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Lots of matches and plenty of off field drama made for an exciting week in the NWSL. Our recap series continues, starting with some thoughts on the future of the Canadian allocated players in the league and then taking a look at how the women faired last week.
Tough Decisions Await John Herdman
Canada Day has come and gone, signaling the beginning of July and the beginning of an important task for Canadian head coach John Herdman.
On a media call in early June, Herdman indicated that in July he would begin reviewing the performance of his allocated players in the NWSL.
“I’ll be very clear about how the first 6 months with the national team has shaped up, I’ll look at the first part of the season in the NWSL and that should give us great clarity moving forward for decisions in October, November time about contracts moving forward.”
Herdman continued by commenting on how the competitiveness of the NWSL will help the Canadian women grow. “You put them in an environment where they have to play every week and they have to fight for their shirt, and you do that for seven months of the year, I think that can really add a performance effect to our players.”
The reality at the moment is that a number of his allocated players are not winning this “fight for their shirt”. Will Herdman want to keep some of his key players, mainly defenders, in the league if their playing time continues to be inconsistent? Is being a part of an NWSL team close to home and not playing better than being in Europe but getting consistent minutes?
These are some of the tough decisions Herdman will presumably start to think about, taking into account that a lot can change with half of the regular season still left to play.
In that conference call last month, Herdman said that in addition to the NWSL, the German and Swedish leagues are the top women’s leagues in the world and can provide alternate playing options. He provided Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé as an example of this:
“Stephanie Labbé has got a fantastic contract in Sweden,” he said of the goalkeeper who currently plays for KIF Örebro in the Damallsvenskan. “We agreed that an NWSL contract might not be the best idea for her based on where things were.“
Carmelina Moscato and Adriana Leon Trade Completed
Last Sunday, a trade between Canadian allocated players in Chicago’s Carmelina Moscato and Boston’s Adriana Leon was made official by the league. Both Canadians played minimal minutes for their clubs in the first half of the season. With Boston struggling with their back line, and Chicago lacking in offensive production and finishing, this defender-forward trade looks like it will satisfy the needs of both clubs.
In fact, Leon already looks to be benefiting from the trade herself. In her first game with Chicago on Thursday, she played a full 90 minutes and showed some good skill and composure on the ball. Chicago was able to pull out the 1-0 win over the Western New York Flash to move within seven points of the fourth and final playoff spot that the Flash hold.
Sophie Schmidt Earns Red Card Against the Boston Breakers
Last Sunday’s match between first place Sky Blue FC and fifth place Boston Breakers showed once again the competitiveness and parity between teams in the NWSL. With Boston on a five game winless streak, they were desperate to come out strong, which they did, going up 3-1 in the first half.
Sophie Schmidt was once again very active in Sky Blue’s attack while playing in a higher position, scoring her team’s lone goal in the first half by chipping the Boston keeper. Schmidt had four total shots on goal, including a hard shot that was initially saved by the Boston keeper. The rebound was then tapped in by Sky Blue’s Monica Ocampo for Sky Blue’s second goal.
However, the most shocking moment of the match occurred in extra time. With Sky Blue pushing for the equalizer, Schmidt was about to take a throw in, but when the official signaled that the throw was to be taken by Boston instead, Schmidt turned and threw the ball at Boston’s Jazmyne Avant. She was promptly given a red card for violent conduct and sent off, with the match ending at 3-2 for Boston shortly after.
Was it a justified red card? Looking at the video below, probably not. Sure, Schmidt should have just dropped the ball, but I don’t agree that the conduct was in any way violent. It would be a stretch to say the incident satisfied any of the six requirements for a red card and sending off. Schmidt later apologized on twitter, and despite the seemingly weak call, there have been no reports this week of an appeal by Sky Blue.
Washington Spirit Coach Fired, New Coach Parsons Leads the Team to a Draw
After recording just six points in eleven games, and sitting last place in the league, the Washington Spirit sacked head coach Mike Jorden last Sunday and replaced him with the Spirit reserves coach Mark Parsons. The move came after a terrible showing by the team in a 4-0 loss to the Western New York Flash two days earlier, and post game comments calling for change by goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris may have prompted the move.
In midweek action this past Wednesday against FC Kansas City, the Spirit came out looking refreshed and with a new attitude.
From a Canadian perspective, Candace Chapman looked confident and physically fit for the first time since returning from injury, playing the full 90 minutes. Diana Matheson also returned to the starting line up after missing two games due to an ankle injury.
After going down by a goal early in the second half, the Spirit earned a penalty kick to which Matheson converted to earn the draw for the Spirit. Watch her cheeky chip down the middle below. She must have watched the Confederations Cup PK’s!
Other Results Around the League
June 29– Seattle Reign 3, Chicago Red Stars 1
June 30- FC Kansas City 2, Portland Thorns 0
July 3- Seattle Reign 1, Boston Breakers 1
Upcoming Games
Saturday, July 6th
Washington Spirit at Sky Blue FC (7:00pm EST)
Boston Breakers at Portland Thorns FC (10:30pm EST)
Sunday, July 7th
Western New York Flash at FC Kansas City (4:10pm EST)
Wednesday, July 10th
Chicago Red Stars at Washington Spirit (7:30pm EST)
Thursday, July 11th
Western New York Flash at Seattle Reign FC (10:00pm EST)
All games are available to watch at the NWSL Soccer Youtube Channel.
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