LEFT WANTING MORE

The story coming into the match was that the Western Sydney Wanderers finally have all three of the highly anticipated NWSL North Carolina Courage loanees in the lineup.

Kristen Hamilton was with the team in the first game, but today her teammates Lynn Williams and Denise O’Sullivan joined her. In Hamilton’s debuted she lived up to her hype with a goal, but today her and her counterparts looked less than spectacular. 

The trio along with the rest of the Wanderers produced plenty of chances, 29 to be exact. Yet the only goal they could convert was a penalty.

For the majority of the game the Wanderers were in their offensive half putting constant pressure on the Jets, it felt like they were on the verge of scoring the entire match. 

Western Sydney did end up with the three points, but their lack of finishing has to be a concern for them moving forward. To outmatch a team as much as they did in this game and to only score from a penalty has to be disappointing for the team.

There were glimpses of what Williams can do for the Wanderers with her blistering speed and footwork. Perhaps it is simply the team needs more time to gel together since O’Sullivan and Williams joined the Wanderers late with national team duties.

They will have to figure out their offensive woes in a hurry with the short W-League season and not having their first bye until week five.

The Wanderers are 2-0 on the season but they have plenty to improve upon for the remainder of the 2019-20 W-League campaign.

NEWCASTLE WEATHERS THE STORM

Not only did the Jets have to worry about the thunderstorm that delayed the game for 30 minutes they also had to weather the offensive storm from the Wanderers. 

It seemed like Newcastle was on their heels for the majority of the game chasing the Wanderers. The Jets’ offensive chances were few and far between.

But to spend most of the 90 minutes defending and to only lose 1-0 is quite an accomplishment.

Of course the Jets will be unhappy with the loss, but a team that looked like they could have a hard time competing in the League this season has only conceded two goals in two games. And those two teams, Melbourne City and Western Sydney, have two of the best offences this year. 

In this game even as they were dominated in just about every aspect never looked frustrated or overwhelmed. For a team that boasts one of  the youngest rosters in the league to play with such composure is certainly impressive.

The Jets were lesser in just about every category including passes with 217 to the Wanderers'  528 passes. 

Can the Jets play almost 90 minutes of defence every game and continue to have close games?

Only time will tell how the Jets will fare, but it is hard to see them collecting three points from a match with zero shots on goal.

TEAMS NEED MORE TIME TOGETHER

In every league around the world the first game of a season teams are trying to find their identity and the W-League is no exception.

However, the short preseason the league provides could be the root of the incohesive play fans are seeing.

Players have only been able to train together for a few weeks and it is showing in their play on the pitch. 

Instead of taking a full 2-3 games for the clubs to be at their peak we could see them in top form in the first match of the season. 

For Western Sydney to have 29 shots on goal and only score one not even from the run of play demonstrates the idea they need more time training as a unit. 

When teams are together longer they look crisper and play in sync.

Perhaps that is the greatest advantage for the Jets. While many people are knocking them for having a majority of local youth in their lineup their team play is paying off.

The Jets 0-1-1 record may look otherwise but their ability to play as a unit has to be a key factor as to why they can stay in games they have been outmatched in.

Newcastle never looks frustrated or scrambling for position. They may not have the superior names on their roster, but they look like the most cohesive group in the league so far.