Fansided

Chicago vs. Portland provides entertaining matchup in NWSL Week 2

By Jordan Small

PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 07: Portland Thorns midfielder Tobin Heath celebrates the partial 2-1 of the Portland Thorns 3-1 victory over the Seattle Reign on September 7, 2018, at Providence Park, Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 07: Portland Thorns midfielder Tobin Heath celebrates the partial 2-1 of the Portland Thorns 3-1 victory over the Seattle Reign on September 7, 2018, at Providence Park, Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /
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In Week 2 of the NWSL season, we’ll see four matchups, including Chicago vs. Portland and the Utah Royals’ 2019 debut.

On Wednesday night, the Orlando Pride traveled to the North Carolina Courage to kick off the second week of NWSL action. After a thumping of the Pride, the Courage will be off this weekend as all other eight teams are in action. Utah will open their season this weekend when they take on the Washington Spirit. Let’s take a look at what week 2 will bring us in the NWSL.

Game to watch

While we’re only two games into the season, every point matters right now. With this being one of the last weeks with the USWNT players, each team will try and get the most out of them while they’re still around. And what better game to have these national team players on display than Chicago vs. Portland.

A matchup between two playoff mainstays, this will be a battle of talent on both ends. If you like offense, you have Christine Sinclair and Tobin Heath on Portland visiting Sam Kerr on her own turf in Chicago. Then on defense, you have two of the top goalkeepers in the league and some of the young talent for the USWNT’s backline. It’s also going to be the second of six road games for the Portland Thorns to start off the season so if they can continue to pick up points, that’ll be huge once Providence Park is finished with renovations.

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Player to watch

One player to watch this weekend will be Christen Press. After having a bye in Week 1, the Utah Royals will kick off their season against the Washington Spirit on Saturday night. Last week against Sky Blue, the Spirit’s backline shut out the Sky Blue attack and managed to close down Carli Lloyd and Imani Dorsey. But this week they will have an even bigger challenge when they have to face Press. With two rookies in the back for Washington, the Royals’ forward should try to use her pace to beat this backline.

Schedule

Saturday, April 20

Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns – 3:30 p.m. ET – Bridgeview, Illinois
Sky Blue vs. Houston Dash – 6 p.m. ET – Piscataway, New Jersey
Utah Royals vs. Washington Spirit – 9 p.m. ET – Sandy, Utah

Sunday, April 21

Reign FC vs. Orlando Pride – 10 p.m. ET – Tacoma, Washington

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