Washington Spirit Pick Up First Win, NWSL Week 4 Recaps and Highlights
After a tough start, Washington picks up first win of 2017 season
Week four in the National Women's Soccer League was definitely one to remember. In an epic battle at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon the Portland Thorns fought back late to earn a draw against rivals, the Seattle Reign. Across the country, the North Carolina Courage scored in the first half and held Boston scoreless to improve to 4-0-0 with a 1-0 win over the Breakers. We also saw two draws in week four along with a two goal win for Chicago over Houston on Lifetime.
Check out our game-by-game recaps along with highlights of each match are below:
Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash (Chicago 2-0)
The Chicago Red Stars avenged their opening day loss to the Houston Dash with a 2-0 victory on Saturday. In the first half, Sarah Hagen headed a free kick from Chicago into her own net giving the Red Stars a 1-0 lead right before the end of the half. In the second half, Julie Ertz scored her second goal of the season to put the home team ahead 2-0. Alyssa Naeher and the Chicago defense shutout the Dash offense to hold on for the win.
Washington Spirit vs. Sky Blue FC (Washington 4-3)
The Washington Spirit picked up their first win of the 2017 season in a wild battle against Sky Blue FC at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The Spirit got on the board first when Francisca Ordega scored her first of two goals on the night in the sixth minute. The lead was short lived as Kelley O'Hara brought Sky Blue even just six minutes later. Washington continued to apply pressure in the first half and benefitted from an own goal when Erin Simon put one into her own net. About 10 minutes later Havana Solaun got a great assist from Ordega and put it past SBFC goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan. The Spirit took a 3-1 lead into the locker room. Sky Blue drew within one just five minutes into the second half when Sarah Killion scored in the 50th minute. Six minutes later, Ordega notched her second goal to put the Spirit ahead 4-2. In the 71st minute Killion converted on a penalty kick to cut the deficit to one. SBFC outshot the Spirit 9-4 but could not find the equalizer late in the second half.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC (Draw 2-2)
In front of over 16,000 fans at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon the greatest rivalry in the NWSL took center stage. The action started quickly as Rumi Utsugi found Jessica Fishlock in the first minute to out the visiting Seattle Reign ahead 1-0. Later in the first half Fishlock put in an own goal to equalize the match for Portland but the Reign quickly regained the lead when Merritt Mathias scored three minutes later. It would remain 2-1 Seattle until the 82nd minute when the Portland attack finally broke through a tough Seattle defense. Allie Long tied the game and sent the crowd into a frenzy. In the 90th minute the Thorns had a chance to win the game but midfielder Lindsay Elston cleared the shot off the goal line to help preserve the draw.
Boston Breakers vs. North Carolina Courage (North Carolina 1-0)
The North Carolina Courage remain the only unbeaten team in the league after earning a 1-0 win over the Boston Breakers on Sunday. In a very entertaining contest the Courage took a lead in the first half when Jessica McDonald scored in the 32nd minute. North Carolina and Boston battled throughout but both teams could not find the back of the net the rest of the way. The Courage defense displayed another dominate effort, holding the Breakers to just two shots on goal.
FC Kansas City vs. Orlando Pride (Draw 1-1)
Two teams trying to right the ship early in the season met on Sunday in Kansas City. The Orlando Pride visited FC Kansas City and fans were given an intense battle that saw two late goals. The wait is over for Marta fans as she scored her first NWSL goal in the 73rd minute to give the Pride a 1-0 lead. Orlando is the lone team without a win this season and their hearts were broken when Erika Tymrak found the back of the net in the 84th minute. Orlando is now 0-2-2 while FCKC goes to 1-2-1.
