MLS Midweek: June 21, 2017

Four league games on at midweek this week, beginning with...

DC United hosting Atlanta United. Alec Kann and Bill Hamid protect the nets. Atlanta began in the seventeenth minute with a Julian Gressel goal, passed from Miguel Almiron and Yamil Asad. DC tied it on a twenty-third minute goal by Luciano Acosta. DC took the lead with a sixtieth minute goal by Patrick Nyarko via, Ian Harkes and Chris Korb. Jeff Larentowicz of Atlanta had a yellow card for his foul in the sixty-second minute. DC's Lamar Neagle had a yellow card in the seventy-third minute for a foul. Atlanta saw a yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul by Brandon Vazquez. The game ended at 2-1, with Nyarko the man of the match.

West to Minnesota United welcoming the Portland Timbers. Jeff Attinella and Bobby Shuttleworth draw the starts in goal. Minnesota led off in the seventh minute with Portland's Amobi Okugo committing an own goal. The Timbers tied it on a Diego Valeri penalty kick goal in the thirty-seventh minute. Minnesota took the lead back in the forty-seventh minute with a Christian Ramirez goal, made possible by Kevin Molino. Portland pulled level again when Minnesota's Francisco Calvo committed an own goal in the fiftieth minute. Minnesota took the lead back with an Abu Danladi goal in the sixty-fourth minute. Each team went down to ten men when Danladi of Minnesota and Sebastian Blanco of the Timbers engaged in a bit of a fight around the seventieth minute. Portland's Roy Miller had a yellow card for an eighty-fifth minute foul. The man of the match was Ramirez in Minnesota's 3-2 win.

Further along, the Colorado Rapids bring in the Los Angeles Galaxy. Clement Diop and Tim Howard are the gloved men. Los Angeles opened in the fifth minute with a Jack McBean goal. Mike da Fonte of Colorado had a yellow card for his twenty-fourth minute foul. The Galaxy had yellow cards for Nathan Smith's persistent infringement in the twenty-ninth minute and Joao Pedro's foul in the thirty-fourth minute. The Rapids tied it on a thirty-seventh minute goal by Dillon Serna, assisted by Dominique Badji and Joshua Gatt. Los Angeles retook the lead in the sixty-third minute on a McBean goal, via Pedro. The Galaxy added on with a Romain Alessandrini penalty kick goal in the seventy-first minute. This made it a 3-1 final, with the man of the match being McBean for his brace.

Finally, in Seattle, the Sounders FC host Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Stefan Frei protect the nets. Seattle started in the nineteenth minute with a Will Bruin goal. The Sounders saw a yellow card for a Clint Dempsey foul in the seventy-fifth minute. Orlando City's Will Johnson and Jonathan Spector took yellow cards for fouls in the seventy-eighth and seventy-ninth minutes, respectively. Seattle's Roman Torres had a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time, leading to an equalizer by Orlando City's Scott Sutter, with the help of Kaka on the free kick. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match being Bruin.

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NWSL 2017: Week 9

After the international break, the NWSL is back in action. All games took place on June 17; my publishing delay is due to technological difficulties on my end. We begin with...

The Chicago Red Stars hosting the Washington Spirit. Stephanie Labbe and Alyssa Naeher are the strong keepers. Chicago had a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul by Katie Naughton. Washington led off in the forty-second minute with a Francisca Ordega goal, via Cheyna Williams. The Spirit's Meggie Dougherty Howard had a yellow card for her foul in the sixty-second minute. Washington's Shelina Zadorsky took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-first minute, leading to a penalty kick goal by the Red Stars' Christen Press to tie the game. This made it a 1-1 draw in the end, with the woman of the match being Labbe, who stopped three of four shots on goal against her, including a pair of strong saves. Also impressing were right back Estelle Johnson and the forward Ordega for the Spirit, while Press, Julie Johnston Ertz, and Danielle Colaprico played well for the Red Stars.

East to North Carolina, where the Courage welcome the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith and Katelyn Rowland are in goal. North Carolina began in the third minute with a Kristen Hamilton goal, assisted by Samantha Mewis. The Courage added on with a Hamilton goal in the fifteenth minute, her second of the game passed from McCall Zerboni. North Carolina extended the lead as Ashley Hatch scored in the thirty-eighth minute, thanks to Makenzy Doniak. Boston got on the board with a seventy-third minute goal by Adriana Leon, made possible by Natasha Dowie. Rosie White of the Breakers had a yellow card for a foul in the eightieth minute. The game ended at 3-1, with the woman of the match named as Hamilton, for her brace. Also showing well were Hatch and center back Abby Erceg for the Courage, while White and Leon had the better of the efforts for the Breakers.

Back west, FC Kansas City hosts the Seattle Reign FC. Haley Kopmeyer and Nicole Barnhart protect the nets. Kansas City opened in the twenty-third minute with an Alexa Newfield goal, assisted by Erika Tymrak. Seattle tied it on a Megan Rapinoe goal in the thirty-first minute, courtesy of Nahomi Kawasumi. The Reign saw yellow cards for fouls by Lindsay Elston in the seventy-third minute and Carson Pickett in the seventy-fourth minute. Kansas City's Shea Groom had a yellow card for her seventy-sixth minute foul. Seattle retook the lead on a Kawasumi goal in the eighty-first minute, set up by Christine Nairn after a frenzy in front of the goal. Kansas City retied it on a Maegan Kelly goal in the eighty-fourth minute, helped along by Yael Averbuch. Sydney Leroux of Kansas City had a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. The game ended at 2-2, with the woman of the match being Kawasumi with her goal and assist. The Reign also saw good games from Rapinoe and Elston, while Kansas City got good efforts from center backs Averbuch and Becky Sauerbrunn and Lo'Eau Labonta and Newfield.

Down in Texas, the Houston Dash bring in the Orlando Pride. Aubrey Bledsoe and Lydia Williams play in goal. Orlando started in the sixteenth minute with a long-distance goal by Camila, set up by Marta. The Pride added on with a Marta goal in the twenty-second minute. Orlando extended the lead as Marta scored again in the fifty-seventh minute, thanks to Jasmyne Spencer. Houston's Janine Beckie took a yellow card for a sixty-fourth minute foul. The Pride saw a yellow card for Camila's time wasting in the sixty-fifth minute. Orlando padded the lead with an Alanna Kennedy goal, coming off of Marta in the sixty-eighth minute. In the eightieth minute, Janine Van Wyk of the Dash had a yellow card for her foul. Houston got on the board in the eighty-ninth minute with a Poliana goal, guided in by Andressa. The Dash pulled closer at the end of the game with a last-second goal by Nichelle Prince in stoppage time, again passed from Andressa. The final stood at 4-2, with the woman of the match being Marta for her brace and pair of assists. The Pride also saw good games from center back Ali Krieger, right back Kristen Edmonds, and midfielder Camila, while the Dash got their best games out of midfield substitute Andressa, center back Van Wyk, and right back Poliana.

Finally, the Portland Thorns host Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Adrianna Franch are between the posts. Sky Blue struck first in the first minute as Raquel Rodriguez's goal at the twenty-five second mark matched the fastest goal to start a game in league history, on a pass from Sam Kerr. Sky Blue added on with a Kerr goal in the seventieth minute, courtesy of Maya Hayes. In the seventy-fourth minute, Kelley O'Hara of Sky Blue took a yellow card for dissent. Sky Blue extended the lead in the eighty-eighth minute with a Kerr goal, coming off of Madison Tiernan. Nikki Stanton of Sky Blue had a yellow card for a foul in the ninetieth minute, as did Portland's Amandine Henry a minute later. The Thorns avoided the shutout with a last-second goal by Christine Sinclair, who followed up her own penalty kick in stoppage time to bury the rebound. This was small consolation, as the final rested at 3-1, and Sky Blue's Kerr was the woman of the match. Helping her were center back Mandy Freeman, and the midfielder Rodriguez, while the staunchest opposition came from Sinclair and Henry.

NWSL Team of the Week
GK Stephanie Labbe
CB Mandy Freeman
CB Yael Averbuch
RB Estelle Johnson
LB Kristen Edmonds (out of position)
DM Raquel Rodriguez
AM Camila
AM Marta
FW Nahomi Kawasumi
FW Sam Kerr
FW Kristen Hamilton

MLS 2017: Week 16

All teams are in action this weekend, on Saturday (ten games) and Sunday (one game). We begin in...

Yankee Stadium, as New York City FC hosts the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Sean Johnson play goal. Seattle had yellow cards for fouls by Gustav Svensson in the twenty-eighth minute and Cristian Roldan in the twenty-ninth minute. Rodney Wallace of New York City took a yellow card for his foul in the thirty-fifth minute. The Sounders led off in the fortieth minute on a Roldan goal. In the forty-eighth minute, Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso took a yellow card for his foul. Chad Marshall of the Sounders took a yellow card for dissent in the fifty-second minute, protesting the penalty kick call that led to David Villa's tying goal for New York City. New York City took the lead in the seventy-seventh minute goal by Villa, passed from Jack Harrison. New York City had yellow cards for Ethan White in the eightieth minute and Sean Okoli in stoppage time. New York City won 2-1, with Villa the man of the match for his brace.

Down in Georgia, Atlanta United welcomes the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Alec Kann are the keepers. Atlanta opened in the sixteenth minute with a Hector Villalba goal, via Yamil Asad. Carlos Carmona of Atlanta took a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-first minute. Federico Higuain tied it for Columbus in the twenty-sixth minute with his goal assisted by Ola Kamara and Harrison Afful. Afful of the Crew had a yellow card for fifty-third minute foul. Asad of Atlanta took a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-fourth minute. Atlanta took the lead back in the sixty-seventh minute on a Miguel Almiron goal, set up by Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. Atlanta iced it at 3-1 in the eighty-eighth minute on a Josef Martinez goal, courtesy of Kevin Kratz. The man of the match was Almiron for his winner.

Back north, the New England Revolution bring in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Cody Cropper are the inexperienced goalies. Chicago began in the eighteenth minute with a Nemanja Nikolic goal. Kelyn Rowe of New England had a yellow card for his twenty-first minute foul. The Fire added on with a Luis Solignac goal in the sixty-first minute, coming off of Michael de Leeuw. The Revolution got on the board with an Antonio Mlinar Delamea goal in the seventieth minute. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the man of the match being Nikolic for his goal and assist.

South again to Florida, where Orlando City SC hosts the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Joe Bendik play in the six-yard boxes. Orlando City started in the eighth minute with a Matias Perez Garcia goal, via Kaka and Giles Barnes. Montreal tied it in the sixteenth minute with a Blerim Dzemaili goal, courtesy of Ignacio Piatti. Laurent Ciman of the Impact had a yellow card for his foul in the eighteenth minute. Orlando City retook the lead with a Carlos Rivas goal in the twenty-third minute. In first half stoppage time, Dzemaili of Montreal had a yellow card for dissent. Daniel Lovitz of the Impact took a yellow card for his fifty-second minute foul. Montreal tied it again in the fifty-eighth minute on a Piatti goal, set up by Dzemaili and Matteo Mancosu. The Impact took the lead on a fifty-ninth minute goal by Piatti. Orlando City had yellow cards for Jose Aja in the sixtieth minute and Garcia in the eighty-ninth minute, both for fouls. Jonathan Spector of Orlando City tied it in second half stoppage time with his goal, passed from Garcia. The man of the 3-3 match was Piatti for his brace and assist.

In Canada, Toronto FC welcomes DC United. Bill Hamid and Alexander Bono are between the posts. Toronto's Victor Vazquez took a yellow card for his twenty-seventh minute foul. Toronto had a yellow card for Sebastian Giovinco's dissent in the fortieth minute. Toronto got going in the sixtieth minute with a Jozy Altidore goal, passed from Giovinco. In the sixty-fifth minute, Toronto's Altidore took a yellow card for a foul. DC had yellow cards given to Kofi Opare in the seventy-second minute and Ian Harkes in the eighty-third minute, both for fouls. Toronto added on in the eighty-fifth minute with a Jordan Hamilton goal, coming off of Giovinco. The man of the 2-0 match was Giovinco for his pair of assists.

Out in California, the San Jose Earthquakes bring in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose had yellow cards for an Anibal Godoy foul in the seventy-third minute and dissent by Chris Wondolowski in the seventy-fourth minute. Kansas City saw yellow cards for Matt Besler in the seventy-eighth minute and Roger Espinoza in the eighty-sixth minute, both for fouls. The final held at 0-0, with the man of the match being Melia for his three-save clean sheet.

Backtracking to Colorado, where the Rapids host the Portland Timbers. Jake Gleeson and Tim Howard guard the woodwork. Portland struck first in the eighteenth minute with a Sebastian Blanco goal, made possible by Diego Valeri. Colorado tied it in the fifty-first minute with a Dominque Badji goal, courtesy of Kevin Doyle. Valeri took a yellow card for his foul in the sixty-first minute for the Timbers. The Rapids pulled ahead on an eighty-ninth minute Alan Gordon goal, passed from Mohammed Saeid and Caleb Calvert. Colorado's Gordon took a yellow card for delaying the game in the ninetieth minute through his celebration. The Rapids won 2-1, and Badji was the man of the match.

Over in Utah, Real Salt Lake welcomes Minnesota United FC. Bobby Shuttleworth and Nick Rimando are the goalies. Minnesota's Brent Kallman took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-first minute. Salt Lake had a yellow card for Kyle Beckerman's foul in the seventy-fourth minute. Real dented the scoreboard in the eighty-fourth minute with a Yura Movsisyan goal. Ibson of Minnesota took a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-sixth minute. The game ended at 1-0, with Movsisyan the man of the match.

Northwest to Vancouver, where the Whitecaps FC bring in FC Dallas. Jesse Gonzalez and David Ousted man the nets. Matias Laba of Vancouver took a yellow card for a handball in the forty-ninth minute. Dallas drew first blood in the fifty-second minute with a Maximiliano Urruti. The Whitecaps tied it on a seventy-fourth minute goal by Cristian Techera. Dallas' Atiba Harris took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended 1-1, with the man of the match being Techera for the equalizer.

Saturday ends with the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Clement Diop are called on to start in goal. Houston was first to score in the twenty-second minute with a Mauro Manotas goal. Los Angeles tied it in the thirty-fifth minute with an Emmanuel Boateng goal, helped along by Romain Alessandrini. The Dynamo took yellow cards for Alberth Elis in the fifty-eighth minute, Leonardo in the sixty-ninth minute, and Manotas in the seventy-third minute, all for fouls. Houston retook the lead in the seventy-fourth minute on an Elis goal, set up by Boniek Garcia. A.J. DeLaGarza of the Dynamo had a yellow card for dissent in stoppage time. The Galaxy tied it three minutes later with an Alessandrini goal, made possible by Bradford Jamieson and Jose Villarreal. Los Angeles' Nathan Smith had a yellow card for his foul three minutes after that. The man of the 2-2 match was Alessandrini for his equalizer and assist.

Finally, on Sunday, the Philadelphia Union host the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Andre Blake are the keepers. Philadelphia went down to ten men when Derrick Jones took a straight red card for violent conduct. Warren Creavalle of the Union had a yellow card for dissent in the sixty-seventh minute. New York saw yellow cards for fouls by Damien Perrinelle in the seventy-first minute and Aurelien Collin in the eighty-fourth minute. The Red Bulls cracked the scoresheet in the eighty-seventh minute on a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, assisted by Kemar Lawrence and Gonzalo Veron. New York iced it at 2-0 with a Wright-Phillips goal in stoppage time, made possible by Sal Zizzo and Veron. The man of the match was Wright-Phillips for his brace.

I'm currently having some technological issues, resulting in late publication for the MLS and NWSL action this week. I plan to have the NWSL fully covered by tomorrow night, and I apologize for the delay. I hope my issues will be resolved by the midweek games for MLS.

2017 Stanley Cup Final: Pittsburgh Penguins VS. Nashville Predators

This is it for the NHL season this year. At the end of this post, the Stanley Cup Champions are crowned.

Game 1: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Pittsburgh began in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his eighth of the postseason, powered by Trevor Daley and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on with a Conor Sheary goal, passed from Chris Kunitz and Crosby. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Nick Bonino scored his third of the playoffs, thanks to Brian Dumoulin. Nashville got on the board with a Ryan Ellis power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the postseason, with assists provided by P.K. Subban and Mike Fisher. The Predators got closer in the third period with a Colton Sissons power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, made possible by Roman Josi and Calle Jarnkrok. Nashville tied it on a Frederick Gaudreau goal, assisted by Austin Watson and Fisher. The Penguins reclaimed the lead on a Jake Guentzel goal, his tenth of the postseason, helped along by Matt Cullen and Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh won 5-3 with an empty net goal by Bonino, his fourth of the playoffs, set up by Kunitz. The three stars went to Bonino, Kunitz, and Crosby, while Fisher gets an honorable mention. The Penguins have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Nashville led off in the first period with a Pontus Aberg goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Viktor Arvidsson and Mike Fisher. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his eleventh of the playoffs, guided in by Conor Sheary and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins took the lead in the third period with Guentzel's second of the game and twelfth of the postseason, fueled by Bryan Rust and Ron Hainsey. Pittsburgh added on with a Scott Wilson goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Phil Kessel and Matt Cullen. The Penguins extended the lead as Evgeni Malkin scored his ninth of the postseason, helepd along by Kunitz and Ian Cole. Juuse Saros replaced Rinne in goal. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars being Guentzel, Murray (37 for 38 in saves), and Kunitz. The Penguins leave home with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his thirteenth of the postseason, coming off of Ian Cole and Sidney Crosby. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Roman Josi power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Calle Jarnkrok and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators took the lead on a Frederick Gaudreau goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Austin Watson and Josi. Nashville added on with a James Neal goal, his sixth of the playoffs, helped along by Viktor Arvidsson and Josi. The Predators extended the lead as Craig Smith scored an unassisted goal in the third period. Nashville padded the lead with an Ekholm power play goal, with helpers from Jarnkrok and Colton Sissons. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Josi, Ekholm, and Rinne (27 for 28 in saves), while Jarnkrok gets an honorable mention. The series is now favoring the Penguins by a 2-1 margin.

Game 4: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville started in the first period with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his second of the postseason, via Craig Smith and Austin Watson. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby goal, his eighth of the playoffs, coming off of Brian Dumoulin. The Predators retook the lead in the second period with a Frederick Gaudreau goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Ryan Ellis and Harry Zolnierczyk. Nashville added on with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his third of the playoffs, passed from Mike Fisher and James Neal. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal in the third period by Filip Forsberg, his ninth of the postseason, set up by Mattias Ekholm and P.K. Subban. The three stars were Gaudreau, Rinne (23 for 24 in saves), and Arvidsson. The series heads north again tied at 2.

Game 5: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a Justin Schultz power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. The Penguins added on with a Bryan Rust goal, his seventh of the playoffs, passed from Chris Kunitz and Trevor Daley. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Evgeni Malkin scored his tenth of the postseason, thanks to Phil Kessel and Ron Hainsey. Juuse Saros replaced Rinne to start the second period. The Penguins padded the lead on a Conor Sheary goal, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Crosby and Jake Guentzel. Pittsburgh continued on a Kessel goal, his eighth of the postseason, made possible by Olli Maatta and Crosby, who earned a sock trick. The Penguins struck again with a Hainsey goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Malkin and Kessel. This produced the 6-0 final, with the three stars given to Kessel, Malkin, and Crosby, while Hainsey gets an honorable mention. The Penguins will get up to two chances to win the Cup, leading the series 3-2 as they leave home. 

Game 6: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Pittsburgh got going in the third period with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Justin Schultz and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins iced it at 2-0 with a Carl Hagelin empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Brian Dumoulin. The three stars were Murray (27 save shutout), Hornqvist, and Rinne (27 for 28 in saves). The Penguins won the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive year by a 4-2 series margin. Sidney Crosby earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for the second year in a row as well.

That's it for hockey on this blog until October. Viewership has been down recently, and with only soccer occasionally over the next four months, I expect that trend to continue. I should be able to return to NHL coverage in the fall, but many things will change in my life between now and then. I hope to be employed as a writer for another site at some point, at which time I will let you know where you can follow my work going forward. If not writing, I will be doing a retail job of some variety, and I may not have the time to keep up with the blog. If this occurs, that will be the end of my self-driven publishing career. I hope it doesn't come to that, but there's a chance it could. If you enjoy MLS or NWSL action, continue to follow along as I work through their respective seasons. Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and I enjoy returning in the fall if I can.

MLS 2017: Week 15

Just three games this week as most teams have time off for the international break. We begin in...

Chicago, as the Fire host Atlanta United. Alec Kann and Matt Lampson are in goal. Chicago opened in the twenty-ninth minute with a Luis Solignac goal, passed from David Accam and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Kevin Kratz of Atlanta had a yellow card for his thirty-ninth minute foul. The Fire saw yellow cards for Schweinsteiger in the fiftieth minute and Accam in the fifty-ninth minute, both for fouls. Atlanta had a yellow card for a Carlos Carmona foul in the sixty-seventh minute. Chicago added on with a Nemanja Nikolic penalty kick goal in the seventieth minute. This made it 2-0, the final, with Solignac the man of the match.

Down in Kansas City, Sporting welcomes the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Tim Melia are the keepers. Kansas City started in the twenty-fourth minute with a Gerso Fernandes goal, via Ilie Sanchez. Montreal's Ignacio Piatti had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. The Impact tied it on an eighty-second minute by Matteo Mancosu. Montreal's Mancosu took a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-fourth minute. In the eighty-sixth minute, the Impact went down to ten men when Chris Duvall took a straight red card for a foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the man of the match being Fernandes.

Finally, the Portland Timbers bring in FC Dallas. Jesse Gonzalez and Jake Gleeson are in the six-yard boxes. Michael Barrios of Dallas had a yellow card for a tenth minute foul. Portland saw a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-fourth minute by Vytautas Andriuskevicius. The Timbers struck first in the thirty-second minute with a Fanendo Adi goal, courtesy of Sebastian Blanco. Portland's Dairon Asprilla took a yellow card for a foul in the fifty-fourth minute. The Timbers added on in the seventy-second minute with another Adi goal, set up by Asprilla and Diego Valeri. The final was 2-0, with the man of the match being Adi for his brace.

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MLS 2017: Week 14

All teams are in action this weekend. We begin with one Friday game between...

The Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Jake Gleeson are the goalies. San Jose saw two rapid yellow cards for fouls by Darwin Ceren in the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh minutes, earning him an ejection and putting the visitors down to ten men. Portland got going in the fiftieth minute with a Diego Valeri goal, passed from Zarek Valentin. The Timbers had yellow cards for fouls by Diego Chara in the fifty-seventh minute, David Guzman in the sixty-first minute, and Roy Miller in the seventieth minute. Portland iced it at 2-0 in stoppage time with a Valeri goal, and he was the man of the match with his brace.

On Saturday, we begin with New York City FC hosting the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Sean Johnson play goal. Miguel Camargo of New York City had a yellow card for a thirtieth minute foul. Philadelphia saw a yellow card for C.J. Sapong in the sixty-fourth minute for his foul. The Union dented the scoreboard in the sixty-ninth minute with a Fabrice-Jean Picault goal, made possible by Sapong. Maximiliano Moralez of New York City took a yellow card for his seventy-eighth minute foul. New York City tied it in the eightieth minute on a Maxime Chanot goal, passed from Moralez. Roland Alberg of Philadelphia received a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-third minute. New Yotk City took the lead with an Alexander Callens goal in the eighty-fifth minute. This made it 2-1, the final, with the man of the match being Callens for his winner.

Next up, Sporting Kansas City welcomes Minnesota United FC. Bobby Shuttleworth and Tim Melia are in the six-yard boxes. Ismaila Jome of Minnesota took a yellow card for not retreating in the seventh minute. Kansas City saw a yellow card for Benny Feilhaber in the twelfth minute for a foul. Minnesota's Collen Warner took a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul, as did their keeper Shuttleworth in the forty-third minute for time wasting. Sporting keeper Melia had a yellow card for a forty-fourth minute foul. Kansas City began in first half stoppage time on an Ike Opara goal, made possible by Matt Besler. Sporting added on with a fifty-fourth minute goal by Jimmy Medranda. Kansas City extended the lead in the eighty-seventh minute with a Saad Abdul-Salaam goal. The final stood at 3-0, with the man of the match being Opara.

Northwest to Vancouver, where the Whitecaps FC bring in Atlanta United. Alec Kann and David Ousted protect the nets. Atlanta opened in the seventh minute with a Greg Garza goal, via Julian Gressel and Yamil Asad. Vancouver tied it on a thirty-first minute goal by Kendall Waston, courtesy of Andrew Jacobson. The Whitecaps took the lead with a forty-fourth minute goal by Waston, made possible by Cristian Techera. Miguel Almiron of Atlanta took a yellow card for his sixty-second minute dissent. Vancouver added on with a sixty-eighth minute Fredy Montero goal. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez of Atlanta had a yellow card for a seventieth minute foul. In the eighty-seventh minute, the Whitecaps' Waston took a yellow card for a foul. That didn't stop Waston from being the man of the 3-1 match with his brace.

Back east, DC United hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jon Kempin and Bill Hamid protect the nets. Los Angeles saw a yellow card for a Jelle Van Damme foul in the thirty-fifth minute. DC saw a yellow card for a Lloyd Sam foul in the thirty-seventh minute. The game ended 0-0, with the men of the match being keepers Hamid and Kempin, who dueled with matching six-save clean sheets.

Up in New England, the Revolution welcome Toronto FC. Alexander Bono and Cody Cropper are the gloved men. New England led off in the seventeenth minute with a Benjamin Angoua goal, passed from Lee Nguyen. Armando Cooper of Toronto took a yellow card in the twenty-sixth minute for a foul. Angoua of the Revolution had a yellow card for his twenty-seventh minute foul. New England added on in the sixty-sixth minute with a Diego Fagundez goal, helped along by Juan Agudelo. In the seventy-first minute, the Revolution's Andrew Farrell took a yellow card for a foul. New England extended the lead as Agudelo scored in the eighty-fifth minute. The final held at 3-0, with the man of the match being Angoua.

In Canada, the Montreal Impact bring in the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Evan Bush guard the woodwork. Kemar Lawrence of New York had a yellow card for a forty-first minute foul. Montreal's Blerim Dzemaili had a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-seventh minute. The Impact drew first blood in the sixty-seventh minute with a Dzemaili goal, assisted by Ignacio Piatti. Montreal took yellow cards for a seventy-fifth minute Patrice Bernier foul and persistent infringement by Daniel Lovitz in the eightieth minute. The game ended at 1-0, with Dzemaili named man of the match for his winning goal.

In Texas, FC Dallas hosts Real Salt Lake. Matt Van Oekel and Jesse Gonzalez play in goal. Dallas started in the eighth minute with a Roland Lamah goal, via Michael Barrios and Carlos Gruezo. Dallas added on in the twenty-second minute Lamah goal, passed from Maximiliano Urruti and Atiba Harris. Dallas extended the lead as Lamah scored to complete his hat trick in the thirty-first minute, with the help of Gruezo. Dallas padded the lead on an Urruti goal, courtesy of Victor Ulloa in the thirty-ninth minute. Tony Beltran of Salt Lake took a yellow card for his forty-second minute foul. Dallas continued with a forty-third minute goal by Tesho Akindele, assisted by Barrios. Real got on the board in the seventieth minute with an Omar Holness goal, guided in by Joao Plata. Salt Lake got closer in the seventy-second minute with a Kyle Beckerman goal, fueled by Albert Rusnak. Dallas iced it at 6-2 with a Jesus Ferreira goal in the eighty-ninth minute, made possible by Barrios, who earned a sock trick, and Mauro Diaz. The man of the match was Lamah for his hat trick.

Saturday ends in Colorado, where the Rapids welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Zac MacMath draw the starts in goal. Kevin Doyle of Colorado had a yellow card for his forty-eighth minute foul. Columbus cracked the scoresheet in the sixty-first minute with a Federico Higuain goal, assisted by Justin Meram. The Rapids had yellow cards for fouls by Kortne Ford in the seventy-third minute and Micheal Azira in the seventy-ninth minute. Colorado tied it on a Doyle goal in the eightieth minute, coming off of Marlon Hairston and Mohammed Saied. The Rapids took the lead with an Alan Gordon goal in the eighty-sixth minute, courtesy of Joshua Gatt. This made it 2-1, the final, with the man of the match being Doyle.

On Sunday, Orlando City SC brings in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Joe Bendik play in goal. Orlando City went down to ten men in the twenty-sixth minute when Rafael Ramos took a straight red card for violent conduct. Chicago's Michael de Leeuw took a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. In the sixty-sixth minute, Orlando City went down to nine men when Antonio Nocerino had a straight red card for violent conduct. The Fire's David Arshakyan had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-first minute. The game ended 0-0, with Bendik the man of the match for his six-save clean sheet.

Finally, the Seattle Sounders FC host the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Stefan Frei guard the woodwork. Alex of Houston had a yellow card for his twenty-eighth minute foul. Seattle struck first in the sixty-ninth minute with a Will Bruin goal, made possible by Cristian Roldan and Osvaldo Alonso. This stood for a 1-0 final, with Bruin the man of the match for his goal.

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NWSL 2017: Week 8

This is the last week before an international break. All teams are in action, beginning with four Saturday games. The first is in...

North Carolina, with the Courage hosting FC Kansas City. Nicole Barnhart and Katelyn Rowland are the goalies. North Carolina saw a yellow card for a thirteenth minute Ashley Hatch foul. Becky Sauerbrunn of Kansas City took a yellow card for her forty-third minute foul. In the fifty-seventh minute, McCall Zerboni of the Courage took a yellow card for a foul. North Carolina got going in the sixtieth minute on a Zerboni goal, assisted by Abby Erceg and Abby Dahlkemper, who took the corner kick. The Courage added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Hatch goal, set up by Lynn Williams. This made it 2-0, with the woman of the match being Zerboni for her all-around game and the winning goal. Also starring for the Courage were right-back Taylor Smith, defensive midfielder Samantha Mewis, and forward Williams. Kansas City's best were Sauerbrunn, midfielder Desiree Scott, and forward Sydney Leroux.

Up in Maryland, the Washington Spirit welcome the Houston Dash. Lydia Williams and Stephanie Labbe protect the nets. Washington started in third minute with a Cheyna Williams goal, via Havana Solaun. Houston's Amber Brooks took a yellow card for her foul in the sixty-third minute. The Spirit added on in the sixty-ninth minute with a Mallory Pugh goal, coming off of Kristie Mewis. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the woman of the match being Pugh in a productive outing. The Spirit also saw good games from Labbe, Mewis, and Williams, while the Dash's best work came from right-back Rachel Daly, midfielder Andressinha, and forward Janine Beckie.

Nearby, Sky Blue FC hosts the Portland Thorns FC. Adrianna Franch and Kailen Sheridan are in the six-yard boxes. Sky Blue took a yellow card for a twentieth minute foul by Kayla Mills. Portland opened in the twentieth minute with a Lindsey Horan goal, via Nadia Nadim on a free kick. The Thorns added on with a forty-second minute goal by Horan, coming off of Meghan Klingenberg. Portland had yellow cards for Horan in the sixtieth minute and Meghan Cox in the seventy-seventh minute, both for fouls. Sky Blue took a yellow card for an eighty-ninth minute foul by Kelley O'Hara. The game ended 2-0, with the woman of the match being Horan for her brace. The Thorns also saw Franch and Nadim produce great games, while Sky Blue got their best play from the right-back O'Hara, midfielder Raquel Rodriguez, and forward Sam Kerr.

Saturday's last game sees the Orlando Pride bring in the Boston Breakers. Abby Smtih and Aubrey Bledsoe make the starts in goal. Boston keeper Smith took a yellow card for an eighth minute foul, which helped Orlando's Marta lead off the scoring with a ninth minute penalty kick goal. The Pride added on in the thirteenth minute with a Jasmyne Spencer goal, helped along by Camila. Alanna Kennedy of Orlando took a yellow card for a twenty-sixth minute foul. In the fiftieth minute, Camila had a yellow card for her foul. The Breakers saw yellow cards for fouls by Brooke Elby in the fifty-fifth minute, Rosie White in the fifty-seventh minute, and Natasha Dowie in the eighty-fifth minute. The final score was 2-0, with the woman of the match being Marta for her goal and solid play in attack all game. The Pride also saw good games from left-back Steph Catley and midfielder Camila, while the Breakers had good games from center-back Christen Westphal, and defensive midfielder Angela Salem.

On Sunday, the Chicago Red Stars host the Seattle Reign FC. Haley Kopmeyer and Alyssa Naeher are between the posts. Chicago began in the forty-ninth minute with a Christen Press goal, set up by Sofia Huerta. Megan Rapinoe of Seattle had a yellow card for her eighty-ninth minute foul. The game ended 1-0, with Huerta the woman of the match for her assist and two shots off the posts. The Red Stars also got good games from right-back Taylor Comeau and forward Press, while Seattle's best were Kopmeyer, left-back Carson Pickett, and forward Rapinoe.

NWSL Team of the Week
GK Adrianna Franch
RB Taylor Smith
CB Becky Sauerbrunn
CB Christen Westphal
LB Carson Pickett
DM Raquel Rodriguez
AM Kristie Mewis
AM Lindsey Horan
AM Camila
FW Marta
FW Sofia Huerta

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