Thorns 2014

What pilot ties?  

"What Pilot Ties"

My error...I was assuming when it said Portland that is was referring to the Pilots. Sometimes when I'm on a Thorns thread, I intermingle in my meager brain with other thoughts. My confusion stemmed from "In Scot and Steve, we have added two coaches with solid roots in the Portland soccer community. Their experience as former professional players and coaching within the Timbers and Thorns FC youth systems will serve them well in their new roles.”

I'll try to read closer before posting next time there is a two-Portland topic.

Tonight was the first preseason game down in Arizona and they beat UA 10-0. Guess they've improved a little since last year's preseason game at Merlo.

Some highlights from last night's games

http://www.rosecitysoccerpress.com/2014/thorns-vs-university-arizona-wildcats-match-center.html

According to Jamie Goldberg, Michelle Cruz is with the Thorns in Arizona.

Thorns 5-0 ASU today.

Michelle Cruz played the second half, so she is still fighting for a spot!

Here is an interview with Christine about the upcoming season for the Thorns.  Interesting that she says the new coach has her excited to play soccer again.  Unfortunate that the same bad announcer is back at the mic for the Thorns..

Christine

The Dash game was pretty tough game to watch. Portland may be missing players, but that was ugly. Hope that was players just getting nerves out of their system as I can't imagine any opponent that watches the tape of the game coming away feeling intimidated by what they saw.

Meanwhile, in Seattle...  

https://twitter.com/Ingridium/status/455900046135803904/photo/1

Megan appears to be a little exercised about something.

Saturday's Reign @ Thorns matched has been moved to 4 PM so as not to take the crowd away from the 7:30 Blazers game.  

I thought today's game lived up to its billing. There was plenty of action on both ends, both teams had plenty of good chances, and both keepers made some fantastic saves.

Thing is, the Thorns were giving the ball away pretty easily so a goal was probably going to happen at some point. It just happened at a really bad time. When the Thorns did string together some passes, though, they looked pretty good.

Having seen the KC match the match against Sky Blue and this one, the Thorns are definitely getting better. They actually had the reign on their heels and outshot them by about 50%. Corners were about even.

The rookie back line did a really nice job most of the game, and Tarr was an even match for Leroux, which surprised me.

Thorns are still missing 5 projected starters. ( reign missed Rapinoe and Kawasumi)

Last night was Thorns fans Appreciation night. I discovered that they were just catering to the young. My wife and I left early after we had been ignored by the players in the "meet and greet" after several efforts and I was actually knocked down to the artificial turf once when a kid ran through my hand where I was supporting myself with a cane. The kid never looked back. The "free" refreshments didn't refresh.
I don't think I will take them up on this offer next year.

Not a bad pre-game honor...  and what a game as the Thorns beat the Reign to claim a playoff spot!

If Portland and Seattle both win next weekend, does anyone think a Pilot Nation bus to Seattle is in order...or is the championship match required to be elsewhere?

The championship match would be at Starfire in Tukwila, not at Memorial. It seems they didn't reserve the larger stadium for the final.

So if you want to go, book your seats early, the place is smaller than Merlo.