Getting into the last weekend of the regular season now! Only one game tomorrow, with two related implications: 1. as with last week, Gotham can clinch a playoff spot (nothing more) with a win. 2. without a win, Gotham cannot get a first-round bye
Chicago is still on the bubble too, technically speaking. As far as I can tell, CHI loses the three-way tie on 35pts if both HOU and NC win. Not sure what happens if NJ joins them on 35.
Well it looks like Racing just spoiled Gotham's playoffs. Can they do it again on Sunday? Gotham has to tie or win it. https://alisongale.com/nwsl-standings
OL-Reign's path stands out as particularly impressive from this graphic: it reminds you of how they completly changed their fate mid-season.
We've had a lot of talk here about what is a foul and what isn't in a slide tackle. I've been on the side of not calling fouls in cases in which both players are going for the ball in 50/50 cases, contact notwithstanding. I'd be interested in opinions about a tackle made by Bonner on Purce about minute 65.50 in the Gotham vs Louisville match last night. The announcers were clear that this was an outstanding tackle by Bonner -- and I agree -- but I've seen, and heard argued, that a tackle like this should be a foul, or even a yellow or red card. Bonner gets the ball, but she brings down Purce. Hard.
Yeah ever since they fired their previous coach they changed drastically! They were near bottom and switched to being close to being Shield winners. Could have been earlier had they won more games. Same thing for Orlando their fate had reversed, used to be in top form but have been going downhill for months.
I couldn't find a video on that tackle, without it, it's hard to say but I will say this, getting the ball is never an excuse to also wipe out an opponent.
Red Stars have clinched, and in doing so have prevented a four-way at 35pts. Down to three teams fighting for two remaining spots! If NC lose tomorrow, they're out.
And the Spirit take the last playoff hosting spot with their win over the Dash today. Dash season ends with three straight shutout losses... They collapsed at the exact wrong time, after looking so good for getting their first-ever playoff berth. It's awful. NC didn't have much better form than the Dash did down the stretch but managed to earn a point when the Dash didn't to back into the playoffs ahead of the Dash.