Category: News

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Week 14

Posted on by RJ Allen

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Week 14 Game Previews:

We have arrived at week 14 of the NWSL and the last week of matches before a break for the USWNT Tournament of Nations with Japan, Australia, and Brazil all participating. Let’s dive into some previews. 

Game 1: Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride

Chicago Red Stars record: 7-3-4
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 25

Orlando Pride record: 5-5-4
Position: 6th
Total Points: 19

The Red Stars are finally playing a game at home after coming off a last-minute draw against Sky Blue last week. They will be looking to shut down the Pride attack that came alive last week against FCKC. Chicago, for all of its efforts, is still struggling to finish their chances as well even with the play of Christen Press and Sofia Huerta this season. If Chicago can keep stringing passes together and start to make something of their chances, Orlando may be in trouble. 

Orlando is coming into this game hoping for a much-needed, big win on the road against Chicago. The attack came alive last week, with four different players scoring the four goals. However, Orlando’s biggest problem all season has been staying consistent. If they can stay consistent, bring numbers forward, and make sure their chances are being finished, we should see a very good game. Their biggest threat from Chicago will be two-fold. One, figuring out a way to slip past the Chicago defense, who don’t leave much room for breakaways. Two, making sure, again, the attack is not stifled and making scoring opportunities happen. 

Game 2: FC Kansas City vs. North Carolina Courage

FC Kansas City record: 3-7-4
Position: 9th
Total Points: 13

North Carolina Courage record: 9-5-0
Position: 1st
Total Points: 27

FCKC is struggling this season. There is unfortunately just no other way to say that. They have a lot of talent but are missing a few very key players whose voids have not been filled. For all of the struggles, the team has remained positive but the mental game has been quite strong. Sydney Leroux is still not being used in ways that best suit her game, which is a big part of why they may be floundering on that front. They will have their hands full this week against a very tough Courage attack. The biggest test at home will be if their defense is up to the task.

North Carolina is coming into the week still at number one. Will anyone knock them off of the pedestal? Even though they are playing FCKC this week, the parity of this league has reared its head on more than one occasion this season, so anything can happen. They will be best suited to continue their strong wave of attack, making sure to keep up the pressure against FCKC’s backline, and challenge Nicole Barnhart as much as possible. 

Game 3: Houston Dash vs. Boston Breakers

Houston Dash record: 5-7-2
Position: 7th
Total Points: 17

Boston Breakers record: 3-6-5
Position: 8th
Total Points: 14

The Dash are coming in on a streak and I think it’s sufficient to say that the presence of Carli Lloyd and their renewed faith in their play have both contributed to that. I am of the belief that interim Head Coach Omar Morales does not have a whole lot to do with that, but rather playing a consistent starting line-up has helped a lot. This week against a Breakers side–who are also stringing a few more things together–the Dash will need to remain consistent. This will include preventing silly giveaways but also making sure the defense is on point. 

The Breakers are looking to tally a few more positive results together to get themselves on a run too. With Houston, their thing will be to find a way to score. Sounds easy enough, but Boston is having trouble making that happen, especially since Rose Lavelle went out. The Breakers will have their hands full with Carli Lloyd back in the mix but will also have Allysha Chapman back from suspension as well, who has been an asset for them this season.

Game 4: Seattle Reign vs. Sky Blue FC

Seattle Reign record: 5-3-6
Position: 5th
Total Points: 21

Sky Blue FC record: 7-6-2
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 23

Seattle has been one of the bigger head scratchers of this season for me, points and playing wise. One week, they seem to be on a tear, and then the next, they weaknesses predicted at the beginning of the season rear their ugly head. My co-worker, Charles Olney wrote a great piece about this struggle this week. Facing a Sky Blue team with Sam Kerr in the form she is in, is no easy feat. Their job is to find a way to contain Kerr and not let her produce some late match magic. Megan Rapinoe also had a quiet game last week and with Jess Fishlock out for the foreseeable future, there is even more pressure for her to be on her game. 

Sky Blue is the team of late-match magic this season. They have been inconsistent in stretches and then seem to come back at the very last-minute and put games away. Their defense without Mandy Freeman and some other key players has been struggling a lot this season and if Seattle can capitalize on that, they will be in trouble. While Sky Blue has many different pieces, without Sam Kerr, I believe we would be looking at a much different team right now as she has been the one to usually save the game in the end. 

Game 5: Portland Thorns vs. Washington Spirit

Portland Thorns record: 6-4-4
Position: 4th
Total Points: 22

Washington Spirit record: 3-7-3
Position: 10th
Total Points: 12

Portland, while pulling out a big win against the table leaders last week at home, still seem to be having trouble just figuring out what it is they want to do as a team. Chemistry on a team that has not seen a lot of turnover plus lack of play from some big names is a bit concerning. Christine Sinclair, for all of her international prowess, has been almost non-existent for the team and Adrianna Franch’s distribution issues and weaknesses are starting to be brought more into the light. But somehow, for the most part, they keep etching out wins. They may not have too much trouble this week against a struggling Spirit side, but ultimately, it may be their own lack of chemistry and togetherness that sees the Spirit potentially pull one out on the road. 

The Spirit are at the bottom of the table, seemingly struggling from injuries but also from the predicted outcomes from the beginning of the season. They have some of the pieces capable of turning it around but with Franny Ordega out, their attack has taken another big hit. The Spirit are in desperate need of a turnaround and I am not sure on the road against Portland will do them any favors in that regard. However, if they can just keep their head down and high pressure up against a Portland side that is also struggling with consistency, they might have a chance. Ultimately, the Spirit will need a big game from Mal Pugh and will rely on consistency from core players, Estelle Johnson in the back, Steph Labbé in-goal, and Tori Huster in the midfield. 

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Monday night with our weekly TSR. A reminder that you can catch TSR live every Monday night at 8pm EST on our YouTube channel. Make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @ScoutingPodcast.

In case you missed this week’s episode, catch up here:

Jill Ellis Releases Roster for Tournament of Nations

Posted on by RJ Allen

Jill Ellis has named 23 players to the roster for the inaugural Tournament of Nations featuring Australia, Brazil, and Japan.

Alex Morgan and Morgan Brian both return to the roster after missing the June friendlies in Norway and Sweden due to injury. Ali Krieger also returns to the roster after not being called in for the June friendlies.

Notable absences include Meghan Klingenberg, Rose Lavelle, Tobin Heath, and Ashlyn Harris. Lavelle, Heath, and Harris are all unavailable for selection due to injuries.

Chicago Red Stars forward Sofia Huerta will be training with the team for the entire tournament. US Soccer is pursuing a change of association with FIFA in order for her to be eligible to play with the team at a later date (Huerta is currently cap-tied to Mexico).

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Abby Smith (Boston Breakers)

DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Taylor Smith (NC Courage)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Margaret Purce (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Sydney Leroux (FC Kansas City), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Week 13

Posted on by RJ Allen

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Week 13 Game Previews:

We have arrived at Week 13 of the NWSL. Parity is still a real thing as we continue to move through the season, but the gaps are widening. The Courage and the Red Stars are pulling away from the pack but the fight for the 4th spot is fierce; even the 3rd spot is potentially up for grabs as we progress through the season. Let’s take a look at some quick notes on this weekend’s games.

Game 1: Portland Thorns vs. North Carolina Courage

Portland Thorns record: 5-4-4
Position: 5th
Total Points: 19

North Carolina Courage record: 9-4-0
Position: 1st
Total Points: 27

Portland’s season has been a bit of a head scratcher and an argument between Allie Long and Meghan Klingenberg caught on camera at the end of last week’s match, it seems cohesion and team chemistry may actually be the bigger problem this year. They will also be without Nadia Nadim, Amandine Henry, and Dagny Brynjarsdóttir, who are off with their national teams to compete in the Euros. Playing at home this week should give them the energy and motivation they need to get back on track. Look for players like Christine Sinclair to feed off of that energy and hopefully get her season in a groove. Facing a strong wave of attack from the Courage, the Thorns will need to be careful of not being spread too far and allowing the attack to find pockets of space. Adrianna Franch has been having problems with her decision-making in big moments and will need to shore that up this week to have a fighting chance. Overall, if the Thorns can find their attack early, coupled with the Courage’s seeming struggles on the road, they may just pull one out at home. 

The Courage have spent all but about 12 hours of this season on top, but over the last several games, they have proven that they are beatable. They would certainly prefer to continue to reign at the top. With both Lynn Williams and Jess McDonald fully back from injury as well as an in-form Ashley Hatch, the Courage have plenty of attacking power to test the Thorns defense, which they will look to do this week. Playing on the road and especially in Portland, the Courage will want to get on the board early. 

Game 2: Sky Blue FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

Sky Blue FC record: 7-6-1
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 22

Chicago Red Stars record: 7-3-3
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 24

Sky Blue is looking for three big points at home this week. After a come-from-behind win thanks to the dominating play of Sam Kerr last week, I ask, where would they be without her? I think you would be hard-pressed to find a team that needs the likes of Sam Kerr more than Sky Blue as another attacking option just does not seem plausible without her. Sky Blue will be facing a tough Chicago attack with Christen Press leading the way and a stalwart midfield, led by Julie Ertz. While they have been in the habit of winning games late, they are going to want to wrap this one up early in order to stave off Chicago, who gets progressively better as the game goes on. The big focus for Sky Blue this week will be their defense. Mandy Freeman was injured last week, spraining her left ankle in the big win against FCKC, and will be out this week. Even with her healthy, the backline of Sky Blue has had struggles holding games together and will more likely have big problems against Chicago this weekend. 

Chicago would also like to move on from a disappointing draw last week with three big points this week. Their main focus this week will be to figure out how to contain Sam Kerr. If they can shut down Kerr, the Sky Blue attack will be mainly stifled. However, Chicago has had issues this season stringing passes together and maintaining meaningful possession. To accomplish pulling out a win and containing Kerr, they will need to rely more heavily on the team as a whole–not just Christen Press–to drive the attack. Press works better as the main striker and with her not playing last week there, their best asset was not being utilized properly. The Red Stars, though, continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the back. Expect Naeher and company to be tested frequently. 

Game 3: Orlando Pride vs. FC Kansas City

Orlando Pride record: 4-5-4
Position: 6th
Total Points: 16

FC Kansas City record: 3-6-4
Position: 8th
Total Points: 13

Orlando’s season has been one big roller coaster but if they want a chance at that fourth spot, they have got to get better at finishing their chances and stop giving away games with dreaded penalties. This week, with FCKC struggling in the attack, as long as the Pride can finish more of their chances, they should see positive results. The Pride seem to have a different struggle each week. For example, Orlando needs to find a better and more suitable defender than Kristen Edmonds as her play is becoming detrimental at times. This game should not prove defensively troublesome but if the Pride cannot convert their load of possession into the end result of goals, then the struggles will continue. Look for more cohesion from Alex Morgan and Marta this week, as they have another week of practice time under their belts. If Morgan can get her timing right this week, she may just be the extra push and clinical finisher they need up top with Marta.

FCKC just doesn’t have the answer for replacing Amy Rodriguez as a linking attacking player, which would free up players like Sydney Leroux and Shea Groom in the attack. Without Groom this week, due to a red card suspension, it will be mainly up to Leroux to hold down the attack and try to work in behind the Pride defensive line. If Leroux is able to find an opening and get on the board, FCKC may be able to start building the game from there. They will have their hands full, however, up front, staving off the attack Morgan, Marta, and Camila; the latter two players have been leading the way for most of the Pride season. 

Game 4: Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit

Houston Dash record: 4-7-2
Position: 7th
Total Points: 14

Washington Spirit record: 3-6-3
Position: 10th
Total Points: 12

Houston is on the slow and steady upswing of their season, pulling out some crucial points. Without Carli Lloyd this week, due to red card suspension, we will see if her influence is just as palpable on the bench as on the field. The flair of the Spirit attack will test the Dash backline. While Lloyd has not yet supplied a good amount of goals, she has been crucial in developing play and linking passes to the goal-scorers, so they will need to make sure someone steps up in her absence. If Houston can get more production from Rachel Daly and similar production from Poliana–who should be starting–they may get positive results in the week without Lloyd. 

The Washington Spirit attacking duo of Estefania Banini and Mal Pugh will be key this week. Banini and Pugh showed off some early connections against the Pride last week, so with more time together, they should prove deadly for anyone facing them defensively. The Spirit have some dark horses in Meggie Doherty-Howard and Havana Solaun and if they can engage their talents more this week, they should see some good production. As always, the Spirit will look to rely on Tori Huster and Steph Labbé who have been huge and crucial for the success that Spirit have had this season. 

Game 5: Seattle Reign vs. Boston Breakers

Seattle Reign record: 5-3-5
Position: 4th
Total Points: 20

Boston Breakers record: 3-6-4
Position: 9th
Total Points: 13

Seattle will be without Jess Fishlock for a while, and once they looked out of sorts last week against the Courage without her. They will need to bounce back quickly to continue their quest for a playoff spot. Megan Rapinoe will need a much better game this week in order for the team to see success. If Rapinoe can connect and get back to the form she has had all season, the Reign should roll through this game. But if the Reign continue to have inconsistency issues, the Breakers could feasibly fight for the win. 

While Boston is sitting near the bottom of the table, they have begun to play a little better lately. The Breakers will sorely miss Allysha Chapman, out on yellow card accumulation. Boston will have to find an answer for Rapinoe this week, especially if she is back to her usual self. If they can contain her and put up a quality attacking presence, they just might be able to come out of Seattle with the win. 

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Monday night with our weekly TSR. A reminder that you can catch TSR live every Monday night at 8pm EST on our YouTube channel. Make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @ScoutingPodcast.

In case you missed this week’s episode, catch up here:

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Week 12

Posted on by RJ Allen

Image Credits: Leanne Keator

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Week 12 Game Previews:

Can anyone take the top spot from North Carolina? This week the Chicago Red Stars have a chance. With a win–and some help from the Seattle Reign–they could find themselves on top of the table for the first time this season. Let’s take a look at some keys for this weekend’s games. 

Game 1: Boston Breakers vs. Chicago Red Stars

Boston Breakers record: 3-6-3
Position: 9th
Total Points: 12

Chicago Red Stars record: 7-3-2
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 23

Boston is coming into this week off a much-needed morale-boosting win against the Spirit. But they will have a very tough task getting past a strong Chicago side. Rose Lavelle continues her time on the injured list, unfortunately, which will leave Boston without one of their more creative members. We’ve seen just how much she has done for Boston this year so far and it’s obvious that she is missed. But the Breakers have continued to fight. If they want to get a result here they’ll need to figure out a way to get past the strong Chicago defense, which should involve trying to find the open space in behind to challenge Alyssa Naeher. They need more production from their attacking line to accomplish this. In addition, Chicago has more attacking players than just Christen Press to carry the load and Boston should watch for pressure early.

On paper, this looks like a Chicago win, but as we’ve seen regularly in this league, no result is ever certain, and it’s anyone’s game from day-to-day. And Chicago does have weaknesses, for all that they’ve settled into a solid route. They’ve had problems creating and finishing good chances, and have also struggled to maintain enough possession to make anything happen. This week that will be their key to getting ahead of Boston: take advantage of possession and opportunities in front of goal. 

Game 2: Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride

Washington Spirit record: 3-6-2
Position: 10th
Total Points: 11

Orlando Pride record: 4-5-3
Position: 6th
Total Points: 15

The Spirit get the advantage of the home crowd this week, but the enthusiasm will most likely be shared between teams since this will be Ali Krieger’s first trip back to Washington in an Orlando uniform. The Spirit have started to slump into a rut that even Steph Labbé–who is having a great season–has had trouble managing.  It seems they have resigned to letting Labbé carry a heavy load as she faces a ton of shots every game. The key for them against an Orlando side that is finally finding some form is to hold some possession. They’ll be in trouble if Orlando can control the game and send waves of attacks toward the Spirit goal. 

The Pride will be coming in this week looking to pull out a big three points after a disappointing result last weekend, where they outplayed Chicago but came away with nothing. But that game was representative of their problems across the season. They tend to maintain fairly high possession percentages but have a hard time converting their chances into quality shots or goals. This is an area where the return of Alex Morgan could make a huge difference. She got a few minutes last weekend but should be ready to contribute fully here. And if Morgan and Marta start to connect and click on the field, the Spirit may be in trouble. Orlando also needs a lot more from players like Kristen Edmonds and Monica in the back and middle of the field or it may be time to try something new there. 

Game 3: Sky Blue FC vs. FC Kansas City

Sky Blue FC record: 6-6-1
Position: 4th
Total Points: 19

FC Kansas City record: 3-5-4
Position: 8th
Total Points: 13

Sky Blue FC is coming in from a whirlwind three-game week and ready to fight their way to the top. Sam Kerr has seemed to settle into a consistent routine lately, and if she continues that against FCKC, they will have a hard time stopping her. Sky Blue mixed up their defense last game, either because of players needing rest after the long week or a desire to see if something new could bring them more success in the back. And this will be an area of continued attention for the team, as the young backline has had some issues so far this year. It those recur, it could spell trouble against an FCKC attack that is just waiting to break free. 

FCKC just seem to be missing a bit of direction right now. Losing Amy Rodriguez after just one game really put a dent in their entire season and has forced players into roles that don’t really serve their skill sets, with Sydney Leroux being the most notable example. She doesn’t work well as a lone striker, but KC doesn’t really have any other options to lead the line. To stand a fighting change against Sky Blue this week, their attack will need to take advantage of the holes in the younger backline early and hope to put themselves up a goal or two before halftime. 

Game 4: North Carolina Courage vs. Seattle Reign

North Carolina Courage record: 8-4-0
Position: 1st
Total Points: 24

Seattle Reign record: 5-2-5
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 20

North Carolina is looking to stay atop of the standings this week but they may need to get past Seattle to manage it. And given Seattle’s current form, that may by tough. Still, for NC the gameplan is clear and it’s really just a question of whether they can execute. The return of Jess McDonald last week as a late substitute was a good sign; she looked primed and ready to score a few goals. Lynn Williams has not seen any minutes recently but be on the lookout for her status this weekend as well. And even without their twin towers, the depth of the NC attack has been impressive. The main issue for the team, then, is whether they can manage to stave off a very strong Reign attack and a very in-form Megan Rapinoe. No team has seemed to be able to stifle her yet this season. 

Seattle is coming in strong and will be looking to pick up more points on the back of Megan Rapinoe. However, at least for now, the status of Jess Fishlock is up in the air. We still don’t have word about the seriousness of her injury from last Saturday, and she is a crucial part of this team.  Seattle will have equal parts in trying to keep up their pressure and attack but also rely on their backline to hold off the wave of attack from the Courage side. If Fishlock can’t play, that could be a decisive factor. But with the quality backline and Megan Rapinoe, this should be an even and well-fought match. 

Game 5: Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns

Houston Dash record: 4-7-1
Position: 7th
Total Points: 13

Portland Thorns record: 5-4-3
Position: 5th
Total Points: 18

The Dash have earned some crucial points in the last few games in the attempt to turn around their season. This week they will have their work cut out for them with a Portland team that will be hungry for a good result. The biggest issue for the Dash all season has been the lack of a consistent plan. But with the coaching change, it seems they are beginning to settle into a stable starting XI, with some small tweaks here and there. Carli Lloyd has seemed to be a positive factor as a morale and organization boost since her arrival. They will rely on her heavily this week against the Thorns. With Rachel Daly also settling back into her preferred role as a striker, the attack is beginning to look more solid. This week, though, they’ll need to focus on getting their backline to communicate more and try to contain the fluid and flexible Portland attack. 

The Thorns have had quite the topsy-turvy season this year, with injuries to some key players and puzzling results being mixed with some dominant performances.  But they are starting to find some success in their attack. Christine Sinclair is enormously important, of course, and she looks to be rounding into form; Portland should expect more out of her this week. The biggest question mark they’ve got is how to fill their Tobin Heath-sized-hole in the front line. They have a lot of depth and can handle missing players in most other roles, but without Heath, they’re really suffering for a lack of general creativity on the ball. But if the Thorns can get their attack moving and play through the midfield, they should find success against the Dash.

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Thursday night with our weekly TSR. A reminder that you can catch TSR live every Monday night at 8pm EST on our YouTube channel. Make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @ScoutingPodcast.

In case you missed this week’s episode, catch up here:

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Week 11

Posted on by RJ Allen

Image Credits: Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Week 11 Game Previews:

After four mid-week games, we are in for another full weekend of NWSL games as we go into Week 11. Let’s see what we have on tap for the five games.

Game 1: North Carolina Courage vs. Sky Blue FC

North Carolina Courage record: 8-3-0
Position: 1st
Total Points: 24

Sky Blue FC record: 5-6-1
Position: 5th
Total Points: 16

The Courage will be coming in fresh this week as they lucked out by not having to play a mid-week game on Wednesday and not having to travel for this match. They’ll be facing a Sky Blue team, however, that will be on a mission to pull out a win. North Carolina is pulling themselves further and further away from the rest of the pack up top. With the defense settling in, this week, especially with fresher legs, they will be looking to continue to do many of the same things that have gotten them this far. With the hopeful return of Lynn Williams and Jess McDonald, they will be even stronger. 

Sky Blue is looking for vengeance after two disappointing losses in a row. They will have their hands full with North Carolina this week, especially given that they had to play a mid-week game. They will need more from Kelley O’Hara, first and foremost, to get back into their rhythm, after she had a not-so-great game against Orlando on Wednesday. The young defensive group, led by Christie Pearce, will also have their work cut out for them with the strength of the Courage attack. Hopefully, Sky Blue will see some more fabulous goals from Sam Kerr. Their key this game will be to rely on their depth and attempt to hold off the wave of attack from the Courage. 

Game 2: Boston Breakers vs. Washington Spirit

Boston Breakers record: 2-6-3
Position: 10th
Total Points: 9

Washington Spirit record: 3-5-2
Position: 8th
Total Points: 11

Boston is also coming in this week from a mid-week game and without some big names. Rose Lavelle is still out. And, as of this writing, no word on Abby Smith for Saturday’s match. The Boston of the beginning of the season has seemed to all but disappear. There seem to be just too many things that need to be fixed at this point in the season and they are not sure where to start. Having key players out has not helped but Boston has not been lucky in general. This week, after the Spirit come in off of more rest and a win over the Thorns, Boston will need to find a way to stifle the Spirit attack and contain Franny Ordega. 

The Spirit are coming into this match with the advantage of facing a struggling Boston team and also having not played a mid-week match. The Spirit will continue to rely on Ordega to lead their attack. But the Washington team may also see the addition of Mal Pugh back in the lineup, which will bolster the attack as well. The thing the Spirit will need to monitor this week will be their defense. The likes of Estelle Johnson have had a great season, for the most part, but Boston is looking to turn their season around and anything can happen. Additionally, with Tori Huster finally back for Washington, their midfield will also be a stalwart in facing the Boston side. 

Game 3: Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars

Orlando Pride record: 4-4-3
Position: 6th
Total Points: 15

Chicago Red Stars record: 6-3-2
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 20

The Pride are coming off of a huge mid-week win over Sky Blue but will also be on limited rest facing a very tough Red Stars team. Orlando has had problems all season maintaining consistency from game to game but one thing they hate to do is drop points at home. Expect them to try to not let that happen for the second home game in a row. The task will be large to contain Christen Press and Sofia Huerta in the attack while also trying to break the staunch defense of the Red Stars. Orlando will need to focus on leaving less space in the midfield for Chicago to take advantage of while also connecting and finishing more chances. The Pride are lacking a clinical finisher, but with Alex Morgan set to potentially return, she may be the missing piece they are looking for. She may not be active immediately so the Pride need to make sure their forward line can start finishing and finding better luck in the final third. Additionally, the Pride defense has settled into the starting four but need to see more work from Edmonds, who has not had a good season. Hopefully, Ali Krieger and the rest of the backline can focus more on their job this weekend and not have to clean up so much of Edmonds’ defensive miscues. 

Chicago is also coming off of a loss in their mid-week game, which snapped their win streak, and this could spell trouble for the Pride. While the Pride are more successful at home, the Red Stars will look to keep their place in the playoff spot and take home the win. This week the Red Stars need to focus on taking advantage of their opportunities but also look to string more passes together and make the job of their forwards a bit easier. The Red Stars have a very strong backline, but with Marta and the potential first minutes for Alex Morgan, expect them to be challenged by the forward line of Orlando. The biggest area the Red Stars will most likely have the best luck this weekend is in Orlando’s midfield. If Chicago can get some of their connecting weaknesses together, this may spell major trouble for the Pride at home. 

Game 4: Seattle Reign vs. Portland Thorns

Seattle Reign record: 4-2-5
Position: 4th
Total Points: 17

Portland Thorns record: 5-3-3
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 18

Seattle, like Portland, will be coming in on limited rest after a mid-week home game. Luckily, they will not have to travel and will be at a slight advantage for recovery and rest. Seattle has seemed to be hot and cold most of the season with plenty of draws to show for it. But expect them to want to capitalize on a big win over Chicago and pull out one over Portland. Their defense looked slightly shaky in the win against Chicago so the return of Lauren Barnes, after a one-game suspension, will be welcomed. The Reign can expect to be tested by a revitalized Portland attack, even on limited rest. If they can focus on their game and fighting until the final whistle, they should see some positive results. 

Portland, also coming in from a mid-week win at home, will want to capitalize on one of their best performances of the season. Christine Sinclair finally made herself known this season and had a brace to show for it. If she can get involved more in the attack against Seattle, they will be tough to beat. With no return of Tobin Heath in sight, Portland will have to figure out how to move on without her and made a good showcase of it Wednesday night. Their biggest thing will be if Adrianna Franch is on her game or will spell trouble for them in-goal this week against a strong Reign attack. 

Game 5: FC Kansas City vs. Houston Dash

FC Kansas City record: 3-4-4
Position: 7th
Total Points: 13

Houston Dash record: 3-7-1
Position: 9th
Total Points: 10

FCKC, another team on limited rest, will be facing a Dash side who is in the same position. FCKC has yet to really figure out how to score goals, and after their mid-week loss to Portland, they will be looking to bounce back very quickly. FCKC needs more production from their forward line. Their defense has been putting in their time but cannot solely win the games for the team. After a not-so-great showing against Portland, they will need these three points as the playoff battle heats up. Their main goal this week, especially against a Dash side that is still figuring things out mid-season, is to score early and get their attack involved consistently throughout the game. 

The Dash are coming in, after snapping a 6-game losing streak, on a win and draw in their last two matches. They want to turn their season around but just do not seem to have the game plan to do it. After a questionable call gave them the win against Boston, look for them to want to continue their small upward trend against FCKC. But in order to do that, the consistency of their backline and moving forward without Kealia Ohai, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, will be a tall task. The Dash seemed to struggle at the end of their draw with Boston, in just what to do next. In order to have success against FCKC this week, the team will need to come in at the very beginning with a solid way to win and also play with consistency.

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Monday night with our weekly TSR. A reminder that you can catch TSR live every Monday night at 8pm EST on our YouTube channel. Make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @ScoutingPodcast.

In case you missed this week’s episode, catch up here:

We also went live for a special TSR last night to cover the four mid-week NWSL games. 

Catch up here if you missed it:

Kealia Ohai to Miss Remainder of 2017 Season

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Houston Dash announced today that forward and captain Kealia Ohai suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Orlando Pride this past Saturday.

Ohai initially went down in the 67′ after trying to make a turn against Pride defender Ali Krieger, returning to the field after being checked over by Houston training staff. She went down again in the 74′ and had to be assisted off the field.

After a medical evaluation, Ohai was diagnosed with a Grade 3 ACL sprain and medial meniscus tear in her left knee.

“I am devastated but so excited to start my recovery and get back on the field,” Ohai said in a heartfelt post on Twitter.

Losing Ohai is a major blow for a struggling Houston team, who have three wins and seven losses on the season. Interim head coach Omar Morales had this to say about losing Ohai:

“The injury to Kealia is a big hit to the team, not only on the field but off the field due to the leader that she is. With her being the captain, you are losing a big piece of your team. We have to stay strong for her, push for her, win some games and build on the momentum from Saturday. We will keep her in mind because she has done so much for us this year.”

The Dash have confirmed that Ohai will be placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the season.

 

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer: 2017, Week 10

Posted on by RJ Allen

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Week 10 Game Previews:

We have arrived at Week Ten of the NWSL, not necessarily unscathed, but seeing plenty of parity between several teams in the league. Let’s dive into this week’s previews. 

Game 1: Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash

Orlando Pride record: 3-3-3
Position: 6th
Total Points: 12

Houston Dash record: 2-7-0
Position: 10th
Total Points: 6

After last week’s dominant performance, (minus the last 10-15 minutes,) the Pride are coming into this week confident, really needing to start honing in and perfecting the little things. Big picture this week sees the Pride most likely coming away with the three points, if last week was any indication, but they will need to work hard on closing out games and remaining consistent. This week that will be their focus. They have seemed to have settled on a starting XI, at least until Alex Morgan is inserted back into the line-up in a few weeks. But their biggest enemy this week will be themselves. With Marta assisting in or scoring all four goals last week, the Pride will look to her for another solid performance. But they will also need to see others step up, especially defensively, to close-out the game. The last minute goals last week came at the cost of a goalkeeper and a defensive mistake. 

The Dash struggles continue and look to continue for the foreseeable future. I have mentioned this a few times in my previews, but even seeing the return of Carli Lloyd, who, while not scoring, had some strong moments in last week’s match, they just do not seem to have much idea of what to do, or what game plan they want to have at any given moment. This was apparent last week, especially as the players seem to fatigue well before the second half began. Their key, even if they do not win games, is to find consistency amongst each other this week. Their defensive game plan should be their first step. The team needs to find a way to get everyone working together, especially as the Pride have started to find their groove. They may have lucked out not having to face a combination of Marta and Alex Morgan quite yet.

Game 2: Boston Breakers vs. North Carolina Courage

Boston Breakers record: 2-5-2
Position: 9th
Total Points: 8

North Carolina Courage record: 7-3-0
Position: 10th
Total Points: 21

Boston has a lot to figure out this week but I do not know if we will see much more of an improvement against a Courage side that has been playing pretty consistently this season. The Breakers have also been plagued with injuries and it was just announced that starting goalkeeper Abby Smith is out this week. We will most likely see the first start for rookie and 2017 NWSL draftee, Sammy Jo Prudhomme. While she was a great goalkeeper in college, going up against an attack like the Courage’s, she will be tested early and often. Boston’s main focuses this week are to not give up the early goals and find a way to curb the Courage attack. The Breakers also re-signed Libby Stout during the week, a former GK who made 9 starts and 42 saves for the Breakers in 2016.

The Courage were without a few key players last week with Lynn Williams and Jess McDonald injured, but the team was still able to churn out a quality product. If both players return to the line-up this week, the Courage won’t need to make many adjustments in what they have been doing. Their key is to stay patient and shore up their defense because the Breakers’ attacking side only needs a little bit of space to make the Courage pay. Look for the hopeful return of the injured players to the line-up and the continued solid performance against a struggling Breakers side. 

Game 3: Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns

Washington Spirit record: 2-5-2
Position: 8th
Total Points: 8

Portland Thorns record: 4-2-3
Position: 4th
Total Points: 15

The Spirit are coming in this week with a new weapon in their arsenal. Estefania Banini, who was their leading goal-scorer last season, as returned to the Washington roster. There has been no word if she will be available for this match but the signing alone is good news for a team that’s been struggling. After holding the Red Stars to a draw last week, the Spirit will once again have their hands full against the Thorns. The Spirit are starting to put a few more pieces together but are still missing what Tori Huster brings and also may be potentially be without Mal Pugh again as she continues to recover from an injury suffered during the FIFA break. Washington will be looking for another consistent game from Steph Labbé, who has saved their butts on numerous occasions this season. But in order to get past the Thorns this weekend, the Spirit will need to keep the pressure and attack at a high level.

The Thorns are coming in this week after a loss to Sky Blue last week at home, a subpar performance that left them disappointed and maybe a little embarrassed. Look for them to want to bounce back very quickly this week. The Thorns are starting to show where the injuries are hurting them, mainly with a gaping hole left by Tobin Heath, who has experienced a setback with her back injury and looks to be even longer now. The weaknesses of Franch were exposed last week as well, so she will need to make sure her decision making is on this week as anything can happen against the Spirit. While also suffering more injuries than just Heath, if the Thorns can bounce back quickly this week, they should see a different result.

Game 4: Seattle Reign vs. FC Kansas City

Seattle Reign record: 3-2-4
Position: 5th
Total Points: 13

FC Kansas City record: 3-3-3
Position: 7th
Total Points: 12

The Reign have been quite the puzzling team this season. They started off the strong but have seemed to level out and been a bit inconsistent with their play. They really need work on closing out games and finding a bit more consistency defensively. While the backline is set and we have seen some great play from Haley Kopmeyer, it has been inconsistent. While FCKC won’t be a huge threat for them, with their inconsistencies, the attack from their post-season nemesis could cause some problems. Seattle needs to get back to their previous form and find a way to make their team gel better. If this means a shake-up in the line-up, then so be it. Granted, even though a few players such as Diana Matheson and Larissa Crummer, who they had planned on for the season, are still injured, they have several key pieces that coach Laura Harvey could move around. Jess Fishlock will need to become a little more dominant in the middle if Seattle is going to have a better chance at moving up the table.

FCKC has also been a bit puzzling this season. With Amy Rodriguez no longer a part of the picture, the FCKC attack has seemed to start to find the light of their rhythm. Sydney Leroux seems to be coming into her own a bit more, which is really the key for them, especially going up against the Reign, who have been a bit unpredictable. With FCKC fairly solid in the back with the Nicole Barnhart holding it down, if FCKC can spur their attack, they should see success this week.

Game 5: Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC

Chicago Red Stars record: 5-2-2
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 17

Sky Blue FC record: 5-4-1
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 16

Chicago will have its hands full this week with Sky Blue. With a somewhat disappointing performance against the Spirit last week, there will be some things they look to improve on come Sunday. They’ve faced difficulties connecting their passes or in their ability to string them together, and the Red Stars will need to work on that against Sky Blue this week. The backline will also be fully tested with Sam Kerr, as most teams have been this season. She had herself a game last week against Portland, so Chicago will need to contain her throughout the game. If Chicago can connect more passes and be more consistent this week, this should be a great match-up to watch.

Sky Blue will want to continue their climb towards the top with another dominating performance this week. Look for them to rely again on Sam Kerr to spur the attack and get them on the board in Chicago. The biggest thing for Kerr, however, is consistency. She can have dominating games like she did last week and then be unable to buy herself a goal in the next. So working on her consistency, especially this week, will be key. Christie Pearce has also had to work all season with a young backline and, for the most part, they have been able to handle the tests of the NWSL play. But this week, with the Chicago attack led by Christen Press, Pearce and the rest of the backline will be tested frequently. Where Kelley O’Hara plays this week will be anyone’s guess, but if she causes as many fits on the field as she did last week, Chicago will have their hands full.

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Tuesday night with our weekly TSR. A reminder that you can catch TSR live every Monday night at 8pm EST on our YouTube channel. Make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @ScoutingPodcast.

In case you missed this week’s episode, catch up here:

Roster News: Pride Add Morgan, Waive Burkenroad

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Orlando Pride has added USWNT forward Alex Morgan to the club’s roster today, waiving Christina Burkenroad to make room for last year’s captain, returning from her time with UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Olympique Lyonnais Féminine.

Morgan has been playing in France since January, earning the much-sought French women’s treble with the team as Lyon won the Division 1 Féminine, the Coupe de France Féminine, and UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.

Morgan has been back in the States for a few weeks but has been rehabbing a hamstring injury suffered in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. She is expected to return to the pitch for Orlando in a few weeks. The Pride have been making strong moves in the league table over the past few weeks as Brazilian international Marta seems to have settled in and found a rhythm with her Orlando teammates. Morgan’s return to the field and the possibilities of a Marta-Morgan scoring team have fans eagerly awaiting the moment she dons Pride purple once again.

In order to stay within the NWSL’s 20-player roster requirement, the Pride has waived forward Christina Burkenroad. Burkenroad was drafted to the Pride in 2016 and has made eight appearances for the team. Burkenroad may not be without a team for long, however, as the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Norwegian team IK Grand Bodø has expressed interest in her.

 

A US Soccer Legend Gone: RIP Tony DiCicco

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Women’s Soccer world has lost one of its own. The news broke yesterday morning that Tony DiCicco, former USWNT coach, passed away Monday evening.

Tony DiCicco is a legend in the world of soccer. 

The coach led the women’s National Team from 1994 to 1999 and, to date, is the only one to have teams win both Olympic Gold medals (1996) and the World Cup trophy (1999). But the Olympics and World Cup victories are just the height of DiCicco’s far-reaching influence in American women’s soccer.

He began as the goalkeeping coach for the USWNT in 1991 before taking over as head coach in 1994. Under DiCicco, the WNT accumulated 103 wins, 8 draws, and 8 losses, making him the “winningest” coach in USSF history. Beyond the Senior WNT, DiCicco managed at the youth level and coached the US women’s team that won the U-20 World Cup in 2008, a team that included Alyssa Naeher, Meghan Klingenberg, Kiersten Dallstream, Elli Reed, Becky Edwards, Christine Nairn, Keelin Winters, Alyssa Mautz, Alex Morgan, and Sydney Leroux. All celebrated members of the NSWL and most current members of the USWNT. 

DiCicco has played a huge role in the establishment of domestic women’s soccer in the US. He acted as the founding commissioner for the WUSA (2000-2003), and then, after leaving international coaching, he managed the Boston Breakers from 2009 through 2011, the majority of their time in the WPS. Under DiCicco, the Breakers took 2nd place in the 2010 season, their highest finishing ever as a pro-level team. Throughout, he has served on the USSF’s Technical Advisory board, and dedicated time to improving the state of coaching in soccer for women and girls across the nation. 

 

In the final phase of his long career in women’s soccer, DiCicco worked as a broadcaster for Fox Sports and ESPN, offering commentary for international friendlies and tournaments, including the 2015 Women’s World Cup where he saw many of the women he’d coached previously win the most coveted title in the women’s soccer world. Men and women across the nation and world are familiar with his voice, interpreting the game for them as they watch their favorites play. 

DiCicco joined the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012, having been elected to the honor in recognition of his work and success in the sport. But there can, perhaps, be no more fitting memorial and celebration of Tony DiCicco than the numerous testimonials and remembrances being shared across social media today, as former colleagues, players, and fans join together to mourn the loss of one of US Soccer’s biggest stars. 

RIP, Coach DiCicco. You will be missed. 

 

Off the Bench with Backline Soccer, International Break #1

Posted on by RJ Allen

Backline Soccer Recap:

Quick Fire Week 9 Game Previews:

This week we see the return of the NWSL as we enter Week 9 of games. Let’s take a look at this week’s matchups.

Game 1: Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit

Chicago Red Stars record: 5-2-1
Position: 2nd
Total Points: 16

Washington Spirit record: 2-5-1
Position: 9th
Total Points: 7

Things have finally started to click for Chicago in the last several games. They should not have a big test against the Spirit this week but will want to not underestimate them. The one thing that could potentially be a deterrent is the fact that four of their starters, Alyssa Naeher, Christen Press, Julie Ertz, and Casey Short all saw minutes in the USWNT friendlies. With the out-of-country trip, these players may not be as fresh as the ones who have had no matches to play since June 4th. I don’t think this will be a huge problem, especially in this match, but it could factor in. Chicago will look to gain ground on the Courage this week and if they continue in their current form, I don’t see any problems with accomplishing that. 

The Spirit are really looking to just get their season turned around. They will have a big test in attack to get past the Chicago defense and will also have trouble containing an in-form Christen Press. Steph Labbé will have her work cut out for her. Tori Huster has not yet returned, and her absence on the field has definitely been noticed. Additionally, Mal Pugh picked up an injury in warm-ups of the USWNT/Norway matchup and will be out of action this weekend according to Dan Lauletta. 

Game 2: North Carolina Courage vs. Boston Breakers

North Carolina Courage record: 6-3-0
Position: 1st
Total Points: 18

Boston Breakers record: 2-4-2
Position: 8th
Total Points: 8

The Courage are looking to retain their hold on their first place ranking with a win. The extent of the injury to Lynn Williams could pose a problem to this. Williams was in a boot for the duration of the USWNT matches, there’s been no word as yet regarding the extent of her injury. Losing Yuri Kawamura is also a blow to their defense, which had already been showing some signs of weakness. They will look to spur the attack against Boston this week and try to hold their defensive line. 

Boston is going to have to scramble to figure out just what needs to be done to turn their season around.They started out well, surprising everyone, but the past few games they’ve slipped and fallen in the rankings. With both Rose Lavelle and Allysha Chapman sustaining injuries during the FIFA break, Boston will have a hard time replacing their form and presence on the pitch. They will look to players like Natasha Dowie and Adriana Leon to step up even more than usual to try to carry this team through. Their work will be cut out for them against the strong attack of the Courage. 

Game 3: FC Kansas City vs. Seattle Reign

FC Kansas City record: 3-3-2
Position: 6th
Total Points: 11

Seattle Reign record: 3-2-3
Position: 5th
Total Points: 12

FCKC will be looking to pick themselves up after a not-so-great outing against the Courage before the FIFA break. While Sydney Leroux traveled with the USWNT, she did not see any minutes, so she should hopefully be fresh and ready to drive the attack, which FCKC will desperately need. FCKC will also be dependent once again on Becky Sauerbrunn to lead the defense, even after playing every minute of the USWNT friendlies, as well. They will need to find a way to hold off the Reign attack and pressure from the midfield.

The Reign are also coming in after a tough loss to the Red Stars before the FIFA break. With the hope of getting Bev Yanez back this week, the Reign will are going to be attacking FCKC early and often. Additionally, Megan Rapinoe saw very little minutes in the USWNT friendlies so if her season NWSL form continues, and there is no reason it shouldn’t, FCKC is going to have a lot of trouble controlling tempo and resisting the pressure attack from the Reign. Most of all, one of the bigger assets Seattle has this season is goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer. Her form has harkened some noticeable Hope Solo qualities this season, which is a noticeable asset and trait for the Reign as she continues to hold it down in the back. FCKC will have trouble getting past her. 

Game 4: Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride

Houston Dash record: 2-6-0
Position: 10th
Total Points: 6

Orlando Pride record: 2-3-3
Position: 7th
Total Points: 9

Houston announced they will keep Omar Morales as the interim head coach this season instead of looking for an immediate replacement for Randy Waldrum. With one match already under his belt, I am not sure if Morales sees the game and the Dash much differently right now than Waldrum but time will tell. The Dash just do not seem to have a cohesive plan and that will be their biggest thing to try to figure out, especially going up against a Pride team that is finally starting to connect their big pieces. The big benefit this week is the Dash will be getting Carli Lloyd back after her stint with Man City. She should inject a sense of urgency and order to the team. The Dash, though, mainly, need to figure out the best pieces to use and make sure to utilize them. Janine Beckie did incredible for Canada during this break but has not seen that translate to the Dash. If she can bring that back, the Dash could start to turn around their season.

The Pride are on the upswing, though fans ought to be cautious in their excitement, the team seems to be trending up in their play. With the announcement that Alex Morgan will miss an additional 3-4 weeks thanks to the hamstring injury she picked up in France, the hopes of a Marta/Morgan attack will have to wait a little longer. The Pride seemed to have settled on a defense, but are struggling mightily in the midfield. Tom Sermanni’s test this week will be to try to get that midfield figured out and finally settled. This week may prove who will end up being cut to make room for Alex Morgan’s return. 

Game 5: Portland Thorns vs. Sky Blue FC

Portland Thorns record: 4-1-3
Position: 3rd
Total Points: 15

Sky Blue FC record: 4-4-1
Position: 4th
Total Points: 13

It was announced this week that the timetable for the return of Tobin Heath has been extended, with no date set any longer for when she might return. The Thorns are still hanging around near the top of the table and in playoff contention, but the lack of the creativity and drive that Heath brings to the pitch may soon expose weaknesses other teams can exploit and capitalize upon. They also have some other players out are dealing with some injuries but will have the addition of Australian international Ashleigh Sykes this week. She will be a huge boost to the attack for the Thorns and may be what they need to help with the Heath-sized hole they have.

Sky Blue will have all of their pieces in play and will need each and every one of them to succeed. Christie Pearce is holding it down in the back but is working with a young defensive squad, which will need to be playing at their best against the Thorns. In addition, Sam Kerr, who could not seem to buy a goal last game, will need to spur the attack and try to find the back of the net early. International Kelley O’Hara, who was dealing with a slight strain a few weeks ago, may have picked up a small knock in the USWNT game against Norway, so her ability to play and also help in some capacity will be crucial. (As of this writing, there is no indication that any such injury will not see O’Hara play this weekend.) The biggest problem with O’Hara is the way Christy Holly has been shuffling her around the field to fill holes instead of tasking her with a single position and allowing her to perform and shine as we all know she can. Sky Blue will need to figure this portion out soon. 

The Scouting Report:

We went live on Monday night with our weekly TSR. This week we covered the two USWNT friendlies against Sweden and Norway. A reminder that you can catch TSR live every Monday night at 8pm EST on our YouTube channel. And make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @ScoutingPodcast.

In case you missed this week’s episode, catch up here:

Come back next week for the next edition of Off the Bench.