The leaders are now seven points clear, but the battle for second in the NWSL is crowded as four teams are within one point of each other. Chicago’s win was the team’s first since clearing out their coaching staff, and also broke a streak of three scoreless matches.
There is a new Golden Boot leader, and she is a menace. Portland celebrated a legend, then went out and got the win to stay level with Washington for the number two spot. Trinity Byars had a four-point night against Utah, and several other players had braces throughout the week.
Between the sticks, Jordan Silkowitz and Jane Campbell put on a show when Bay faced Houston, and Angel City’s Angelina Anderson stopped a late PK to save a point for her side. The excitement of NWSL Week 18 awaits.
Racing Louisville beats Seattle for fourth straight winIt’s getting really fun in Louisville.
After a dismal start to the season, Racing is on a hot streak that has the side believing they can make the playoffs. An inspired effort against the visiting Seattle Reign was a big step toward that goal. This match began with the Reign controlling early play and getting on the board first. In the 19th minute, Sofia Huerta took a shot just outside the box that was blocked at the defense. The ball came directly to Seattle’s leading goal-scorer, Maddie Mercado. She settled the ball, picked her spot, and went top bins beyond Jordyn Bloomer.
Then, 15 minutes later, Louisville equalized through their own leading scorer, Emma Sears. The home side had an excellent build up from the back, with Kayla Fischer sending an over the top ball into the middle. Lauren Milliet gave it a little tap ahead to Sears, and she quickly put it short side on Claudia Dickey. The sides went into the break all square, but that would not last long.
Seven minutes into the half, Sears got her brace and gave her side the win. Milliet took a through ball in the box, looked up to see a trailing Sears, and laid the ball back to her. Sears put the ball through her defender’s legs, and it then bounced off of Dickey’s heel to continue in. Moments after that, Bloomer made a huge save on a perfectly executed corner from Seattle to preserve the lead. With the win, Racing makes up three points on Seattle, who currently hold that last playoff spot.
Houston dominates Chicago in 5-0 routThe Dash are fighting for their playoff lives as well, and a win over the cellar-dwelling Stars would help their cause. A 5-0 shellacking also helped their goal differential, while leaving Chicago still looking for any answers.
The rout started early on, with Houston wunderkind Kat Rader getting the first for the home side just five minutes in. Leah Klenke sent a long ball over to a streaking Avery Patterson in the box. She passed back to Rader, who quickly fired past Katie Atkinson. The game would settle for a while, but Rader would get her brace just before the half.
Another long ball fell to Clarissa Larisey on the wing, and she fed Rader out front. Houston’s top scorer went top bins, and the lead was two. Chicago did not get any time to collect themselves, as Houston struck again in the last moments of the half. Houston broke Chicago’s backline, and KiKi van Zanten found Linda Ullmark open in front. She calmly put it past Atkinson, and the home side was cruising.
Houston waited a bit in the second before adding to the lead, and that add came in the 79th minute. Houston keeper Jane Campbell started the play, which came to Miljana Ivanovic on the left wing. She sent a perfect ball into the middle, and Kate Faasse expertly deflected it into the far corner.
The Dash would finish the scoring in stoppage time, with Lisa Boattin netting the final tally. Ivanovic saw her breaking for the net, and sent Boattin in with a great one touch pass. Boattin chipped in, and Houston remains just outside the top eight. Chicago’s woes continue with their 15th blanking of the season, and still only nine goals scored in 20 matches. Here’s hoping their recent coaching changes can bring some change to the scoreline.
San Diego doubles up on UtahThis battle between top sides was exciting from the get-go, and the result saw the Wave go equal on points with the Royals. This match also started early, as the home side got the opener just four minutes in. Trinity Byars was the Player of the Match, figuring in all four of San Diego’s goals. Her first involvement was a composed finish of a great lead pass from Mel Barcenas. In alone against Mandy McGlynn, Byars sent it far post for the early lead.
The visitors equalized halfway through the frame, when CeCe Delzer sent a pass back to Mina Tanaka just outside the box. The Japanese international put an absolutely sublime shot in the far corner, and Sandra Paños could only watch it go in. The Wave regained the lead ten minutes later, with Byars and Barcenas switching roles. Byars took a long pass and got in alone against McGlynn. The Utah keeper came out to challenge, but Byars dribbled around her. With the keeper out of place, Byars coolly passed back to Barcenas, and she went far side.
After the half, Utah wasted no time equalizing. Two minutes in, the Royals had the ball deep in the San Diego box. It came across to Cloé Lacasse, and she sent a pass to Tanaka. Her shot choice is impeccable, and she put another one in that Paños could do nothing about. 15 minutes later, Byars matched Tanaka’s brace. Jordan Fusco sent a through ball, and the US international was the fastest one to it. She beat McGlynn near side, and San Diego had their third lead of the night.
This time though, they would hold it and Byars would get her fourth point of the night. Byars again outraced the Utah defense, and sent a perfect ball ahead to Ludmila. The Brazilian international quickly tapped home, and the two sides now both sit at 36 points. Utah is ahead on goal differential, and these sides will be a treat to watch come playoff time.
Seattle throws block party in draw with Kansas CityThe Current only scored one goal in this match, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. The Reign put themselves in front of every shot and made keeper Claudia Dickey’s job a bit easier on the day. Of the 24 total shots Kansas City took, Seattle blocked seven, and only three were actually on frame.
Perhaps poetically, the scoring in this match started with an own goal on an attempted block. Seattle took a short corner, and Sofia Huerta put the ball in the box. Ainsley McCammon headed down toward goal, and Current defender Kayla Sharples tried to steer the ball clear. Unfortunately for the home side, the ball went off of Sharples and straight into her own net. The two teams traded chances throughout the rest of the half, with Kansas City hitting both the crossbar and the post twice, but no further goals were scored.
Kansas City kept pressing as the second half began, and they were quickly rewarded for their efforts. Just two minutes in, the Current sent a corner into the box. Haley Hopkins was first to it, and her effort bounced immediately off of Mia Fishel’s arm. After a quick review, the referee called for a penalty, and Debinha stepped up for the home side. Dickey guessed correctly, but the Brazilian international had too much pace and the match was even.
Both sides had several good chances to get the winner, but could not finish. The two sides remain in the last two playoff spots, Kansas City three points ahead and Seattle with a match in hand.
Sanchez’s PK gives North Carolina win over BostonThe excitement came late in this one, with both sides tallying in second half injury time. In the end, it was the menace Ashley Sanchez who delivered the final blow.
Sanchez also delivered the first blow of the match early on. Just ten minutes in, Felicitas Rauch sent her down the left side with a great lead pass. Sanchez took the ball and ran straight at the Boston defense. She got into the box, took a quick cut in, and unleashed a rocket past Casey Murphy. That goal would stand until the 92nd minute, as neither side could muster the necessary offense.
In the injury time, Boston pressed and had two good shots, the first of which was blocked and the second which Kailen Sheridan stopped. The ball came out, and Aissata Traore outworked everyone to blast home. After a long VAR check, the goal was confirmed, and the match was tied.
And then, the latest drama came. With likely less than a minute left in stoppage time, Legacy defender Bianca St. Georges took down the Courage’s Maycee Bell in the box. Another long VAR review determined that the play was indeed a foul, and it was up to the league’s leading scorer to do her thing. Sanchez stepped up to the spot, and after an inexplicably long time, the referee whistled for the attempt. Sanchez took a breath, then sent the ball into the side netting, just past Murphy.
The goal was the latest in NWSL regular season history, and also put Sanchez in the lead for the Golden Boot. The win is huge for North Carolina, as they keep pace with San Diego and Utah. Boston will be ruing the points they left on the field, as they certainly felt that they had earned the draw in this one.
Wilson gives Portland win over Denver on Tobin Heath nightOn a night celebrating one of the greatest to ever play the game, a familiar face sent the crowd home happy.
Prior to the match, Portland celebrated Thorn and US international legend Tobin Heath with an elaborate and well-earned retirement ceremony. When the match started, Denver came out on the front foot, and Mackenzie Arnold had to fend off the pressure. The match started to turn the Thorns’ way about 15 minutes in, and they came at the Summit in waves. Portland finally got the opener just before halftime, when Sophia Wilson broke the deadlock. Jessie Fleming sent a perfect ball into Wilson’s run, and sent her in on Kat Asman. Just inside the box, Wilson let fly and the Thorns had the lead.
Early in the second half, Wilson scored on almost the exact same play as her first half tally, but she was rather a bit offside. The two sides did not mount as much offense as they had in the first, with either side only mustering one shot on target. Wilson hit the post in the 78th minute, the closest either team would get. Wilson was an offensive threat all night, finishing with seven shots and the lone goal. The win puts Portland third in the table, while Denver remains close to the last playoff spot.
Chicago ends two streaks with win over Racing LouisvilleComing into this match, the Stars had picked up but one point in their last seven matches. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville was on a four-match winning streak. And both of those streaks came to an end with a Chicago win in a well-played match from both sides.
The home Stars got on the board first, 34 minutes in. Mal Swanson came down the right side, then cut across the box. She sent a short pass to Jameese Joseph, who quickly roofed it for the opener. Neither side tested the other after that, and the sides went into the half.
Racing equalized just five minutes into the second. Lauren Milliet took a corner that was cleared out of bounds. Milliet received the throw-in, and sent it into the box again. Taylor Flint was there to meet the ball, and she headed home. Chicago answered ten minutes later through Swanson. Michelle Alozie gave Swanson the ball in the box, and the US international took one touch, turned, and curled it far post.
Racing squared it for the second time just seven minutes after that. 30 seconds after subbing on, Makenna Morris was in the right place when the Stars could not clear, and she blasted a shot past Katie Atkinson.
Chicago would grab the winner late in the match. In the 84th minute, an excellent buildup by the Stars saw Nadia Gomes with the ball just outside the left side of the box. She passed to Julia Grosso, and she quickly put her shot far post beyond the reach of Jordyn Bloomer. The win is Chicago’s first since July 5th, and more importantly, the teams’ first goals in four matches. The loss snaps Racing’s winning streak, and severely hurts their playoff chances.
Washington dominates play but Orlando wins the matchThe Spirit have been in a mini-slump of late, and were looking to snap out of it against a Pride team on slide of their own. But despite controlling play all match, one quick moment spelled doom for Washington.
The moment came very early on. In just the third minute, Orlandos’ Barbra Banda stole the ball at midfield and drove down the right side. She sent it over to the middle of the box where Haley McCutcheon was running. She was able to step right into the pass and fired it by Sandy MacIver for the early lead. Washington went on an offensive tear after that, sending wave after wave at Cosette Morché. In the 12th minute, the Spirit hit both posts on two consecutive shots, but could not convert. However, the home side could not find the frame, and Morché stopped the only shot on target.
In the second half, the field was tilted toward the Orlando end, and the Pride only crossed the midfield stripe three times. Washington poured everything they had toward goal, and had several glorious chances. Ashley Hatch had two glorious chances in injury time, striking the post once and being denied by an acrobatic Morché save on the other. Just before the final whistle, Paige Metayer sent a header from a corner toward goal, but her offering was wide. The loss sees Washington fail to gain on table toppers Gotham, while Orlando keeps their playoff hopes alive.
Girelli’s late tally gives Bay win over HoustonIn a match where Bay’s Jordan Silkowitz and Houston’s Jane Campbell stood on their heads in net, it was Bay’s Cristiana Girelli who stole the show late. The chances came all throughout the match, with Bay’s Karlie Lema having a glorious one 10 minutes in. She was alone against Campbell, but the Houston keeper was equal to the task.
Two minutes later, Silkowitz made an amazing double save to keep Houston off the board. The sides traded more chances in the half, with Campbell making four saves to Silkowitz’s five.
The sides kept the action coming in the second half, and Silkowitz gave us the save of the day in the 52nd minute. Houston earned a corner, and the ball came to Leah Klenke, who directed a quick header on goal. Silkowitz got over and deflected the ball over the bar to preserve the clean sheet. A bit later in the half, Girelli subbed on for Alex Pfeiffer, and the Italian international would provide the late winner.
In the 89th minute, Bay had a free kick just outside of the Houston box. Keira Barry went for goal, but her shot hit the corner of the post and the crossbar. The ball fell right to the feet of Girelli, and she fired in before Campbell had a chance to get over. The victory snapped a five match winless streak for Bay, and weakens Houston’s playoff chase.
Angel City and Gotham battle to scoreless drawThe last match of the week was a very entertaining draw between league-leading Gotham and an Angel City side fighting desperately for the last playoff spot. Gotham was on an eight match unbeaten streak, where Angel City was winless in their previous four. Both teams had good chances in the first half, with Gotham’s Sam Kerr just missing wide in the first minute. Angel City’s Ally Sentnor has been playing as a woman possessed of late, and she continued to be in form in this match. The US international had four shots for the match, and was pressing the Gotham backline all match. Ann-Katrin Berger made a huge save for Gotham late in the half to keep the sides even going into the break.
The second half provided plenty of action, with Jordyn Dudley continually running at the Angel City defense. Gotham’s young star had several great runs, including the one that would lead to the defining moment of the match. Dudley broke into the Angel City box and sent a shot that Sarah Gorden blocked out. The ball appeared to strike Gorden’s shoulder, but a VAR review called the play a handling offense and Gotham was awarded a PK. Guro Reiten stepped up for the Bats and sent a shot to low corner. Angelina Anderson read the play correctly and got a hand to the ball and sent it aside.
Kerr nearly broke Angel City hearts in the 89th minute, as her long range effort spanged off the crossbar, but stayed out of the net. That was the last action of the match, and Gotham lengthens their lead atop the table to seven points. Angel City remains one spot out of the playoffs, but have played fewer matches than every other team in the league.
NWSL Week 18 results in full- Racing Louisville 2-1 Seattle Reign
- Houston Dash 5-0 Chicago Stars
- San Diego Wave 4-2 Utah Royals
- Kansas City Current 1-1 Seattle Reign
- North Carolina Courage 2-1 Boston Legacy
- Portland Thorns 1-0 Denver Summit
- Chicago Stars 3-2 Racing Louisville
- Washington Spirit 0-1 Orlando Pride
- Bay FC 1-0 Houston Dash
- Angel City FC 0-0 Gotham FC
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