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NWSL Week 2: A Look Back

NWSL Christen Press by Daniel Bartel for Red Stars
Photo by Daniel Bartel/Chicago Red Stars

By CAITLIN MURRAY

The soccer gods are making sure the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League will not go down the same path as last year. Two weeks into the season, teams are finding themselves in new territory.

Reigning champion FC Kansas City is struggling and sits in a three-way tie for last place. The dominant Seattle Reign, which went 17 matches into last season before losing, has already lost. And the Portland Thorns are oozing chemistry in the midfield.

For good measure, throw in some standout performances from U.S. Women’s National Team players who will playing in the Women’s World Cup this year, and Week 2 was one worth watching across the league.

Here is a look back at the NWSL results this week:

PRESS LIFTS RED STARS OVER REIGN WITH DRAMATIC LATE WINNER

SBI’s match to watch this week did not fail to deliver. After a back-and-forth that appeared to be headed for a draw, a last-gasp, stoppage-time goal from Christen Press lifted the Red Stars over the Seattle Reign, 3-2, on Saturday.

In the Red Stars season opener after a bye week, Press played hero with a brace and 91st-minute game-winning blast, a stunning individual effort on a quick counter attack.

Press put the Red Stars on the board in the 32nd minute, also on the counter, firing out of the reach of a diving Hope Solo. She assisted Jen Hoy’s 35th-minute goal via a skipping cross into the goal area.

Beverly Yanez (née Goebel) opened scoring in the 31st minute, rising up at the far post on a corner kick. Kendall Fletcher scored the Reign’s second goal in the 38th minute, also a corner kick header.

The result continues a streak from last year when the Red Stars continually stymied the Reign, who otherwise bulldozed the rest of the league. The Reign were coming off a huge 4-1 win over the Western New York Flash last week to open the season.

The Red Stars did not release the attendance from Saturday’s match at the Benedictine University Sports Complex.

No match highlights available.

HARRIS STOPS HELP SPIRIT STUN KANSAS CITY

It looked like FC Kansas City was off to a good start on Saturday. Heather O’Reilly scored on goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris in just the 6th minute to give the Blues an early lead.

Buoyed by a performance that would see Harris make a handful of spectacular saves, the Washington Spirit surged back to win 3-1 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in front of 4,136 fans.

Harris recorded nine saves on the day, including a 15th-minute tip over the bar as O’Reilly attempted the same long-range blast she had scored on earlier. O’Reilly was denied again in the 55th minute on a diving save from Harris.

Christine Nairn’s long-range blast in the 9th minute equalized for the Spirit. Her 65th-minute free kick was the icing on the cake – a well-placed shot that sailed over the wall, skimmed the underside of the crossbar and bounced in.

Crystal Dunn, fresh off the news she would not travel to the Women’s World Cup with the USWNT, scored on a sharp give-and-go with Angela Salem in the 46th minute.

Kansas City, the 2014 NWSL champions, have now been defeated in their first two matches of the season and head home to host next week.

Here are the match highlights:

THORNS EDGE OUT FLASH ON LONG HEADER

Allie Long continued her hot streak for the Portland Thorns as the Western New York Flash make the long journey home with zero points to show for it.

Long’s 22nd-minute header punished a risky decision from goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo and was enough to secure a 1-0 win Saturday in front of 13,148 fans in Providence Park. Sinead Farrelly lofted a long ball into the box that Long rose up to head over D’Angelo, who came way out of her net trying to pick off the cross.

Long had her best chance to double her tally in the 62nd minute, running onto a Tobin Heath free kick and meeting it in the box. She trapped the long ball and brought it down to her feet, but it was one too many touches as D’Angelo came out to intercept.

With the Thorns defense losing captain Kat Williamson to a concussion at the half, Samantha Mewis was in the hunt for her first professional goal, forcing Thorns goalkeeper Nadine Angerer to make a diving stop in the 51st minute.

The Flash have now fallen in both of their matches this year, while the Thorns top the league table.

Here are the match highlights:

SKY BLUE SPLIT POINTS WITH DASH

Sky Blue FC was looking to continue the momentum from their home win last week, but round two at Yurcak Field against the Houston Dash was a much more even affair.

New Jersey-based Sky Blue settled for a 1-1 draw as USWNT national team players assisted each of the day’s goals in front of 1,742 fans.

In the 14th minute, Kelley O’Hara slipped a pass to Katy Freels in the goal area, who slammed it into the roof of the net to hand Sky Blue the early lead.

The Dash responded in the 52nd minute, as a floating cross from Morgan Brian dropped into the face of goal, where Jessica McDonald got her body in front of it to direct it across the line.

Notably for Sky Blue, Nadia Nadim, who scored the all-important lone goal of last week’s match, had to exit at the half, upsetting the rhythm of Sky Blue’s attack.

No match highlights available.

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What did you think of Week 2? Who was your player of the week? What do you make of FC Kansas City’s slow start? Think the Thorns could contend for the title this year?

Share your thoughts below.

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