By Hannah Chadwick (02/04/2024)
22 Goals, last minute goals and unexpected results. What a weekend of fixtures it has been.
Chicago Red Stars lost points for the first time this season as they took on Orlando Pride as they took on Orlando Pride who are yet to win a game. The game finished 1-1 with Mallory Swanson scoring in the 64th minute for the Red Stars and also earned Jenna Bike her first assist of the season. The goal for Pride came from an unfortunate by the red stars Talyor Malham after she goes on defensive duty but ends up heading the ball into her own net. Pride were in possession with the ball most of the game but the dominant attack and strong defence work from the Red Stars meant they were unable to claim the three points. This means that Pride are yet to claim three points this season as they have fought all their games to a draw.
The champions are seeking their first win of the season as San Diego Wave take on Seattle Reign. The game finished 1-0 after a goal from Australian international Emily Van Egmond in the 98th minute. She was assisted by Alex Morgan who recorded her first assist of the season. Wave also had Melanie Barcenes earn her first minutes of the season, the 16 year old is a young talent in the making. Kirsten McNabb also earned her first start and minutes for Wave since returning from injury. Throughout the game Reign had multiple attacks on goal but the Wave defence held strong and Reign were unable to find the target.
The only team left unbeaten in the league is Kansas City Current as they look to extend their lead and defeat Angle City. The game finished 4-2 to the current. Vanessa DiBernardo, Alexa Christine Spaanstra, Temwa Chawinga and Beatriz Zaneratto Joao, were all on target and helped their team keep their unbeaten streak. Sydney Leroux and Madison Curry who scored her first goal for Angle City, they also had a goal ruled offside which would have meant that they scored 3 goals. Both teams remained dominant on and off the ball and had the same amount of shots on target but Current were just stronger on the finish.
Gotham FC are without Midge Purce after her season ending injury where she tore her ACL as they take on North Carolina Courage. Brianna Pinto scored the only goal of the match for the Courage just before halftime in the 44th minute . After a cross came in from Williams that Sanchez got her head to and directed it downwards and Pinto was there to poke it in. Both teams were dominant on and off the ball trying to push for a goal but both teams’ defences held strong. Gotham had 15 shots on goal but the Courage defence held strong and they did not manage to steal a clean sheet of courage.
Points are shared in Oregon as Portland Thorns taken on Racing Louisville. A late goal by Sam Coffey in the 99th minute for Portland means they share points at home. Uchenna Kanu scored a brace in the first 10 minutes which left the thorns trailing behind and fighting for a goal until some magic from Morgan Weaver in the penalty box after chaos as Louisville failed to clear the ball and she brought the thorns back into the game. Sam Coffey received a beautiful pass from Kelli Hubly before weaving her way through several Louisville defenders and goalkeeper before burying her shot in the back of the net. Both teams were pushing for the winning goal but both defences held strong.
A late goal from Havanna Solaun for Houston Dash in the 100th minute means that they steal all three points as they take on Bay FC. Diana Ordonez scored a brace for Houston in the second half. The first goal came from a cross delivered in by Maria Sanchez and Ordonez made no mistake and headed it home. The second goal came off a loose ball from the Bay goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx who saved the original penalty but Ordonez punched on the loose ball and sent the ball into the back of the net. Havana Solaun scored the third and final goal for Houston as the cross got played in from Sanchez and was originally cleared from the Bay defence but the ball fell and she made no mistake and sent the ball into the back of the net. Goals for Bay came from Deyna Castellanos and Rachel Kundanaji. Castellanos scored the first goal of the match as the original shot from Asisat Oshoala was blocked but Castellanos was quick to jump on the loose ball and her strike found its target in the top left corner. Rachel Kundanaji scored the second and final goal for Bay as she picked up the ball in space and made a run down the right side of the pitch and cut back into the centre of the 18 yard box and her strike curled into the net.
Utah Royals take on Washington Spirit as Utah looks to pick up their first points. The game finished 2-1 to spirit with goals being scored by Andi Sullivan and Ouleyamata Sarr. Andi Sullivan scored a penalty after Croix Bethune was taken down in the box. She sent Mandy Haught the Utah keeper the wrong way with her right sided shot. Sarr headed the ball home after a cross from Trinity Rodman. The goal for Utah came from Ally Senator who managed to weave her way through the defence and sent it past Spirit keeper Kingsbury to bring the Royals back into the game. The Royals kept pushing for another goal to steal them a point away from home but was unable to break through the spirit defence for the second time.
Now we are on to the international break with league games returning on the 13th April.
Coming up:
Saturday 13th April-
Houston Dash vs Washington Spirit
Utah Royals vs Orlando Pride
Sunday 14th April-
North Carolina Courage vs Portland Thorns
Racing Louisville vs San Diego Wave
Chicago Red Stars vs Angle City
Gotham FC vs KC Current
Monday 15th April-
Bay FC vs Seattle Reign FC
impetusfootball.org 