I think this might be the only time this season where you can spend eight consecutive hours sinking deeper into the couch while watching live NWSL. All times US East FRI 30 Aug 22:00 Portland hosts Bay FC (Prime) SAT 31Aug 19:30 Louisville hosts Seattle (ION) 21:30 Houston hosts Utah (ION) SUN 1 Sep 14:00 North Carolina hosts Kansas City (CBS/Paramount+) 16:00 Angel City hosts Chicago (CBS/Paramount+) 18:00 Orlando hosts Gotham (NWSL+) 20:00 San Diego hosts Washington (NWSL+)
Playoff alert from NWSL! ORL will clinch a playoff spot IF: 1. they win vs NJY, AND 2. two of the three also occur: 2a. BAY do not win vs POR 2b. LOU lose to SEA 2c. LA do not win vs CHI
All the olympians should be back for this weekend, so first full strength weekend in over a month. Some good match ups. Curious if Press will get more time and how will Ludmila impact Chicago with Mal back.
I didn't get around to commenting on Gotham's 2-0 victory over Portland last week, but I was quite impressed and really found their style of play a pleasure to watch. So the question for Coach Amorós is, even with the mighty Olympians back, how much do you change? Ella Stevens in a forward role has been quite a revelation this year. And Katie Stengel, while not getting nearly as much attention, has also been quite impressive in how she fits with Gotham's style under Amorós. For such a big, strong girl, Stengel has surprisingly nimble feet at controlling and possessing the ball. She only lacks that extra killer instinct in front of goal although she at least gets the ball on frame a respectable amount of the time. Lavelle, who entered last week around the 57th minute, showed she adds extra dimension and skill to the attack, but Dunn and Williams weren't missed. I have to say, with the addition of Portugal's Jessica Silva in the August transfer window, I don't see much of a role for Williams except as an extra attacker coming off the bench. I was a loud proponent of Williams for the 2020 (2021) Olympics but, especially since her long layoff to injury, I just don't see her starting over Stephens, Stengel, Esther, or Yazmeen Ryan — and I doubt she'll be more valuable than Silva coming off the bench.
Royals might be turning things around...I know the last two wins were against the two teams just above them, but they've only lost 1 in the last 6... 3-1-2 in those 6 games. I doubt it will be enough to get them into the playoffs, but it has to feel good seeing positive changes when you are sitting at the bottom. Ludmilla not listed as injured on the availability report, but also not listed on the bench for the Red Stars. Anyone know why?
The Summer Cup was such a great opportunity for the Royals to find a new groove. I'm definitely cheering for them to make a good challenge down the line. Missed most of the action so far today but got to see the last 20min of LA-CHI. Surprised to see some regular starters not in the starting lineup, but then you get Vignola and Leroux with better energy combining for the late winner, so I guess it worked.
Damn, missed the first 30' of SD-WAS and apparently just missed WAS going ahead! Almost saw them score #2, at least. WAS is 10-0 scoring first while SD is 0-5-2 when conceding first.
SD is behind, but I think they have looked much more dangerous going forward than they have in quite some time. The last pass has ben lacking though; Morgan not getting any service. And it was an own goal, just unfortunate. Though I was expecting Washington to score, as this has been a back and forth game, and Washington has created better opportunities when they get the ball in the last third.