Pride Hand Courage First Loss, NWSL Week 5 Recaps and Highlights
The Orlando Pride pick up first win by handing N.C Courage first loss (Jeremy Reper/isiphotos.com)
This weekend in the National Women's Soccer League was glorious for any soccer fan to watch. The Seattle Reign offense exploded for six goals against the Washington Spirit, while Sky Blue FC and the Orlando Pride earned much needed wins to keep pace with the pack. The big news came out of Orlando, where the Pride took down the previously unbeaten North Carolina Courage, 3-1. The other two match ups from the weekend finished in draws. Also, some big news this week as Mallory Pugh is set to join the Washington Spirit this upcoming weekend.
Check out our game-by-game recaps along with highlights of each match are below:
Houston Dash vs. Sky Blue FC (Sky Blue 3-1)
Sky Blue FC earned a hard fought 3-1 road victory this past weekend, behind a two point effort from Samantha Kerr. SBFC got on the board in the first half when Kerr got kicked in the face in the box to earn a penalty kick. Sarah Killion converted on the PK in the 33rd minute for her league leading fourth goal. In the 53rd minute, Leah Galton benefited from a Kerr assist and quickly made it 2-0 early in the second half. Houston showed some life late in the half when Poliana scored in the 76th minute to cut the deficit to one. However, Sam Kerr was having a game and she would not be denied the win on this day. In the 87th, Kerr scored her first goal of the season to give SBFC the insurance they needed to preserve the win.
Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit (Seattle 6-2)
The Seattle Reign got a historic performance from Nahomi Kawasumi in a 6-2 throbbing of the Washington Spirit on Saturday night. The Reign got on the board early when Kawasumi dropped a pass to Christine Nairn who converted on the assist to give Seattle a 1-0 lead. 15 Minutes later, in the 35th minute, Beverly Yanez one timed a cross from Kawasumi and doubled the Reign lead. Washington came out of the half trailing 2-0 but cut the deficit on a penalty kick in the 60th minute. Havana Solaun scored on the PK which came on an inadvertent handball. In the 69th minute Kawasumi scored to put the Reign up by two. Megan Rapinoe notched two goals in five minutes and Lindsay Elston capped off a four goal in 10 minute run that helped propel Seattle to a 6-2 victory. Kawasumi finished with a goal and four assist in the contest.
FC Kansas City vs. Portland Thorns FC (Draw 0-0)
It was a goalkeeper battle down in Kansas City this weekend with the Portland Thorns and FCKC playing to a scoreless draw. Portland keeper, Adrianna French made two saves and earned her third shutout of the season while KC keeper, Nicole Barnhart recorded her second shutout of the year. The defenses also came up huge throughout for both teams. FCKC outshot Portland 12-9 while the Thorns generated more crosses in the match.
Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage (Orlando 3-1)
Coming into this matchup the Orlando Pride were winless on the season while the North Carolina Courage were unbeaten. Two teams heading in opposite directions but this weekend displayed why every game is important. The Courage seemed unbeatable, in every contest this season they found a way to win. For the Pride, they played opponents tough but just couldn't finish, in this game they finished. After a scoreless first half, Orlando scored two goals in two minutes just five minutes into the second half. Chioma Ubogagu and Camila Martins Pereira scored a minute apart to give Orlando a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute. Debinha De Oliveira scored a minute later to continue the fireworks and bring the Courage back within one. The two teams settled down a bit and went back and forth until the 82nd minute when Jasmyne Spencer scored to put the Pride ahead 3-1. The Courage threatened late but could not capitalize on the opportunities. Pride goalkeeper, Ashlyn Harris made three saves on net.
Chicago Red Stars vs. Boston Breakers (Draw 1-1)
The Chicago Red Stars got a late score from Christen Press in the 89th minute to help salvage a point against the Boston Breakers. Boston held a 1-0 lead when Rose Lavelle scored her second goal of the year in the 69th minute. The Breakers played a great defense game throughout keeping Press and Julie Ertz off the scoreboard. Unfortunately the Red Stars persistence paid off when Sofia Huerta sent in a beautiful cross to the streaking Press who headed it past Breakers goalkeeper Abby Smith. Chicago avoids losing three straight and will have a big game against North Carolina this upcoming week.
