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NWSL Roundup: Busy opening weekend begins with a Sam Kerr goal

By Jordan Small

PISCATAWAY, NJ - JULY 07: Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr (20) controls the ball during the first half of the National Womens Soccer League game between the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue FC on July 7, 2018 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - JULY 07: Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr (20) controls the ball during the first half of the National Womens Soccer League game between the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue FC on July 7, 2018 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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A Sam Kerr goal, a Mallory Pugh assist, Tobin Heath tearing it up in Orlando and a penalty kick save. The opening weekend of the NWSL had it all.

Opening weekend of the NWSL brought us four games with all but Utah seeing game action. Both Saturday and Sunday featured two games with one each day ending in a draw and the other in 2-0 victories. There was a little bit of everything, from Sam Kerr scoring the first goal of the season to a penalty kick being saved in extra time of the final game of the weekend. Let’s take a look back at the weekend that was in the NWSL.

North Carolina 1-1 Chicago Red Stars

It was a good start to the night for the North Carolina Courage when they received their championship rings in a pregame ceremony. Things continued to go their way in the beginning stages of the game as they outplayed Chicago, but in the 26th minute Sam Kerr made sure people still remembered who the top goalscorer in the league was. The 2017 and 2018 Golden Boot winner blew past the defense to get on the end of a Yuki Nagasato through ball before faking out Courage goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe for the first goal of the 2019 NWSL season. Crystal Dunn was having none of that and pulled her team back even in the 66th minute. Five saves from Alyssa Naeher sealed the deal and assured the Red Stars of a point on opening weekend.

Washington Spirit 2-0 Sky Blue

The battle of last year’s bottom two teams kicked off the season in Maryland on Saturday night. Things seemed to go Washington’s way for pretty much the whole match as Sky Blue struggled to mount an attack against the newly-assembled back four for the Spirit. Mallory Pugh was great for the Spirit on Saturday night and picked up an assist for her efforts. Two second half goals for Washington were the difference in this one and it seems like Sky Blue’s struggles will continue for a bit longer.

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Orlando Pride 0-2 Portland Thorns

The Portland Thorns traveled to Orlando to open their 2019 campaign. They were able to pick up three big points in the process as they tore apart a Pride team that seem to still be looking for their identity under new head coach Marc Skinner. Tobin Heath played a ball for Caitlin Foord for the opening goal for Portland in the first half. In the second half, Foord repayed the favor as it was Heath on the goalscoring end of the play this time around. The big question for the Pride moving forward is the midfield, as this left big holes in both defense and attack on Sunday.

Houston Dash 1-1 Reign FC

Reign FC will be kicking themselves that they’re heading back to the pacific northwest with just one point. With the game tied at one in stoppage time, Jodie Taylor drew a penalty after being tripped up in the box by Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell. But Campbell got the last laugh as she saved Taylor’s poorly-taken penalty kick. The biggest concern for the Reign moving forward is their injuries. They had to make two first half subs and it appears Jasmyne Spencer could be out a while after returning to the bench in a full leg brace.

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