Spirit Coach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He used racial slurs. It’s like you are defending him and don’t think he should have been fired.

like what? Karen?

From the Washington Post article:

“ McCullough also described a pattern of “racially insensitive” remarks by Burke, including an incident at a small preseason dinner when Burke used the n-word in front of her while trying to describe how he had defended his sister from racist abuse.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/11/richie-burke-nwsl-spirit-verbal-abuse/

Keep defending him though.

so he didn't call her it? here's a bit of advice: don't listen to young people. they throw that word EVERYWHERE

Here is some advice, if you are a white man, and in particular a white man in a position of authority, don’t ever use that word. Be smart enough to talk about something else.

..."Hey kids, this is the bad word and let me explain why we don't use it"

[Anonymous]

Listen, Marklars, Marklar needs to stop being so Marklar about this Marklar. Marklar gonna Marklar, but Marklar never going to grow Marklar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He used racial slurs. It’s like you are defending him and don’t think he should have been fired.

like what? Karen?

From the Washington Post article:

“ McCullough also described a pattern of “racially insensitive” remarks by Burke, including an incident at a small preseason dinner when Burke used the n-word in front of her while trying to describe how he had defended his sister from racist abuse.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/11/richie-burke-nwsl-spirit-verbal-abuse/

Keep defending him though.

so he didn't call her it? here's a bit of advice: don't listen to young people. they throw that word EVERYWHERE

He used it and doing so had consequences.

Here is some advice, if you are a white man, and in particular a white man in a position of authority, don’t ever use that word. Be smart enough to talk about something else.

..."Hey kids, this is the bad word and let me explain why we don't use it"

[Anonymous]

a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

Interesting. Thanks for the insight. I have been a bit confused by the fact that I've heard nothing but good things about Andi Sullivan as a teammate, and she and others have seemed happy playing for RB.

Since your are giving us an inside scoop, is Sanchez well liked by her teammates? Her play seems a bit . . . selfish.

[Anonymous]

"The Herrings said Burke also allowed the players to scream at each other, and that he created “a really weird dynamic, this power dynamic amongst the boys,” according to Kellie.

This would seem to be backed up by several former players of Burke’s who went on the Spirit’s instagram to praise Burke as a coach and declare that anyone who couldn’t handle his methods was “weak minded” and “soft.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

How does this explain the other former Spirit players in the article who supported her account?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

Interesting. Thanks for the insight. I have been a bit confused by the fact that I've heard nothing but good things about Andi Sullivan as a teammate, and she and others have seemed happy playing for RB.

Since your are giving us an inside scoop, is Sanchez well liked by her teammates? Her play seems a bit . . . selfish.

Sanchez is well liked. She is not selfish - just more comfortable with the ball on her feet than off the ball. Every level she has been successful and made things happen. What you're seeing is a young star who really believes in her ability to make miracles happen. All positive. When to release, when to carry is a challenging decision and takes volumes of reps to understand as a player. Last year, Sanchez was a 1-dimensional player. RB coached it out of her and helped her realize that she has a role in a defensive press as well as attacking. You see her at UCLA and early with WS - she would not drop to defend or press properly and RB would get her for it - now she does it. The job of attackers in the system is that when the team gets dispossessed in the offensive third, the forwards are responsible for the first 2-3 seconds of defense so that the team can win the ball back within 7 seconds - always the goal with the team philosophy. Watch her now - she has adjusted and plays well beyond how she did in college. Much of this came from the mentoring of other players and the accountability of vets and captains. Hope that helps answer the question - ha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

Interesting. Thanks for the insight. I have been a bit confused by the fact that I've heard nothing but good things about Andi Sullivan as a teammate, and she and others have seemed happy playing for RB.

Since your are giving us an inside scoop, is Sanchez well liked by her teammates? Her play seems a bit . . . selfish.

Sanchez is well liked. She is not selfish - just more comfortable with the ball on her feet than off the ball. Every level she has been successful and made things happen. What you're seeing is a young star who really believes in her ability to make miracles happen. All positive. When to release, when to carry is a challenging decision and takes volumes of reps to understand as a player. Last year, Sanchez was a 1-dimensional player. RB coached it out of her and helped her realize that she has a role in a defensive press as well as attacking. You see her at UCLA and early with WS - she would not drop to defend or press properly and RB would get her for it - now she does it. The job of attackers in the system is that when the team gets dispossessed in the offensive third, the forwards are responsible for the first 2-3 seconds of defense so that the team can win the ball back within 7 seconds - always the goal with the team philosophy. Watch her now - she has adjusted and plays well beyond how she did in college. Much of this came from the mentoring of other players and the accountability of vets and captains. Hope that helps answer the question - ha

It does. Thanks. I still see her as playing a bit "young" with too much emphasis on the attack, but I don't really have the background knowledge to know the extent to which she has or is evolving. She's a talented exciting player regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

How does this explain the other former Spirit players in the article who supported her account?

But who? Who are we talking about other than KM from UCLA? I don't believe there are any players that are getting solid minutes complaining about RB. Again and again - remember - huster and sullivan would have addressed it if it was as bad as some want to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

Interesting. Thanks for the insight. I have been a bit confused by the fact that I've heard nothing but good things about Andi Sullivan as a teammate, and she and others have seemed happy playing for RB.

Since your are giving us an inside scoop, is Sanchez well liked by her teammates? Her play seems a bit . . . selfish.

Sanchez is well liked. She is not selfish - just more comfortable with the ball on her feet than off the ball. Every level she has been successful and made things happen. What you're seeing is a young star who really believes in her ability to make miracles happen. All positive. When to release, when to carry is a challenging decision and takes volumes of reps to understand as a player. Last year, Sanchez was a 1-dimensional player. RB coached it out of her and helped her realize that she has a role in a defensive press as well as attacking. You see her at UCLA and early with WS - she would not drop to defend or press properly and RB would get her for it - now she does it. The job of attackers in the system is that when the team gets dispossessed in the offensive third, the forwards are responsible for the first 2-3 seconds of defense so that the team can win the ball back within 7 seconds - always the goal with the team philosophy. Watch her now - she has adjusted and plays well beyond how she did in college. Much of this came from the mentoring of other players and the accountability of vets and captains. Hope that helps answer the question - ha

It does. Thanks. I still see her as playing a bit "young" with too much emphasis on the attack, but I don't really have the background knowledge to know the extent to which she has or is evolving. She's a talented exciting player regardless.

Great. Yes - absolutely young but evolving. She really has a creative spark that you don't want to extinguish by making her too robotic. It's a fine line but it's serving her well. Now - getting comfortable on non-dominant and looking to the left-side of the attack...ha that's next up on the list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a) The Spirit definitely went local and did a small search to hire Richie. Ok.

b) He inherited a team that JG had basically lost control of...aided by an owner clinging on to the old world (playing the anthem prior to the Reign taking the field just so Rapinoe would not be able to protest. This infuriated Labbe, Dunn, Krieger and others who eventually demanded to leave or were nudged along by the same owner (BL). Enter SB as an additional owner - a GREAT person who is trying to help improve a team...RB did just that - he improved the team, added accountability and got more out of the players than JG could have ever. This team was a mess. He recognized that it was better to move Pugh a year early than a year late - and got draft picks for it that put us in a situation to be competitive.

c) The players loved playing for him. Sullivan, Huster, senior team members would have stepped forward to nip this garbage in the bud if there was really fire near the smoke.

d) Most importantly - the largest mistake the WS made was drafting KM from UCLA - the source in the article. She was a divisive influence at UCLA. She and Sanchez were not “that” close. When she came to the WS after the draft and into the Challenge Cup she divided the locker room. The Challenge Cup occurred at the peak of pandemic craziness and after the awful murder of George Floyd. Rightfully so, the team kneeled and supported BLM, etc. However, an out of shape rookie, with no playing time under her belt has zero right to come in the locker room and take over conversations about what the team should and should not be doing socially. Yelling at veteran players that want to help her is beyond the realm of poor locker room behavior. The WS did not do their homework and could have picked any number of players in that spot of the draft. When she did not EARN minutes, she was very vocal about playing time….and she never played into any level of respect of the veterans. An outspoken, locker room cancer who demanded to be released or traded for lack of playing time – got her wish and was waived. She was vocal about everything and did not think it was “fair” she wouldn’t be played. She claimed she was “promised” she would play but all she was promised is that she would compete for a spot and they believed she had the talent. Once she was waived – and this will tell you something – the only team that would take her is a 3rd tier German club that ultimately moved her on for the same reasons. She was scared to speak up? Hardly. She spoke up and acted like an a$$ in the locker room and a know-it-all / uncoachable player on the field. It is NOT brave to reach out to the Washington Post when you’re out of the game 18 months after you were drafted – and grinding your ax. She has nothing to lose. She can blame RB all she wants for not liking soccer, but accountability starts with yourself. She never acclimated to the pro environment. The WS has leaders on the team that LOVE RB and hate that he is leaving. Is he everyone’s cup of tea? Surely not – that’s the way it is with coaches. But isn’t it funny that the players with the least impact, the most entitled….always have the most to say. Poor baby – the coach was mean? Did he use the N word? No. No player would have tolerated that.


Ask anyone who knows him – RB is not the demon he’s being made out to be, but it sure does get clicks in an article.

The WS have been ready for the next level of coaching for some time since the players have evolved to the next level. Fair.

How does this explain the other former Spirit players in the article who supported her account?

But who? Who are we talking about other than KM from UCLA? I don't believe there are any players that are getting solid minutes complaining about RB. Again and again - remember - huster and sullivan would have addressed it if it was as bad as some want to believe.

The two others mentioned in the article, who clearly did not want to go on the record because they're still playing in the league. Do complaints only count if they've played a minimum number of minutes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Simply put -- being an asshole is a firing offense. People on hear talking about how college or NFL coaches communicate with players have zero clue about real life.

The world of athletics works differently than "real life" . Just like The military works different. If you have never been a high level athlete you just wouldn't understand. Im sure we won't be able to agree on this and thats ok. Just understand competitive athletes are wired different than "real life" An over abundance of testosterone from both male and female athletes as well as a field full of type A personalities. It actually turns out to be "real life". Its not for everyone. The problem is everyone wants to be a part of it but actually wants it conformed to their standards. Its just the way this culture is becoming softer.

Being emotionally abusive is not okay. Misogyny is not okay. Saying this is the culture of sports or compare it to the military is not okay.

I played for a professional team and the coach was always respectful to he players on the team and we respected him.

I call CAP .. Most professional play for more than one coach during their career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact coaches have such a short span is maybe is a clue they are doing it wrong.

Top athletes have the upper hand - teams pay a lot of money for stars and will have limited tolerance for a coach who makes them ride the bench. The best relationships are built on (often grudging) mutual respect not fear, abuse or constant drama. Some US coaches saw the "lowlight" reel of bad behavior and think that is the whole ballgame - cycle perpetuates as then attracts aholes who want an excuse to act like that so they can feel good about themselves - and people now expect coach to show "passion" and "desire to win" with such behaviors and act as apologists for them.

People used to say Harvey Weinstein was a great director and his actions were all part of the package and the "cost of doing business" - and that people just didn't understand what it takes to be a top creative - turns out that just isn't true either.

You dont get it but thats okay. Very few outside of high level sports do.

This is where you embarrassed yourself. You'd crawl up and die under a rock if you ever knew who you just tried to patronize.
I'm not going to lord it over you though. Word to the wise - if the truth of your worldview depends solely on the premise of you being the best athlete to ever live - then you might want to open your mind a little but there champ...

Dipsht coaches ranting and raving is not them doing their job - it is behavior that is tolerated if they can also do their job. The professionals are in control of their emotions and use anger as a tool only sparingly if at all. A look without words from a gaffer I respected said more to me at halftime to make me raise my game than any ranting clownshow ever could.

Boorish bully behavior is normalized and excused by the weak, and tolerated by the craven if a team is winning. Once the results are crappy the crappy coaches/crappy human beings are gone too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This is where you embarrassed yourself. You'd crawl up and die under a rock if you ever knew who you just tried to patronize.
I'm not going to lord it over you though. Word to the wise - if the truth of your worldview depends solely on the premise of you being the best athlete to ever live - then you might want to open your mind a little but there champ...

Dipsht coaches ranting and raving is not them doing their job - it is behavior that is tolerated if they can also do their job. The professionals are in control of their emotions and use anger as a tool only sparingly if at all. A look without words from a gaffer I respected said more to me at halftime to make me raise my game than any ranting clownshow ever could.

Boorish bully behavior is normalized and excused by the weak, and tolerated by the craven if a team is winning. Once the results are crappy the crappy coaches/crappy human beings are gone too.

Wow, you are very self important, aren't you!