Week two of the NWSL promised just as much action as opening weekend, and over the course of six more matches, it delivered.
NJ/NY Gotham FC, the Chicago Red Stars, Racing Louisville, the Orlando Pride, and the Kansas City Current finally had their home openers. This weekend was the weekend of penalty kicks, as forwards all across the league stepped up to take a total of seven penalty kicks, scoring six.
With points given and withheld, there were six more goals scored across the league during its second weekend compared to its first. Amongst all these ups and downs were players who gave their all for their team, standing out against the rest.
Here are the six standout players from the second weekend of packed NWSL action:
1. Messiah Bright, Orlando Pride
Despite the result, Orlando Pride looked much more of a cohesive unit from their gutting week one defeat to Portland Thorns on the road. In the 23’, the former TCU attacker Messiah Bright entered the pitch in exchange for Julie Doyle. In just her second NWSL match, the 21st overall selection in the January draft made a massive impact on a Pride frontline desperately seeking their first breakthrough of the campaign. Her activity with and without the ball was immense.
Bright’s confidence created a domino effect throughout the rest of her team. Right out of the dressing room, Orlando looked to have found a new energy. That was led by Bright. In her 68 minutes between the white lines, the former TCU star completed three of her five take-ons. Bright and Adrianna stepped up without Marta up top in week two, providing a dynamic presence to challenge a quality Angel City FC backline.
Bright’s first career professional goal was one of the weekend’s highlights. Having received a ball from Erika Tymrak, Bright still had a lot of work to do to beat the goalkeeper. The rookie split Sarah Gorden and Megan Reid in the heart of the Angel City defense before slotting the ball precisely past Didi Haracic. The results may not favor Seb Hines’ side, but Bright is the positive this club desperately needed before the break.
2. Ary Borges, Racing Louisville
There were a lot of stunning goals from this past weekend, but the Brazilian Ary Borges may have been the most stunning. Down by two goals at halftime, Racing Louisville was seeking a counter to Washington Spirit’s potent attack led by Ashley Hatch in the first 45 minutes.
Abby Erceg’s thumping header halved the deficit, but it was Borges’ brilliant left-footed strike that helped the home side secure its second draw in as many matches. The joy on her face when the ball hit the back of the net told the whole story. Her knee slide, just like her goal was world-class. Racing’s No. 8 not only netted a rocket, but she was also one of the key contributors to the midfield in her second start in her NWSL career.
ARY BORGES WITH HER FIRST NWSL GOAL AND RACING LOUISVILLE HAVE TIED IT UP! 😮 pic.twitter.com/TDMVEGiDrB
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 1, 2023
The Brazilian collected the most tackles plus interceptions on the Louisville side through 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon. In addition, she had seven progressive passes while completing two of her four take-ons. Borges was a versatile threat in the middle of the park during Racing’s home opener, winning over the home fans almost immediately. Kim Bjorkegren’s side is still searching for their first three points of the campaign, and Borges is the player that is going to be essential to getting that done in the near future.
3. Diana Ordóñez, Houston Dash
Many people around the league had questions about whether or not the Mexican international, Diana Ordóñez could adjust to being on her second team in two seasons. So far, all of them have been answered. You could hand-pick either Ordóñez, Salmon, or María Sánchez as the standout player for Houston at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday.
Ordóñez was involved in both of the goals, finding Salmon on a free run forward in the first half, and drawing a penalty which she finished to clinch all three points for the Dash on the road. It may be difficult to top what she did last season in North Carolina, but it is clear she is putting herself back among the most influential No. 9’s in the league today. Not only can she get behind a backline and attack off the dribble, but Ordóñez can also hold up play, and carve a pass through the opposition’s defense.
The excitement around Ordóñez right now is sky-high. At the age of just 21, this is not even the Mexican international’s best. Imagine after she has a few professional seasons under her belt. Saturday’s display in the frontline reminded everyone just how creative of a player Ordóñez is in the front line. Lund denied the Mexican her first goal of the season in week one, but the second time around, she made no doubt of her presence on the scoresheet.
— Caden Charpentier, @CCharp16
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