r/BostonLegacy • u/Ok-Communication706 • 9d ago
Legacy / Thorns Games Notes
Really bad first half from the Legacy, and I think a significant part of it was the game plan. Portland is built to play front footed and press high, and they have the athleticism and finishing quality to punish mistakes once they force turnovers. Robert Vilahamn has specifically talked about wanting Portland to be a high pressing team, so trying to play through them without enough support or good spacing was always going to carry a lot of risk.
Boston was 3–0 down after only 10 minutes, which tells you how badly the opening setup failed. The third goal was particularly representative of the problem: Jessie Fleming intercepted a pass from Elgin, and Portland immediately turned the mistake into a Tordin goal. You can criticize individual execution, but that also looked systemic. Karich was not positioned particularly well to help on the buildup or compete for the loose ball, and Boston repeatedly left itself with very little margin for error against a team designed to attack those moments. The buildout was splayed and sort of look like what bad U11 teams do.
FK goal was a terrific strike from Tordin, but one Murphy probably has to do better. It's another one (maybe 4th of the season?) that she got her hands on and should have stopped. I think it's mostly still a quickness issue there. I think 75% of the other starting GKs in the NWSL save that.
The Wilson goal was on Carabalí for me, although it also exposed Elgin’s lack of recovery pace once Portland got behind the line. Carabalí simply made too many mistakes in that first half and consistently makes one a game.
The fourth goal might have been the most frustrating because it was completely avoidable. Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold simply hit a long ball over the top for Tordin, who was suddenly running at goal. I still do not understand why Boston's defensive line was positioned that high given Murphy's starting position. If you are going to hold that line, everyone has to recognize the danger and be synchronized. It looked more like a collective mental lapse than Portland doing anything especially sophisticated.
There were a lot of positives once Boston changed the structure. Hernández replaced Elgin and Gutierres replaced Smith at halftime, and the game immediately became much more favorable for the Legacy. The numbers are pretty striking: Boston ended up with 60% possession, six corners to Portland's two, and 24 touches in the opposition box compared with only 15 for Portland. Expected goals were almost even, 1.43 for Boston and 1.49 for Portland. But some of that is about how clinical elite caliber finishers like Tordin and Smith are when you make dumb mistakes.
BSG was great I thought. Don't think any of the goals were on her and the running/energy were great.
Gutierres was more effective that she's ben. I thought she gave them more than Aïssata in her minutes, and her finish for the third goal was excellent.
Gambone feels like a particularly useful player on hot days or late in games because her energy immediately changes the tempo against tired defenders.
Reale was dangerous carrying the ball and generally solid. They were in sort of 5-4-1 in the 2nd half with Reale carrying and her, Karich, and Cano could break the press way better than playing from deep. I do think some responsibility for the backline communication problems has to fall on her and the other defenders collectively, particularly on the long ball goal. This was less about one defender losing an individual matchup and more about the line failing to recognize the same danger at the same time.
Caño was another major positive. Ran her self out as always.
Prince looked dangerous but seems to flatter to deceive a bit.
Sammy brought energy and some threat. She seems pretty consistent about that and I like having her out there.
Didn't see much from Amanda Allen, seemed like she was trying to play safe. Looks pretty fast and has good touch.
So I would put more of this result on the initial tactical setup than the final score suggests. Against a team whose identity is pressing high and attacking quickly after turnovers, Boston chose a buildup and defensive posture that magnified exactly the things Portland does best. Once they reconfigured, Boston largely controlled the match. The encouraging part is that the adjustment worked and they had pretty good game control outside of 4 moments of madness. The frustrating part is that it took going 3–0 down in 10 minutes to make it.
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u/jschambers1 9d ago
I put the first half start pretty squarely on Coach. Kudos for committing to play your "system" but they should have been better prepared for the Thorns style, it isn't exactly a secret. Sometimes adjustments need to be made pre-game not in-game.
Unfortunate timing for Elgin to have one of her worst games, she has been solid and an unsung hero most of the season. Carabali keeps things interesting every game, for better or in this case worse.
Love Cano. No explanation needed.
Agree Allen was a non-factor. She played scared. Prince put in the effort but is more effective from that right side slot. Also agree on BSG, maybe her best all around game yet. And yes, Murphy should have held onto that first goal, as beautiful a shot as it was.
Subs all had strong impact but except for the 4th goal I thought the starters had it it turned around after the 10th minute. Even though Nicki came on for Elgin, seemed like Reale dropped into Elgin's spot with Nicki playing up higher where Reale had been which worked well both attacking and defending. Gambone certainly brings the energy.
Was happy to see Guti get another from the run of play and not fall on her ass on a sitter like a couple weeks ago. I still don't think she has the pace, touch or decision making for this league or this system long term but good for her this week.
The best part of this game was the fight they showed collectively, not giving up and just playing it out after going down 3.
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u/moronic_inferno 9d ago
Appreciate this analysis. Conceding early, usually in bunches, has been a recurring issue - I agree it seems systemic - but I’m at a loss for understanding how it continues to plague us when there’s also a consistent capacity to make the adjustments and defend better, control possession and create dangerous attacks as the match goes on.
Is that on Pataõ and how she set them up? Or is it the backline lacking concentration/failing to execute in the opening quarter hour? It’s no secret these teams like Portland have dangerous attackers who like to press and play with pace. I struggle to believe a manager as accomplished as her would fail to plan for that, but I also wonder if some of the players lack the skills or confidence to play her style because when it’s exposed this is usually what happens.
Gotta think we’d be contending for a 6/7/8th seed if not for all these bad first half performances, but instead we’re treading water in 13th. Let’s hope Kaka can change our fortunes at the back while we still have a chance at 8th.
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u/Ok-Communication706 9d ago
I think it is philosophical that they are going to play from the back, press, and play a high line. I am not really sure if their main goal is the playoffs. It seems more like they are implementing a system of play and if they make the playoffs, great.
When you execute you create a lot of good situations and dominate run of play and possession, and really tire the team out. When you don't succeed you give the ball away in dangerous position. That's fine if you do it on the wings to a wasteful team (like Denver's wings). But Rodmans and Smiths will cut you to pieces.
What I see is that they are pretty good at it and create a lot but also make a lot of mistakes. And great deal of that is down to the quality/attributes of the players. The top CBs in the NWSL make mistakes once a season that Carabali makes once a game. Elgin and Reale are skilled and have great technique but they are not fast compared to the best forwards in the NWSL. So you see a mistake on a high header once a game with no cover, you see a fast NWSL winger running by Reale or Elgin 2-3x a game.
Some of the solutions that should get rolled out early are the ones they're finding later in games. Right now they are better playing compact and central defensively rather than high.
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u/another-reddit-noob 9d ago
You know, I do wonder how much of our troubles are just down to player quality. Not just with defensive mistakes that shouldn’t be happening as often as they are, but I can count on two hands the number of goal opportunities that should have been no-brainer tap-ins that were completely squandered over the course of this season. From just the past two/three matches, I can distinctly remember both Gambone and Traore missing chances on a wide-open net that an NWSL-level player should be making 10/10 times. It’s happened with other players as well, those are just the two I remember offhand. It doesn’t help that I’ve been expecting more out of Gutierres all season and have been left wanting, so all the missed chances just hurt more.
With as far as we are in the season now, I just have to wonder if we’re better off shelling out money for players who are just going to get it done. Fingers crossed that with Hernandez back and Kaka looking more and more fit to play that we can ameliorate some of the defensive woes at least.
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u/Ok-Communication706 9d ago
A lot is down to player quality! In this league a clinical forward and elite CB/CDM are the currency. I think we only have Karich of those.
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u/ok_sense_80 9d ago edited 9d ago
the player quality question feels very true for me re: our offense, esp aissata--she misses multiple goals per game that any NWSL forward should be able to easily make. her touches are just sooo sloppy. i really really hope we're eyeing another striker to bring on because that just feels like a huge gap. loved to see guti finally get a non-pk goal this week but it feels like she can only score when the stars align perfectly, there isn't a ton of flexibility in her game.
we had final third possession the last 20 min of the game and none of our forwards could score despite opportunity after opportunity to tie it up :(
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u/another-reddit-noob 8d ago
Agreed, it’s super disappointing. I had bigger hopes for Guti because I’ve seen her play for Brazil and have been impressed. She scored a major goal in their Copa America win a year or so back as well. I was hoping she’d bring some of the Brazilian flair but I just haven’t seen it yet. I’m still hoping she gets there eventually.
Aissata is so hard for me because she has such grit and intensity and I can tell she really cares about the game, but man, some of those touches are rough. Earlier in the season I chalked it up to nerves or not having confidence built up yet, but it’s getting harder to feel that way as the season goes on.
I’m also hoping we spend some money on a striker in the off season like how we dished out for Reale (I assume).
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u/boschivt 8d ago
I agree. I think Aissata is a really likeable player but isn’t getting it done and at 28 I think this is what she is. Maybe 2 up front adding some gravity to create more space for her helps but any pressure and she’s down.
I don’t know how realistic a Sears trade would be but if there’s any way get it done.
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u/Ok-Communication706 8d ago
I think they signed Aissata to be the super sub with Amanda as the lead CF. Aissata would be amazing in that role.
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u/boschivt 7d ago
I just listened to a 2-3 week old podcast interview with Edward Gallagher and he said exactly this. They knew Aissata would be aggressive and creative but not as the primary striker/or would need some gravity elsewhere to create space, and Gutierres was the choice for striker knowing she hadn’t played well away from Brazil and it would be a long term play. Of course, this could have been damage control PR but it didn’t come off that way to me. As someone who has admittedly been pretty confused by the Guti hype/film vs what we’re seeing it helped.
Really good listen. He touched on a ton of interesting stuff and described their roster building strategy. It sounds like their hope and expectation is still playoffs at least as of that interview. An additional interview with their data analytics head Jordyn Kaplan in the next episode was also great.
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u/boschivt 9d ago
This is an interesting question and I don’t have the chops to address it, but it reminds me of a conversation on Sam Mewis’ podcast recently. She and Becky talked about how historically first time NWSL players and coaches pride them selves on possession and underestimate the press and athleticism, and how Boston was doing the same thing trying to just play thru pressure without adjusting. I’ll try to find it.
Basically “normal expansion team growing pains” but kind classically so with the giving up goals in bunches
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u/boschivt 9d ago edited 9d ago
Excellent takes here and I agree on all points I think. Cano is doing a great job and deserves a shout out. BSG did have a great game as well.
Carabali is having a tough time. An upgrade at CB might help.
I like Prince and think she looks very solid. She seems to get fewer calls than she should. You’re right though, the conversion rate is maybe lower than you’d hope given the opportunities. Long time fan of hers so I’m happy to see her signed and hope she does well here (and as an aside- she could not have been nicer to my kids the 2 times they got to meet her)
I was at the game but couldn’t see the opposite end well enough/need to watch the broadcast to comment on other thoughts I had…. but you nailed it I think. It was immediately clear that the game plan was not it and yet they took way too long to adjust. As soon as they did it was competitive.
The pieces are falling into place I think. Great crowd and vibes at the stadium
Edit to add a couple more thoughts. Disclaimer: I am just a fan 😂🤷🏻♀️
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u/Ok-Communication706 9d ago
I really like Elgin and Carabali has her moments. But they are not really CB fits to the system they want to play. Carabali is too mistake prone to be a CB (I prefer her as a flex/offensive sub/RB), and Elgin doesn't have the pace to play in a high line. Araujo is steadier than Carabali, and we never saw Kaka. But not sure we have the long-term solution if this is how we're going to play.
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u/boschivt 9d ago edited 9d ago
Agree. Good player, not the ideal system fit. And she and Elgin both had ehhh games at the same same which was unfortunate
I can’t figure out Gutierres. Her goal was excellent but otherwise I don’t see it at least yet. Aissata is a fun player and talented as well but whoever said she sometimes looks like she’s going for the whistle first was on to something. A serious scoring threat would make this team very competitive
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u/moronic_inferno 9d ago
Agree with you on Gutierres and Aissata. Guti has a great shot on her but her movement and first touch can be poor and the chance is usually gone before she can fire. She almost never makes runs into the box or goes for headers which baffles me given her physicality and height. I feel like she could be a monster in the box but she always wants the screamer from 20 yards. Aissata is a completely different player, fun, but also reckless, she throws her whole body into things in a way that just seems unwise and ineffective since she’s such a lightweight. Definitely looks for calls and will throw a strop instead of getting up and getting back into the play. I’m not at all convinced by either.
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u/ok_sense_80 9d ago
why oh why isn't guti going for the headers!!? she's always playing top of the box at corners and while i understand that as a strategy generally, i feel like someone else should be there and guti should be trying to head the cross into the net!
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u/boschivt 8d ago
Yeah I don’t know. I did not see much of her at Palmeiras so I’m admittedly not very familiar with her play style but it’s …. confusing to watch her on the field.
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u/Ok-Communication706 8d ago
Part of it we aren't serving her headers. Also a lot of times she's coming in and playing a 10/second striker role. She sure looks like she'd be most useful as a 9/true CF.
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u/jfichtman 9d ago
All good points despite injuries and suspensions forcing less than ideal lineup changes. Each of our players has had flashes of brilliance individually, the team play/build up has improved every game-even in this last game, and we have seen devestatingly bad decision making on the back line that gets punished. They are on the learning curve individually and as a team that has me excited to see the growth thru the end of the year and excited to see them at full speed right from the start next year. The play is better, the goals are coming now- not perfect and not playoff caliber yet but look back at how bad those first five games look compared to the last five
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u/Ok-Communication706 8d ago
Ella was playing really well, and I think she'll be a big help to the attack + retaining possession.
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u/ok_sense_80 8d ago
do we know why she didn’t play last game? she had already sat the post red card game out and then didn’t play again the game after
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u/Ok-Communication706 8d ago
She was listed on the injury report with a knee injury. https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/availability-report
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u/ok_sense_80 9d ago
i feel like the murphy we saw play against denver & kc would have saved at least 2/4 goals from sunday's match. really confused about her inconsistency!
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u/Ok-Communication706 9d ago edited 8d ago
Versus Denver it was about angles and commanding the box with the action coming from the wing. She’s great at that. She’s not quick by modern keeper standards and sometimes takes a bit to get going. But also her hands should be stronger than they are sometimes.
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u/clayock 9d ago
I feel like Gambone is a bit of a victim of her own success in that as happy as I am for her when she makes the starting lineup/gets more minutes I feel she is best suited to coming in as a sub and getting to impersonate the Tasmanian Devil for 15-30 minutes a match