It's almost here, as the historic fourth season for the NWSL kicks off on April 16. With ten teams, the NWSL is doing something no other women's professional soccer league has done in the United States. Let's take a look at how the star-studded league might shake out this season.
Opinions
The last two years have seen very little change in terms of which teams make the playoffs. The Seattle Reign have won the last two NWSL Shields for the regular season title, and FC Kansas City has won the last two championships. The Washington Spirit have played the role of contender, and the Chicago Red Stars finally made the postseason last year. This year, things have to change, even a little bit. One team that will probably be making those moves is the Portland Thorns. With an internationally-trained Lindsey Horan, first overall pick Emily Sonnett, and the ever-creative and dangerous Tobin Heath, as well as one of the better supporting casts in the league, the Thorns should be able to overcome losing Alex Morgan via trade. The Olympic break may give the Thorns a bit of trouble, but they could shake things up for the three months before the break. The Seattle Reign can never be counted out, but without the services of Megan Rapinoe, they will lean even more heavily on Kim Little and Jess Fishlock from the midfield. The defense looks to remain solid, but there's no guarantee on how that will hold up.
In the midwest, FC Kansas City clearly can't be counted out. With a back line anchored by Becky Sauerbrunn, the Blues have as good a chance as any. However, they will be battling with Lauren Holiday's retirement and Amy Rodriguez's pregnancy, as well as potential international duty for Heather O'Reilly and Sauerbrunn. Nicole Barnhart will still be in goal, but they may be playing a more defensive game this season. To the south, the Houston Dash return a very exciting attacking core led by Carli Lloyd and Kealia Ohai, but they still lack that extra star-power, and they've lost a bit of tenacity with Meghan Klingenberg now in Portland. The Chicago Red Stars' biggest concern may not be with personnel, but with their new home. Playing at Toyota Park may take some getting used to for the team, but they'll have to adapt quickly if they want to keep pace over the 20-game season. Having the dynamic striker Christen Press should serve them well if she can hit the ground running and get into a groove as she pushes for inclusion on the Olympic roster.
To the east, there's not a lot of hope yet for the Boston Breakers. They're young in goal and lack a stout defense. Stephanie McCaffrey and Kristie Mewis are the main offensive threats, but they will need a lot more if they want to keep pace. Likewise, the Western New York Flash appear to be in a transitional season with a new coach and not a lot of scoring on the roster. They will likewise have their struggles this season. The Washington Spirit would certainly like to take the next step this year, and their mix of solid veterans and young players should serve them well. Kelsey Wys is probably a downgrade from Ashlyn Harris in goal, but with Crystal Dunn around, anything is possible. The Spirit will need a lot more out of their set pieces this season, having struggled in that regard last year. Another team not likely to make many waves is Sky Blue FC. Losing Nadia Nadim, arguably their best player last season, will hurt the offense, and it will be on Sam Kerr primarily to fill the void with the goal scoring. The team has not found much success in the NWSL, but Christie Rampone will provide the veteran presence they need under a new coach for this year. Last but not least, the Orlando Pride will be the center of attention this year, with Alex Morgan leading the expansion team's band of vigilantes. Anchoring the midfield is the underrated Canadian international Kaylyn Kyle, and having Ashlyn Harris in goal will probably help their cause as well. Still, expectations should be tempered for the team as they try to find chemistry as the first NWSL team in the southeast.
Standings
FC Kansas City
Portland Thorns
Seattle Reign
Chicago Red Stars
Washington Spirit
Houston Dash
Orlando Pride
Western New York Flash
Boston Breakers
Sky Blue FC
Awards
MVP: Tobin Heath
Coach of the Year: Mark Parsons
Defender of the Year: Julie Johnston
Goalkeeper of the Year: Nicole Barnhart
Rookie of the Year: Raquel Rodriguez
Golden Boot: Christen Press
Best XI
Nicole Barnhart
Lauren Barnes
Julie Johnston
Becky Sauerbrunn
Jaelene Hinkle
Kaylyn Kyle
Jess Fishlock
Tobin Heath
Christen Press
Kealia Ohai
Kim Little
What do you think? Let me know in the comments. Also, check back here on Saturday for the first three game recaps of the season.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Midweek Soccer: April 13, 2016
There are four games in the Premier League and MLS on this day. The Premier League game sees...
Crystal Palace host Everton. Joel Robles and Wayne Hennessey man the nets. Everton saw a yellow card given to James McCarthy in the sixteenth minute. In the fifty-second minute, McCarthy earned a second yellow card for a foul, putting Everton down to ten men. In stoppage time, Gareth Barry of Evertoon took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
In the States, Sporting Kansas City welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath is mismatched with Tim Melia in goal. Colorado had a yellow card given to Marco Pappa in the thirty-third minute for a foul. The Rapids began in the forty-first minute with a Luis Solignac goal, set up by Pappa. Kansas City saw a yellow card for Diego Rubio in the fifty-second minute for a foul. Colorado's Dillon Serna took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul and teammate Marc Burch received a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Sporting tied it on a seventy-seventh minute goal by Dominic Dwyer, via Connor Hallisey and Saad Abdul-Salaam. The Rapids retook the lead with a Shkelzen Gashi goal in the eighty-second minute. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Gashi.
Out in Portland, the Timbers bring in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Adam Larsen Kwarasey protect the nets. Dallas led off in the fourth minute with a Michael Barrios goal, assisted by Tesho Akindele. Portland's Ned Grabavoy was booked on a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. Dallas' Carlos Gruezo took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute. Dallas added on with a Fabian Castillo goal in the twenty-sixth minute, via Maximiliano Urruti. In the twenty-ninth minute, Akindele scored to extend the Dallas lead, with the help of Castillo. Walker Zimmerman of Dallas had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the thirty-third minute. Jermaine Taylor of the Timbers received a yellow card for a fortieth minute foul. Portland's Jack Jewsbury had a yellow card for a fifty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers got on the board with a sixty-seventh minute Darren Mattocks goal. Dallas saw bookings for Castillo's sixty-eighth minute foul and Atiba Harris' time wasting in stoppage time, both yellow cards. Dallas won 3-1, with Castillo the man of the match for the winner and an assist.
Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose drew first blood in the fortieth minute with a Fatai Alashe goal, set up by Matias Perez Garcia. In the forty-fifth minute, Garcia earned a yellow card for a foul. The Earthquakes added on with a fifty-fifth minute Chris Wondolowski goal, coming off of Shea Salinas. New York's Sacha Kljestan had a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. San Jose won 2-0, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Crystal Palace host Everton. Joel Robles and Wayne Hennessey man the nets. Everton saw a yellow card given to James McCarthy in the sixteenth minute. In the fifty-second minute, McCarthy earned a second yellow card for a foul, putting Everton down to ten men. In stoppage time, Gareth Barry of Evertoon took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
In the States, Sporting Kansas City welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath is mismatched with Tim Melia in goal. Colorado had a yellow card given to Marco Pappa in the thirty-third minute for a foul. The Rapids began in the forty-first minute with a Luis Solignac goal, set up by Pappa. Kansas City saw a yellow card for Diego Rubio in the fifty-second minute for a foul. Colorado's Dillon Serna took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul and teammate Marc Burch received a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Sporting tied it on a seventy-seventh minute goal by Dominic Dwyer, via Connor Hallisey and Saad Abdul-Salaam. The Rapids retook the lead with a Shkelzen Gashi goal in the eighty-second minute. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Gashi.
Out in Portland, the Timbers bring in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Adam Larsen Kwarasey protect the nets. Dallas led off in the fourth minute with a Michael Barrios goal, assisted by Tesho Akindele. Portland's Ned Grabavoy was booked on a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. Dallas' Carlos Gruezo took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute. Dallas added on with a Fabian Castillo goal in the twenty-sixth minute, via Maximiliano Urruti. In the twenty-ninth minute, Akindele scored to extend the Dallas lead, with the help of Castillo. Walker Zimmerman of Dallas had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the thirty-third minute. Jermaine Taylor of the Timbers received a yellow card for a fortieth minute foul. Portland's Jack Jewsbury had a yellow card for a fifty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers got on the board with a sixty-seventh minute Darren Mattocks goal. Dallas saw bookings for Castillo's sixty-eighth minute foul and Atiba Harris' time wasting in stoppage time, both yellow cards. Dallas won 3-1, with Castillo the man of the match for the winner and an assist.
Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose drew first blood in the fortieth minute with a Fatai Alashe goal, set up by Matias Perez Garcia. In the forty-fifth minute, Garcia earned a yellow card for a foul. The Earthquakes added on with a fifty-fifth minute Chris Wondolowski goal, coming off of Shea Salinas. New York's Sacha Kljestan had a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. San Jose won 2-0, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Major League Soccer 2016 - Week 6
It's a full ten-game slate this weekend. We begin with...
The Philadelphia Union hosting Orlando City SC on Friday night. Joe Bendik and Andre Blake are the keepers. Philadelphia struck first with a C.J. Sapong goal in the second minute. Fabinho of the Union took a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Orlando City tied it in the forty-third minute with an Adrian Winter goal, via Kevin Molino. The Union took the lead with a ninetieth minute Tranquillo Barnetta goal. This stood for a 2-1 win, and earned the sub Barnetta the man of the match honors.
On Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome the Columbus Crew SC as the first of six games. Steve Clark and Evan Bush man the nets. Montreal got going in the forty-eighth minute with a Hassoun Camara goal, via Lucas Ontivero. In the fifty-third minute, Ignacio Piatti of the Impact had a yellow card for his foul. Montreal added on in the eighty-sixth minute with a Kyle Bekker goal, guided in by Ambroise Oyongo, but he also received a yellow card when it took too long to restart play. The Impact still won 2-0, with the man of the match being Camara.
Stateside, the New England Revolution bring in Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Bobby Shuttleworth draw the starts in goal. New England opened in the fourteenth minute with a Kelyn Rowe goal, assisted by Je-Vaughn Watson and Gershon Koffie. The Revolution had a yellow card given to Koffie for a twentieth minute foul. Toronto tied it in the fifty-eighth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, coming off of Jozy Altidore. Toronto saw yellow cards for Justin Morrow in the fifty-eighth minute, Altidore in the sixty-first minute, Will Johnson in the seventy-third minute, and Mo Babouli in stoppage time. The first three were for fouls, while the final one was for time wasting. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Irwin named man of the match for making seven out of eight saves.
Next up, DC United hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Travis Worra are the goalies. DC was first to score in the thirty-ninth minute with a Fabian Espindola goal. United added on with another Espindola goal in the fifty-fourth minute. Kianz Froese of Vancouver took a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute foul. DC had a yellow card given to Sean Franklin in the seventieth minute for a foul. United extended the lead as Alvaro Saborio scored in the eighty-eighth minute, thanks to Luciano Acosta. DC padded the lead on another Saborio goal set up by Acosta in stoppage time. The final held at 4-0, with Espindola named man of the match for his brace that included the winner.
Over to the New York Red Bulls welcoming Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Luis Robles are the gloved men. Kansas City started in the seventeenth minute with a Benny Feilhaber goal, assisted by Graham Zusi and Dominic Dwyer. New York saw a yellow card given to Sal Zizzo in the forty-fourth minute for dissent. Sporting added on with a Dwyer goal in the sixtieth minute, set up by Saad Abdul-Salaam. Kansas City saw Roger Espinoza take a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Dwyer for his roles in both goals.
South to Texas, where FC Dallas brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Chris Seitz are in goal. San Jose led off in the fourth minute with an Alberto Quintero goal, via Quincy Amarikwa and Simon Francis. Dallas had yellow cards for fouls by Kellyn Acosta in the fourteenth minute and Carlos Gruezo in the thirty-first minute. Dallas tied it with a penalty kick goal by Tesho Akindele in the thirty-sixth minute. The Earthquakes saw a yellow card given to Fatai Alashe in the forty-first minute for a foul. San Jose took the lead in the fifty-fifth minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal, set up by Amarikwa. Dallas tied it again when the Earthquakes' Victor Bernardez put the ball in his own net for an own goal in the sixty-second minute. Dallas' Mauro Rosales received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute, as did teammate Maynor Figueroa in the eighty-seventh minute for the same reason. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Ending Saturday is a Rocky Mountain Derby with Real Salt Lake hosting the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath and Nick Rimando protect the woodwork. Colorado had a yellow card given to Bobby Burling for a sixty-first minute foul. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard in the seventy-second minute with a Joao Plata goal. In the eighty-third minute, Yura Movsisyan took a yellow card for Real for an argument. The Rapids had a yellow card for an Eric Miller foul in stoppage time. The game ended 1-0 for Real, with Plata the man of the match for the winner.
On Sunday, the first of three games sees the Houston Dynamo welcome the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Joe Willis are the gloved men. Houston began in the thirty-fifth minute with a Giles Barnes goal, assisted by Jalil Anibaba. The Dynamo saw a yellow card given to Anibaba in the forty-first minute. Seattle saw a yellow card go to Joevin Jones in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul. The Sounders tied it deep in stoppage time with a Chad Marshall goal. This made it a 1-1 draw, with Marshall the man of the match for the dangerously late equalizer.
Northeast to the Bronx, where New York City FC brings in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Josh Saunders are the keepers. New York City saw Ronald Matarrita take a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. Nick LaBrocca of Chicago had a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the man of the match being Lampson for his eight-save clean sheet.
Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Brian Rowe make the starts in goal. Portland had a yellow card given to Nat Borchers in the seventeenth minute for a foul. The Timbers drew first blood in the fifty-second minute with a Fanendo Adi goal, via Diego Valeri. Los Angeles had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-third minute by Nigel de Jong. In the eighty-fourth minute, the Galaxy tied it with a gift from Borchers, whose own goal should prove a costly mistake. Portland saw Ned Grabavoy take a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers' Diego Chara took a yellow card for a handball in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match honors bestowed upon Adi for earning the Timbers a point with his goal.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
The Philadelphia Union hosting Orlando City SC on Friday night. Joe Bendik and Andre Blake are the keepers. Philadelphia struck first with a C.J. Sapong goal in the second minute. Fabinho of the Union took a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Orlando City tied it in the forty-third minute with an Adrian Winter goal, via Kevin Molino. The Union took the lead with a ninetieth minute Tranquillo Barnetta goal. This stood for a 2-1 win, and earned the sub Barnetta the man of the match honors.
On Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome the Columbus Crew SC as the first of six games. Steve Clark and Evan Bush man the nets. Montreal got going in the forty-eighth minute with a Hassoun Camara goal, via Lucas Ontivero. In the fifty-third minute, Ignacio Piatti of the Impact had a yellow card for his foul. Montreal added on in the eighty-sixth minute with a Kyle Bekker goal, guided in by Ambroise Oyongo, but he also received a yellow card when it took too long to restart play. The Impact still won 2-0, with the man of the match being Camara.
Stateside, the New England Revolution bring in Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Bobby Shuttleworth draw the starts in goal. New England opened in the fourteenth minute with a Kelyn Rowe goal, assisted by Je-Vaughn Watson and Gershon Koffie. The Revolution had a yellow card given to Koffie for a twentieth minute foul. Toronto tied it in the fifty-eighth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, coming off of Jozy Altidore. Toronto saw yellow cards for Justin Morrow in the fifty-eighth minute, Altidore in the sixty-first minute, Will Johnson in the seventy-third minute, and Mo Babouli in stoppage time. The first three were for fouls, while the final one was for time wasting. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Irwin named man of the match for making seven out of eight saves.
Next up, DC United hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Travis Worra are the goalies. DC was first to score in the thirty-ninth minute with a Fabian Espindola goal. United added on with another Espindola goal in the fifty-fourth minute. Kianz Froese of Vancouver took a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute foul. DC had a yellow card given to Sean Franklin in the seventieth minute for a foul. United extended the lead as Alvaro Saborio scored in the eighty-eighth minute, thanks to Luciano Acosta. DC padded the lead on another Saborio goal set up by Acosta in stoppage time. The final held at 4-0, with Espindola named man of the match for his brace that included the winner.
Over to the New York Red Bulls welcoming Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Luis Robles are the gloved men. Kansas City started in the seventeenth minute with a Benny Feilhaber goal, assisted by Graham Zusi and Dominic Dwyer. New York saw a yellow card given to Sal Zizzo in the forty-fourth minute for dissent. Sporting added on with a Dwyer goal in the sixtieth minute, set up by Saad Abdul-Salaam. Kansas City saw Roger Espinoza take a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Dwyer for his roles in both goals.
South to Texas, where FC Dallas brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Chris Seitz are in goal. San Jose led off in the fourth minute with an Alberto Quintero goal, via Quincy Amarikwa and Simon Francis. Dallas had yellow cards for fouls by Kellyn Acosta in the fourteenth minute and Carlos Gruezo in the thirty-first minute. Dallas tied it with a penalty kick goal by Tesho Akindele in the thirty-sixth minute. The Earthquakes saw a yellow card given to Fatai Alashe in the forty-first minute for a foul. San Jose took the lead in the fifty-fifth minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal, set up by Amarikwa. Dallas tied it again when the Earthquakes' Victor Bernardez put the ball in his own net for an own goal in the sixty-second minute. Dallas' Mauro Rosales received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute, as did teammate Maynor Figueroa in the eighty-seventh minute for the same reason. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Ending Saturday is a Rocky Mountain Derby with Real Salt Lake hosting the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath and Nick Rimando protect the woodwork. Colorado had a yellow card given to Bobby Burling for a sixty-first minute foul. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard in the seventy-second minute with a Joao Plata goal. In the eighty-third minute, Yura Movsisyan took a yellow card for Real for an argument. The Rapids had a yellow card for an Eric Miller foul in stoppage time. The game ended 1-0 for Real, with Plata the man of the match for the winner.
On Sunday, the first of three games sees the Houston Dynamo welcome the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Joe Willis are the gloved men. Houston began in the thirty-fifth minute with a Giles Barnes goal, assisted by Jalil Anibaba. The Dynamo saw a yellow card given to Anibaba in the forty-first minute. Seattle saw a yellow card go to Joevin Jones in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul. The Sounders tied it deep in stoppage time with a Chad Marshall goal. This made it a 1-1 draw, with Marshall the man of the match for the dangerously late equalizer.
Northeast to the Bronx, where New York City FC brings in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Josh Saunders are the keepers. New York City saw Ronald Matarrita take a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. Nick LaBrocca of Chicago had a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the man of the match being Lampson for his eight-save clean sheet.
Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Brian Rowe make the starts in goal. Portland had a yellow card given to Nat Borchers in the seventeenth minute for a foul. The Timbers drew first blood in the fifty-second minute with a Fanendo Adi goal, via Diego Valeri. Los Angeles had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-third minute by Nigel de Jong. In the eighty-fourth minute, the Galaxy tied it with a gift from Borchers, whose own goal should prove a costly mistake. Portland saw Ned Grabavoy take a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers' Diego Chara took a yellow card for a handball in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match honors bestowed upon Adi for earning the Timbers a point with his goal.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
2015-16 NHL Season - Day 178 - Regular Season Finale + Announcements
Just two games today to wrap up the regular season. We begin with...
The New York Islanders welcoming the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Thomas Greiss make the starts in goal. New York drew first blood in the first period with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Ryan Pulock. The Islanders added on with a Matt Martin goal, his tenth of the year, via Pulock and de Haan. Philadelphia got on the board with a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming on the power play from Jakub Voracek and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers tied it with an Evgeny Medvedev power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Matt Read and Nick Cousins. Christopher Gibson took over for Greiss to start the second period. Philadelphia gained the lead with a Michael Raffl goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Scott Laughton and Schenn. The Flyers extended the lead in the third period as Laughton scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Raffl. Philadelphia capped it at 5-2 with an R.J. Umberger goal, his second of the campaign, a power play goal set up by Raffl and Medvedev. The three stars were given to Raffl, Laughton, and Medvedev, while Schenn, de Haan, and Pulock get the honorable mentions.
The final game of the season sees the Washington Capitals bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Philipp Grubauer receive the starting nods in goal. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, helped along by Ryan Garbutt. The Ducks added on with a Nick Ritchie goal, his second of the year, guided in by Mike Santorelli and Chris Wagner. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Andersen (24 save shutout), Perry, and Ritchie.
I have a handful of announcements that all sort of met up at this time. First of all, I'd like to thank all the people sticking around from the times I've been included on Puck Daddy. I would also like to give due thanks to Jen Neale, Josh Cooper, Sean Leahy, and Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy for all the work they've done and for the opportunities they've given me to share my work with a wider audience. This has allowed the new Outsider Sports to reach 40,000 page views in its history, dating back to the previous era under the earlier name. This is also my 2,500th post on this blog, which has featured nearly daily work since 2010. Like I said, there's a few milestones to acknowledge.
For the soccer fans hanging around, I am planning on making a change to my coverage. While I've enjoyed following the Premier League for the last two seasons, as I progress towards making a professional living with my writing, I find that the Premier League will be too taxing on me to continue beyond this season. I will finish this season, but do not expect me to take next year's campaign when it begins in August. Instead, I will turn my focus onto the burgeoning American soccer audience, and also finally begin to share my love of women's soccer starting on April 16. I will continue my MLS coverage, but Outsider Sports will also be home to game recaps for the NWSL as they embark on their fourth season with a record ten teams for a US-based women's soccer league. I also take the time to watch every single NWSL game, so you can expect a bit more detail in those posts, as well as the potential for weekly editorial content based on the previous week of games. I'm undecided on if I will incorporate US Women's National Team coverage on here, but it is a possibility. The accessibility of the women's game, as well as a relative lack of coverage compared to the men's game make it an attractive league to follow. If you enjoy soccer, please check out the NWSL on YouTube, where I believe all the games will be broadcast live and uploaded within hours following the live streams.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the efforts of my good friend Chris Fahlin. He has further helped me expand the reach of Outsider Sports and created more engagement between the blog and Twitter (@OutsiderSports0). While nothing is set in stone as of now, we are planning on creating a podcast that would likely touch on a variety of topics but with a healthy amount of sports discussion from a couple of guys who are very good at shooting the breeze toward one another. I will have more information as that becomes more concrete in planning. I would expect the podcast to be published on a free platform, likely Soundcloud. If anyone has a topic they'd like us to discuss, let me know in the comments or via Twitter.
As always, I will be covering the NHL Playoffs diligently as the teams battle toward the Stanley Cup. As you know, the Gagarin Cup is being playing right now, but this may mark the end of my KHL coverage. When I began KHL coverage in 2012, the league was seen as a viable alternative during the NHL lockout. Four years down the line, the league has seen a lot of turmoil, and while I have really connected with the teams and players, I'm not sure there's any benefit on either side for coverage to be continued. This is a less certain decision than the action I've made on the Premier League. I may be interested in continuing with the KHL come August, and if that happens, you'll know where to find it. For fans of the NWHL and CWHL, I haven't added coverage of those leagues yet because the accessibility is not as simple. I follow the information from afar, but I would be doing the women in those leagues an injustice to try to report on them currently. I would be more apt to commence coverage if a single league emerges.
With all that said, enjoy a quiet couple of days on here and I'll see everyone on Wednesday for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As always, you can find me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
The New York Islanders welcoming the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Thomas Greiss make the starts in goal. New York drew first blood in the first period with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Ryan Pulock. The Islanders added on with a Matt Martin goal, his tenth of the year, via Pulock and de Haan. Philadelphia got on the board with a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming on the power play from Jakub Voracek and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers tied it with an Evgeny Medvedev power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Matt Read and Nick Cousins. Christopher Gibson took over for Greiss to start the second period. Philadelphia gained the lead with a Michael Raffl goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Scott Laughton and Schenn. The Flyers extended the lead in the third period as Laughton scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Raffl. Philadelphia capped it at 5-2 with an R.J. Umberger goal, his second of the campaign, a power play goal set up by Raffl and Medvedev. The three stars were given to Raffl, Laughton, and Medvedev, while Schenn, de Haan, and Pulock get the honorable mentions.
The final game of the season sees the Washington Capitals bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Philipp Grubauer receive the starting nods in goal. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, helped along by Ryan Garbutt. The Ducks added on with a Nick Ritchie goal, his second of the year, guided in by Mike Santorelli and Chris Wagner. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Andersen (24 save shutout), Perry, and Ritchie.
I have a handful of announcements that all sort of met up at this time. First of all, I'd like to thank all the people sticking around from the times I've been included on Puck Daddy. I would also like to give due thanks to Jen Neale, Josh Cooper, Sean Leahy, and Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy for all the work they've done and for the opportunities they've given me to share my work with a wider audience. This has allowed the new Outsider Sports to reach 40,000 page views in its history, dating back to the previous era under the earlier name. This is also my 2,500th post on this blog, which has featured nearly daily work since 2010. Like I said, there's a few milestones to acknowledge.
For the soccer fans hanging around, I am planning on making a change to my coverage. While I've enjoyed following the Premier League for the last two seasons, as I progress towards making a professional living with my writing, I find that the Premier League will be too taxing on me to continue beyond this season. I will finish this season, but do not expect me to take next year's campaign when it begins in August. Instead, I will turn my focus onto the burgeoning American soccer audience, and also finally begin to share my love of women's soccer starting on April 16. I will continue my MLS coverage, but Outsider Sports will also be home to game recaps for the NWSL as they embark on their fourth season with a record ten teams for a US-based women's soccer league. I also take the time to watch every single NWSL game, so you can expect a bit more detail in those posts, as well as the potential for weekly editorial content based on the previous week of games. I'm undecided on if I will incorporate US Women's National Team coverage on here, but it is a possibility. The accessibility of the women's game, as well as a relative lack of coverage compared to the men's game make it an attractive league to follow. If you enjoy soccer, please check out the NWSL on YouTube, where I believe all the games will be broadcast live and uploaded within hours following the live streams.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the efforts of my good friend Chris Fahlin. He has further helped me expand the reach of Outsider Sports and created more engagement between the blog and Twitter (@OutsiderSports0). While nothing is set in stone as of now, we are planning on creating a podcast that would likely touch on a variety of topics but with a healthy amount of sports discussion from a couple of guys who are very good at shooting the breeze toward one another. I will have more information as that becomes more concrete in planning. I would expect the podcast to be published on a free platform, likely Soundcloud. If anyone has a topic they'd like us to discuss, let me know in the comments or via Twitter.
As always, I will be covering the NHL Playoffs diligently as the teams battle toward the Stanley Cup. As you know, the Gagarin Cup is being playing right now, but this may mark the end of my KHL coverage. When I began KHL coverage in 2012, the league was seen as a viable alternative during the NHL lockout. Four years down the line, the league has seen a lot of turmoil, and while I have really connected with the teams and players, I'm not sure there's any benefit on either side for coverage to be continued. This is a less certain decision than the action I've made on the Premier League. I may be interested in continuing with the KHL come August, and if that happens, you'll know where to find it. For fans of the NWHL and CWHL, I haven't added coverage of those leagues yet because the accessibility is not as simple. I follow the information from afar, but I would be doing the women in those leagues an injustice to try to report on them currently. I would be more apt to commence coverage if a single league emerges.
With all that said, enjoy a quiet couple of days on here and I'll see everyone on Wednesday for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As always, you can find me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
2015/16 Premier League Week 33
It's a full weekend of games, beginning with...
West Ham United hosting Arsenal. David Ospina and Adrian are the goalies. In the fourth minute, Andy Carroll of West Ham United took a yellow card for a foul. Arsenal began with an eighteenth minute Mesut Ozil goal, via Alex Iwobi. Arsenal added on with a thirty-fifth minute Alexis Sanchez goal, passed from Iwobi. West Ham United got on the board in the forty-fourth minute with a Carroll goal, assisted by Aaron Cresswell. West Ham United tied it on a Carroll goal in first half stoppage time. West Ham United took the lead as Carroll completed his hat trick in the fifty-second minute, thanks to Michail Antonio. Arsenal tied it again with a seventieth minute goal by Laurent Koscielny, coming off of Danny Welbeck. In second half stoppage time, Antonio of West Ham United picked up a yellow card for his foul. The game ended in a 3-3 draw.
Next up, Aston Villa welcomes Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Brad Guzan man the nets. Bournemouth saw yellow cards for Steve Cook in the twenty-seventh minute and Charlie Daniels in the thirty-second minute, both for fouls. Aston Villa had a yellow card given to Idrissa Gueye in the thirty-sixth minute for a foul. Bournemouth got going in first half stoppage time on a Cook goal, made possible by Simon Francis. Bournemouth added on with a Joshua King goal in the seventy-fourth minute. Aston Villa got on the board with an eighty-fifth minute Jordan Ayew goal, coming off of Gueye. In second half stoppage time, Ayew took a yellow card for a foul. Bournemouth took the win 2-1.
In London, Crystal Palace brings in Norwich City. John Ruddy and Wayne Hennessey are in the six-yard boxes. Crystal Palace had a yellow card for Yannick Bolasie in the twenty-first minute for a foul. Timm Klose of Norwich City received a yellow card for his thirty-seventh minute foul. Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard in the sixty-eighth minute with a Jason Puncheon goal, courtesy of Joel Ward. In the seventieth minute, Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace took a yellow card for his foul. Crystal Palace held on for a 1-0 win.
Continuing along, Southampton hosts Newcastle United. Karl Darlow and Fraser Forster protect the nets. Southampton led off in the fourth minute with a Shane Long goal, assisted by Graziano Pelle. Southampton added on with a thirty-eighth minute Pelle goal, courtesy of Long. Southampton extended the lead in the fifty-fifth minute with a Victor Wanyama goal. Newcastle United got on the board in the sixty-fifth minute with an Andros Townsend goal, passed from Vurnon Anita. The game ended 3-1 in favor of Southampton.
Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Chelsea. Asmir Begovic and Lukasz Fabianski are the gloved men. Swansea City struck first in the twenty-fifth minute with a Gylfi Sigurdsson goal. In the thirtieth minute, Angel Rangel of Swansea City took a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea took yellow cards for Cesar Azpilicueta in the thirty-sixth minute and Matt Miazga in the fortieth minute, both for fouls. Neil Taylor had a yellow card for a forty-third minute foul for Swansea City. Alberto Paloschi of Swansea City took a yellow card for his foul in the seventieth minute. Dissent from Pedro earned the Chelsea player a yellow card in the seventy-first minute, as did another verbal spat from Cesc Fabregas in the seventy-sixth minute with Swansea City's Ashley Williams, with both taking yellow cards. Swansea City had another yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul by Leroy Fer. Swansea City took the chippy game 1-0.
Back in England, Watford brings in Everton. Joel Robles and Heurelho Gomes are the solid keepers. Watford saw Etienne Capoue take a yellow card for a thirteenth minute foul. Everton had a yellow card given to James McCarthy for a foul in the forty-third minute. In first half stoppage time, McCarthy scored to open things up for Everton. Two minutes later, Jose Holebas of Watford tied it with his goal via Ben Watson. Odion Ighalo of Watford took a yellow card for a foul in second half stoppage time. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Saturday ends with Manchester City hosting West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Joe Hart are the experienced goalies. West Bromwich Albion started in the sixth minute with a Stephane Sessegnon goal, via James McClean. Manchester City tied it on a nineteenth minute Sergio Aguero penalty kick goal. West Bromwich Albion saw a yellow card for a foul by Craig Gardner in the thirty-third minute. Manchester City took the lead back in the sixty-sixth minute on a Samir Nasri goal. This stood for a 2-1 Manchester City win.
On Sunday, Sunderland welcomes Leicester for the first of three games. Kasper Schmeichel and Vito Mannone play in the six-yard boxes. Sunderland saw a yellow card for Fabio Borini's foul in the twenty-first minute. Leicester City's Christian Fuchs had a yellow card for his foul in the thirtieth minute. Leicester City was first to score with a Jamie Vardy goal in the sixty-sixth minute, assisted by Daniel Drinkwater. Leicester City added on in stoppage time as Vardy scored again, with the help of Demarai Gray. This made it a 2-0 win for Leicester City.
Along to Liverpool bringing in Stoke City. Jakob Haugaard is mismatched with Simon Mignolet in goal. Liverpool drew first blood in the eighth minute with an Alberto Moreno goal, set up by James Milner. Stoke City tied it on a Bojan goal in the twenty-second minute, via Xherdan Shaqiri. In the twenty-sixth minute, Erik Pieters of Stoke City received a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool retook the lead on a Daniel Sturridge goal in the thirty-second minute, assisted by Sheyi Ojo. Liverpool added on with a Divock Origi goal in the fiftieth minute, passed from Milner. Liverpool extended the lead as Origi scored again in the sixty-fifth minute, thanks to Moreno. Stoke City had a yellow card given to Ryan Shawcross in the eighty-second minute for dissent. Liverpool claimed a 4-1 win.
Finally, Tottenham Hotspur hosts Manchester United. David de Gea and Hugo Lloris guard the woodwork. Tottenham Hotspur cracked the scoresheet in the seventieth minute with a Dele Alli goal, via Christian Eriksen. Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card in the seventy-second minute for a foul. Manchester United saw a yellow card go to Matteo Darmian in the seventy-third minute for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur added on in the seventy-fourth minute with a Toby Alderweireld goal, set up by Erik Lamela. Tottenham Hotspur extended the lead as Lamela scored in the seventy-sixth minute, thanks to Rose. In the eighty-third minute, an argument between Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur and Memphis Depay of Manchester United saw both of them booked on yellow cards. Ashley Young of Manchester United received a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul. In stoppage time, Alli received a yellow card for time wasting for Tottenham Hotspur. The game ended favoring Tottenham Hotspur 3-0.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
West Ham United hosting Arsenal. David Ospina and Adrian are the goalies. In the fourth minute, Andy Carroll of West Ham United took a yellow card for a foul. Arsenal began with an eighteenth minute Mesut Ozil goal, via Alex Iwobi. Arsenal added on with a thirty-fifth minute Alexis Sanchez goal, passed from Iwobi. West Ham United got on the board in the forty-fourth minute with a Carroll goal, assisted by Aaron Cresswell. West Ham United tied it on a Carroll goal in first half stoppage time. West Ham United took the lead as Carroll completed his hat trick in the fifty-second minute, thanks to Michail Antonio. Arsenal tied it again with a seventieth minute goal by Laurent Koscielny, coming off of Danny Welbeck. In second half stoppage time, Antonio of West Ham United picked up a yellow card for his foul. The game ended in a 3-3 draw.
Next up, Aston Villa welcomes Bournemouth. Artur Boruc and Brad Guzan man the nets. Bournemouth saw yellow cards for Steve Cook in the twenty-seventh minute and Charlie Daniels in the thirty-second minute, both for fouls. Aston Villa had a yellow card given to Idrissa Gueye in the thirty-sixth minute for a foul. Bournemouth got going in first half stoppage time on a Cook goal, made possible by Simon Francis. Bournemouth added on with a Joshua King goal in the seventy-fourth minute. Aston Villa got on the board with an eighty-fifth minute Jordan Ayew goal, coming off of Gueye. In second half stoppage time, Ayew took a yellow card for a foul. Bournemouth took the win 2-1.
In London, Crystal Palace brings in Norwich City. John Ruddy and Wayne Hennessey are in the six-yard boxes. Crystal Palace had a yellow card for Yannick Bolasie in the twenty-first minute for a foul. Timm Klose of Norwich City received a yellow card for his thirty-seventh minute foul. Crystal Palace dented the scoreboard in the sixty-eighth minute with a Jason Puncheon goal, courtesy of Joel Ward. In the seventieth minute, Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace took a yellow card for his foul. Crystal Palace held on for a 1-0 win.
Continuing along, Southampton hosts Newcastle United. Karl Darlow and Fraser Forster protect the nets. Southampton led off in the fourth minute with a Shane Long goal, assisted by Graziano Pelle. Southampton added on with a thirty-eighth minute Pelle goal, courtesy of Long. Southampton extended the lead in the fifty-fifth minute with a Victor Wanyama goal. Newcastle United got on the board in the sixty-fifth minute with an Andros Townsend goal, passed from Vurnon Anita. The game ended 3-1 in favor of Southampton.
Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Chelsea. Asmir Begovic and Lukasz Fabianski are the gloved men. Swansea City struck first in the twenty-fifth minute with a Gylfi Sigurdsson goal. In the thirtieth minute, Angel Rangel of Swansea City took a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea took yellow cards for Cesar Azpilicueta in the thirty-sixth minute and Matt Miazga in the fortieth minute, both for fouls. Neil Taylor had a yellow card for a forty-third minute foul for Swansea City. Alberto Paloschi of Swansea City took a yellow card for his foul in the seventieth minute. Dissent from Pedro earned the Chelsea player a yellow card in the seventy-first minute, as did another verbal spat from Cesc Fabregas in the seventy-sixth minute with Swansea City's Ashley Williams, with both taking yellow cards. Swansea City had another yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul by Leroy Fer. Swansea City took the chippy game 1-0.
Back in England, Watford brings in Everton. Joel Robles and Heurelho Gomes are the solid keepers. Watford saw Etienne Capoue take a yellow card for a thirteenth minute foul. Everton had a yellow card given to James McCarthy for a foul in the forty-third minute. In first half stoppage time, McCarthy scored to open things up for Everton. Two minutes later, Jose Holebas of Watford tied it with his goal via Ben Watson. Odion Ighalo of Watford took a yellow card for a foul in second half stoppage time. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Saturday ends with Manchester City hosting West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Joe Hart are the experienced goalies. West Bromwich Albion started in the sixth minute with a Stephane Sessegnon goal, via James McClean. Manchester City tied it on a nineteenth minute Sergio Aguero penalty kick goal. West Bromwich Albion saw a yellow card for a foul by Craig Gardner in the thirty-third minute. Manchester City took the lead back in the sixty-sixth minute on a Samir Nasri goal. This stood for a 2-1 Manchester City win.
On Sunday, Sunderland welcomes Leicester for the first of three games. Kasper Schmeichel and Vito Mannone play in the six-yard boxes. Sunderland saw a yellow card for Fabio Borini's foul in the twenty-first minute. Leicester City's Christian Fuchs had a yellow card for his foul in the thirtieth minute. Leicester City was first to score with a Jamie Vardy goal in the sixty-sixth minute, assisted by Daniel Drinkwater. Leicester City added on in stoppage time as Vardy scored again, with the help of Demarai Gray. This made it a 2-0 win for Leicester City.
Along to Liverpool bringing in Stoke City. Jakob Haugaard is mismatched with Simon Mignolet in goal. Liverpool drew first blood in the eighth minute with an Alberto Moreno goal, set up by James Milner. Stoke City tied it on a Bojan goal in the twenty-second minute, via Xherdan Shaqiri. In the twenty-sixth minute, Erik Pieters of Stoke City received a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool retook the lead on a Daniel Sturridge goal in the thirty-second minute, assisted by Sheyi Ojo. Liverpool added on with a Divock Origi goal in the fiftieth minute, passed from Milner. Liverpool extended the lead as Origi scored again in the sixty-fifth minute, thanks to Moreno. Stoke City had a yellow card given to Ryan Shawcross in the eighty-second minute for dissent. Liverpool claimed a 4-1 win.
Finally, Tottenham Hotspur hosts Manchester United. David de Gea and Hugo Lloris guard the woodwork. Tottenham Hotspur cracked the scoresheet in the seventieth minute with a Dele Alli goal, via Christian Eriksen. Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card in the seventy-second minute for a foul. Manchester United saw a yellow card go to Matteo Darmian in the seventy-third minute for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur added on in the seventy-fourth minute with a Toby Alderweireld goal, set up by Erik Lamela. Tottenham Hotspur extended the lead as Lamela scored in the seventy-sixth minute, thanks to Rose. In the eighty-third minute, an argument between Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur and Memphis Depay of Manchester United saw both of them booked on yellow cards. Ashley Young of Manchester United received a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul. In stoppage time, Alli received a yellow card for time wasting for Tottenham Hotspur. The game ended favoring Tottenham Hotspur 3-0.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
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