Wednesday, May 30, 2018

NWSL 2018 Week 10 Midweek

Just one game on at midweek this week, with the Portland Thorns FC hosting the North Carolina Courage. Katelyn Rowland and Britt Eckerstrom are the backups in goal. North Carolina opened in the thirty-first minute with a Lynn Williams penalty kick goal, earned by Debinha against Katherine Reynolds. Portland's Christine Sinclair had a thirty-eighth minute yellow card for persistent infringement. The Courage added on in the fifty-eighth minute with a Debinha goal, set up by Crystal Dunn. North Carolina extended the lead in the sixty-second minute with another Williams goal, passed from Samantha Mewis and Jessica McDonald on a long throw-in. The Courage padded the lead on a Mewis goal off a corner kick in the sixty-fourth minute, helped along by McDonald and Jaelene Hinkle. In the eighty-eighth minute, North Carolina's Kristen Hamilton took a yellow card for a foul. The Thorns got on the board in the eighty-ninth minute with a Reynolds goal, created on a failed clearance from a Tobin Heath free kick. The game ended at 4-1 Courage, with the woman of the match being Debinha. Also strong for North Carolina were Williams, Dunn, Mewis, McCall Zerboni, and Abby Erceg, while the Thorns saw good efforts from Reynolds, Heath, and Lindsey Horan.

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Sunday, May 27, 2018

NWSL 2018 Week 9

Four games this weekend, spread out over three days. First up...

The Portland Thorns FC host the Utah Royals FC. Abby Smith and Britt Eckerstrom are the less experienced goalies. Portland led off in the eighteenth minute with a Christine Sinclair goal, made possible by Tobin Heath on a give-and-go. The Thorns added on in the thirty-ninth minute with a Lindsey Horan goal, passed from Meghan Klingenberg. In the sixty-seventh minute, Horan received a yellow card for dissent. In the sixty-ninth minute, Rachel Corsie of Utah received a yellow card for a foul. In the eighty-second minute, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir had a yellow card for her foul for the Royals. The final held at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Sinclair. The Thorns also got good performances from Heath, Klingenberg, Horan, and Midge Purce. The Royals' best were Becky Sauerbrunn, Desiree Scott, Erika Tymrak, and Amy Rodriguez.

On Saturday, the Chicago Red Stars welcome the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher are the American keepers. Orlando began in the second minute with a Rachel Hill goal, after Poliana and Marta combined to send in a cross deflected by Chicago's Arin Gilliland. The Pride added on in the sixth minute with an Alex Morgan goal, helped along by Marta and Alanna Kennedy. Chicago got on the board in the twenty-first minute with a Sam Kerr goal, assisted by Yuki Nagasato and Michele Vasconcelos. The Red Stars saw a yellow card for a Sam Johnson foul in the forty-second minute. Chicago tied it in the sixtieth minute on a Kerr goal, made possible by Nagasato and Taylor Comeau. Orlando retook the lead on a Sydney Leroux goal, fueled by Ali Krieger. The Pride extended the lead as Leroux scored again in the sixty-third minute after Morgan's initial shot was deflected. Orlando capped it at 5-2 with a Dani Weatherholt goal in the eighty-third minute, courtesy of Morgan. The woman of the match was Leroux, while Morgan, Marta, Kennedy, Krieger, Poliana, Shelina Zadorsky, and Weatherholt all did well for the Pride. For the Red Stars, the best efforts came from Katie Naughton, Ertz, Nagasato, and Kerr.

East to New Jersey, as Sky Blue FC brings in the Seattle Reign FC. Lydia Williams and Kailen Sheridan protect the nets. Seattle got going in the sixty-fourth minute with a Megan Rapinoe goal, assisted by Christen Westphal. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the woman of the match being the Reign's Allie Long. Also starring for Seattle were Westphal, Lauren Barnes, Jess Fishlock, and Rapinoe. Sky Blue's best were Sheridan (five for six in saves), Rebekah Stott, Sarah Killion, and Carli Lloyd.

Finally, on Sunday, the Houston Dash host the Washington Spirit. Aubrey Bledsoe and Jane Campbell are between the sticks. Washington saw a yellow card for a foul in the fifth minute by Meggie Dougherty Howard. Houston got going in first half stoppage time on a Rachel Daly goal, passed from Nichelle Prince and Mana Shim. Francisca Ordega of the Spirit received a yellow card in first half stoppage time for a foul. The Dash added on in the forty-sixth minute with a Kealia Ohai goal from outside the box. Washington got on the board in the fifty-fourth minute with an Estefania Banini goal, passed from Taylor Smith. In the seventy-eighth minute, Houston replied with a Daly goal, courtesy of Thembi Kgatlana and scored into an empty net as Bledsoe missed her tackle. The Spirit got one back with an Ashley Hatch goal in second half stoppage time. Daly received a yellow card for delaying the game in stoppage time. The final held at 3-2 for the Dash, with Daly named woman of the match. Also starring for Houston were Ohai, Shim, and van Wyk, while the Spirit saw good games from Sullivan, Banini, and Smith.

Team of the Week
GK Jane Campbell
RB Ali Krieger
CB Rebekah Stott
CB Lauren Barnes
LB Allysha Chapman
DM Alanna Kennedy
AM Christine Sinclair
AM Yuki Nagasato
FW Rachel Daly
FW Sydney Leroux
FW Jessica McDonald

Bench
GK Kailen Sheridan
FB Jaelene Hinkle
CB Janine van Wyk
DM Andi Sullivan
AM Allie Long
FW Marta
FW Alex Morgan

MLS 2018 Week 13

A full schedule of games this weekend begins with three games on Friday. The first is in...

Canada, as Toronto FC hosts FC Dallas. Jesse Gonzalez and Clint Irwin make the starts in goal. Dallas began in the eleventh minute with a Maximiliano Urruti goal, assisted by Kellyn Acosta and Santiago Mosquera. Maynor Figueroa of Dallas had a yellow card for dissent in the fifteenth minute. Toronto saw a yellow card for Ryan Telfer's seventeenth minute foul. Toronto's Auro took a yellow card for his sixty-first minute foul. Dallas received six straight yellow cards to close the game: Michael Barrios for dissent in the sixty-fourth minute, a sixty-seventh minute foul by Matt Hedges, time wasting by Gonzalez, Mauro Diaz, and Carlos Gruezo between the eightieth minute and stoppage time, and Urruti's failure to retreat deeper in stoppage time. Dallas won 1-0, with Gonzalez's nine-save clean sheet earning him the man of the match honors.

Down in Texas, the Houston Dynamo welcomes New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Joe Willis man the nets. New York City opened in the sixth minute with a David Villa goal. Alejandro Fuenmayor of Houston took a yellow card in the sixteenth minute for a foul. The Dynamo tied it in the twenty-first minute with a Fuenmayor goal, assisted by Romell Quioto. Villa of New York City had a yellow card for dissent in the thirty-sixth minute. Houston took the lead on a Tomas Martinez goal in the sixty-ninth minute, made possible by Oscar Boniek Garcia. The Dynamo added on with an Alberth Elis goal in the eightieth minute, and the goal-scorer took a yellow card for delaying the game as well. Alexander Callens of New York City had a yellow card for an eighty-ninth minute foul. The final stood at 3-1 with Houston, with the man of the match being Martinez.

Friday's finale is the Cali Clasico, with the Los Angeles Galaxy bringing in the San Jose Earthquakes. Andrew Tarbell faces former mentor David Bingham in goal. Los Angeles got going in the eighty-second minute with a Romain Alessandrini goal, assisted by Emmanuel Boateng. The Galaxy saw Ola Kamara take a yellow card for an eighty-fifth minute foul. This made it 1-0, with Alessandrini named man of the match.

On Saturday, the Seattle Sounders FC host Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Stefan Frei tend the nets. Magnus Wolff Eikrem of Seattle had a yellow card for an eighteenth minute foul. Salt Lake's Sunny took a yellow card for his twenty-fourth minute foul. The Sounders' Nouhou received a yellow card for his thirty-seventh minute foul. Real had yellow cards for fouls by Justen Glad in the forty-second minute and Marcelo Silva in the forty-fifth minute. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard in the sixty-first minute with a Sebastian Saucedo goal, via Danilo Acosta. This stood for the 1-0 win, with the man of the match being Saucedo.

Up in Vancouver, the Whitecaps FC welcome the New England Revolution. Matt Turner and Brian Rowe are set to start in goal. Teal Bunbury of New England had a yellow card for his eleventh minute foul. Yordy Reyna of Vancouver received a yellow card for a foul in the seventeenth minute. The Revolution started in the twenty-sixth minute as the Whitecaps' Aly Ghazal committed an own goal. Kei Kamara of Vancouver had a yellow card for a thirtieth minute foul. New England added on with a Cristian Penilla goal in the forty-eighth minute. The Whitecaps got on the board with a Cristian Techera goal, assisted by Marcel de Jong and Alphonso Davies. Vancouver tied it on a Techera goal in the fifty-first minute, his second of the game. The Revolution gained the lead on a fifty-ninth minute Bunbury goal, helped along by Diego Fagundez and Brandon Bye. The Whitecaps equalized when Techera completed his hat trick in the seventy-fourth minute, with the help of Reyna and Felipe. The score remained at a 3-3 draw, giving Techera man of the match honors.

Way east, the New York Red Bulls bring in the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Ryan Meara are the goalies. Mark McKenzie of Philadelphia took a yellow card for a twenty-seventh minute foul. New York saw a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-fourth minute by Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Union received yellow cards for fouls by Fabrice-Jean Picault and Haris Medunjanin in the sixty-ninth and seventy-ninth minutes, respectively. The score held at 0-0, with Blake's four-save clean sheet making him the man of the match.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC host the Chicago Fire. Patrick McLain and Joe Bendik draw the starts in goal. Mohamed El-Munir of Orlando City had a yellow card for his eleventh minute foul. Chicago led off in the thirteenth minute with an Aleksandar Katai goal. Orlando City tied it on a Cristian Higuita goal in the twenty-eighth minute, via Chris Mueller and Josue Colman. Chris Schuler of Orlando City had a yellow card in the fortieth minute for a foul. In first half stoppage time, the Fire's Kevin Ellis received a yellow card for a foul. Orlando City took yellow cards for an Oriol Rosell foul in the sixty-fourth minute and dissent by Mueller in the seventieth minute. Chicago regained the lead on an eighty-second minute Alan Gordon goal, passed from Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Fire went down to ten men in the eighty-ninth minute when Mohammed Adams took a straight red card for violent conduct. Sacha Kljestan of Orlando City received a yellow card in the ninetieth minute for his foul. Johan Kappelhof of Chicago took a yellow card for time wasting in second half stoppage time. The Fire held on to win 2-1, with the man of the match named as Katai.

Back north, Minnesota United FC welcomes the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Bobby Shuttleworth are in the six-yard boxes. In the twentieth minute, Raheem Edwards of Montreal and Alexi Gomez of Minnesota each had a yellow card for a foul. Francisco Calvo of Minnesota took a yellow card for a forty-fourth minute foul. Minnesota drew first blood in the fifty-second minute on a Christian Ramirez goal, set up by Ibson. Minnesota added on with a Miguel Ibarra goal in the fifty-eighth minute. The final remained at 2-0, with the man of the match being Ibarra.

Southwest to Colorado, with the Rapids bringing in the Portland Timbers. Jeff Attinella and Tim Howard are the gloved men. Shkelzen Gashi of Colorado had a yellow card in the third minute for persistent infringement, while teammate Danny Wilson took a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul. Portland struck first in the twenty-ninth minute with a Samuel Armenteros goal, assisted by Sebastian Blanco. The Rapids got on the board in the thirty-first minute as the Timbers' Julio Cascante committed an own goal. Portland regained the lead with another Armenteros goal in the thirty-seventh minute. Diego Valeri of the Timbers had a yellow card for not retreating in the eighty-eighth minute. Portland added on in the fifty-sixth minute with a Valeri goal, coming off of Blanco. Larrys Mabiala of the Timbers received a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. Sam Nicholson of Colorado had a yellow card for his eighty-seventh minute foul, while teammate Yannick Boli was booked for dissent in the eighty-eighth minute. Portland's Andres Flores gained a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. The Rapids pulled one back with a Boli penalty kick goal deep in stoppage time. This only made it 3-2, with the man of the match being Armenteros for his brace.

The last Saturday game is in California, as Los Angeles FC hosts DC United. David Ousted and Tyler Miller guard the nets. Los Angeles cracked the scoresheet in the thirty-ninth minute with a Diego Rossi goal. Los Angeles went down to ten men in first half stoppage time as Dejan Jakovic took a straight red card for a foul. DC saw yellow cards for fouls by Christopher Durkin in the fifty-third minute, Oniel Fisher in the fifty-ninth minute, and Paul Arriola in the eightieth minute. DC tied it in the eighty-fourth minute with a Darren Mattocks goal, helped along by Arriola and Joseph Mora. DC's Bruno Miranda had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the eighty-fifth minute. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, with Mattocks as the man of the match.

Finally, on Sunday, Sporting Kansas City hosts the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Tim Melia are the strong keepers. Columbus went down to ten men in first half stoppage time for a Federico Higuain foul. Harrison Afful of the Crew had a yellow card for his forty-ninth minute goal. Kansas City saw a yellow card for a foul by Matt Besler in second half stoppage time. The game ended 0-0, with the man of the match being Steffen for his three-save clean sheet while shorthanded.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2018

NWSL 2018 Week 9 Midweek

A big three games on at midweek this time, beginning with...

The Orlando Pride hosting the North Carolina Courage. Katelyn Rowland and Ashlyn Harris are in goal. North Carolina opened in the thirty-first minute with a Jessica McDonald goal, after McCall Zerboni and Denise O'Sullivan created chaos in the Pride box. Orlando tied it in the fifty-second minute on a Chioma Ubogagu goal, set up by Marta. The Courage retook the lead on a Debinha goal in the fifty-seventh minute. North Carolina added on in the sixty-second minute with a Samantha Mewis header that bounced off Harris' hand and into the net, credited officially as an own goal. The Pride pulled one back with an Alanna Kennedy goal in the sixty-fifth minute, made possible by Christine Nairn on the corner kick. In the seventy-second minute, Emily Van Egmond of the Pride took a yellow card for a foul. Orlando tied it in the eighty-third minute with a Rachel Hill goal, coming off of Marta. The Courage retook the lead with another spinning goal on the line, a McDonald header that Shelina Zadorsky could not keep out in the ninetieth minute, helped along by Jaelene Hinkle. Abby Erceg of the Courage received a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final stood at 4-3 Courage, with McDonald named woman of the match. Also good for the Courage were Dunn, Debinha, Mewis, and Hinkle, while the Pride's best were Ali Krieger, Nairn, Kennedy, Ubogagu, and Marta.

Up in Maryland, the Washington Spirit welcome Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Aubrey Bledsoe make the starts in goal. Francisca Ordega of Washington had a yellow card for a sixteenth minute foul. The Spirit got going in the sixty-fourth minute with an Ashley Hatch goal, set up by Andi Sullivan on a free kick. The final held at 1-0, with the woman of the match being Hatch. Also good for the Spirit were Bledsoe (four save clean sheet), Ordega, Sullivan, Taylor Smith, and Caprice Dydasco, while Sky Blue's best were Carli Lloyd, Janine Beckie, and Rebekah Stott.

Finally, the Houston Dash bring in Seattle Reign FC. Michelle Betos and Jane Campbell are in the six-yard boxes. Seattle started in the thirteenth minute with a Beverly Yanez goal, passed from Jodie Taylor and Allie Long. The Reign's Kristen McNabb took a sixty-seventh minute yellow card for her foul. Houston tied it in the sixty-eighth minute with a Kristie Mewis goal, set up by Rachel Daly on the ensuing free kick. The Dash took the lead in stoppage time with a Veronica Latsko goal, a deflected shot via Thembi Kgatlana. The final stayed at 2-1, with the woman of the match being Latsko. Also good for Houston were Daly, Mewis, and Allysha Chapman, while the Reign's best were Yanez, Taylor, Long, Rumi Utsugi, and Lauren Barnes.

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Eastern Conference Finals: Tampa Bay Lightning VS. Washington Capitals

We're down to the NHL's Final Four, with three teams still having a chance for their first cup. This series will cover the Eastern Conference's entire series.

Game 1: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Washington led off in the first period with a Michal Kempny goal, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his ninth of the postseason, powered by Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie. Washington extended the lead as Jay Beagle scored in the second period, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Brett Connolly and Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals padded the lead with a Lars Eller power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, fueled by Oshie and Ovechkin. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, made possible by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning got closer with an Ondrej Palat goal, his fifth of the postseason, assisted by Tyler Johnson and Anton Stralman. The Capitals held on to win 4-2, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Oshie, and Kuznetsov. The Capitals have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Washington began in the first period with a Tom Wilson goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Matt Niskanen and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Brayden Point power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead with a Stamkos power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, with assists provided by Nikita Kucherov and Point. The Capitals tied it in the second period on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Alex Chiasson and John Carlson. Washington regained the lead with a Lars Eller goal, his fifth of the postseason, with a lone assist by Jakub Vrana. The Capitals added on with a Kuznetsov power play goal, his eighth of the playoffs, guided in by Alex Ovechkin and Eller. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Ovechkin scored his tenth of the postseason, with the help of Kuznetsov and Wilson. The Capitals padded the lead with a Brett Connolly goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Eller and Carlson. This stood for a 6-2 win, with the three stars being Eller, Kuznetsov, and Ovechkin, while Wilson, Carlson, Stamkos, and Point get the honorable mentions. Washington heads home with a 2-0 series lead in hand.

Game 3: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Victor Hedman and Brayden Point. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal in the second period, his seventh of the playoffs, via Hedman and Stamkos. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Hedman scored, thanks to Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. Washington got on the board with a Brett Connolly goal, his fourth of the postseason, helped along by Chandler Stephenson and Matt Niskanen. The Lightning shot back with a Point goal, his sixth of the playoffs, guided in by Tyler Johnson and Braydon Coburn. The Capitals pulled one back in the third period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his ninth of the postseason, courtesy of T.J. Oshie and Lars Eller. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Hedman, Kucherov, and Stamkos, while Point gets an honorable mention. The Capitals maintain a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington started in the first period with a Dmitry Orlov goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of T.J. Oshie and Matt Niskanen. Tampa Bay tied it on a Brayden Point goal, his seventh of the playoffs, via Yanni Gourde and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning took the lead with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his seventh of the postseason, powered by Point and J.T. Miller. The Capitals retied it in the second period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his tenth of the playoffs, helped along by Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. Tampa Bay took the lead back in the third period with an Alex Killorn goal, his fifth of the postseason, fueled by Ondrej Palat and Mikhail Sergachev. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Anthony Cirelli, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars were Vasilevskiy (36 for 38 in saves), Point, and Killorn. The series returns to Florida tied at 2.

Game 5: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Cedric Paquette goal, via Ryan Callahan. The Lightning added on with an Ondrej Palat goal, his sixth of the postseason, made possible by Nikita Kucherov. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period as Callahan scored his second of the playoffs, assisted by Anton Stralman and Chris Kunitz. Washington got on the board with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his eleventh of the postseason, courtesy of Matt Niskanen and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals got closer in the third period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eleventh of the playoffs, guided in by John Carlson and Lars Eller. They fell short at 3-2, with the three stars being Callahan, Palat, and Paquette. The Lightning have a chance to advance on the road, currently leading 3-2 in the series.

Game 6: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington got going in the second period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals added on in the third period with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his fourth of the playoffs, assisted by Chandler Stephenson and Jay Beagle. Washington iced it at 3-0 with an Oshie empty net goal, his second of the game and seventh of the postseason, set up by Backstrom. The three stars were Oshie, Holtby (24 save shutout), and Smith-Pelly, while Backstrom earns an honorable mention. The series heads south one more time, tied at 3. 

Game 7: Amalie Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Washington kicked off the scoring in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. The Capitals added on in the second period with an Andre Burakovsky goal, going in unassisted. Washington extended the lead as Burakovsky scored again, thanks to John Carlson. The Capitals iced it at 4-0 with an unassisted empty net goal by Nicklas Backstrom, his fourth of the playoffs. The three stars were Holtby (29 save shutout), Burakovsky, and Ovechkin. The Capitals are off to face the Vegas Golden Knights for the Stanley Cup after this 4-3 series win.

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Monday, May 21, 2018

MLS 2018 Week 12

Another full slate of action awaits this weekend, beginning with one Friday game from...

Canada, as Toronto FC hosts Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Alexander Bono are the keepers. Toronto got going in the sixty-third minute with a Jay Chapman goal. Orlando City tied it in the seventy-third minute with a Cristian Higuita goal, passed from Josue Colman. Orlando City saw Will Johnson receive a yellow card for his eighty-fourth minute foul. Toronto took the lead with a Ryan Telfer goal in the eighty-seventh minute, via Auro. Toronto won 2-1, with the man of the match being Telfer.

On Saturday, the first of six games begins with New York City FC welcoming the Colorado Rapids. Tim Howard and Sean Johnson are set to start in goal. Sam Nicholson of Colorado took a yellow card for a foul in the third minute. New York City opened in the twenty-second minute with a David Villa goal, via Maximiliano Moralez and Yangel Herrera. Danny Wilson of the Rapids had a yellow card for a thirty-first minute foul. Micheal Azira took a yellow card for Colorado in the forty-sixth minute for a foul. New York City added on in the forty-ninth minute with a Ronald Matarrita goal. New York City extended the lead as Moralez scored in the fifty-sixth minute, thanks to Villa. New York City padded the lead with a Villa goal in the seventy-fourth minute, coming off of Rodney Wallace and Moralez. Thomas McNamara of New York City had a yellow card for his eighty-third minute foul. Tommy Smith of the Rapids had a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-fourth minute. The final stood at 4-0, with Villa awarded man of the match honors.

Out west, the Portland Timbers bring in Los Angeles FC. Tyler Miller and Jeff Attinella are the former backups in goal. Los Angeles saw a yellow card for a twenty-first minute foul by Steven Beitashour. Portland's Diego Chara had a yellow card for his forty-fifth minute foul. The Timbers dented the scoreboard in the fifty-second minute with a Cristhian Paredes goal. Mark-Anthony Kaye of Los Angeles had a yellow card for his fifty-third minute foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Portland's Zarek Valentin received a yellow card for a foul. Walker Zimmerman of Los Angeles received a yellow card for his sixty-sixth minute foul. Los Angeles tied it in the seventy-fourth minute on a Carlos Vela goal, made possible by Eduard Atuesta. The Timbers regained the lead with an eighty-first minute Samuel Armenteros goal, assisted by Paredes. Armenteros had a yellow card for time wasting with his celebration. The final stood at 2-1 for the Timbers, with Paredes tabbed as man of the match.

Southeast to Texas, where FC Dallas hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Brian Rowe and Jimmy Maurer are in goal. Felipe of Vancouver had a yellow card for a foul in the sixteenth minute. Dallas started in the fortieth minute with a Reggie Cannon goal, assisted by Roland Lamah. Dallas had yellow cards for a Matt Hedges foul in the forty-seventh minute and time wasting by Mauro Diaz in the fifty-fourth minute. Jose Aja of the Whitecaps took a yellow card for a sixty-eighth minute foul. Dallas added on with a Maximiliano Urruti goal in the seventy-eighth minute, helped along by Santiago Mosquera and Diaz. Vancouver got on the board in the eighty-second minute with a Maynor Figueroa own goal. Deep into stoppage time, Dallas keeper Maurer took a yellow card for a foul, setting up a penalty kick equalizer by Kei Kamara for the Whitecaps. The 2-2 draw saw Anthony Blondell named man of the match for his role on the Whitecaps comeback.

Northeast to New England, where the Revolution welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Matt Turner are between the sticks. New England saw yellow cards for fouls by Luis Caicedo in the thirteenth minute and Antonio Mlinar Delamea in the thirty-first minute. Milton Valenzuela of Columbus had a yellow card for dissent in the forty-fourth minute. Claude Dielna of the Revolution received a yellow card for his sixty-seventh minute foul. The Crew cracked the scoresheet in the eighty-fifth minute with a Lalas Abubakar goal, set up by Federico Higuain. Jalil Anibaba of New England took a yellow card for an eighty-ninth minute foul. The man of the 1-0 Crew win was Abubakar.

Next up, the Philadelphia Union bring in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Andre Blake are the talented keepers. Philadelphia led off in the twenty-first minute with a Marcus Epps goal, via Fabrice-Jean Picault. The Union added on with a Borek Dockal goal in the thirty-fourth minute, assisted by Alejandro Bedoya and Epps. Salt Lake got on the board with a Damir Kreilach goal in the sixty-fifth minute, passed from Sebastian Saucedo. Philadelphia replied with an Ilsinho goal in the seventy-fourth minute, coming off of Dockal and Epps. The Union extended the lead as Keegan Rosenberry scored in the eighty-first minute, with the help of Ilsinho and Dockal. Pablo Ruiz of Real had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-seventh minute. The final stood at 4-1 Union, with Dockal named man of the match.

Saturday ends with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting DC United. David Ousted and Andrew Tarbell protect the nets. DC began in the fifteenth minute with a Zoltan Stieber goal, coming off of Luciano Acosta. DC added on with a Darren Mattocks goal in the twentieth minute, via Acosta. DC extended the lead as Yamil Asad scored in the thirty-seventh minute, thanks to Paul Arriola. San Jose got on the board with a Danny Hoesen goal in the forty-third minute. Christopher Durkin of DC had a yellow card for his sixtieth minute foul. The Earthquakes' Florian Jungwirth took a yellow card for dissent in the ninetieth minute. The final stayed at 3-1, with the man of the match being Acosta.

On Sunday, the first of three games has Minnesota United FC welcoming Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Bobby Shuttleworth are guarding the woodwork. Kansas City struck first in the eighth minute with a Khiry Shelton goal, via Johnny Russell. Minnesota tied it on a Darwin Quintero goal in the twentieth minute. Minnesota's Rasmus Schuller had a yellow card for a fifty-first minute foul. Sporting saw a yellow card given to Seth Sinovic in the fifty-third minute for his foul, and teammate Shelton followed with a yellow card of his own for his fifty-eighth minute foul. Minnesota saw a yellow card for Maximiniano's seventy-first minute foul. The game ended at a 1-1 draw, with the man of the match being Quintero.

Down in Chicago, the Fire bring in the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Richard Sanchez are tasked to play in goal. Houston drew first blood in the fourth minute with a Romell Quioto goal, via Tomas Martinez. Chicago tied it in the fourteenth minute on a Nemanja Nikolic goal, assisted by Aleksandar Katai and Brandon Vincent. The Fire took the lead with a Diego Campos goal in the sixteenth minute, courtesy of Nikolic and Kevin Ellis. Mohammed Adams of Chicago had a yellow card for his thirty-eighth minute foul. Alberth Elis of the Dynamo tied the game on a fifty-sixth minute penalty kick goal. Oscar Boniek Garcia of Houston had a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-seventh minute. The Dynamo took the lead on an Elis goal in the seventy-fourth minute, set up by Garcia. Houston saw yellow cards for Quioto's seventy-ninth minute foul and Elis' time wasting in the eightieth minute. The Fire had yellow cards given to the keeper Sanchez in the eighty-third minute and Rafael Ramos in stoppage time, both for fouls. Dynamo keeper Willis took a yellow card for time wasting later in stoppage time. Houston won 3-2, with Elis picked as man of the match.

Further southeast, Atlanta United FC hosts the New York Red Bulls. Ryan Meara is mismatched with Brad Guzan in goal. Atlanta was first to score in the twenty-sixth minute with an Ezequiel Barco goal. Florian Valot of New York had a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-ninth minute. The Red Bulls tied it on a Daniel Royer penalty kick goal in the forty-second minute. Jeff Larentowicz of Atlanta had a yellow card for his forty-second minute foul. New York took the lead in the fifty-first minute with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, via Michael Murillo and Alejandro Romero Gamarra. The Red Bulls added on with a Wright-Phillips goal in the fifty-fifth minute, courtesy of Romero Gamarra and Valot. Tim Parker of New York had a yellow card for time wasting in the fifty-seventh minute. Atlanta's Leandro Gonzalez Pirez had a yellow card for his sixty-fifth minute foul. Atlanta went down to ten men in the seventy-first minute when Greg Garza received a straight red card for a foul. Connor Lade of the Red Bulls took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final was 3-1, with Wright-Phillips earning man of the match honors.

Finally, the Montreal Impact host the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Monday matinee. David Bingham and Evan Bush are the strong goalies. Los Angeles had yellow cards for fouls by Sebastian Lletget in the twenty-second minute and Perry Kitchen in the thirty-seventh minute. In the forty-first minute, Michael Petrasso of Montreal had a yellow card for a foul and the Galaxy went down to ten men as Zlatan Ibrahimovic took a straight red card for violent conduct. The Impact received yellow cards for fouls by Marco Donadel in the sixty-eighth minute and Jukka Raitala in the seventy-first minute. Los Angeles kicked off the scoring in the seventy-fifth minute with an Ola Kamara goal, passed from Emmanuel Boateng. Galaxy keeper Bingham took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-seventh minute. The final remained at 1-0 Galaxy, with the man of the match being Kamara.

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Sunday, May 20, 2018

Western Conference Finals: Winnipeg Jets VS. Vegas Golden Knights

Two great stories in the west meet, with one continuing their quest for the Stanley Cup. This post will cover each game.

Game 1: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets. Winnipeg opened in the first period with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his fifth of the postseason, made possible by Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on with a Patrik Laine power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by Wheeler and Paul Stastny. Winnipeg extended the lead as Joel Armia scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Ben Chiarot. Vegas got on the board with a Brayden McNabb goal, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. The Jets shot back with a Scheifele power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the postseason, with helpers from Byfuglien and Wheeler. The Golden Knights pulled one back with a William Karlsson power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, fueled by Marchessault and Shea Theodore. This led to the eventual 4-2 final, with the three stars given to Scheifele, Byfuglien, and Wheeler, while Marchessault got an honorable mention. The Jets have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets. Vegas started in the first period with a Tomas Tatar goal, via Shea Theodore and Ryan Carpenter. The Golden Knights added on with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his fifth of the postseason, assisted by Reilly Smith. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Kyle Connor power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Nikolaj Ehlers and Tyler Myers. Vegas answered with a Marchessault goal, his second of the game and sixth of the postseason, passed from Smith and William Karlsson. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Marchessault, Fleury (30 for 31 in saves), and Smith. The series heads south tied at 1.

Game 3: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas led off in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his seventh of the postseason, coming off of Brayden McNabb. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his thirteenth of the playoffs, via Blake Wheeler. The Golden Knights took the lead back with a James Neal goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Erik Haula. Vegas added on with an Alex Tuch goal, his fifth of the playoffs, passed from Neal and Nate Schmidt. The Jets got one back in the third period with another Scheifele goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the postseason, guided in by Kyle Connor and Wheeler. The Golden Knights iced it at 4-2 with a Marchessault empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the playoffs, set up by McNabb and the goalie Fleury. The three stars were Neal, Scheifele, and Marchessault, while Wheeler and McNabb get the honorable mentions. The Golden Knights now lead the series 2-1.

Game 4: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. In goal: Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights. Vegas began in the first period with a William Karlsson power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. Winnipeg tied it on a Patrik Laine power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, via Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler in the second period. The Golden Knights regained the lead on a Tomas Nosek goal, assisted by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Luca Sbisa. The Jets retied it in the third period with a Tyler Myers goal, his fourth of the postseason, fueled by Jack Roslovic. Vegas gained the lead again with a Smith goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Smith, Fleury (36 for 38 in saves), and Nosek. The Golden Knights leave home ahead 3-1 in the series. 

Game 5: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Golden Knights and Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets. Vegas struck first in the first period with an Alex Tuch goal, his sixth of the postseason, helped along by Ryan Carpenter. Winnipeg tied it on a Josh Morrissey goal, via Bryan Little. The Golden Knights took the lead back in the second period on a Ryan Reaves goal, passed from Luca Sbisa and Tomas Nosek. Vegas held on to win 2-1, with the three stars given to Fleury (31 for 32 in saves), Reaves, and Tuch. The Golden Knights take the series 4-1, advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural year.