By Hannah Chadwick 22/03/2024
Two red cards, 23 goals, two penalties, a trophy lift, a new record, first games, a new stadium, new managers and a pitch full of debutants. What a weekend it has been!
The first game of the weekend was the final of the challenge cup. A reminder of the change for future seasons where the challenge cup will be a one off game between the winners of the shield and the champions of the NWSL. Between San Diego Wave and NJ/NY Gotham. With both teams being able to hold each other at bay until the 88th minute when Alex Morgan broke the deadlock and scored for San Diego Wave. Savannah McCaskill provided the corner which Alex Morgan headed home to steal the win for Wave. We saw Australian Vertan Emily Van Egmond who played the full game, and the youngster Kailtyn Torpey came on as a second half substitute at the 61st minute. When looking at the stats Gotham should have won the trophy with more shots on target, tackles and more cross into the box. But it didn’t work out as they failed to get the ball in the back of the net. Although we did see five debuts for Gotham which included youngster Maycee Bell who was a first round draft pick from North Carolina Tar Heels. This meant that San Diego Wave were challenge cup champions for the first time in their history.
The second game of the weekend featured Kansas City Current vs Portland Thorns. This game was full of firsts from a new stadium to debuts to goals. With a 9 goals thriller, where DiBernado scored a brace, and Zaneratto Joao, Hamilton and Pfeiffer all added to the score for KKC. Janine Beckie and Sophia Smith who both scored two for Portland Thorns. The game ended 5-4 to KCC. KKC who are under new management as former USA manager Vlatko Andonovski takes over, could they be in the title race? Portland Thorns had four debuts on the pitch and the long awaited return of Janine Beckie who after tearing her ACL nearly one year ago came back with a bag as a half time substitute and then found the net twice. This game was making history as Alex Pfeiffer at only 16 years and 4 months became the youngest person to ever score a goal in the league.We also saw a brand new stadium that was purposely built for KCC and it is the only stadium in America that is built for Women’s Football.
The third game of the weekend was a four goal and a red card thriller with Kylie Strom being sent off at the 61st minute between Racing Louisville and Orlando Pride. This was Bev Yanez first game in charge of Louisville where she has an amazing result tolding a hungry Pride side that wanted to prove themselves even after going a player down. Elexa Bahr on her debut and Uchenna Kanu both opened their accounts for Louisville and Summer Yates scored for Pride thi was also her first goal for the club and with Elli Pikkujasma scoring an own goal. With Anna Moorhouse writing her name in history for pride as she is now 2nd in the clubs record for the most saves in her career for the club. We saw seven players gaining their first caps Angelina, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemons and Luana for pride. Bahr, Taylor Flint and Reilyn Turner all made their debuts for Louisville.
The fourth game of the weekend was a six goal thriller as North Carolina Courage take on Houston Dash. With Berkley scoring her first goal for the club, Hopkins, St-Georges she also become the first NWSL player to score a brace on her debut since 2014 and Weatherholt all opening their accounts for courage and Kurtz unfortunately scored an own goal. Briede, Harris, Patterson and Van Zanten all made their debuts for Dash. While St- George and Jackson made their debuts. Former courage player Sam Mewis was placed into the ring of honour for previous players.
The fifth game of the weekend was Utah Royals vs Chicago Red Stars. The first game for the new expansion team where they were defeated 2-0 to the red stars with goals coming from Allison Schlegel and Ava Cook. Debuts were made from 14 Utah Royals players including Nelson, Dorsey and Tucker. While the red stars chose to debut Maximiliane Rall. The return of Mallory Swanson after her injury and the return of Nadia Gomes after her brief retirement.
The sixth game of the weekend featured Angle City vs Bay FC. This was Bay’s first game where they managed to hold angle city to a 1-0 win after a brilliant goal from the previous Barcelona player Asisat Oshoala. A side full of debuts as fan favourite Castellanos was one of the players making her debut. But ex Arsenal and Scottish defender Jen Beattie was left on the bench. Angle City had debuts in Mathias, Thompson and Fuller.
The seventh and final match of the weekend featured Seattle Reign FC vs Washington Spirit. The rebranded side of the 24/25 season Seattle came out with the 1-0 win against spirit as Bethany Balcer converted from the spot in the 2nd minute after a foul was committed in the box by Gabby Carle. Balcer’s goal is now the fastest goal in league history at 2 minutes and 1 second. Reign also had Welsh pair Angahard James- Turner and Lily Woodham alongside Ji So-Yun and 17-year-old Emeri Adames make their debut. For Washington Spirit goalkeeper Audrey Kingsbury was issued a red card but this has now been overturned by the NWSL panel. Kurger did head the ball home after a beautiful delivery of a corner from Andi Sullivan but it was overruled by VAR. The debuts of Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfet, Kate Wienser, Casey Kurger, Brittany Ratcliffe, Makenna Morris, Courtney Brown all made their debuts for washington spirit. Can spirit turn it around before manager Jonatan Girzldez Costas arrives?
Coming up-
Saturday 23rd March-
Orlando Pride vs Angle City FC
Utah Royals vs North Carolina Courage
Chicago Red Stars vs Seattle Reign FC
Washington Spirit vs Bay FC
Sunday 24th March-
Houston Dash vs Racing Louisville
Portland Thorns vs Gotham FC
San Diego Wave vs KC Current.
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