NWSL back for Week 19 after Tournament of Nations break

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 27: Houston Dash forward Kealia Ohai (7) dribbles the ball during the NWSL soccer match between the Orlando Pride and the Houston Dash on June 27th, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The NWSL is back after a week off for the Tournament of Nations. Here’s a preview of Week 19 action.

Fresh off of the USWNT winning the 2018 Tournament of Nations title, the NWSL gets back underway this weekend with four games. Eight of the nine teams will be in action on Sunday with Chicago having a bye week.

Game to watch

If you’re looking for the game to watch this weekend, look no further than Portland vs. North Carolina. This game will be chocked full of national team talent on either side. North Carolina currently have the best goal differential in the league, a whopping plus-27, 22 more than second-place Seattle. The Courage are 6-1-2 at home while Portland are 4-2-3 away from Providence Park.

Fatigue may play a role in the match. Both teams had a good amount of representation at the Tournament of Nations with NC sending six players and Portland sending eight. North Carolina also played in the first ever International Champions Cup Women’s Tournament. The Courage faced off against PSG and Lyon in route to winning the tournament.

Player to watch

It’s unclear how much time, if any, the players from Brazil, Australia or the USWNT will play this weekend after playing three games in the past week for the Tournament of Nations. This means that those who weren’t representing their country over the break could have big impacts for their clubs. One big name to watch out for this weekend is Kealia Ohai.

Ohai was originally called into camp for the USWNT ahead of the tournament, but was one of two players cut before the start. Look for Ohai to use that energy to go out and have herself a game in front of her home crowd fans. This is a big game for Ohai and the Houston Dash. They sit just one point ahead of the visiting Utah Royals and six points out of the final playoff spot.

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Schedule

Sunday, Aug. 5

North Carolina vs. Portland Thorns – 6 p.m. ET, Cary, North Carolina

Orlando Pride vs. Sky Blue FC – 7:30 p.m. ET, Orlando, Florida

Houston Dash vs. Utah Royals – 8:30 p.m. ET, Houston, Texas

Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit – 9 p.m. ET, Seattle, Washington

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