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NWSL: Week 8 Recap, Standings, and Team of the Week

By Eric Harris

Oct 23, 2016; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Team USA defender Allie Long (20) dribbles in the first half against the Team Switzerland at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Team USA defender Allie Long (20) dribbles in the first half against the Team Switzerland at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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As we head to the international break, a look back at the weekend in NWSL.

As we approach the first international of the 2017 season, we have a much better idea of where teams stand. 1/3 through the season and a clear 6 team playoff race has emerged. North Carolina, Portland, and Chicago are looking for home field in the semis. Seattle, Sky Blue and Kansas City are all in the mix for that last spot.

Clearly there is enough time left in the season for things to shake up and teams to rise and fall. Right now those are the two tiers in the league.

After slow starts, Chicago and Portland have established themselves as top teams and should only get better as reinforcements arrive. Seattle has shown they can be one of the best teams in the league but are also inconsistent. They can drop 5 or 6 on a team, but they lost 3-0 to Boston and drew Orlando at home.

Kansas City is still hanging around as well but their lack of goal scoring is a concern. The next couple months could obviously change everything and I could very well look like an idiot when the playoffs arrive. So for now let’s take a look back at the week that was.

Match Recaps

North Carolina 2 – Kansas City 0

A pair of second half goals gave the Courage another home win. After a couple shaky games, North Carolina looked like their old self and is still in the lead of NWSL heading into the middle third of the year.

Washington 2 – Houston 0

Things have not gotten better for Houston. Carli Lloyd can’t get there soon enough for them. Washington got the game they’ve been looking for all year. Complete with the first professional goal of Mallory Pugh’s career.

Sky Blue 0 – Portland 2

Portland is starting to pull all the pieces together at the right time. Dagny Brynjarsdottir got her season debut and Tobin Heath is getting closer to being able to play. Once those two get fully healthy the Thorns could be a machine.

Orlando 2 – Boston 0

After a promising start to the year, Boston has fallen back to earth a bit. The Pride got a fantastic win to pull themselves past Boston in the standings. A couple more wins like that and they could claw into the playoff race.

Chicago 1 – Seattle 0

Oh Seattle. What to do with you? There is nothing concerning about losing on the road to Chicago, but more chances to prove they are in that top tier of teams keep passing the Reign by.

Standings

  1. North Carolina Courage, 18 pts, +4 GD
  2. Chicago Red Stars, 16 pts, +4 GD
  3. Portland Thorns FC, 15 pts, +6 GD
  4. Sky Blue FC, 13 pts, -1 GD
  5. Seattle Reign FC, 12 pts, +6 GD
  6. FC Kansas City, 11 pts, 0 GD
  7. Orlando Pride, 9 pts, -1 GD
  8. Boston Breakers, 8 pts, -3 GD
  9. Washington Spirit, 7 pts, -5 GD
  10. Houston Dash, 6 pts, -10 GD

Team Of the Week

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