NWSL 2019 - Week 23

A full slate of weekend action goes with...

The Washington Spirit hosting the North Carolina Courage. Stephanie Labbe faces her former team and Aubrey Bledsoe in goal. North Carolina began in first half stoppage time with a Lynn Williams goal, via Jessica McDonald and Crystal Dunn. Washington saw yellow cards for fouls by Tori Huster in the 56th minute and Cheyna Matthews in the 59th minute. The Spirit tied it in the 75th minute with a Mallory Pugh goal, assisted by Bayley Feist. Washington took the lead in the 84th minute with a Rose Lavelle goal, coming off of Arielle Ship. The Courage's Abby Erceg received a yellow card for a foul in the 86th minute. The final stayed at 2-1, with the woman of the match being Bledsoe, who went seven for eight in saves.

Also on Saturday, the Chicago Red Stars welcome the Utah Royals FC. Nicole Barnhart and Alyssa Naeher are the veterans in goal. Chicago led off in the 40th minute with a Vanessa DiBernardo goal in the 40th minute after a failed clearance by Utah. The Royals tied it in the 42nd minute with a Christen Press goal, set up by Gunny Jonsdottir. The Red Stars' Casey Short took a yellow card for a foul in the 67th minute. Chicago pulled ahead with a Yuki Nagasato goal on a rebound in the 85th minute. The final was 2-1, with Nagasato named woman of the match.

Sunday starts early with Sky Blue FC bringing in the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Kailen Sheridan protect the nets. Orlando started in the 18th minute with a Shelina Zadorsky goal. In the 42nd minute, the Pride's Kristen Edmonds took a yellow card for a foul. Sky Blue's Paige Monaghan received a yellow card for a 56th minute foul. Sky Blue tied it in the 88th minute with a Carli Lloyd goal, set up by Sarah Killion. The final was 1-1, with the woman of the match being Lloyd for her late equalizer. 

Finally, Reign FC hosts the Portland Thorns FC. Adrianna Franch and Casey Murphy patrol the penalty areas. Reign opened in the 27th minute with a Jodie Taylor goal, set up by Theresa Nielsen. Caitlin Foord of Portland took a yellow card for a 34th minute foul. Reign's Nielsen had a yellow card in the 36th minute for her foul. Beverly Yanez of Reign saw a yellow card for a foul in the 51st minute. The Thorns' Dagny Brynjarsdottir picked up a yellow card for a 57th minute foul. Reign added on with a Bethany Balcer goal in the 81st minute, made possible by Nielsen. Portland's Emily Sonnett received a yellow card for an 89th minute foul. The final was 2-0, with Nielsen being the woman of the match for setting up both goals.