So she's not playing pro level?
I'm fully supportive of her dreams, her path, and her parents sacrifices. I do hope she plays up to the pro level soon but I agree with Canada's soccer critique. A 15 year old playing pro should make an impact on a team, not only from a lucky free kick. She is very poised and I'm proud of her for that. I don't think she's playing up to the level of the other players on the field during matches, which then indicates she's there for Nike's and Portland's publicity sake and not to improve the women's soccer game. Here's hoping this will change with a few more games of experience but I've watched some of those YNT games OM participated in and it's very similar to this performance.
It's starting to look like a publicity stunt. At first, I was hoping it was based on merit but it doesn't appear that way based on her current performances. All the young boys who come on the field and play in pro leagues, they are always impact players. They aren't just put in the field because they are young and can hang. When you're young, you lack experience but can make up for it with excessive speed and skills above and beyond other current players on the field. I'm not seeing it there for OM. If she was a college freshman, would Portland have chosen to pick her up in the draft? Or did they only do it for the publicity because she's a 15 year old?
Bo was #1. I do remember Shea Cotton getting GOAT when he balled at Mater Dei. When he was 15, they called him a man child and the next great one.
This is how you will find out the truth. Put cash on the line and the coaches job. Tell the coaches of both teams the following: Coaches, the winner of this one game will get $500,000 cash bonus. The loser will get fired. This will 100% get you the truth. I asked old dd coach about this very topic when my player balled 24/7 back in the day. I was super suspicious of moves dude would make. Anyway, I asked him what his real starting line up would be of the two age groups he was coaching if the winning coach got $25K bonus for each victory and $100,000 bonus for GDA champ. He told me what the line up would be and my dd made the cut, playing up. However, because of the pay per play model, he had to make the owners happy and all the parents happy and that in of itself is harder for a coach then just tryin to win the damn game. Does that make sense?
GK guess wrong and that is not about luck. For a 15 year old playing with olders, that was a hell of a kick. It had good spin and it went in. She had a great cross for assist too.
I watched LAG play this weekend. Last 10-15 mins they put in an 18 and 19 yr old. They each played similarly to OM. Held their own but showed their physical immaturity from time to time (bodied off the ball, pace not as high, etc).
I don't think it's a conspiracy but I do think they are trying to get her involved as much as they can because they chose to bring her on to their team, which I think is great if she develops into an impact player. I'm still routing for her to continue her development and turn into the player Nike and Thorns are hoping she can become.
An 18 or 19 old. Really. Try again. If we are going to compare male to female counterparts. Is she Rooney, Ronaldo, Mbappe?
Yes, that's how the PR machine wants you to review her play and potential. "She's doing all this at 15, just wait till she's 21!" It kinda makes an excuse for mediocre play -- oh, but she's only 15. And when she has a moment of success it's headline grabbing -- 15 year old does this!
This is what I'm getting at. It's not that I think she played terribly for a 15 year old. She was great for a 15 year old.
So in your opinion a goal and an assist is a poor showing? Ok, is your expert opinion based on your extensive Coaching career or your long playing career at the collegiate and professional levels?
When I see it consistently during the run of play I will happily sing her praises. Right now all that can be fairly stated is that she has a good set piece/corner kick.
