North Carolina Courage Remains Undefeated in 2017
Week 3 of the 2017 NWSL season comes to a close as the North Carolina Courage keep their streak alive as they recorded their third consecutive win. The Boston Breakers recorded their second straight win, while a late winner saw Sky Blue FC claim its first win on the year.
Related Article — NWSL Player of the Week: Jess Fishlock
NWSL Soccer News: The third week of the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season came to a close on Sunday as the North Carolina Courage sit atop the table with nine points on the season.
The Portland Thorns edged the 
Chicago Red Stars 1-0 in the Lifetime Match of the Week on Saturday at Providence Park.
The hosts were led by Nadia Nadim who converted from the penalty spot in the 27th minute. Portland earned the penalty after a Christen Press hand ball in the box in the 26th minute.
Portland sits with two wins and one loss on the season, while Chicago has one win and two losses.
The North Carolina Courage cruised to a 3-1 victory over the Orlando Pride at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage were led by three goal scorers in a dominating performance that saw the hosts record 13 shots on goal to Orlando’s five.
Jessica McDonald, Samantha Mewis and Lynn Williams netted goals for North Carolina. Orlando remains winless on the season with two losses and one draw, while the Courage remain perfect with three wins.
The Boston Breakers edged Seattle Reign FC in a dominating performance at Jordan Field on Saturday night. The hosts were led by Adriana Leon who recorded one goal and two assists on the night.
Rose Lavelle and Natasha Dowie were on the receiving end of Leon’s assists. Lavelle recorded her first professional goal as the number one draft pick in 2017 hits her stride with a reloaded Boston side.
The Breakers sit with two wins and a loss on the season, while Seattle has recorded a win, tie and loss.
The Washington Spirit fell to the Houston Dash in a hard fought win at Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Kealia Ohai’s lone tally of the match proved the difference as Houston claimed the 1-0 road win. Ohai has found the back of the net twice on the season.
Washington has one tie and two losses during the first three fixtures. Houston sits in fourth place on goal differential with two wins and one loss.
Sky Blue FC closed out the weekend with a 1-0 win over FC Kansas City at Yurcak Field. Midfielder Raquel Rodriguez scored a late winner to record the victory in Sky Blue’s 2017 home opener.
The 2016 NWSL Rookie of the Year put the hosts on the board in the 83rd minute when a corner that flew by her was sent back in by defender Mandy Freeman. Rodriguez stretched out at the penalty mark to finish the ball one time past FCKC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.
Sky Blue recorded its first win of the season as they sit 1-1-1 on the season. FCKC have recorded two consecutive losses after winning its season opener.
WEEK 4 PREVIEW: National Soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy will host #SockTalk, an event unveiling her new book “Choose to Matter: Being Courageously and Fabulously YOU,” on Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m. CT prior to the Chicago Red Stars game at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Foudy will be joined on the panel by ESPN reporter Jessica Mendoza, former U.S. Women’s National Team defender Kate Markgraf and inspirational speaker, Amy Liss.
Related Articles: Seattle Reign’s Christine Nairn; The Road Ahead for Sky Blue FC; The Rising Chicago Red Stars; Get to Know Boston Breakers Head Coach Matt Beard
