Sunday, June 3, 2018

MLS 2018 Week 14

We've got a full weekend of games on tap. One game is played on Friday, which has...

The Colorado Rapids hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Brian Rowe and Tim Howard man the nets. Vancouver began in the seventeenth minute with a Cristian Techera goal, via Yordy Reyna. Jakob Nerwinski of the Whitecaps had a yellow card for time wasting in the thirty-fourth minute. Vancouver added on with a Reyna goal in the thirty-ninth minute. Colorado got on the board in the forty-first minute with an Edgar Castillo goal, passed from Johan Blomberg. The Rapids saw yellow cards for fouls by Castillo in the forty-sixth minute, Dominique Badji in the seventy-ninth minute, and Jack Price in stoppage time. The final held at 2-1 Whitecaps, with Reyna named man of the match.

On Saturday, the first of nine games sees the Portland Timbers host the Los Angeles Galaxy. David Bingham and Jeff Attinella are set to start in goal. Los Angeles opened in the twentieth minute with a Chris Pontius goal, via Emmanuel Boateng. Portland tied it on a Diego Valeri penalty kick goal in the fifty-seventh minute. Diego Chara of the Timbers had a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. Joao Pedro of the Galaxy received a yellow card for his seventy-fourth minute foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Bingham named man of the match for his nine-of-ten saves performance.

Way southeast, as Atlanta United FC welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Brad Guzan are the keepers. Philadelphia saw a yellow card for an eleventh minute foul by Alejandro Bedoya. The Union went down to ten men in the nineteenth minute, as Bedoya picked up a second yellow and Haris Medunjanin took two yellows at once, all for dissent. Atlanta started with a penalty kick goal by Josef Martinez in the twenty-first minute, which was what was dissented about. Fabrice-Jean Picault of the Union had a yellow card for dissent in the twenty-eighth minute. Atlanta added on with a Martinez goal in the forty-ninth minute, via Miguel Almiron and Mikey Ambrose. Philadelphia got on the board with a Picault goal, courtesy of Warren Creavalle. Atlanta replied as Martinez converted another penalty kick goal in the eighty-third minute to finish his hat trick. The final held at 3-1, with Martinez as the man of the match.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Impact bring in the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Evan Bush are the gloved men. Houston had yellow cards for Alberth Elis in the twenty-ninth minute and Luis Gil in the thirty-third minute, both for fouls. Montreal got going in the forty-fourth minute with a Jeisson Vargas goal, via Samuel Piette. Raheem Edwards of the Impact took a yellow card for his sixty-fifth minute foul. The Dynamo received yellow cards for Adam Lundqvist's sixty-ninth minute foul and Tomas Martinez's eighty-fourth minute foul. The game ended at 1-0, with Vargas as the man of the match.

Back stateside, the New England Revolution host the New York Red Bulls. Ryan Meara and Matt Turner are in the six-yard boxes. New York kicked off the scoring in the eighth minute with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, via Sean Davis. Vincent Bezecourt of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for a thirtieth minute foul. New England's Antonio Mlinar Delamea took a yellow card for a foul in the thirty-first minute. The Revolution tied it in first half stoppage time on a Diego Fagundez goal, helped along by Krisztian Nemeth and Teal Bunbury. Wright-Phillips of New York had a yellow card for his sixty-ninth minute foul. New England took the lead on a Bunbury goal in the seventy-eighth minute, assisted by Cristian Penilla. Kelyn Rowe of the Revolution received a yellow card in the eighty-first minute for persistent infringement. The final held at 2-1, with Bunbury awarded man of the match honors.

Southward, New York City FC welcomes Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Sean Johnson are between the sticks. New York City led off in the thirty-fifth minute with an Ismael Tajouri-Shradi goal, set up by Anton Tinnerholm and Maximiliano Moralez. New York City's Moralez received a yellow card in the seventy-seventh minute for a foul. Oriol Rosell of Orlando City had a yellow card for his seventy-eighth minute foul. New York City added on with another Tajouri-Shradi goal in the seventy-ninth minute. Will Johnson of Orlando City took a yellow card for an eighty-sixth minute foul. New York City extended the lead as Moralez scored in the eighty-seventh minute. New York City won 3-0, with Tajouri-Shradi as the man of the match for his brace.

West to Columbus, as the Crew SC bring in Toronto FC. Alexander Bono and Jon Kempin make the starts in goal. Artur of Columbus had a yellow card for a second minute foul. Toronto's Jonathan Osorio took a yellow card for his eighth minute foul. Toronto struck first in the seventeenth minute on a Victor Vazquez penalty kick goal. Jason Hernandez of Toronto had a yellow card for his foul in the twenty-first minute. Toronto added on in the thirty-eighth minute with a Tosaint Ricketts goal, helped along by Vazquez and Sebastian Giovinco. Josh Williams of the Crew took a yellow card for a foul in the fifty-sixth minute. Toronto extended the lead as Giovinco scored in the fifty-seventh minute. Columbus got on the board with a Gyasi Zardes goal in the sixty-seventh minute, assisted by Federico Higuain. The Crew got closer in the eighty-first minute on an Alex Crognale goal. Bono of Toronto had a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-sixth minute. Columbus tied it on a Higuain penalty kick goal in the ninetieth minute. Toronto saw yellow cards for fouls in stoppage time by Liam Fraser and Ricketts. The game ended in a 3-3 draw, with the man of the match being Higuain.

In Texas, FC Dallas hosts Los Angeles FC. Tyler Miller and Jesse Gonzalez protect the nets. Dallas was first to score in the twenty-fifth minute on a Reto Ziegler goal. Lee Nguyen of Los Angeles had a yellow card for a forty-ninth minute foul. Dallas added on in the fifty-first minute with a Roland Lamah goal, via Ryan Hollingshead. Los Angeles got on the board with an Adama Diomande goal, passed from Benny Feilhaber in the sixty-first minute. Carlos Gruezo of Dallas had a yellow card for his seventieth minute foul. Los Angeles ended the game at ten men after yellow cards for Jordan Harvey fouls in the seventy-second and eighty-ninth minutes. Dallas won 2-1, with Lamah as the man of the match.

Back north, the Chicago Fire welcome the San Jose Earthquakes. Andrew Tarbell and Patrik McLain are the goalies. Chicago cracked the scoresheet in the twenty-ninth minute on an Alan Gordon goal, via Luis Solignac and Johan Kappelhof. McLain came out injured in the forty-fourth minute, replaced by Richard Sanchez in the Fire net. San Jose's Fatai Alashe took a yellow card for his foul in first half stoppage time. Chicago added on in the forty-ninth minute with an Aleksandar Katai goal, guided in by Brandt Bronico. Jorge Corrales of the Fire had a yellow card for his fifty-seventh minute foul. Jimmy Ockford of the Earthquakes received a yellow card in the sixty-first minute for a foul. San Jose got on the board in the seventy-fourth minute with a Danny Hoesen goal, passed from Chris Wondolowski and Valeri Qazaishvili. This only made it 2-1, the final, with Katai the man of the match.

Saturday ends in Utah, as Real Salt Lake brings in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Nick Rimando guard the woodwork. Seattle saw yellow cards for fouls by Kelvin Leerdam in the tenth minute and Jordy Delem in the twenty-fifth minute. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard in the fifty-seventh minute on a Corey Baird goal. Justen Glad of Real had a yellow card for an eighty-seventh minute foul. Salt Lake iced it at 2-0 in stoppage time with a Luis Silva goal. The man of the match was Baird for his winner.

Finally, Sporting Kansas City hosts Minnesota United FC. Bobby Shuttleworth and Tim Melia are the keepers. Kansas City drew first blood in the ninth minute with a Daniel Salloi goal, assisted by Yohan Croizet. Minnesota tied it in the eleventh minute on a Tyrone Mears goal, coming off of Rasmus Schuller. Sporting took the lead back with a Wan Kuzain goal in the thirty-fifth minute. Kansas City added on with a Cristian Lobato goal in the thirty-eighth minute, fueled by Roger Espinoza. Minnesota went down to ten men after two consecutive yellow cards to Maximiniano for fouls in the forty-eighth and sixty-third minutes. Miguel Ibarra of Minnesota received a yellow card for his seventy-seventh minute foul. Sporting extended the lead as Diego Rubio scored in the eighty-first minute, with the help of Gerso Fernandes. This made it 4-1, the final, with the man of the match being Kuzain.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

MLS 2018 Week 14 Midweek

Four games on at midweek this time, beginning with...

The New England Revolution hosting Atlanta United FC. Brad Guzan and Matt Turner draw the starts in goal. Atlanta led off in the twenty-third minute with a Josef Martinez goal, via Julian Gressel and Darlington Nagbe. Gressel of Atlanta had a yellow card for his thirty-sixth minute foul. New England saw yellow cards for fouls by Wilfried Zahibo in the fifty-third minute, Jalil Anibaba in the seventy-third minute, and Krisztian Nemeth in the eighty-first minute. The Revolution tied it in the eighty-eighth minute on a Teal Bunbury penalty kick goal. Atlanta saw yellow cards for Guzan's dissent in the eighty-eighth minute and Romario Williams' foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the man of the match being Turner (six for seven in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Union welcome the Chicago Fire. Patrick McLain and Andre Blake make the starts in goal. Jorge Corrales of Chicago received a yellow card for his thirty-second minute foul. Philadelphia began in the forty-fourth minute on an Ilsinho goal, made possible by Borek Dockal. The Union added on in the fifty-first minute with a Cory Burke goal, via Dockal and Raymon Gaddis. The Fire got on the board with an Alan Gordon goal in the fifty-sixth minute, coming off of Brandt Bronico and Aleksandar Katai. Philadelphia replied in the eighty-seventh minute with a Dockal penalty kick goal that made it 3-1, the final. Dockal was named the man of the match.

Out in Utah, Real Salt Lake bring in the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Nick Rimando man the nets. Houston's Tomas Martinez took a yellow card for his twenty-eighth minute foul. Salt Lake started in the thirty-fourth minute with a Luis Silva goal, assisted by Sebastian Saucedo and Brooks Lennon. Eric Alexander of the Dynamo took a yellow card for his seventieth minute foul. Houston tied it on a seventy-fifth minute goal by Alberth Elis, made possible by Romell Quioto. Real retook the lead with a Kyle Beckerman goal in the eighty-second minute, guided in by Damir Kreilach and Saucedo. The Dynamo's Quioto received a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended at 2-1, with Saucedo the man of the match for his roles in both Salt Lake goals.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host FC Dallas. Jesse Gonzalez and David Bingham are the gloved men. Dallas opened in the thirty-third minute with a Ryan Hollingshead goal, assisted by Mauro Diaz and Kellyn Acosta. Dallas added on with a Cristian Colman goal, via Hollingshead and Daiz in the fortieth minute. Emmanuel Boateng of Los Angeles took a yellow card in the sixty-third minute for a foul. Dallas extended the lead as Carlos Gruezo scored in the sixty-sixth minute. The Galaxy got on the board with a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal in the sixty-ninth minute, courtesy of Sebastian Lletget and Ashley Cole. Dallas went down to ten men in the eightieth minute as Colman took a straight red card for violent conduct. Dallas keeper Gonzalez took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time. Los Angeles got closer with an Ibrahimovic goal later in stoppage time, set up by Chris Pontius and Perry Kitchen. This only made it 3-2, the final, with Hollingshead named man of the match.

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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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