No one expected this defense out of KC. All keepers gone, Sharples was not a clear starter, Ball appeared to have lost her spot, Robinson took much longer to recover from SEI. Mace had 3 emergency starts at CB.

I’d also put Alana Cook and Sav DeMelo on the same USWNT tier and their injury window.

I think she’s done well, but… she was a goal away from finish NINTH AGAIN.

At its simplest: KC outscored teams 27-1 in the first half through the first 24 games of the season.

Winning games down 0-1 with 45 minutes to go is hard.

11.39 Goals Added using the Above Replacement g+ variation, well above Banda’a 7.78 & Manaka’s 6.92. Awesome, but not enough for a 21 point gap.

It was the defense. +23.08 team goal difference in the defensive half. Second was +6.58 goal difference (Gotham FC).

I’d also note that all of his American talent save Cook & Sentnor were developed by him. 4 players got their first USWNT cap under him and almost a 5th (Sharples).

21 points clear of second. Turned a 2024 defense that was 51st GA/game all-time in NWSL and made them #1 by a mile despite losing major defensive pieces.

Yeah, he messed up in one game, but I’d argue Bev did as well.

So it’s mind over matter. Over layers.