Tag: NWSL

The Unused Sub: I Stand With You

Posted on by RJ Allen

Don’t mind me as I am just thinking out loud, but I think I want a Sam Kerr jersey. I wonder who do I know that can make such arrangements happen. Hmm…

Hmm…

IT’S A NO-BRAINER BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT
On Tuesday afternoon, I attended a press conference hosted by Athlete Ally in collaboration with the Seattle’s professional sports franchises, the Seattle Reign FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Storm, Seattle Mariners, and Seattle Seahawks. The goal of the presser was to show the broad community of sports in Seattle all united, standing in solidarity with the LGBT community and to affirm their shared commitment to advocacy and inclusion in sports through education and other public outreach.

It was a good day for the city of Seattle. It was a fun day for the city of Seattle. But it was also just plainly an important day for the city of Seattle.

When I received the press release last week about it, I was in awe. I was in awe because it is pretty much unprecedented for someone to gather the sports franchises of any major US city and have them unite on a message that is essential. Much less a message like this one. This was a direct clapback to that tired “stick to sports” adage people like to throw around on social media when an athlete expresses an opinion about politics or society. 

Seattle isn’t having any of that. Nope, not these sports franchises and the athletes that put on the jersey that represents this team, this city, and its people. Not with the platform of the public eye they have and the power of influence they wield with it. The effect sports has on a community and society is like that of an artist with a mound of clay. You can mold and shape it however you want it, whatever you want it to be.

For someone like me who came to America, who wasn’t born here, the spectacle that was professional sports was my introduction to American culture and how diverse it is. It didn’t start out that way for sure, but as I grew up I learned stories of those athletes who dared to challenge the status quo and change the world, with their athletic skill and with their public actions. People who advocated and effected change because they were aware of the power and influence they held. And it was from this history, American sports history, I understood what sports can do for people. How it can mold and shape people and their society.

Falling in love with soccer and convincing myself that I can somehow string a few words and sentences into something someone else will read has made me into a far more social person than I could ever imagine when I was a five-year-old foreigner fresh out of an airplane in some strange land called the United States of America. I saw Michael Jordan literally dunking on fools and was enthralled. Or when I was nine years old going on ten and the only world I ever knew was turned upside-down because my parents got a divorce. America’s past-time, baseball (specifically the Cinderella run of the 1995 Seattle Mariners) soothed the fracture of the divorce and my mom and I found something to share that helped us through that painful period of our lives. Or last year when I was celebrating my birthday (don’t ask for the number, I’m old, simple as that) and finally I got my parents to attend an NWSL match and they saw it. They got it. They understood why taking an interest in the beautiful game and covering specifically the women’s game became my thing. It was pure happenstance, but they understood that this was my hobby, my passion. Something to give me an identity and with it opening myself up to more different walks of life, different life stories, different world views, that they are proud to say have made me a better person.

It was a privilege to witness the press conference first-hand and to then have some small one on one conversations with those involved.  Some might say it is controversial. Some might say it is uncomfortable. However, the bottom line is, it is the right thing to do. It is the important thing to do. Who I am and some values of what I hold dear as what makes us good, decent people have been influenced by sport and how it brought me to connect with an individual or a group of people.

It’s through bringing people together with through sport, that maybe, just maybe, the communities we live in can become better places for all, regardless of color, religion, sexual or gender identity, or any other of the beautiful things that make us each entirely our own unique individuals.

I believe we can be better and this is something I do not hesitate to stand for and support those that feel and do the same.

DID YOU KNOW JUNE 21 WAS NATIONAL SELFIE DAY?
Now that it is officially summer (June 21 was the official Summer Solstice day), it’s time for: Sun’s out, NWSL hotness out. Here’s this weekend’s predictions.

  • Orlando Pride OVER Houston Dash. (They might show better fitness or something, but Houston still isn’t winning.)
  • North Carolina Courage OVER Boston Breakers.
  • Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns FC play to a DRAW.
  • Seattle Reign FC OVER FC Kansas City.
  • Sky Blue FC OVER Chicago Red Stars.

And here is this week’s music video break.

Song: “Keep Shining” | Artist: Shad

Unsung Hero of the Week: Fantastic Freeman on Display

Posted on by RJ Allen

In this weekly series, I will be highlighting a player from the weekend who was their respective team’s unsung hero, win or lose. A player who does the dirty work, does the little but important things in a game and someone who didn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet but found other ways to contribute.

This week I’ve chosen Sky Blue FC defender Mandy Freeman.

The 22-year-old was taken 10th overall in the first round of the 2017 College Draft by Sky Blue. Fresh off a NCAA Championship with USC, Freeman jumped right into the NWSL, so far starting in all 10 games for the New Jersey side. In her first season, she has the opportunity of a lifetime: to be paired next to Christie Pearce. What a mentor to have, huh? Going into the season I wasn’t sure if Sky Blue would be able to start strong, but 10 games into the year we find them in third place and really starting to find a groove.

Sky Blue 3-1 Portland

Sky Blue got off to a perfect start, scoring the opening goal just 24 seconds in. Officially it was given to Raquel Rodriguez (after a lovely pass from Sam Kerr) 25 seconds in, but I have watched it several times and it’s clearly in the back of the net at the 24 second mark–which would make it the fastest goal in NWSL history.

But I’ll move on from that and get down to specifics.

The first play worth talking about from Freeman was in the 11th minute. #22 had darted forward to intercept a pass intended for a Thorn player at the halfway line. Freeman got it to Kerr, who charged forward and put herself in a dangerous position in the middle of the park. Emily Sonnett eventually won a tackle, stopping Kerr just before she entered the 18-yard box. But it was a wonderful attacking move which started with Freeman winning possession and then quickly finding Kerr moving forward.

Now, it’s certainly no easy task to rattle to Portland … at Providence Park … in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 16,736. Also add in the fact that the Thorns had not lost at home since July of 2016. Quite an impressive feat, but in the first half Sky Blue were playing like they were the home team, executing their game plan to a tee.

Freeman wasn’t only doing her defensive duties, she wanted in on the action at the other end too. She awaited the service of a Kelley O’Hara corner in the 17th minute, volleying it towards goal where forward McKenzie Meehan sent it just just over the crossbar.  Obviously, Sky Blue drafted her for her defensive abilities but at 5’8″ Freeman could sneak onto the scoring sheet eventually. In her college days at USC, Freeman did find the net twice and earned eight assists as well, so it’s not a completely foreign land to her.

The next big play came in the very next minute. Portland patiently strung together a series of passes, working their way deep into the Sky Blue end. At the end of it, Sinclair turned Mills away with a cute stop-and-go on the right side of the 18 and found Raso, who was in the middle, with a point-blank shot. Or so she thought. But instead, Freeman comes lunging forward with such graceful desperation, putting her body in front of a ball that was on its way to being blasted upper 90 for the equalizer. Freeman once again read the play, reacted in the right way and preserved the lead for Sky Blue. It was a crucial moment. With Portland’s pressure growing and the game moving at a frantic pace, an equalizer could easily have turned the tide on the night and shifted the momentum. Freeman’s clutch stop gave Sky Blue some refuge and let them restore some order to their game plan.

As every team in the NWSL knows, containing Portland is extremely difficult to do. With the likes of Nadia Nadim, Christine Sinclair, Allie Long, Amandine Henry, and Lindsey Horan, Sky Blue and their balanced defense managed to do just that. Balanced meaning two veterans and two rookies keeping the line very organized. Freeman deserves individual plaudits for her containment of Sinclair–a player who has proven capable of escaping from the world’s best defenders. In maybe her best game of the season so far, Freeman kept Canada’s legendary forward in check and off the score sheet.

In the second half, Portland didn’t start well but in the 64th minute, they could’ve had a quality chance on goal if not for Freeman. Building from the back, the Thorns found Meghan Klingenberg out wide, looking to serve the ball toward Long in the box. Once again, Portland were inches away from a goal, but somehow Freeman burst in to steal the header from Long and deny a golden scoring chance.

One last play to highlight Freeman came in the 88th minute with Portland desperately searching for a bit of pride back and a consolation goal. Henry won the ball near the midfield and surged forward, leaving two Sky Blue players in the dust on her way to goal. Freeman came over to support, stood tall against the French playmaker and took it away from her. Then she had the awareness to slot it to Madison Tiernan in the midfield, who sent a long searching ball to a certain Aussie (who beat the entire Portland backline) and raced 15 yards before faking out Adrianna Franch for the cool finish and a brace.

Freeman had to deal with some incredible talent on the night and taking the ball away from Henry and starting the final goal-scoring sequence had to feel good for the rookie as it capped off a fantastic game for her. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this game, it was end-to-end action. And in my opinion, Freeman made the difference for her club on the night.

Sky Blue are currently sitting in third place with five wins, four losses, and one draw. If Freeman and this backline can continue this type of electric play, we could see this team back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

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.

 

No Regrets: How Mexican International Katie Johnson is Impacting the NWSL

Posted on by RJ Allen

After a Week 8 match-up against the Chicago Red Stars and earning her first start, Katie Johnson spoke with Backline Soccer about NWSL draft day, rookie life, and making an impact in the league as a Mexican International and Mexican-American player.

During the second round of the annual NWSL draft, after a draft day trade with the Chicago Red Stars, the Seattle Reign held the sixth pick, 16th overall. Katlyn Alicia Johnson Carreon had yet to be drafted, and three of her former USC teammates had gone in the first round. It’s not an easy day, waiting and hoping to hear your name called, but when Seattle drafted Johnson, she immediately made an impact on draft day.

“Ay Dios Mio”

Three simple words translate to “Oh My God.” It was small, but something that connects to some Latino/Latino-American fans who grew up hearing the phrase in our households or from our families. I mostly heard it from my mom or grandma when I was being mischievous and doing ridiculous kid things. Which, was often. But on draft day, for Katie, it seemed to represent a sense of excitement in achieving one’s goals. In that sense, no matter your background, “Ay dios mio” is entirely and immediately relatable.

Reign Rookie

Johnson declared for the draft and had been hoping to stay on the west coast and be selected by the Reign. After finding success at USC, she bet on herself and took a chance and made it known that she was looking for a future in the NWSL.

“I think I came off a pretty good season in college, and I think I made a good name for myself especially throughout the college finals, and scoring three goals. So, I was just confident going in, and thought that I could get drafted and picked in the NWSL draft. So, I took my chances, and Laura [Harvey] believed that I could be a good fit for this [Seattle] team. And I think I’ve done a good job of fitting into the team.”

Making the decision to go pro isn’t an easy one. An athlete’s options might open up with a successful collegiate career. Their options may expand even further if they’ve had international experience. For Johnson, her resume contains both of those very important bullet points. Having spent time with the senior women’s Mexican national team during Olympic qualifying and having a break-out senior season at USC that ended in a national title, Johnson could’ve played soccer overseas. She admits that could always be an option, but is fully committed to Seattle.

“Out of all the teams, the Reign were my number one pick. I’m really happy because my style of play fits in with the was that she [Harvey] likes to play. So, I was pretty happy with that. I was looking overseas before, just with how the [college] season went, just to see if it was an option, it is an option in the future. Right now, I’m just really happy playing in Seattle and I like how it’s going so far.”

A recent injury to Beverly Yanez saw Johnson get her first start against Chicago during Week 8. In earlier weeks, Seattle head coach Laura Harvey had done well to get Johnson quality minutes within games even before giving Johnson her first start. It’s difficult for some rookies to get time on the pitch in their first season, but Johnson is holding her own and has already scored two goals. She admits there is some adjustments from playing on the college level to going pro.

“The speed is a lot faster in the game [than in college]. There’s really not much room for mistakes. There’s less chances for goal but I have to be more on top of just finishing and holding the ball. I don’t think I did nearly as well today [against Chicago], but in past games I think I’ve done pretty well at that.”

Representing More than Soccer

While adjusting to playing in the NWSL, Johnson shared with me that fighting for a spot in Seattle’s starting XI has always been the goal since she got drafted. Her perspective of the NWSL is refreshing, as she emphasizes and expresses her want to be successful in this league. Her desire to have an active role in Seattle took front and center even in the face of the current FIFA break in the NWSL schedule.  

This June, several NWSL players reported for national team duty and participated in international team friendlies. That included a match between Mexico and Venezuela. I mention some disappointment in not seeing her name on the roster, but Johnson tells me that Mexico’s head coach Robert Medina approached her for a call up to national team camps.  Along with not trying to put extra strain on her body, she is actively choosing to improve her game through the NWSL.

“I was actually asked to be on the team, but I just decided that I wanted to stay here [in Seattle] and try to start. Obviously, I got my first one today [against Chicago]. And I’m trying to keep starting and stay with the team and just be focused on that. I also didn’t want to risk injury, it was kind of a late game [June Friendly] so I’m just trying to play it smart and get this season done.”

She emphasizes that she wants to improve on her game in order to be a better player in general as well as internationally with Mexico.

“When it comes to Mexico I’ll be ready to go for qualifiers or for wherever they need me to be. Just trying to play it smart, this time. I didn’t want to go too hard or too much on that, because I know we do double days when we’re out there [training camps] so it’d be a lot of soccer and I’m just trying to pick and choose for right now to be smarter about those things.”

Johnson says that there is open communication between the Mexican players and current head coach Medina, that sometimes scheduling comes into play when players make decisions regarding camps and friendlies. It’s part of how she was able to compete in Olympic qualifying for Mexico back when Leo Cuellar was coaching. She elaborates saying:

“It was a little last minute the [training] camp, which is another reason why I made the decision to stay with this team [Reign]. You have to think about that, ‘well do I want to go out of my way right now? How will this affect me physically?’ There are some who do have the opportunity to play right now, like with our players who play in Spain [La Liga] right now, their season just ended. So, they’re able to come over here and it’s a bit more convenient for them. Or how back in February [Olympic Qualifiers] when I wasn’t playing [in college] to be able to compete. So sometimes it’s also a clash of schedules as well.”

Johnson and I spoke about the decline in Mexican subsidized players in the NWSL over the years, the few Mexican-American players currently in the league, and how there is sometimes a perception of constantly “having to choose a side.” I ask her if she ever sees herself embracing the role of being a role model. She openly embraces the possibility saying:

“Absolutely. That’s definitely a segway I’d like to go into. I really hope I can be that for people. And hopefully encourage other girls who are Mexican-American, who are young, to say hey I can maybe go a different route. I know Monica Flores has gone through something similar with her sister, so it is having to choose sometimes, but I’m just really happy I made the decision.”

Recently, Seattle Reign were one of the NWSL teams featured on Lifetime’s game of the week against the Houston Dash. Johnson came on as a sub for an injured Bev Yanez, the rookie’s play had earned praise under the Houston heat and even raised questions during the broadcast. Coach Harvey was quoted through commentary that the U.S. would come to “rue Johnson’s decision” on playing for Mexico. When I mention some additional TV commentary suggesting if Johnson had any “regrets” in committing to representing Mexico now that she was getting recognition, I ask Johnson if she wants to set the record straight.

She doesn’t hesitate.

“No. I am so happy I made that decision.”

She elaborates on the good experiences she has with her teammates saying:

“When I go to camps, I don’t really speak Spanish very well, so it’s kind of hard sometimes, but my teammates have always been really nice to me. When I do try, they obviously joke with me about it. It’s always fun though because they’re all so nice to me.”

Johnson expresses that if there is any regret, it’s that she didn’t make the decision sooner to commit to playing for Mexico. After an ACL injury and some guidance from her parents, she began her journey to representing La Selección Tri Femenil.

“I was really happy with it [playing for Mexico]. I feel like I didn’t make it sooner than most players who make those decisions. But I made the choice over these last two years, it was after I tore my ACL. I sat down with my parents, and I talked to my mom about it, and she asked me ‘do you want to do this? We can do this, we can help you with all your paperwork if you want to [play for Mexico]’ So I just kind of made the decision from there and said, ‘Let’s do it!’ so I just kind of went for it, and I am really happy. I’m so proud of being Mexican too.”

The NWSL is five years young, and yet it’s come a long way from having 16 Mexican international subsidized players to zero. Although not currently listed as an allocated player, time will tell the kind of impact a player like Katie Johnson will have on the NWSL. For now, she is doing a good job growing her game within two countries she is proud to claim. 

6 Takeaways from NWSL: Week 9

Posted on by RJ Allen

The NWSL returned from the short FIFA break this past weekend and the action was non-stop. There were a combined 20 goals scored across the league this weekend, some unexpected losses and some big upsets. Honestly, we’re just so thrilled to be watching club WoSo again, all the excitement was the cherry on the top of our sundae. But, golazos aside, not all teams were equally energized by the break, and several players returned with injuries that kept them off the field on Saturday. So, let’s take a look at some of the takeaways we thought were worthy of pointing out as we head into Week 10 of the regular season.

Marta: Not Overrated – Luis Hernandez

When the Brazilian superstar Marta signed with the Orlando Pride there was a lot of hype from the team, and some people questioned how much of an impact the tthirty-one-year-old could have on the Pride’s performance this season. But ask no more, because Saturday’s match in Houston was a statement, to be sure. In the Pride’s 4-2 rout over Houston, Marta had a hand in all four of Orlando’s goals while leaping to the top of the league’s golden boot race in spite of the fact Marta missed the first match of the season and only played 31 minutes in her debut against the Washington Spirit. In seven starts, Marta has five goals and three assists.

Her influence on the team has already been apparent in the improved play from players around her. Like Jasmyne Spencer, for one. Last season, Spencer scored four goals in 20 matches. In the nine matches this season she already has three goals and two assists. Marta has also been a presence on the defensive end, as she has no qualms dropping into the midfield to track back for a ball, demonstrating a keen desire to lead by example. And, as far as the history books go, Marta scored the first penalty kick goal and goal from a corner kick in Orlando Pride history. With Alex Morgan’s return on the horizon, Marta seems to have the Pride trending in an upward direction.

 

Things Go from Bad to Worse for Boston – Luis Hernandez

It was a tall order for the Breakers to go to Cary and battle a weakened North Carolina Courage. It was an even harder task as they too have suddenly lost Rose Lavelle four to six weeks due to a hamstring injury suffered during the international break. The road woes for Boston continue, as they fell away from home once more. To add insult to injury, Rosie White picked up her fifth yellow of the season, and will miss the next game suspended to yellow card accumulation.

Boston will return to the friendly confines of Jordan Field to face the Courage once more in Week 10 before facing slightly more favorable matchups against Houston and Washington. Matt Beard will have his work cutout for his side as they will attempt to rebuild some of the first month’s momentum. The Breakers rebuilding project still has a ways to go, but at least the team is better than the last few seasons.

 

Seattle Needs a Closer – Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

Five years into their NWSL journey, Seattle’s record of getting into the post-season is 50/50. After their first disastrous season, with fourteen losses putting them in seventh out of an eight-team race, their 2014 and 2015 seasons saw them winning back-to-back NWSL shields and appearing in the NWSL Championship game both years, where they put up a great performance but lost two years running to FC Kansas City.  Last year, with Rapinoe still in recovery from her ACL tear and Hope Solo departing from the team after the Rio games, they finished in fifth, just two points behind the #4 Western New York Flash

At the moment in 2017, they’re sitting in fifth once again, two points behind the #4 Portland Thorns. And though we’re only a little less than half-way through the season, Seattle is going to need to perform the way they did in their second and third seasons if they want to make a return to the post-season and make a play for the NWSL Championship title that has eluded them so far. This season, that means they need a closer. With the departure of Kim Little back to the UK (and another unfortunate member of the ACL club this season) the Reign have been unable to close out games. Their blowout against the Houston Dash in Week 2 has proven to be a fluke instead of an indication of the team’s prowess on the pitch. They can score, no doubt; in fact, they currently lead the league in scoring with 19 goals. But they seem to always be struggling to catch up, to equalize, to get the draw.

They need to play for the win

And some of this falls into the defense and Hayley Kopmeyer, who, though they are doing what they can, have allowed 13 goals, a fact that has eaten away at their early impressive goal differential and their place in the standings. Whether it’s a offensive closer–someone who can take an early shot on goal and sink the ball into the net to get Seattle on the front foot of the game–or a defensive closer–a backline that can problem-solve in the moment and prevent Kopmeyer from having to make the number of saves we’re seeing her complete each week–what Seattle needs is someone who can shut a game down early, and keep it that way.

 

Proud about Pride – Elizabeth Wawrzyniak

This weekend several teams across the NWSL celebrated LGBTQIA+ Pride at their games. Teams spent the international break promoting equality and awareness in a coordinated effort to make it known that fans of all identities are welcome in their stands. More Pride nights will take place in Week 10, for teams on away trips this weekend, but I want to take a moment to say how much it means to me that the NWSL and its teams (not to mention the USWNT and USSF) recognize the importance of creating a welcoming environment for their fans.

Even in some stadiums which will not be hosting official Pride matches, fans and supporter groups are planning to band together to create an experience that supports all players and all fans. Looking across the crowds this weekend, it was affirming and inspiring to see rainbow flags being waved, to see men and women and children in Pride-inspired gear, to know that LGBTQIA+ fans, like myself, are not only invited, but welcomed with open arms.

For more on Pride in the NWSL, see our own Becca Kimble’s article on Pride at the NC Courage game. 

 

Christen Press Shines in Prime Time – Jordan Small

The Chicago Red Stars were down 1-0 to the visiting Washington Spirit with 10 minutes left to go on the Lifetime Game of the Week this past Saturday. So naturally Christen Press scored to steal a point for the Red Stars. In the 81st minute, Press drove into the box where she was met by Spirit defender Shelina Zadorsky. A poorly timed tackle in the box from Zadorsky gave Chicago a penalty kick. Press stepped up to take the penalty kick that she earned to draw the Red Stars even. Very few players in the league have the ability to score consistently late in games for their teams like Press can. Once again, she proved that she should have the ball on her feet at the end of the game.

 

Francisca Ordega is quietly having herself a year – Jordan Small

In her first two seasons in Washington, Francisca Ordega battled injury and lack of playing time due to international duty. Now healthy and with the team full time, Ordega is starting to be the goal scorer that Washington needs. Through nine games this season, Ordega has three goals and two assists. Saturday’s match against Chicago was just another showing of the impact Ordega can have on the Spirit’s attack.

At just 23 years old, Ordega is one of the younger players on the Spirit’s roster. But that does not stop her from playing well beyond her years. Her speed and agile foot work makes her very difficult to defend against. In a match against Sky Blue on May 6, Ordega scored a brace, forced an own goal, and had a well timed pass to Havana Solaun for another goal. Then against Chicago this weekend, Ordega scored the opening goal for the Spirit. She out-ran the Red Stars defense to score her third goal of the year. If they stay healthy, Washington’s main attacking group of Ordega, Mallory Pugh, and Cheyna Williams could be very dangerous in the second half of the year.

 

The Furt and the Fabulous: Episode 3

Posted on by RJ Allen

I am back with my recurring series of The Furt and the Fabulous. A look at the best and worst of the week. Let’s dig in.

The Furt

Houston is in Major Trouble

Oh, Houston.

To those who thought former Head Coach Randy Waldrum leaving the Dash would provide the catalyst needed for Houston to start coming together and winning games, I am sorry. And for those who thought Carli Lloyd’s return would be the end of the midfield issues, I am doubly sorry.

Right now the Dash seem to be set to make sure Boston doesn’t finish in 10th place for three seasons in a row. Their defense looks lethargic, their midfield is a mess, and their finishing hasn’t been there most of the season. They have had a few bright spots, their win over Washington being maybe the brightest, but between coaching issues and lack of cohesion, it doesn’t look like the Dash are leaving the basement anytime soon. 

 

Two Clean Sheets Lost in the Last 10 Minutes

Chicago scored in the 82′, Portland in the 90+5′ on the rebound from a PK given in the dying moments of the game, and Houston scored on Orlando twice in the 89′ and 90+6′. Three games that should have seen three keepers have clean sheets ended with each keeper giving up a goal (and in the case of Orlando, two). None of the three left the pitch with a loss but in the case of Washington, it stripped 2 points away from what could have been a much-needed away victory.

It’s not new that some teams are better at scoring late goals. Sky Blue had three game winners past the 80th minute at home for their 3-0 start before they had their first home loss to Portland a few weeks ago. 

The danger with letting a goal in, even if your team wins, will always be how high goal differential is on the list of tiebreakers. Right after head-to-head is goal differential and in Week 9 it might not be so dangerous. But come October the goal let in in the 87th minute could be the difference between playing in the playoffs and watching them from home. 

The Fabulous

You Get a Brace and You Get a Brace and You Get a Brace

Sam Kerr, Marta, and Kristen Hamilton all ended the weekend with braces. 

Scoring one goal is great but why stop there when you can score a second? The Pride, Courage and Sky Blue all came away with wins thanks in large part to the braces provided by Marta, Hamilton, and Kerr. 

Marta and Kerr having braces isn’t all that shocking but seeing such a performance out of Hamilton was a welcome surprise with both Williams and McDonald out of the starting XI. 

Each of the 6 goals was great but Sam Kerr wins the best celebration after scoring with her trademark backflip. 

 

NWSL Coaches Have Become Awesome on Twitter

The NWSL coaches have really picked up their game this year on Twitter. While not indicative of on-field performance it is a welcome sight to those of us who enjoy a little Twitter banter.

Below are just a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

Promoting Pride in Courage Country

Posted on by RJ Allen

During the NWSL offseason, when the announcement was made that the Western New York Flash were moving their entire operation to Cary, North Carolina, my wife and I were elated.

Like many, we jumped cannonball-style into women’s soccer mania during the 2015 Women’s World Cup and there was no looking back. That summer we attended our first NWSL game as part of a trip to D.C. A year later, we strategically decided D.C. would be a common sense “half-way” point between North Carolina and Buffalo (where we would be married later in the week), so we could catch our second game.

This time, the Spirit hosted the Orlando Pride, in their first match following the massacre at Pulse. I was struck by the strength and unity of the women’s soccer community during that game, and literally felt the furious fusion between the LGBTQ community and Women’s Soccer. The game that provides a safe space for each of us to enjoy healthy competition also opens its arms to welcome fans from all backgrounds – after all, it welcomed us.

The day of the official NC Courage announcement, season tickets went on sale. Since we live that grad student + graphic designer lifestyle, we opted for budget-friendly seats across from the benches, but right up front so we could witness the up-close and personal athleticism of nearly every national team player over the course of a complete season (side note: injuries have plagued this game plan), while getting to know the members of our very own North Carolina Courage. So far, it’s been a great experience.

After a third of the season, we’re starting to recognize familiar faces in our section. We’re also close enough to other fans to gather from their conversations who they’re excited to see and who they’d rather not see. In these moments we have learned that most fans are just like us – grateful for the opportunity to support an NWSL team locally, and for the type of atmosphere that women’s soccer cultivates. As I mentioned already, this is one that is noticeably welcoming to every type of person, with particular attention paid to the LGBTQ community.

In the final months of the offseason, there was a lot of chatter in women’s soccer world about the revival of a professional women’s soccer team in North Carolina, and how the club would function under House Bill 2, especially since the NCAA had removed all collegiate tournament games from the state and the NBA pulled the All-Star game from Charlotte. To be fair, those sporting events are stand-alone and more easily relocated than a more-or-less permanent franchise. After all, the Carolina Hurricanes hadn’t moved out of the state, nor would anyone expect them to. They have, however, hosted Pride nights – something I have been giddy to experience with the Courage.

Early in the season, the social media hype for the Courage was heightened. So much so that they got in a bit over their heads when their first gif tweet at the other NWSL teams declared “We are the champions” and garnered unexpected reactions like “No,” or “actually… the Flash?”

They eventually found their groove, though, and within that groove were the early and frequent promotions for North Carolina Football Club Pride Week events and the mid-June Pride game to be played against the Boston Breakers. Even better, a percentage of ticket sales for the Pride games are being donated to Equality NC, an organization that fights for equal rights and has stood at the forefront of the fight against HB2. Even today, they are still fighting against the inherent anti-trans discrimination written into HB 142, a law that supposedly “repealed” HB2. So as a season ticket holder, and a member of a social media team for a women’s soccer site, imagine my confusion when suddenly the voices holding the power of promotion for Pride night got quiet.

By now, it’s no secret that the speculation as to why one of the Courage’s defenders chose not to attend national team friendlies in Scandanavia got red hot a few weeks ago. For me, this whole ordeal was doubly frustrating. I knew about the history of this player, and I didn’t like it, yet I was attempting to come to terms with it. And then this happened.

I was frustrated because this player is on MY team, and MY team is in North Carolina, where a week before, we hosted a Family and Faith night. It’s true, we’re located in a part of the country where Christianity is held in high regard, and that’s great. If I had to guess, there is a demand in this area for a game that celebrates faith. However, I do not have to guess that there is a demand for a game that celebrates pride. This could easily turn into an argument about privileged groups and safe spaces, but that’s currently being played out in every arena imaginable at the moment. What became frustrating after this incident, was the silence from the Courage regarding their Pride night.

Nearly every other NWSL team used the international break to advertise their Pride game with daily tweets. Some teams changed their social media profile pictures to rainbow logos. I kept up with every other team’s updates, and started to question whether the Courage were going to advertise the Pride aspect of the June 17th game at all. It got worse when the Courage began advertising the game as an opportunity to get food from food trucks before the game, while leaving out any mention of LGBTQ+ Pride.

Food trucks. Yes. I LOVE a good street taco. Who doesn’t?

But do you know what I love more? A stadium filled with rainbow flags in the heart of North Carolina.

A day and a space to be loud and proud while we watch Debinha wow ten-year-olds eating soft pretzels. Is that too much to ask?

Finally, last Tuesday, my social media sleuthing reached its pinnacle when the Courage posted what must have been coordinated and scheduled Facebook and Twitter posts with the caption “stay tuned …” and a photo of Sam Mewis’ rainbow number USWNT jersey. Could it be? Was my team actually going to embrace this Pride game? Before I could comment with an emphatic “Ooooohhhh!!!” the posts were deleted. That’s right. Completely gone. At that moment, I was convinced that we would be celebrating food truck pride during Pride month.

In the days that followed, my wife designed some stellar rainbow Courage graphics and put them all over social media in an effort to spread the word. We were pleasantly surprised when one of the tweets was given attention by the Courage’s general manager, an assistant coach, Equality NC, and Playing for Pride, a coalition of professional players who raise money for the Human Rights Campaign. This attention felt like a little victory, like Pride night hadn’t been forgotten. Thankfully, Thursday night served as the Pride kickoff at a local bar, where Taylor Smith and Abby Dahlkemper acted as guest bartenders, and the Pride aspect of the game was finally given some attention.

Game day arrived, and I was ready. We set up a mean tailgate right outside the stadium where I could be seen wearing my equality t-shirt, dancing to Kelly Clarkson, Janet Jackson, and the Spice Girls behind my Kia Soul, proudly displaying our brand new rainbow flag.

During our tailgate, we met up with the former leader of one of the prominent supporters groups for the Carolina Railhawks (now NCFC, the men’s NASL team under the North Carolina Football Club umbrella). We discussed the promotion of the Pride game (and lack thereof), and he offered some insight that I appreciated. He expressed that in the past, they tried to push the organization to have different themed nights and that there simply was not the manpower or money to make it happen. He was pleasantly surprised that the organization was even hosting a Pride night, and held the opinion that he was grateful for the progress. I noted during this conversation that I was grateful for the progress too, but now that we have the NWSL in town, the demographic has shifted to include a swath of fans who deserve and expect a Pride night.

Prior to the gates opening, more than half of the Courage roster joined hands for a photo in Equality shirts, a photo that was posted to Twitter as a show of love, support, and solidarity.

Later, upon entering the stadium, we noticed a large number of people wearing the rainbow pride scarves designed for the occasion, and a few rainbow flags were draped over sideline fences. At the conclusion of the national anthem, the supporters section unraveled a giant rainbow tifo, which was subsequently posted on social media by the Courage. All-in-all, the game was a blast, pride was everywhere, and the Courage came away with a big win.

Reflecting on the events of the past two weeks, I am certain finding a balance between Pride promotion and keeping the peace among an increasingly polarized discourse was a PR nightmare. Because of this, fans had to take it upon themselves to make Sahlen’s Stadium the type of atmosphere they were hoping to get out of a Pride night. I’m grateful the game was a success, but I wish it would have been given a bigger push. With this year’s game in the books, now we have something to compare it to. Fingers crossed that next year, the series of events leading up to the Pride game allow for louder and prouder promotion.

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.

The Unused Sub: Something About Soccer In Video Games

Posted on by RJ Allen

So did anything interesting happen in the world of WoSo?

THIS FIFA BREAK WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PROBLEM-FREE!
And then we saw the announcement that Boston Breakers midfielder Rose Lavelle would be out six weeks. There was also an injury that will keep Chicago Red Stars’ Yuki Nagasato out of rotation at the moment. Seattle Reign FC’s Rumi Utsugi has some injury that at the time I write this, we don’t know the extent of. Lynn Williams reportedly needs an MRI. And then there was some freak accident involving inflatable bodies that gave Sabrina D’Angelo a bum ankle.

WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU DO, SOCCER GODS!?

This FIFA break was supposed to just have some friendlies where nothing major happens, yet there’s some cruel bastard that decided to make some players hurt. And that’s not cool.

PRESS START
If you’re a gamer, then these past couple of days were like Christmas for you as this year’s E3 happened. E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is the convention show of the video game industry. There the industry shows the world what they’re working on with the intention to release within the year or some point next year. Electronic Arts, makers of the FIFA video game series, are no stranger to the event. This year’s release of FIFA titled FIFA 18 features some guy named Cristiano Ronaldo. I hear he’s good.

When it comes to the women’s side of the game, FIFA made waves when FIFA 16 in 2015 included women’s national teams. They were USA, Germany, France, Sweden, England, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Spain, Italy, China, and Mexico. The next iteration continued that, adding the Netherlands and Norway. While it wasn’t announced/confirmed at E3, it stands to reason that FIFA 18 will have women’s national teams, maybe an addition or two.

But how about the next step, how about women’s club teams?

We still have a lot of time before FIFA 18’s September worldwide release and surely during that time, EA Sports will drop more info about what licensed teams and leagues will be joining the already robust offering of over 30 leagues, over 650 teams. Could this year’s release give us women’s club teams in some form? I don’t know. I can be like you and hope for it, that someday there will be women’s clubs teams. When FIFA 16 gave us the women’s national teams, the gaming modification community went to town with the PC version of the game and made a mod featuring NWSL teams. It surely gave women’s soccer fans a glimpse into hopefully a future that is sooner than later. I mean really, what is the argument against having women’s club teams available to play in FIFA’s exhibition mode? Or better yet a full on career mode where you could have leagues like the NWSL, FAWSL, Division 1 Féminine, and Frauen-Bundesliga? Just think of being able to be in charge of, say, the Seattle Reign FC and, after winning the NWSL Championship, getting the chance to face off against Arsenal Ladies in a virtual Club World Cup showdown?

In the weeks leading up to the worldwide demo release of FIFA 17, social media freaking out was at a fever pitch when an image dropped saying said demo would feature Arsenal Ladies, Liverpool Ladies, Boston Breakers, and Orlando Pride as playable women’s club teams. The image turned out to be fan-made, but just the idea of it got everyone buzzing. Not even the staunchest hater would deny the existence of a demand for women’s clubs teams in a future iteration of FIFA. Surely with the NWSL looking to be on the path to sustainability, it’d be impossible to find a better outlet to expand their brand and the profiles of the league’s stars than with an appearance in a FIFA video game. Throw in the leagues from England, France, Germany and I promise you, there will be a whole world of people grateful that they can play as their soccer heroes on the virtual pitch.

Time will tell if women’s club teams will be in FIFA. As much as I’d like to see it with this year’s release, I don’t expect it. Of course, if I had a direct line with the producers of FIFA, I’d bug them about that along with other wishes for the next game. My realistic guess as for how far the women’s game will go with this year’s release is, they’ll have the teams participating in this summer’s UEFA Women’s European Championship along with the staples like USA, Australia, Canda, and all other nations that have appeared since. In 2018, with FIFA 19, that’s where I think we could see some traction with getting women’s club teams into the game.

For the longest time, the motto of EA Sports was, “If it’s in the game, it’s in the game.”

It’s just a matter of time folks before the women’s game gets proper and full representation in one of the world’s biggest and most successful video game franchises.

SERIOUSLY, YOU ALREADY WON IF YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE FIFA BREAK, INJURY-FREE
Here are this weekend’s predictions.

  • Chicago Red Stars OVER Washington Spirit.
  • North Carolina Courage OVER Boston Breakers.
  • Seattle Reign FC OVER FC Kansas City.
  • Houston Dash and Orlando Pride play to a DRAW.
  • Portland Thorns FC OVER Sky Blue FC.

And with that, here’s this week’s music video break.

Song: “Symphony” | Artist: Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson

Unsung Hero of the Week: Abby Road

Posted on by RJ Allen

In this weekly series, I will be highlighting a player from the weekend who was their respective team’s unsung hero, win or lose. A player who does the dirty work, does the little but important things in a game and someone who didn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet but found other ways to contribute.

This week I’ve chosen North Carolina Courage defender Abby Dahlkemper.

The 24-year-old American was the third overall pick in the 2015 College Draft, selected by the Western New York Flash out of UCLA. Dahlkemper appeared in 40 games for the Flash, winning the NWSL Championship with them in 2016. So far this year for the re-branded and re-located North Carolina Courage she has started all nine games. The Courage head into the break with a 6-3-0 record and are now first in the league standings.

North Carolina 2-0 Kansas City

Leading into this game, I was curious how the Courage would handle FCKC forward Sydney Leroux, who just last week had a two-goal performance against Washington to earn her Player of the Week honors. My curiosity was quickly washed away in the eighth minute when Dahlkemper first made her presence in the game known to Leroux. Kansas City had managed to clear the ball out of their half to Leroux but Dahlkemper out-muscled her for several steps near the midway line. The Courage defender read the situation perfectly to steal the ball away from Leroux and gain possession for her team. In turn, Dahlkemper glided a pass to Jaelene Hinkle who gave it up to Sam Mewis for North Carolina to regroup.

Dahlkemper establishing her presence early was vital to stopping Leroux from gaining any kind of confidence early on, and her work paid off.

One example of Dahlkemper dipping her toes in the offensive end for North Carolina came in the 24th minute. A big part of her game is her ability to provide set pieces that are not only quality but dangerous. Dahlkemper sent in a high-arching corner that found her fellow centerback Abby Erceg. The former New Zealand international sent it towards goal where Mewis redirected it on frame. It surely was going in, but FCKC defender Brittany Taylor got in the way of the header and saved the day for the Blues.

After that play, Commentator Aly Wagner expressed her opinion that she doesn’t think there’s a better set-piece taker in the women’s game. After thinking about it, I would have to agree with Wagner’s sentiments. The Courage have great service and height in their ranks, which has equaled success. Along with Dahlkemper, they have Erceg, who stands in at 5’10 and Mewis who is 5’11. These three combined provide enough evidence to claim the Courage are the most dangerous team when it comes to set pieces so far this season.

In the 44th minute, the roles were reversed for a change. This time it was Mewis taking the corner and Dahlkemper waiting for it. Mewis sent it to the back post and Dahlkemper was right on cue, sending a powerful header just wide of Kansas City’s goal.

Dahlkemper had a busy and productive first half but she didn’t stop there. On the other side in the 60th minute, North Carolina finally capitalized on a chance. The Courage earned another corner and Dahlkemper was up to the task of providing pin-point service. Once again, she found Erceg at the top of the 18, who sent it back into the mix. This time it found veteran midfielder McCall Zerboni near the six-yard box who flicked it in for the 1-0 lead. It was a well-deserved goal and one that had been brewing for some time.

It was brought up in the commentary that North Carolina leads the league in crosses and completions in the box. This game against KC was yet another prime example of why they are atop the standings; they are being efficient and it’s setting them apart from the rest of the league so far.

This upcoming week the NWSL is on international break. So, no games until the weekend of June 17. The United States Women’s National team will be playing Sweden June 8 (ESPN 2 – 1:30 PM ET) and Norway on June 11 (FOX – 1:00 PM ET). One defender who I was glad to see get called up was, in fact, Dahlkemper. She made two appearances for the USWNT back in 2016 and now once again has the chance to show what she can do for the Senior team. I hope she sees some playing time because her play in the NWSL has absolutely been top notch.

If Dahlkemper can keep this pace for her club, don’t be surprised if the North Carolina squad earn another piece of hardware come October.