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Posted by
Emily Dulhanty,
April 18, 2013 |
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Email Emily Dulhanty
Twitter @emidul |
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Match Reports: Week One
Go here for the FC Kansas City 1, Portland Thorns 1 Match Report
Boston Breakers 1, Washington Spirit 1
Despite the Boston Breakers enjoying a large amount of the possession at the beginning of the match, the Washington Spirit managed to steal a goal in the 15th minute off of a counterattack. After the goal, the Spirit defense, including Canadian centre back Robyn Gayle who played the full 90 minutes, were able to contain a very fast front Boston line for most of the match. However, a goal by Boston Breakers forward Sydney Leroux in injury time narrowly allowed the Breakers to escape losing their inaugural NWSL match at home, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
A big talking point from this match was the admirable performance by Canadian and Spirit midfielder Diana Matheson, who was to all over the field for the duration of the match. Matheson pressed high up the field at times and took a couple of great long range shots, including one in the 41st minute that hit the crossbar from more than 20 yards out.
Rhian Wilkinson, Canadian and Boston Breakers left back, played the full 90 minutes and was imperative at helping the Breakers build play out of the back. Canadian forward Adriana Leon was not used as a substitute for the Breakers, and Candace Chapman was on the Washington Spirit bench, but did not play as she is still recovering from injury.
Chicago Red Stars 1, Seattle Reign FC 1
Both teams got on the board early in last Sunday’s clash in Chicago. Reign forward Liz Bogus sent a cross into the Chicago box in the 11th minute that was headed into the back of the net by Reign midfielder Christine Narin, past Canadian keeper Erin McLeod. However, in the 23rd minute, the Red Stars leveled the score when Lori Chalupny hit a volley into the Seattle goal off of a nicely placed cross.
A physical Seattle defense and midfield, led by Canadians Kaylyn Kyle and Emily Zurrer who both played the full 90 minutes, were able to stop a Red Stars attack that saw a majority of the possession in the match. Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos made 8 saves in the match.
Seattle forwards Lindsay Taylor and Canadian Tiffany Cameron both missed the match, with Taylor recovering from an eye injury and Cameron finishing her schooling at Ohio State this week. Seattle struggled to put up any offense after their goal, having no shots on goal after their 11th minute tally.
Canadian centre back Carmelina Moscato did not come off the bench for Chicago.
Sky Blue FC 1, Western New York Flash 0
Sky Blue FC was the only team in the inaugural NWSL weekend to earn a win. This match featured many surprising events, including a saved WNY Flash penalty kick in the 16th minute by Sky Blue FC keeper Brittany Cameron. The penalty kick was taken by WNY forward and Spanish international Adriana, and many were surprised that WNY forward Abby Wambach did not take it given her strong history of PK success.
In the 42nd minute, Sky Blue FC’s Danesha Adams placed a corner kick into the Flash’s six yard box and an unfortunate touch off WNY captain McCall Zerboni’s foot landed the ball in WNY net, giving Sky Blue FC a 1-0 lead.
Both teams had many chances in the second half, but no more goals were scored, due in part to great goalkeeping from both Cameron and WNY goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, as well as poor finishing from WNY Flash forwards and midfielders. Canadian midfielder Jodi-Ann Robinson came on as a substitute in the 65th minute and had many chances on goal but was not able to take advantage of the opportunities. The match ended just after Wambach missed an open net chance in the Sky Blue FC box, sending the ball over the bar.
Canadian midfielder Sophie Schmidt played the a full 90 minutes for Sky Blue FC and had some great a passes that lead to scoring chances.
Both Melanie Booth (Sky Blue FC) and Bryanna McCarty (WNY Flash) were two Canadians who did not come off the bench for their respective teams.
A Note on Week One Attendance:
Saturday’s inaugural match in Kansas City (Portland Thorns FC at FC Kansas City) was a sold out crowd of 6,784 fans, and was the highest attendance figure of the four opening weekend matches. WNY Flash at Sky Blue FC drew 2,611 fans in New Jersey, Washington Spirit at Boston Breakers had a sellout of 2,634 fans, and Seattle Reign FC at Chicago Red Stars drew a surprisingly low attendance figure of 1,255 fans. Indeed, the figure coming out of Chicago is the most troubling, especially when you take into account that the capacity for the stadium at the Benedictine University sports complex in Chicago is listed as 3071.
Week Two Preview: Keys to Each Match
Western New York Flash at Washington Spirit, Saturday April 20 7:00pm EST
With Washington’s strong defensive performance last week, the Western New York Flash are going to have to take advantage of any scoring chances they get and overcome their finishing woes in front of net if they are likely to get a result on the road. Follow @WashSpirit for a live stream link on Saturday.
Boston Breaks at FC Kansas City, Saturday April 20th 7:35pm EST
Boston’s front line looked fast and capable of stringing together some nice combination play, however FC Kansas City’s midfielders, including Canadian Desiree Scott, did a great job of preventing service to Portland’s forwards in week one. It will be interesting to see if Kansas can break up the fluidity of Boston’s attack in week two. Follow @FCKansasCity for a live stream link on Saturday.
Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns FC, Sunday April 21 5:00pm EST
The Cascadian rivalry begins this Sunday with the Seattle Reign visiting the Portland Thorns. Both teams will look to generate some offense after failing to do so in week one. Attendance wise, Portland has reportedly sold 7,000 season tickets and expect around 14,000 fans for Sunday’s match. Follow @ThornsFC for a live stream link on Sunday.
Both the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue FC have a bye week in week two.
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