NWSL (USA)

The NWSL week kicked off with two teams looking for their first win of the season, having Reign FC hosting Sky Blue FC.

The goals came early when Sky Blue scored the first goal of the match just 10 minutes into the match. Not to be outdone, Reign found the equaliser just three minutes later. They provided more offense outshooting Sky Blue 20 shots to seven shots.

Finally, in the 78th minute, Seattle was rewarded with the go-ahead goal.  They would hold onto to win 2-1, securing the team’s first victory of the season.

Steph Catley started the game for Seattle and tallied 46 minutes before being subbed off.  This game was her first time playing this season since she was recovering from a right calf strain.

Lydia Williams was an unused sub and Elise Kellond-Knight was not available due to a hamstring injury.

The second game of the week was between the Portland Thorns and the Washington Spirit.  Portland entered the game still unbeaten this season and looking to extend their streak to five games.

The Spirit would get out to an early lead in the 16th minute with an Amy Harrison assist. The game seemed to settle down in the first half with no other goals in the first 45 minutes.

Just after the start of the second half, the Spirit was awarded a corner kick. The ball bounced around a few times and eventually off a Thorn’s player’s head for an own goal and the Spirit’s second goal of the game.

Even with the two-goal deficit, Portland continued to put pressure on the Spirit’s defence. In the 67th minute, the Thorns were able to cross a ball in from the right side where Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic won the ball in the box and saw a wide-open Caitlin Foord. 

The 2-1 scoreline would not last long when the Spirit scored their third game of the match in the 71st minute. The game would end in a 3-1 victory for the Spirit giving the Thorns their first loss of the season.