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The NWSL made an announcement last Friday afternoon that the Boston Breakers game originally scheduled for Saturday April 20th would be rescheduled to a later date due to the recent events in Boston. Although the game was to be played in Kansas City, many airport delays and groundings, as well as stress from the week’s events lead the league to cancel the game. Thankfully, although many of the Breaker’s players, including Canadian Rhian Wilkinson, were out on the marathon course cheering on runners during the day, all players were safe and accounted for fairly quickly on marathon Monday and throughout the week.
After the cancellation, only two NWSL games took place last weekend, both featuring great attendance figures and some great performances from Canadian midfielders. Here is our week two recap:
Washington Spirit 1, Western New York Flash 1
Last Saturday’s matchup in Washington highlighted the versatility of Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson. The Spirit seem to have Matheson playing in a higher midfield position, which is showcasing her attacking presence, while still allowing her to win the ball in the middle of the field, something Canadians have come to expect from the 29-year old. In just the 7th minute of play, Matheson made a great run into the Flash’s box, and just narrowly missed getting on the end of a cross from Spirit defender Ali Krieger. Throughout the match, Matheson combined nicely with Krieger and fellow central midfielder Lori Lindsay to create a few chances for the Spirit.
Canadian defender Robyn Gayle went a full 90 minutes, and for much of the match was tasked with defending WNY Flash striker Abby Wambach, to which she won many 1 v 1 battles and aerial contests. Wambach’s best chance came in the 20th minute, when she missed a volley from inside the 6-yard box. Despite some stellar goalkeeping from Spirit keeper Ashlyn Harris, denying the Flash with full extension diving saves on several occasions, the Flash finally found the back of the net in the 85th minute, when Wambach sent a ball into the 6-yard box which found Flash forward Samantha Kerr. Kerr tapped the ball in to give the Flash the lead.
However, the Flash did not hold the lead for long, as two minutes later a penalty kick was awarded to the Spirit in the 87th minute after Spirit forward Jasmyne Spencer was taken down. Matheson stepped up and delivered the ball into the left corner, leveling the score to one all. The game would end in a draw.
Canadian and Flash midfielder Jodi-Ann Robinson surprisingly only came into the match in the 93rd minute, despite coming on for the last 25 minutes of the Flash’s week one game. Bringing Robinson on in week one helped create many scoring chances for the Flash, and even though she only saw one minute of play in this match, she was able to dangerously dribble the ball across the Spirit 18-yard box, and pass to Wambach, who’s shot was blocked by Gayle. Perhaps Flash coach Aaron Lines will consider giving Robinson more minutes in week three if she continues to bring a spark to the Flash offence off the bench.
Canadian and Flash defender Bryanna McCarthy did not feature in the match.
4,569 fans attended the game, which was an overcapacity crowd.
Portland Thorns FC 2, Seattle Reign FC 1
The first edition of the NWSL Cascadian rivalry was one to remember, as 16,456 fans packed into Portland’s Jeld-Wen field to watch the rivalry begin. The Rose City Riveters, newly formed Thorns support group, brought life to Jeld-Wen field, as they banged drums and chanted songs in support for the Thorns for 90 minutes.
The game was very physical, and leading this physicality was Canadian and Seattle midfielder Kaylyn Kyle who was tasked with marking Portland’s Christine Sinclair. Interestingly, Sinclair played the game in the attacking midfield role, a change from her position in week one, where her and Alex Morgan did not see much of the ball for long periods. Sinclair was described by many as the best player on the field, as her withdrawn position saw her go from box-to-box, making clearances near the Thorn’s net and creating scoring chances at the Seattle end.
The Thorns opened scoring just before the half, when Thorns defender Marian Dougherty headed a free kick into the back of Seattle’s net. In the 52nd minute, Sinclair picked up a loose ball and threaded it to Morgan, who calmly finished with her left foot, doubling the Thorn’s lead.
Seattle was able to pull a goal back, and it was largely a result of a great balance in Seattle’s midfield. The trio of Kyle, as well as fellow Seattle midfielders Keelin Winters and Jessica Fishlock, proved to be very strong throughout the match, thwarting many of Portland’s challenges with great tackles and combination play. After a tackle on Thorn’s defender Rachel Buehler by Winters in the 74th minute, Fishlock picked up the loose ball and slotted a left footed shot passed Canadian keeper Karina Leblanc.
Despite a late push from the Reign, the match ended 2-1 in favour of the Thorns, who enjoyed their first win of the NWSL season in front of their home crowd.
Canadian centre back Emily Zurrer had a solid 90 minutes for the Seattle Reign, as Zurrer stopped a few potential breakaways by Morgan and gave her minimal space to work with the ball throughout the game. However, a poor clearance by Zurrer near her own box in the 52nd minute resulted in Sinclair’s through ball to Morgan, and Portland’s subsequent second goal. Zurrer will need to work on making her clearances and touches at the back more precise to avoid give away goals.
Week Three Preview:
Friday April 26th
Seattle Reign FC at FC Kansas City (8:35pm EST)
Coming off of strong performances in weeks one and two, this match will feature Seattle’s Kaylyn Kyle and Kansas City’s Desiree Scott battling in the middle of the park. Both midfielders have similar gritty tackling styles, and are tireless when trying to regain possession of the ball.
Saturday April 27th
Sky Blue FC at Washington Spirit (7:00pm EST)
There will be many 1-v-1 battles occurring in this match between Canadian central midfielders Diana Matheson (Spirit) and Sophie Schmidt (Sky Blue FC). In addition, it will be interesting to see if Canadian Melanie Booth sees time on the field, as she did not feature in Sky Blue FC’s week one game.
Boston Breakers at Western New York Flash (7:35pm EST)
Flash striker Abby Wambach will not be playing in their home opener this Saturday against the Boston Breakers, as she took a hard shot to the back of the head late in the team’s week two game. Early reports of a concussion were put to rest after Wambach underwent testing on Monday, however a team spokesperson reports her sitting out will be “precautionary”. The Flash will now have to make some tactical changes in order to generate some offense in the hopes of earning their first NWSL victory, while being tasked with the Breaker’s speedy front line.
Portland Thorns FC at Chicago Red Stars (8:00pm EST)
It will be interesting to see if Sinclair starts the Thorn’s week three match at the attacking midfield role that she did in week two, or if she will play up top as she did in week one. Both Canadian goalkeepers will feature in the match, with Leblanc for the Thorns and CanWNT’s first choice keeper Erin McLeod guarding the Red Star’s goal. Defender Carmelina Moscato is likely to see some minutes for Chicago, as she did not feature in the team’s week one match.
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