NWSL 2017: Week 1

We're back for our second season of NWSL coverage, but there will be changes this year. Due to the change of streaming service by the league going from YouTube to Go90, I will be aligning my coverage of the NWSL with how I do MLS and NHL coverage. I apologize to those who enjoyed the play-by-play style of last year, but I will not be able to do it with just a phone. Instead, the condensed style will focus on goals and disciplinary action, although my viewing of the games will provide insight as I name the players of the match and potentially a team of the week. Without further delay...

The Houston Dash open the season by hosting the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Lydia Williams are the keepers. Houston began in the fifteenth minute with a Kealia Ohai goal, assisted by Amber Brooks on a long pass. Chicago's Alyssa Mautz took a yellow card for a twenty-ninth minute foul. The Dash's Bruna took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute foul. Houston added on in the eightieth minute with a Rachel Daly goal, set up by Ohai. The final stood at 2-0, with Ohai being the woman of the match with her goal and assist.

Up in Portland, the Thorns FC welcome the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna Franch are in the six-yard boxes. Portland led off in the thirty-second minute with a Nadia Nadim penalty kick goal, after Alanna Kennedy of Orlando committed a handball in the box. The Thorns added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Christine Sinclair goal, via Allie Long. This stood for a 2-0 win, with Long the woman of the match with her defensive play and distribution from the back.

Back east, the Washington Spirit host the North Carolina Courage. Sabrina D'Angelo and Stephanie Labbe protect the nets. North Carolina opened in the eighteenth minute with a McCall Zerboni goal, coming off of Makenzy Doniak. In the twenty-eighth minute, Washington's Kristie Mewis received a yellow card for a foul. In the seventieth minute, Zerboni took a yellow card for the Courage for a foul. The Spirit's Shelina Zadorsky took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The game ended at 1-0, with Zerboni named woman of the match for her goal.

Saturday's games end with the Seattle Reign FC bringing in Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Haley Kopmeyer are between the posts. Seattle got going in the fifty-sixth minute with a Megan Rapinoe penalty kick goal after being fouled by Sky Blue's Erica Skroski. In the sixty-second minute, Merritt Mathias of the Reign took a yellow card for her foul in the box on Kelley O'Hara, and Sky Blue's Sarah Killion converted the penalty kick to tie the game. The final stood at 1-1, with Kopmeyer the woman of the match for her eight saves on nine shots on target.

Finally, FC Kansas City hosts the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith and Nicole Barnhart are the keepers. Kansas City started in the seventh minute with a Sydney Leroux goal, courtesy of Becky Sauerbrunn. Boston's Allysha Chapman took a yellow card for a thirty-seventh minute foul. Kansas City added on in the forty-eighth minute with an Amy Rodriguez goal, via Shea Groom. Rosie White of the Breakers had a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. The game ended at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Sauerbrunn.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0. I will try to do better with being prepared and organized for the league next week.