Time for the Thorns to go all in?! Morgan Weaver is back and Nina Nijstad opens her NWSL goal account

Welcome back to the Rose City Breakdown!

Podcast co-hosts Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) and Melina Gaspar recap the Portland Thorns 4-1 road win at Orlando Pride where they conquered many downward trends including: holding leads, conceding late, and open play goals.

Head Coach Robert Vilahamn also addressed the trends, bravery, and getting accustomed to the expectations of PTFC. He has been consistent and open with the media throughout his first season and that continued here.

Morgan Weaver scored for the first time in 687 days (November 1, 2024), but how underrated is she as a leader? The duo discuss the team meeting she set and getting her confidence back.

Midfielder Nina Nijstad continues to blossom and finally registered her first NWSL goal. A special moment for the Netherlands international who has been open about the difficulty being so far away from home. The coaches have raved about her since her arrival in the Rose City and she continues to flourish in midfield. What makes her a seamless fit? We share our thoughts on her ascension and growth alongside Jessie Fleming.

USWNT superstar Sophia Wilson continues to come up big-time in attack and chipped with three goal contributions. Although she still hasn't found the goal in the run of play, Wilson has found other ways to be a playmaker.

After an early yellow card, Jayden Perry managed to stay in the match and with Carolyn Calzada in tandem, they defended Barbra Banda and the rest of the attack quite well.

Under interim head coach Yolanda Thomas, Orlando were particularly sharp towards the end of the first half and at the start of the second half, but the team seemed to run out of steam towards the end.

Nonetheless, it was a performance that PTFC desperately needed, ending a three-match winless streak and defeating many other recent road bumps on the way.

We also preview the Houston Dash and why the team cannot suffer another letdown similar to Chicago Stars.

With Portland back in the top four, is it time for President of Soccer Operations and General Manger Jeff Agoos to push all his chips in the middle and go all-in? If they want to host a home playoff match...

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