John Brewer, Jr.

Going 3-back to get more bodies into attack zone was a good idea, but it assumes your wing MFs are going to do their defensive jobs. Fory on first 2 and Antony on third did not do their jobs. It’s just that simple. If you don’t want it bad enough to work for it, you don’t go forward. #rctid

It may seem a bit hair-on-fire, but our defense is doing an outstanding job of supporting a full-on attack effort. #rctid

Fory had better get his head straight on getting into recovery or we’ll be down 3 soon…#rctid

Fory has put on a master class on how to NOT defend the wing in a 3-back setup. Gets beat ball watching on first goal, gets beat not busting back to cover far post on second goal. Those are high school-level defending mistakes. #rctid

Physical evidence of a highly livable city

It goes even beyond that. She is the new prototype NWSL MF: aggressive on ball and off in attack and central zones. She’s Kevin de Bruyne and Steven Gerrard; WNT can build a side around her. #baonpdx @uswnt.ussoccer.com

That was impressive. At the hour mark, SAN was in charge of the match. Thorns used speed and technical skill to assert a bit of counterattack paired with pressure on ball after turnover to seize momentum. That’s what champions do. #baonpdx

Look at the work rate right now at both ends - Thorns can taste victory. #baonpdx

Now Thorns have shifted defensive style to heavy pressure on wide balls. Smart - the easiest way to get hurt right now is to let crosses into 18 from wide. #baonpdx

Thorns are defending intelligently in final minutes, less 1v1 aggression, more focus on pressuring the passing lanes. #baonpdx

In extra time, Thorns have upped their level of aggression and suddenly have SAN on back foot. Sign of a champion: finds the next gear when it’s needed. #baonpdx

Sophie is such a beast. Takes contact at full speed inside 18, yet uses an excellent touch to get free and another excellent touch to drop a dime on far post. Pure quality. #baonpdx

You know, above-the-waist contact, I’m good. But that was lower legs. Tough call to make, it basically ends the match, but that’s the game. #baonpdx

Coffey deserves the PK. She was playing ball and taken down by defender who wasn’t playing ball. An officiating gift for SAN. I get it, but an official needs to avoid such direct impact on a match. #baonpdx

A defender’s worst nightmare: Olivia Moultrie on the ball in space, driving. She gets those shoulders up and over the ball a la Gerrard and nothing but bad is going to happen for the defense. #baonpdx

Indeed. One of the stylistic similarities between SAN’s men’s and women’s sides is they go down easy, stay down, and whine far too much at the official for a quality side. #baonpdx

That was close. Caught the top of her arm, on the sleeve. Would have been harsh to give in this match as this point, but there are plenty of officials lacking the common sense to play on. #baonpdx

Hiatt saw the SAN attacker was a bit over her ski tips on that run and saw she had a free chance to lay a bit of stick on the attacker. Completely legit, and you could see she enjoyed the opportunity. #baonpdx

For me, Moultrie is the women’s version of Steven Gerrard - she is positive aggression in all aspects of her play, and she can single-handedly control the middle third of the field. #baonpdx

The fun part of this match: SAN did their cruise-then-strike thing in Match 1, then PTFC used its speed to pressure a result in Match 2. The team that advances will be the one that best imposes its will. #rctid

@rosecityriveters.org @timbersarmy.org you people week after week set the standard for tifo in this country. No one else need apply. #rctid #baonpdx

Goodnight Seattle!! #rctid

I seem to remember Canadians setting Vancouver on fire after winning Stanley Cup…but, then again, it’s hockey in Canada, so thar explains it.

Chara’s intelligence makes him the smartest player in every match. MLS 6s simply don’t defend space and 1v1 as well as he does. #rctid

…but only one of them has an IQ over 85. And it ain’t the Orange One.

SAN is like the early years of LAFC: lots of technical talent, reasonable speed, but a bit soft between the ears. Whiny and divey. They will adjust tactics on Sat, probably transition over top more - our Achilles heel defending…#rctid

Pressure is a symbol of accomplishment…#rctid #baonpdx

SAN were clean as always on ball. We pressured them high, they didn’t have easy passing lanes up sidelines, and central MF isn’t capable of carrying ball thru transition when we are aggressive. I think Phil identified & exploited their weakness. Soft, slow SAN pitch is to their advantage. #rctid

I’m all on board for the “no commentary” option. Tell me what I need to do to support it. #rctid

Drew Fischer…if that was Chara he’d have gotten the second booking. @proreferees.bsky.social #rctid