Aussies Abroad: 18 - 29 July 2012

Championships were won and lost in the final fortnight of US women's football action.  Once are again the Australians were in the thick of the action as the WPSL Elite and the USL W-League wrapped up their 2012 seasons. 

Emily van Egmond and the Flash take out the 2012 Championship | WPSL Elite

The fortnight started well for Kyah Simon and Tameka Butt as their Boston Breakers clinched the WPSL Elite regular season title courtesy of a 1 – 0 win over the Western New York Flash.  The first half was a tight contest between the top two sides with defender Elli Reed breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute and giving the Breakers a 1 – 0 half time lead. 

The arm wrestle continued after the break although Simon went close to doubling the Breakers' lead on 78 minutes.  The Matildas' striker expertly brought down a cross, cut inside and fired only to see her strike cleared off the line.  A second half substitute for the Flash, Emily van Egmond went close to equalising five minutes from time as she rifled a shot just over the crossbar but the Breakers were able to hold on to claim their first premiership.   

22 July 2012: Match Report – Western New York Flash v Boston Breakers

As the top seeds, the Breakers went into their semi-final against fourth placed Chicago Redstars warm favourites, however, it was the Redstars who struck early.  Lauren Fowlkes opened the scoring on 14 minutes as she tucked away a corner for the sole goal of the first half.  

At the restart, Boston created several half opportunities before Chicago snuffed out any chance of a comeback with goals in the 54th and 66th minute.  Tameka Butt came close to pulling one back 56th minute as she pounced on a loose ball off a corner but her strike was saved by the Chicago goalkeeper.  The Breakers eventually managed a consolation goal late in the match but it was season over for Simon, Butt and the Breakers. 

25 July 2012: Match Report - Boston Breakers v Chicago Redstars

Emily van Egmond and the Western New York Flash won their way through the WPSL Elite final with a come from behind 2 – 1 win over New York Fury.  Two second half goals in two minutes saw the Flash overhaul the Fury's 8th minute opener to take them through to the championship decider.  While van Egmond was not involved in the semi-final, the 19 year old did have a part to play in the final.

25 July 2012: Match Report - WNY Flash v New York Fury

In the Championship final, the Western New York Flash defeated the Chicago Redstars 4 – 3 on penalties.  After a tense opening, Chicago opened the scoring five minutes before the half time break through Ashleigh Ellenwood.  While the Flash probed for an equaliser in the second half, it wouldn't come until the 5th minute of additional time through Toni Pressley.  

With extra time unable to separate to the two sides, the title was decided on penalties.  Van Egmond took the crucial fourth penalty for the Flash to give them a 3 – 2 lead, and with the Redstars missing their fourth, the title was sealed with Angela Salem's conversion. 

28 July 2012: Match Report – WNY Flash v Chicago Redstars

Despite their semi-final exit, Kyah Simon finished the WPSL Elite season as second top scorer win 12 goals in 13 games and second on the points table (culmination of goals and assists). 

It was also finals time in the USL W-League with Australians in action for the Pali Blues and Ottawa Fury. 

The first semi saw top seeded Pali take on the fourth seeded Quebec City Amiral, with the Blues making their way through the final with a 2 – 0 win courtesy of Liz Bogus’ brace. 

As she had been all season, Servet Uzunlar was instrumental for the Blues and was involved in the lead up for first goal.  The Matilda controlled a teammates cross before firing at the Amiral goal.  The goalkeeper's reaction save fell to the oncoming Bogus who slotted home in the 31st minute.  The match was then killed off in the 80th minute with Bogus cutting inside before sealing the match.   

27 July 2012: Match Report – Pali Blues v Quebec City Amiral

Katrina Gorry's Ottawa Fury held off a fast finishing DC United Women, with Lydia Hastings' 44th minute goal enough to see them advance to the Championship game. 

27 July 2012: Match Report – Ottawa Fury v DC United Women

In the Championship decider, the previously unbeaten Pali Blues stumbled at the final hurdle with the Ottawa Fury overhauling them to take their first title 4 – 3 on penalties. 

The Blues started the match the stronger in the second minute Nikki Washington fired from distance to give them an early 1 – 0 lead.  Led by Servet Uzunlar (Pali) and Katrina Gorry (Ottawa), the game settled into an absorbing contest and despite several close calls, Blues couldn’t find the sealer and Fury were unable to fashion an equaliser. 

That changed in the 88th minute when Gorry produced an excellent free kick forcing the Blue's goalkeeper to parry it into the path of Ashley Seal.  From close range, Seal tied the game to take it into extra time. 

In extra time, both Uzunlar and Gorry were instrumental.  First Gorry ratted the cross by from 30 yards out in the 96th minute while Uzunlar created two half chances for the Blues and numerous free kick opportunities.  Two diving saves by the Fury goalkeeper early in the penalty shootout was enough for Ottawa and Gorry to clinch the 2012 USL W-League title. 

29 July 2012: Match Report – Pali Blues v Ottawa Fury

Brooke Spence was rewarded for her excellent season with the Colorado Rapids with the Brisbane Roar defender named in the USL W-League Western Conference Team of the Year.  Katrina Gorry's 2012 efforts were also recognised as she was nominated for the Rookie of the Year Award.