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NWSL: Week 2 Roundup, Standings and Team of the Week

By Eric Harris

Apr 15, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC and Los Angeles Galaxy starting line up stand on the field as they escorted kids out for the national anthem prior to the game at Orlando City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC and Los Angeles Galaxy starting line up stand on the field as they escorted kids out for the national anthem prior to the game at Orlando City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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A surprising opening week in the NWSL was followed by more predictable results in week two action.

Some teams raised some eyebrows after week one, but after an impressive win, the Houston Dash fell back to earth. Seattle Reign FC looked more like the team we’re accustomed to, while the Chicago Red Stars also bounced back with a win over Kansas City. A look around the NWSL in week two.

After just two weeks every team has gotten some form of a result, and it’s still early, but a log jam in the standings looks likely again.

It was also announced the NWSL title will be played for in Orlando on October 14th. The league looks comfortable still putting it in a neutral site, but Orlando could be a big trip for some of the favorites in the league. It will be interesting to see this fall how the crowd for that shapes up.

Standings

  1. NC Courage: 6 pts, +2 GD
  2. Seattle Reign FC: 4 pts, +4 GD
  3. FC Kansas City: 3 pts, +1 GD
  4. Portland Thorns FC: 3 pts, +1 GD
  5. Boston Breakers: 3 pts, -1 GD
  6. Chicago Red Stars: 3 pts, -1 GD
  7. Houston Dash: 3 pts, -2 GD
  8. Sky Blue FC: 1 pt, -1 GD
  9. Washington Spirit: 1 pt, -1 GD
  10. Orlando Pride: 1 pt, -2 GD

Match Recaps

  • Chicago 1 – Kansas City 0

After a dismal opener, Chicago got on track with the home win. Julie Ertz found the back of the net on a header with a little help from her former Santa Clara teammate Sophia Huerta.

If there’s any cause for concern it was Chicago’s inability to put the game away. Christen Press had a shot to make it 2-0, but her penalty went wide.

  • Orlando 1 – Washington 1

Marta made her debut to much fanfare and was an instant impact creating chances and being active for the crowd of 14,452 in Orlando. Line Sigvardsen-Jensen’s looping header gave Washington the lead right after Marta’s substitution. Then some excellent play from Orlando lead to Danica Evans’ goal which tied the match in the 86th minute.

  • North Carolina 1 – Portland 0

Plenty of storylines in this one between the rematch of last year’s wild semifinal and the first home game in North Carolina. The two teams had a close match the whole time, but Debinha scored the lone goal and gave the Courage all three points.

  • Seattle 5 – Houston 1

Yikes Houston. Yikes Jane Campbell. The rookie’s professional debut was one to forget. She and the Houston back line weren’t at their best, Seattle pounced on the opportunities and showed no mercy. Megan Rapinoe had a goal and two assists. Rookies Kristen McNabb and Katie Johnson both got their first professional goals.

  • Boston 1 – Sky Blue 0

Boston looked much improved in the final game of the weekend. Rose Lavelle got her first assist in her the NWSL, setting up Natasha Dowie. Sky Blue listed the same formation as their opener against Seattle, but in this game Kelly O’Hara was much less dangerous and was all over the field.

Team of the Week

Next: USMNT: U-17s rolls past Jamaica in CONCACAF opener

Abby Erceg led a very impressive defense effort against a strong Portland offense and gets the nod. Abby Smith was also big in goal for Boston and was huge for them getting three points as well. That along with a brigade of Reign FC players, which is what happens when you score five.

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