North Carolina Courage Remain Unbeaten in 2017
North Carolina Courage remain atop the table following a road victory over the Boston Breakers. The Portland Thorns sit in second place with seven points, while three clubs remain tied for third with goal differential separating them.
NWSL Soccer News: The fourth week of the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season comes to a close as the North Carolina Courage continue their unbeaten run in 2017.
The Chicago Red Stars opened the weekend with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash in the Lifetime Match of the Week at Toyota Park.
The first goal of the match came in the 44th minute when Sarah Hagen sent in a free kick from 35 yards out that was deflected in for an own goal.
Chicago extended its lead in the 61st minute when Christen Press lifted a cross from the right end line. A 50/50 challenge deflected the ball into the path of Julie Ertz who struck the ball into the back of the net for her second goal in 2017. Both clubs sit with two wins and two losses in 2017.
The Washington Spirit edged Sky Blue FC in a 4-3 thriller at Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Washington was led by Francisca Ordega who recorded a brace and an assist on the night. Kelly O’hara scored the opening goal for Sky Blue and tallied an assist in the road loss. Sky Blue tallied nine shots on goal to the Spirit’s four in an end-to-end matchup. Both clubs have recorded one win, two losses and a tie on the year.
Portland Thorns FC and Seattle Reign FC played out a 2-2 draw at Providence Park to close out Saturday.
Seattle Reign forward Jessica Fishlock opened the scoring in the first minute with a stunning strike from 25 yards out to beat Portland goalkeeper Adrianna Franch. Portland would even the scoreline in the 37th minute when Hayley Raso sent in a cross that Fishlock attempted to clear but deflected into the net.
Seattle responded two minutes later when Rebekah Stott provided some individual heroics that met Merritt Mathias in the penalty box as she fully extended for the go-ahead goal. Portland midfielder Allie Long recorded the late equalizer in the 82nd minute when she headed home a cross from Meghan Klingenberg.
Portland sit in second place with two wins, a loss and draw. Seattle has recorded a win, a loss and two draws.
The North Carolina Courage continued its unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory over the Boston Breakers at Jordan Field in the first of two Sunday matchups.
Jessica McDonald scored the lone goal of the match in the 32nd minute as she sent in a rebound following a header from a corner kick that struck the crossbar. North Carolina remains the only club with four wins on the season. Boston have two wins and two losses on the year.
FC Kansas City and the Orlando Pride played out a 1-1 draw in the final match of Week 4 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field.
Brazilian forward Marta opened the scoring in the 73rd minute to tally the first goal of her NWSL career. Kristen Edmonds played a streaking Jasmyne Spencer who collected the ball at the top of the box and left it for Marta who struck in a left-footed shot.
However, FC Kansas City would even the scoreline in the 84th minute when defender Yael Averbuch’s free kick from just outside the penalty area struck the post. The ball bounced around with Erika Tymrak putting the ball in the back of the net to salvage a point at home.
FCKC has recorded one win, two losses and a draw on the year, while Orlando is still searching for its first win as they sit with two losses and two draws.
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
Header Photo Credit: Mike Gridley/ISI Photos
