Chicago Red Stars Top North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage remains atop the table after recording its second loss of the season versus the Chicago Red Stars in Week 6. Sky Blue FC defeated the Houston Dash as they sit tied for second with Chicago, while the Orlando Pride and Seattle Reign FC played out a 1-1 draw to conclude the weekend.
NWSL Soccer News: The sixth week of the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season comes to a close as the North Carolina Courage remain atop the table despite losing its second consecutive match of the campaign on Sunday.
The Boston Breakers and Portland Thorns FC played out a 2-2 draw in the lone Friday matchup at Jordan Field in Massachusetts.
The hosts were able to get on the scoreboard first as Adrian Leon’s cross from the left flank met Natasha Dowie at the back post for the header in the 38th minute.
Dowie then provided a cross of her own with Rosie White heading home Boston’s second goal of the night three minutes into the second half. However, Nadia Nadim would help Portland to rally back. Nadim converted from the penalty spot in the 57th minute after Megan Oyster was called for a hand ball. Portland’s late equalizer came in the 83rd minute when Hayley Roso marched down the field with pace and slipped in a pass to Nadim at the top of the 18-yard box. Nadim collected the ball with two defenders around her and finished with ease to salvage a point.
Boston (2/W-2/L-2/T) and Portland (2-1-3) will meet again next Saturday at Providence Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET.
Sky Blue FC topped Houston Dash for the second consecutive week with midfielder Raquel Rodríguez leading the hosts at Yurcak Field.
Sky Blue midfielder Sarah Killion opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Rodríguez was brought down in the box. Andress Cavalari Machry recorded the equalizer for Houston in the 40th minute when her strike deflected off the post and she finished her own rebound. Rodríguez provided late heroics for the hosts when Daphne Corboz sent a free kick into the box with five minutes remaining in the match.
A deflection off two Houston defenders dropped the ball to the Costa Rican international as she collected and sent in a low strike with the outside of her foot. Rodríguez recorded her second goal in 2017, while Killion leads the NWSL with five goals on the year.
Sky Blue (3/W-2/L-1/T) is tied for second with Chicago, while Houston (2-4-0) remains winless in May.
FC Kansas City recorded a 1-0 road victory over the Washington Spirit at Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Alexa Newfield’s strike in the 39th minute proved to be the difference as FCKC overcame a Washington side that was knocking at its door. A cross sent in from the left flank fell to Newfield who struck a half-volley with authority for the eventual game-winner.
FCKC (2-2-2) tallied its first win in May after two consecutive draws, while Washington (1-4-1) sits at the bottom of the table despite the strong effort at home.
In the first of two Sunday matchups, the Chicago Red Stars topped North Carolina Courage at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Chicago’s first half surge was enough to edge the league leaders as the Red Stars find their form on the road. Christen Press opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after being taken down by Courage goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. Sofia Huerta extended the lead for Chicago as Press sent in a ball that she collected at the top of the box. A quick step-over by Huerta freed up enough space for her to send a right-footed curler to the far post.
Vanessa DiBernardo recorded the final tally of the half when a cross deflected off a North Carolina defender and fell to her just outside the six-yard box. She finished with ease to give Chicago the 3-0 lead at the break.
Courage forward Lynn Williams put North Carolina on the board in the 57th minute but the tide was too heavy to overcome.
Chicago (3-2-1) is tied for second with Sky Blue, while North Carolina (4-2-0) maintain a two-point lead atop the table.
Seattle Reign FC and the Orlando Pride played out a 1-1 draw at Memorial Stadium to close out the weekend.
Beverly Yanez scored the opening goal for Seattle in the 40th minute. Brazilian star Marta recorded the equalizer in the 52nd minute after Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer played a dangerous ball off a goal kick that was recovered by Orlando. Marta finished with a left-footed strike to bring the score level.
Seattle (2-1-3) sits in fourth place, while Orlando (1-2-3) remains in eighth as Week 6 of the 2017 NWSL season comes to a close.
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: ISI Photos
