NWSL: Week 14 Roundup; US stars return to the league

The World Cup-winning players from the USA suited back up in their club colors and starred in another exciting weekend in the NWSL.

The 14th week of the NWSL might be the most significant of the season. First off, all the players from the US squad that won the World Cup in France returned to the league and most of them played. Because of the return of the USWNT, tickets were being sold at a record clip in multiple cities to see this weekends games.

Utah Royals 2-2 Portland Thorns

The first game of the weekend was an absolute thriller as the Royals were able to snatch a point away from the Thorns in front of their home fans at Rio Tinto Stadium. Utah welcomed back Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelly O’Hara and Christen Press from the US side and their impact were felt immediately.

After Christine Sinclair belted one in early, Christen Press ended Portland defender Elizabeth Ball with a nutmeg and scored past US teammate Adriana Franch to equalize. The game stood for much of the second half until Becky Sauerbrunn got the last touch off a Meghan Klingenberg free-kick in the 87th minute and scored the own goal to give Portland the lead. Utah stayed vigilant and Rachel Corsie finished a surging cross from O’Hara to earn the point.

Utah stays in the playoff hunt as the draw ends their two-game losing streak while Portland remains in first-place by a single point. The Thorns have Horan, Franch, Emily Sonnett, and Tobin Heath back to keep them in the hunt for the regular-season title.

Washington Spirit 1-2 Houston Dash

This match kicked off around 8 pm and didn’t conclude until 11 pm. Why? Well a two-hour lightning delay in D.C. immediately after the first-half meant the Spirit and Dash got the longest halftime of their careers. The game was a sellout before fans headed home with the bad weather but those fans that left missed an entertaining second-half.

The Dash got their first win in seven matches scoring two unanswered goals. Washington’s Jordan DiBiasi struck first in the 52nd minute after the lightning but some great passing from Houston led to the Kristie Mewis equalizer four minutes later. The Dash got the eventual winner 20 minutes later off a header from Amber Brooks. But before Houston could celebrate three points, the Spirit had a 90th-minute penalty to try and tie it. Mallory Pugh, in her first NWSL game since April, had her PK saved by Jane Campbell. After winning four straight in the spring, Washington is winless in their last five games.

Orlando Pride 1-0 Sky Blue FC

The Pride got their third win in their last five matches with a couple of milestones. First off, Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger returned to the team while Alex Morgan got some extra rest. Second, Marisa Viggiano scored her first-career professional goal with a top-corner shot in the first half. Viggiano traded the purple of Northwestern for the Orlando Pride as the fourth-round selection in this year’s draft. Lastly, the Pride earned their first clean sheet in OVER A YEAR! Their last one was on June 23, 2018, against Washington with Harris in goal.

The Pride is picking up points and slowly creeping up in the table. They are within striking distance of the Dash to move out of the bottom two. When Alex Morgan returns, surely they’ll keep up this good run of form. Sky Blue FC stay in last with their eighth loss in 12 matches.

Chicago Red Stars 2-1 NC Courage

The featured game of the weekend was played in front of a sell-out crowd in the Windy City. They even had to sell upper-deck seats at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The fans that filled the stadium to 17,000+ people saw the home team take three points in a game that featured eight US players.

This rivalry has developed over the years and the legend of it grows as the Red Stars scored two unanswered to end North Carolina’s five-match unbeaten run. Lynn Williams scored one of the easiest goals she’ll score this season after some lackadaisical Chicago defending. Williams’ goal was quickly canceled out by Vanessa DiBernardo’s first goal of the season in the 37th minute. Sam Kerr won it with some individual brilliance to score her 10th goal of the campaign.

Chicago is on a roll with three wins in their last four and are just three points outside of first-place Portland. The Courage remains in second-place and is happy to see US stars Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, and Jessica McDonald return to the squad. The home fans saw great performances from Chicago’s returning American stars Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, Morgan Brian, and Tierna Davidson.

Week 15 Schedule

WED 7/24 – Sky Blue FC vs. Washington Spirit (7:30 pm ET – YAHOO)

WED 7/24 – Portland Thorns vs. Houston Dash (10:30 pm – YAHOO)

SAT 7/27 – Utah Royals vs. NC Courage (10 pm – ESPNEWS)

SUN 7/28 – Reign FC vs. Chicago Red Stars (4 pm – YAHOO)

SUN 7/28 – Houston Dash vs. Sky Blue FC (8:30 pm – YAHOO)