Just as all international players have returned to their domestic competitions after the World Cup, our coverage of the National Women’s Soccer League also returns to your screens!

A lot has happened in the US while our eyes were glued to France. In fact, this season is looking to be one of the closest yet, with just seven points currently separating the top seven teams…

 

Utah Royals v Portland Thorns

Two of the best-supported teams in the NWSL faced off in the opening match of Week 14 as Portland travelled to Sandy, Utah to take on the Utah Royals in front of 15,931 fans.

The game saw the return of several superstars of the US team including Tobin Heath, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Adrianna Franch, Becky Sauerbrunn, Christen Press, and Kelley O’Hara. 

This injection of international quality made this one of the games of the season as the teams played out a dramatic 2-2 draw.

Matildas Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter were in the starting XI for Portland, while Caitlin Foord would come off the bench in the second half.

Canada captain Christine Sinclair scored an absolute peach on the half-volley to take the lead for Portland in the 9th minute.

USWNT forward Christen Press brought the game back to 1-1 just before half-time following a moment of individual brilliance that included a cheeky nutmeg on Thorns defender Elizabeth Ball (heh).

On 86 minutes, Portland would take the lead once again through USWNT midfielder Lindsey Horan.

However, Utah would not give up without a fight. In the 90th minute, Canberra United and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie latched onto a Utah free kick at the back post to earn a point for the home side.

Both sides also contained a wealth of W-League talent including Lo’eau LaBonta (WSW), Gunny Jonsdottir (ADL) and Katie Stengel (NEW) for Utah, while Portland boasted the likes of Britt Eckerstrom (NEW) and Celeste Boureille (BRI).

 

Orlando Pride v Sky Blue FC

Despite looking great on paper, Orlando Pride have struggled this season at both ends of the park, sitting second from the bottom of the ladder after 13 games. 

However, in their game against Sky Blue FC at home, there was a glimmer of hope for a bright future. The Pride earned their first shut-out of the season, defeating the visitors 1-0 in front of 9,415 fans.

Alanna Kennedy played the full 90 minutes for Orlando, while her Matildas team-mate Emily Van Egmond came on as a substitute for the Pride. There were also appearances from a number of W-League favourites such as Dani Weatherholt (MVC), Rachel Hill (PER), Chioma Ubogagu (BRI) and Carson Pickett (BRI).

Orlando rookie Marisa Viggiano scored her debut goal in the 22nd minute with this rocket of a strike to give her side the lead.

In fact, were it not for the talents of Sky Blue goalkeeper Kailden Sheridan, the visitors could have found themselves a few more goals down by the end of the game.

It will be a performance that new Orlando coach Marc Skinner can take in his stride as he starts to rebuild for the second half of the NWSL season.

 

Washington Spirit v Houston Dash

Houston Dash got their rocky season back on track with a 2-1 win over a renewed Washington Spirit side in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,500 at home.

Matilda Kyah Simon made an appearance as a substitute for the Dash, while Amy Harrison, Chloe Logarzo, and new recruit Elise Kellond-Knight all got minutes for the Spirit.

Seven minutes into the second half, Washington opened the scoring through a clever long throw and header by rookie Jordan DiBiassi.

Houston would come back four minutes later through a brilliant passing combination between England international Rachel Daly and Sydney FC defender Sofia Huerta, the ball eventually finding Kirstie Mewis to make it 1-1.

The home side would then take the lead in the 71st minute through Adelaide United defender Amber Brooks, who would head home a perfectly-weighted free kick from Melbourne Victory midfielder and reigning Julie Dolan medal winner Christine Nairn.

Washington could have tied the game in the dying minutes after they were awarded a penalty, but Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell saved brilliantly.

 

Chicago Red Stars v North Carolina Courage

The final game of the round was a thrilling 2-1 win for the Chicago Red Stars over reigning Premiers and Champions North Carolina Courage. The game was held in front of a record 17,388 fans in Chicago – the largest number to attend a women’s football match in that city.

Like the opening match of the round, this game saw the return of several USWNT players including Alyssa Naeher, Julie Ertz and Morgan Brian for Chicago, as well as Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Mewis, Jess McDonald and Crystal Dunn for the Courage.

The game also featured appearances from W-League players Savannah McCaskill (SYD), Yuki Nagasato (BRI) and Arin Wright (NEW) for Chicago, while Denise O’Sullivan (CBR) played the full 90 for the Courage.

Lynn Williams opened the scoring for North Carolina following a ridiculously silky pass from Brazilian midfielder Debinha.

Former Perth Glory midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo pulled a goal back for Chicago after a clever run to break North Carolina’s offside trap following a free kick.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Chicago Red Stars game without a bonkers Sam Kerr goal, and fans were not disappointed as she nutmegged New Zealand international Abby Erceg before ALSO nutmegging Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé to make it 2-1 for the Red Stars.

https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1153088452013019136

The win takes Chicago to third, just three points behind North Carolina.

 

Reign FC had a bye this round and did not play.

SAMANTHA LEWIS
SAMANTHA LEWIS
Samantha is a writer and social media manager for Beyond 90. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Optus Sport, matildas.com.au, Inside Sport, and The Women's Game. She's spent years covering the Matildas, W-League, NWSL, and NPLW, as well as a variety of other topics including the World Cup, Iran's stadium ban, and the history of Australian women's football.
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