NWSL Week 2 Recap

FC Kansas City Earns Draw vs. Portland Thorns FC (Photo: NWSLsoccer.com)

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is now is full force after opening weekend last week, which saw some surprising results and forced some teams to make moves before the games started for week two. In week two, the Washington Spirit continued their dominance in a hard fought win over Sky Blue FC on the road. The Boston Breakers are the only team failing to register a point in the first two weeks, and have not registered a point in five games dating back to last year. The Orlando Pride broke the NWSL attendance record and picked up their first win in franchise history against the Houston Dash. The game wasn’t the only loss for the Dash, in the fifth minute of the match; Carli Lloyd sprained her MCL and will be out indefinitely an MRI confirmed on Monday.

Sky Blue FC 1 vs. Washington Spirit 2 Final

Last week the Washington Spirit (2-0-0, 6pts) shutdown a Boston team that could not put together a good offense attack. This week the Spirit responded to a very well coached team in Sky Blue FC (1-1-0, 3pts) who earned an impressive win in week one. Ali Krieger and Diana Matheson scored to give Washington the win but Sky Blue would put up a fight and try to make a comeback. In the 66th minute Maya Hayes connected on a feed from Taylor Lytle to cut the deficit but the Spirit would hold on to win 2-1 in front of the Jersey crowd.

Boston Breakers 0 vs. Seattle Reign FC 3 Final

The Boston Breakers (0-2-0, 0pts) are off to a slow start following their first two matches of the season. The team has failed to score a goal this year, and have lost five straight games dating back to last season. The Seattle Reign FC (1-1-0, 3pts) picked up their first win on the season taking it to Boston on the offensive attack. Kim Little was the MyWSports Top Player of the Week, her two assist and goal was a huge contributor in the win for the Reign. Seattle jumped on the board early with a ninth minute goal by Manon Melis, who chipped it over the keeper Libby Stout. The reign wouldn’t look back and would complete the shutout 3-0.

FC Kansas City 1 vs. Portland Thorns FC 1 Final

In a surprising start to their season the two time NWSL Champions FC Kansas City (0-1-1, 1pt) have struggled to generate quality opportunities. The Blues looked better against the Portland Thorns FC (1-0-1, 4pts) but went down to 10 players early in the second half. Shea Groom scored the go ahead goal for FCKC but went out of the game in the 2nd after receiving a second yellow card. Portland would spread the field and get the equalizer by Lindsey Horan. Portland is sitting in second place following the draw, and has been one of the best defensive teams in the first two weeks.

Orlando Pride 3 vs. Houston Dash 1 Final The Orlando Pride (1-1-0, 3pts) picked up their first win in franchise history, in front of a record-breaking crowd, the pride took down the Houston Dash (1-1-0, 3pts). In the fifth minute the Dash would lose Carli Lloyd to a sprained MCL and the team struggled to regroup offensively. The Pride would apply pressure throughout the first half and in stoppage time of the half would get an own goal to take the 1-0 lead into the locker room. The game plan must’ve been attack for the Pride, scoring two goals in a span of four minutes. Orlando would hold on for a 3-1 victory in their first home game of the season.

Chicago Red Stars 1 vs. Western New York Flash 0 Final

The Chicago Red Stars (1-1-0, 3pts) bounced back from a tough loss on the road to Houston last week. Taking their home opener against WNY Flash (1-1-0, 3pts) 1-0 on Saturday. The former Boston Breaker Alyssa Naeher recorded her first shutout in a Red Stars uniform. Casey Short scored the game winning goal in the 28th minute to put Chicago in front. The defense was solid throughout for the Red Stars shutting down a solid but young WNY Flash team.

The standings are all bundled up with Washington Leading the pack with 6 points and Boston in the basement, the lone team without a point. As the season progresses and we head towards the Olympics it will be interesting to see how the start of the season helps or hurts these teams later.

Follow Luis Sanchez on Twitter @Luis_MyW