Aussies Abroad Wrap: 12 July- 20 July 2017

Europe is still on hiatus as the European Championships commence but plenty of Aussie action - and goals - in the United States, as well as action in Asia

USA

Individuals scoring goals and teams earning points were the themes from this past week for the Aussies in the NWSL.

Opening up NWSL play were the Portland Thorns playing host to the North Carolina Courage. Both Hayley Raso and Ashleigh Sykes were in the starting lineup for the Thorns. Raso was creating chances for the Thorns, including a great run in the 27th minute that had her tackled just inside the box before she could get a shot off.

https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/886316860546797568

The evenly played match saw offensive opportunities, but zero goals in the first half. The second half saw more of the same game flow. It was not until the 70th minute of play that a goal was scored. Raso’s offensive efforts were rewarded when her teammate sent in a cross that she jumped up for, knocking the ball into the net with her head.

https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/886334557733048321

That goal would be the lone goal of the game and enough for a Thorns victory. The team now sits in fourth place with 22 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mYezLimcTs

Next up in the NWSL was Sky Blue FC facing off against the Chicago Red Stars. Sam Kerr and her Sky Blue teammates found themselves down in the game early on from the Red Stars who scored in the 4th and 26th minute. Then in the 32nd minute Kerr was able to get the offense going by sending in a ball that was passed around and ended up finding the back of the net.

https://twitter.com/SkyBlueFC/status/886375328570109952

Kerr nearly tied up the game with her cheeky passing and sneaky runs into the box.

https://twitter.com/SkyBlueFC/status/886375902313099265

The Red Stars started the second half up 2-1 and were able to keep that lead for the majority of the game. Then in true Sam Kerr fashion she found the equalizer in the 90th minute. A beautiful ball was sent into the box and Kerr went up for the ball, heading it into the far post for a goal.

https://twitter.com/SkyBlueFC/status/886392485467090944

The game ended in a 2-2 tie. The point helped the third place, Sky Blue, stay just two points behind the Red Stars in the standings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ59m00kIPw

The Orlando Pride with Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy hosted FC Kansas City this past week. The game did not take long before it saw its first goal in the 22 minute. Another Aussie game meant another Aussie goal and of course it was scored with a head. Kennedy found herself on the end of a cross where she muscled her way into the air above her defender and knocked the ball into the net.

https://twitter.com/ORLPride/status/886376465113198592

The Pride would be able to take a 2-0 lead into the half thanks to a converted penalty in the 38th minute. The second half would have a slower start for the goals but would see plenty more than the first half.

FC Kansas City would get a goal in the 65th minute only to be met with two more Pride goals. The Pride would score two goals over the course of five minutes. The game would end in a 4-1 victory for the Pride who now reside in sixth place with 19 points.

Catley continues to be a table setter of offense for the Pride.

https://twitter.com/ORLPride/status/886389280326782977

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BuMHRmCBsM

The Houston Dash would take on the Washington Spirit. Lydia Williams would not see any action for the Dash as she was an unused sub for the team’s 2-1 victory. The Dash are in seventh place with 17 points so far this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzsJImjeUyc