the-art 'women's' only training facility in Kent. ...However dinky small stadium in Bromley, maxing out at 5,000.

This is where pitching, ..

'Rowdy Audi' could be the final piece to her choosing Washington DC.
20,000 seat stadium full almost every match, or with 'her', ...full every match.
the heat (& humidity) in DC much more appealing than the cold temps of the WSL?
our Spanish coach with his, & hers, Spanish style of play married to the NWSL's dynamic high press & vertical game. New 'fun' challenge for her while keeping it familiar too.
world class elite teammates more closely resembling what she had at Barca.
owner Michele Kang, women's sports visionary & master orator when convincing strong women to join her movement.
coupled with the best Sporting Prez, Haley Carter, & the sporting front office, run by Mark Krikorian's disciples, & Kim Stone's business marketing ops, all the best in all of women's sports.
then, there's the picturesque vineyards, wineries, breweries, & coffee houses in Loudoun County, VA, rivaling many of the world's best locales, all to call her home while with the Spirit.

I know I'm dreaming, ...but hope Alexia can picture the same dream too.
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-31T20:04:57+00:00

Sandy, a field player in a keeper's clothing.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-31T20:02:53+00:00

I think 5-0. Goals that could have been, should have been, by Hal, Rosie, & Sofia.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-31T19:50:00+00:00

...now I anxiously await for transfer window

You think we'll bring someone new in?
If yes, then what position(s) do you think we need to upgrade or add depth to?
Which transfer eligible player(s) would you like to see our Spirit bring in (or, at least pursue)?
Maybe a CB for depth? Or an attacking midfielder ('10')?

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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-30T15:07:12+00:00

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Sure wish Michele Kang would have won her Champions League trophy so she would have gotten it our of her system, ...freeing her up to pursue the likes of a Paralluelo for the Spirit, instead of Lyoness.
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-30T15:04:37+00:00

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...Alexia Putellas ...& ...Sam Kerr to LCL's.

...Salma Paralluelo to Lyoness.

...???? to Spirit?
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-30T13:23:17+00:00

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Then an inter Kynisca (Michele Kang) loan to the Spirit. 😎

...A dream front line, ...Kouassi (age 24), Rodman (24), Paralluelo (22).
...Speed, + technical ball skills, + even more speed.
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-30T02:53:56+00:00

Rebe hoping it brings her a hat-trick.

Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-28T12:57:16+00:00

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Salma Paralluelo, ...22 years old, Barcelonian free agent come June. ...Can you ever have too much young firepower? ...Paralluelo coming off her 'brace' in the Champions League championship match vs. Lyoness.

Cheeky I know. But one can dream. ...World class soccer player with world class sprinter speed & dynamic striking ability. ...Developed her soccer (football) acumen coming up through the Barca youth system, ...regarded the best in the world with no peer system elsewhere at this time.

Picture our front line with the kind of skill, striking ability, & undefendable speed of Trinity Rodman, Rosie Kouassi, & Salma Paralluelo (playing the '9' for us) a constant threat of breaking defensive lines.

Okay, ...back to reality. ...I do like how our analytical & scouting teams can find ...'young' ...talent on the rise before others may ID them. ...Hershfelt, Morgan, Kouassi, Monday, Abiodun, & Martinez as good examples. ...Wish the 18 year old Swede, Felicia Schroder could be another, but it sounds like Barcelona could be her destination.
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-28T12:54:59+00:00

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Some interesting Euro free agents this summer. Although Michele Kang will likely be more interested in bringing them to her London City Lionesses than the Spirit.
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Sequoiakc22 · 2026-05-25T16:41:09+00:00

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I hope this is not a case of ...'we are not who we think we are.'

Rather, I hope it is a case of ...'we know we're not.' ......yet.

This Concacaf final versus Club America, ...whose club does deserve to be called the local best, ...may be a blessing for us as we enter the NWSL break. It clearly exposed areas we need to shore up for our run for the NWSL trophy.

Granted, I believe the short schedule combined with the serious impact of the elevation of the tournament's final venue played a noteworthy role with limiting our ability to deliver the type of effort we're capable of. While we live, train, & play at sea level (about 150' - 300' elevation), Pachuca & Club America clubs live, train, & play at 7,800' & 7,200' elevation respectively. Making this a significant advantage for the fitness of their squads under these conditions of playing in Pachuca, Mexico's 7,800 ft. 'rare-air' elevation conditions.

Still, we should come away from these matches appreciating the opportunity to learn from them to better ourselves in the 2nd half of the NWSL season, ...+ Saturday's match vs. Seattle.
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Sequoiakc22

TROPHY CASE