Sam Kerr scores again, Emily van Egmond is out for the season, and more news on the Aussies abroad, as we wrap up Round 18 in the NWSL.

Sky Blue FC v Chicago Red Stars

A late equalizer by Sam Kerr was not enough for the Chicago Red Stars, who fell 2-1 to  Sky Blue FC in a midweek clash in New Jersey. Rookie forward Paige Monaghan scored a brace for Sky Blue in only their third win of the season.

 

This was Kerr’s 13th goal of the season, cementing herself at the top of the NWSL Golden Boot race. 

In another milestone for Chicago, Danielle Colaprico made her 100th NWSL appearance. The 2015 NWSL Rookie of the Year has made all of her NWSL appearances with Chicago, and was a member of W-League Champions Sydney FC last season.   

Highlights:

 

Orlando Pride v Utah Royals FC

Utah Royals FC scored two goals from strikers Amy Rodriguez and Christen Press to defeat Orlando Pride for the third time in the 2019 regular season. 

With Alanna Kennedy playing in the holding midfield position, Orlando’s defense wasn’t up to the task of defending a high-press offensive frontline, which included Rodriguez, Press and Katie Stengel.

Orlando suffered more than a few losses this past week, with both Marta and defender Julie King sitting out due to suspensions, while midfielder Emily van Egmond will undergo ankle surgery, forcing her to miss the remainder of the 2019 season. Van Egmond will return to Australia for the surgery, which will remedy an injury she sustained on her left ankle while playing at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the Matildas.

“We are obviously very upset to lose Emily for the remainder of the season,” said Orlando Pride General Manager Erik Ustruck. “As a Club, we know that Emily is a world-class athlete and she has the mental capacity to push herself beyond her physical limitations, but her long-term health is our biggest priority. We wish her the best and look forward to her full recovery.”

Highlights:

In other health-related news, it was announced earlier that Orlando defender Toni Pressley has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has begun treatment. Pressley made her W-League debut in 2017 with Canberra United.

Portland Thorns FC v Washington Spirit

The league-leading Portland Thorns FC recorded a 3-1 win over the Washington Spirit in front of 20,895 fans at Providence Park in Portland.

Hayley Raso put Portland on the board in the 5th minute with her fourth goal of the season, taking her total with the club to 12 goals and moving her to sixth on the club’s all-time scorers list.

Thorns centre-back Emily Sonnett and forward Christine Sinclair added the extras for the hosts, with forward Andi Sullivan scoring for Washington in the 68th minute.

 

“It feels good,” said Raso after the match. “It’s great to play at home, to come out and get a win, and to score a goal tops it off.”

Portland defender Ellie Carpenter started the match at right-back before being substituted just after the hour mark, with forward Caitlin Foord subbed in at the 71st minute.

Washington defender Elise Kellond-Knight was issued her first yellow card of her NWSL career after fouling Raso in the 58th minute, while Amy Harrison was an unused substitute.

Highlights:

Sky Blue FC v Reign FC

Despite being out-shot and out-possessed by Reign FC, Sky Blue FC managed to earn a 1-1 draw in front of 9,415 fans at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey – the largest attendance in club history. Sky Blue midfielder Elizabeth Eddy scored in the 36th minute and Reign forward Jodie Taylor scored in the 38th minute.

 

Sky Blue midfielder Caprice Dydasco had a major block in the 13th minute to stop a goal-scoring opportunity – Reign midfielder Allie Long played a ball to defender Steph Catley who then set midfielder Rosie White in on goal, but as White went to strike the ball, Dydasco deflected the shot.

Reign had majority of the possession in the first half with 62.6 percent. Play was mainly in the midfield with very few opportunities to break the deadlock.

Highlights:

Patty La Bella
Patty La Bella
Patty La Bella is a writer for Beyond 90 and also the producer and host of Women’s World Football Show. For over 15 years, Patty has covered women’s football from the youth to the professional level. Prior to joining B90, Patty was a writer for The Women’s Game where she covered Aussies Abroad and also covered the NWSL exclusively for Examiner.com.
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