Hi everyone, welcome back to the blog! In this blog we will cover the NWSL games played from May 13th through May 15th. Let's get started!
Portland Thorns FC vs OL Reign
May 13th
This was the rivalry game that everyone had been waiting for. With both teams being so close together, they were the ultimate competitors against each other. This game truly was back and forth. The ball hit the post too many times to count and so many shots were taken, but none were put in the back of the net. In the 63rd minute, Portland managed to score but it was offside. Unfortunately, neither team was able to score, leading to a 0-0 tie.
Orlando Pride vs Kansas City Current
May 14th
This game only really began in the 2nd half of the game. After a first half of not too many shots, it was only fair that we got to see 4 goals scored in the second. The first one came in the 51st minute for Orlando. After a cross into the box and past the near post, Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir got the ball played to her and was able to tap the ball across her body and into the net! Orlando was up 1-0! Almost 30 minutes later did Kansas City get their equalizer. In the 78th minute, Elyse Bennett was able to get just past her defender and head the ball off of a cross into the back of the net, near post! The game was all tied up! The game was looking like it would end in a 1-1 tie, but as I said before, 4 goals were scored, not 2. In the 90+1 minute of the game, Kansas got a lead. Kristen Hamilton was floating around the middle of the 18-yard box, and when the cross came in and no one cleared it, all she had to do was tap it in. Kansas City had gotten the lead! BUT, one more goal was still scored. In the 90+5 minute of the game, Orlando was able to tie the game and make it so the teams would have to share the points. After a PK was earned in the box, Toni Pressley stepped up to take it. Pressley shot the ball right down the middle, but with Kansas City's keeper already diving, the ball went right in! This crazy back and forth game ended in a 2-2 tie.
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs North Carolina Courage
May 14th
Due to COVID-19 guidelines, the game was postponed. It is not known yet when it will be played.
Racing Louisville FC vs Houston Dash
May 14th
The goals in this game weren’t scored until late in the second half. In the 77th minute, Houston was the first to get one on the board. Louisville's goalkeeper was able to make the original save but Nichelle Prince was there and able to head it into the goal! Louisville handled the time crunch well though. Only 5 minutes later did they score again. In the 82nd minute, Jessica McDonald got the cross in and headed it back across her body, catching Houston's goalkeeper off balance. The ball hit the side of the net and bounced in! The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
San Diego Wave FC vs Chicago Red Stars
May 15th
Like some of the prior games, we didn’t see any goals in this game until later in the game. San Diego's Alex Morgan was the first to score. In the 56th minute, after a foul in the box, Mogan stepped up to take the PK. She had done well in the past with PKs so it was looking good for San Diego. Morgan stepped up to take it and passed it right into the left side of the net. San Diego had gained the lead! In the 89th minute, San Diego struck again. Kaleigh Riehl was by herself in the box when she got a perfect cross in. All she needed to do was tap the ball into the net. San Diego had a safety net! Chicago fought and was able to score in the 90th minute, with a perfectly placed shot from Ava Cook, but it wasn’t enough to tie it. San Diego got the 2-1 win, continuing their undefeated streak of the season.
Washington Spirit vs Angel City FC
May 15th
Before we get to the highlights, a very nice gesture took place at the beginning of the game. Paige Nielsen, who played for the Spirit last year and won the Challenge Cup with them, was now playing with Angel City. Washington still made sure she got her ring though. Before the game began, the Spirit had their owner, Michele Kang, Andi Sullivan, and Tori Huster, both her teammates from her time with the Spirit, present Nielsen with her ring. It was very nice to see such good sportsmanship even right before they were able to play a game.
Now to the highlights. Only one goal was scored and determined who took home the 3 points, and no better person than Christen Press to decide it. After beating her defender, Press dribbled to the top of the 18-yard box, shifted her body, and curved the ball into the bottom right corner of the net! With that being the only goal scored, Angel City got their first away game win!
These were some pretty eventful games. For more information on these games, click here. We hope you enjoyed this blog and make sure you check out our other ones! Stay safe and we'll see you next time!
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