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Standings:
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Points
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Played
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W
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L
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T
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GF
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GA
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Sky Blue FC
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31
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16
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9
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3
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4
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25
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15
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Portland Thorns FC
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27
|
15
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8
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4
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3
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19
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14
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FC Kansas City
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26
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16
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7
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4
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5
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24
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17
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WNY Flash
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24
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16
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6
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4
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6
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25
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17
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Boston Breakers
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20
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15
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5
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5
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5
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23
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22
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Chicago Red Stars
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19
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15
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5
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6
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4
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19
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23
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Seattle Reign FC
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15
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16
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4
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9
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3
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16
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26
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Washington Spirit
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7
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15
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1
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10
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4
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11
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28
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Race to the Post Season Continues
The race for the four playoff spots is heating up with each team having only six or seven regular season games left. Washington are all but mathematically eliminated, and Seattle are playing well, but it seems like their impressive form may have come too late.
Many of the top teams have faltered over their last couple games, opening the door for Boston or Chicago who are gaining momentum. FC Kansas City have tied their last three, and Western New York and Portland have just two points from their last four games.
Momentum Shift in the Northwest
After a rough start to the year, the Seattle Reign have earned thirteen points from their last five games and look to have their scoring woes from early on behind them. It’s unlikely any of the top teams would falter so much as to let Seattle slip into that fourth and final playoff spot, however they still have a small chance at the post season if they continue winning and the top teams continue to tie each other.
Kaylyn Kyle is still playing full games at the centre back position, and she as been doing well. Apart from allowing Abby Wambach to get the jump on her and outrun her to goal last Thursday, Kyle’s 1-v-1 defending has been good. She has been calm with the ball at her feet and has showed excellent distribution from the back.
The Portland Thorns have been a different story through their last four games, as they have scored just one goal and looked very disjointed. The addition of US international Tobin Heath greatly helped in last Sunday’s game, as Christine Sinclair was freed from the midfield and was able to play in her preferred striker position.
While Heath may be able to fix up the Thorns midfield, the team was still only able to score one goal on Sunday to get the tie at home. Sinclair and Alex Morgan looked like they were on different pages last Sunday, especially in a few instances where Sinclair was open and Morgan elected to take the shot instead of sending a through ball. Both will have to work on their communication and finishing if the team wants to stay in the top four.
Karina Leblanc earned the NWSL Player of the Week honour this week for her performance in the game on Sunday against the Flash. She made five saves, including a diving save in the 84th minute to deny Abby Wambach’s penalty kick and preserve the 1-1 tie for her team. When was the last time you’ve seen a Wambach penalty kick saved?
More Insight From Herdman on Next Year
For the second time this season, John Herdman appeared on the halftime broadcast of the Seattle Reign game last Thursday. Apart from the usual (and justified) thoughts on the Canadian youth system that is continuing to play catch up, Herdman gave more insight on the future of the NWSL and the Canadians in it.
On the strength of the NWSL, Herdman said, “I’m hoping that some Europeans will drop in and we can just strengthen up the quality. I think there’s too many peripheral players that just bring the standard down.”
However, Herdman then went on to explain how many of these peripheral players are in fact the Canadians. “For the Canadians, we’ve got our top players in there, and some of them can’t make the starting elevens. And it tells you that maybe we have too many players in. So I think there will be a bit of a rework next year and it will only get better.”
You can watch the full ten minute interview with Herdman here:
Leon Fitting in with Chicago
After her trade from Boston to Chicago three weeks ago, Adriana Leon has been a bright spot in the Chicago attack that was struggling for much of the season. She has played 90 minutes in each of her three games with Chicago and scored a goal and recorded an acrobatic bicycle kick assist in the team’s latest win over Washington. Her impressive technique was also showcased in the team’s come from behind 3-3 draw against Kansas City last Saturday, as she had a hand in setting up both of Chicago’s late goals.
US international Shannon Boxx complimented Leon’s skill on the last Chicago home game broadcast. “She loves to take players on. It’s really fun to watch her. Having her out there, being able to beat players 1-v-1, she’s crafty and obviously she can score goals, you saw that in the last game with the little chip over the keeper.”
Rhian Wilkinson Playing Out of Position for Boston
A bit of a reshuffling of the Boston Breakers back line has pulled Rhian Wilkinson out of favour for the starting spot at her usual right back position. Coach Lisa Cole seems to still want Wilkinson on the field in her starting eleven, so Wilkinson has played in a wide midfield position for the Breakers last two games.
Although one of Wilkinson’s defensive strengths has always been pushing up into the attack, she has looked awkward in this new role where she finds herself further up the field. She has been able to get some good crosses off, but in and around the area Wilkinson hasn’t looked comfortable with the ball. It will be interesting to see if Cole keeps her there for the remainder of the season.
This week
Saturday July 20th
Washington Spirit at Chicago Red Stars (7:00pm EDT)
Seattle Reign FC at FC Kansas City (8:35pm EDT)
Sunday July 21st
Sky Blue FC at Western New York Flash (1:30pm EDT)
-No live stream due to Fox Soccer TV Broadcast
Portland Thorns FC at Boston Breakers (4:00pm EDT)
-Pay-per-view live stream
Wednesday July 24th
Boston Breakers at FC Kansas City (8:35pm EDT)
Thursday July 25th
Chicago Red Stars at Seattle Reign FC (10:00pm EDT)
All games are available to watch at the NWSL Soccer Youtube Channel.
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