N.C Courage Continue to Dominate, NWSL Week 3 Recaps and Highlights
North Carolina Courage sit alone atop the NWSL Standings (Photo: isiphotos.com)
If the first three weeks of NWSL Soccer are any indication on how the rest of the season will play out well hang on to your seats. As we approach week four we have to recap the exciting week three that took place this past weekend. North Carolina has emerged as a clear front runner to defend the title most of the players earned with the Western New York Flash a season ago. While Orlando and Washington have struggled to find their offense early on.
Check out our game-by-game recaps along with highlights of each match are below:
Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars (Portland 1-0)
The Portland Thorns got some great goalkeeper from Adrianna Franch to stifle the Red Stars offense on Saturday. Nadia Nadim converted on a penalty kick in the 27th minute to put the Thorns ahead 1-0 and that's all they would need the rest of the way. Franch made five saves in net to help Portland improve to 2-1-0.
North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride (North Carolina 3-1)
Last week on MyWSports Sports Monday, the crew discussed how successful North Carolina can be without scoring from Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald? Well those questions were answered in the 3-1 win over the Orlando Pride. Both Williams and McDonald scored their first goals of the season en route to the the victory. The Courage are the only unbeaten team remaining in the NWSL this season and sit alone atop the NWSL standings.
Boston Breakers vs. Seattle Reign FC (Boston 3-0)
The Boston Breakers found their offense on Saturday night in Boston as they handed the Seattle Reign a 3-0 loss at Jordan Field. The Breakers put the pressure on early as Adriana Leon found the back of the net in the 11th minute. Just four minutes later it was Leon who set up, #1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Rose Lavelle who scored her first career NWSL goal in the 15th minute. Natasha Dowie added an early second half goal and Abby Smith made six saves in her second shutout of the season. Boston improves to 2-1-0.
Washington Spirit v. Houston Dash (Houston 1-0)
KEALIA OHAI! KEALIA OHAI! KEALIA OHAI!!!! 13 goals in her last 13 NWSL games for the Dash forward who continues her incredible scoring streak. On Saturday, Ohai scored in the 28th minute to put Houston ahead of Washington and that would be the decider in this matchup. Stephanie Labbe was forced to make five saves on six shots for the Spirit but the offense could only muster one shot on goal on the opposite end. Houston improvs to 2-1-0.
Sky Blue FC vs. FC Kansas City (Sky Blue 1-0)
In an epic back and forth matchup on Sunday, Sky Blue scored a late goal to earn their first victory of the 2017 season. FC Kansas City put up a hell of a fight and even scored a header in the 88th minute that would've tied the match but it was called back because of an offsides call. FCKC outshot SBFC 9-8 but could not find the back of the net in 90+ minutes. Raquel Rodriguez converted on a corner in the 83rd minute to put Sky Blue ahead late and the defense held KC in check throughout the remainder of the half. SBFC improves to 1-1-1.
