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NWSL: Week 6 Roundup, Standings, Team of the Week

ByEric Harris|
Sep 15, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; USA defender Julie Johnston (8) dives for a loose ball in the first half against Thailand at MAPFRE Stadium. The USA defeated Thailand 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; USA defender Julie Johnston (8) dives for a loose ball in the first half against Thailand at MAPFRE Stadium. The USA defeated Thailand 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

A tight league table got even tighter in NWSL after another unpredictable weekend.

Second through seventh in NWSL are now just separated by two points. Such is life in a league where the teams that once looked dominant fell flat in a wild week six.

The Chicago Red Stars reasserted themselves after a slow start. They jumped all over North Carolina en route to a dominating win. Seattle Reign FC looked primed to make a big jump in the standings but their inability to keep a clean sheet kept them in the middle of everything.

In the midst of all that we saw the much anticipated debut of Mallory Pugh. She checked in the second half for the Washington Spirit and put in a solid shift, but was unable to give the Spirit a win over FC Kansas City.

Standings

  1. North Carolina Courage: 12 pts, +1 GD
  2. Sky Blue FC: 10 pts, +2 GD (10 goals scored)
  3. Chicago Red Stars: 10 pts, +2 GD (7 goals scored)
  4. Seattle Reign FC: 9 pts, +5 GD
  5. Portland Thorns FC: 9 pts, +2 GD
  6. Boston Breakers: 8 pts, +1 GD (7 goals scored)
  7. FC Kansas City: 8 pts, +1 GD (4 goals scored)
  8. Orlando Pride: 6 pts, -2 GD
  9. Houston Dash: 6 pts, -6 GD
  10. Washington Spirit: 4 pts, -6 GD

Match Recaps

Boston 2 – Portland 2

The Breakers jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Natasha Dowie and Rosie White. Portland salvaged a road point thanks to a pair of Nadia Nadim goals. Boston has done well to be competitive this season, but they will need to hold on to their late leads to be a real threat for a playoff spot.

Sky Blue FC 2 – Houston 1

For the second straight week Sky Blue got three points over the Dash. Sarah Killion got another penalty kick goal and Raquel Rodriguez scored a late winner. The win launched Sky Blue up to second, and within striking distance of North Carolina.

Kansas City 1 – Washington 0

Amanda Newfield finally gave the FCKC backline a lead to work with and they did the rest. The league’s stingiest backline kept another clean sheet and got a very welcome three points on the road.

North Carolina 1 – Chicago 3

Now this is the Red Stars team people have been expecting. Christen Press drew and scored a penalty, Sofia Huerta had a goal of the week candidate, and then Vanessa DiBernardo made it three all before halftime. North Carolina still is sitting in first place, but they’re showing some issues now.

Seattle 1 – Orlando 1

Ashlyn Harris had to leave the match due to a hip injury. Enter Caroline Stanley who had to sub in for the tall task of stopping Seattle’s offense. She did well enough to split the points after Marta took advantage of a Seattle miscue to score.

Team of the Week

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