MLS Midweek: May 31, 2017

Four games scheduled for today. First up...

The Columbus Crew SC host the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Zack Steffen man the nets. Seyi Adekoya of Seattle had a yellow card for a third minute foul. Columbus began in the tenth minute with a Federico Higuain goal, assisted by Hector Jimenez. The Crew added on with a twenty-first minute goal by Justin Meram, via Wil Trapp. Columbus extended the lead in the fifty-ninth minute as Ola Kamara scored, thanks to Meram and Higuain. Jonathan Mensah of the Crew had a yellow card for a sixty-seventh minute foul. The game ended 3-0, with the man of the match being Meram for his goal and assist.

East to where New York City FC welcomes the New England Revolution. Brad Knighton and Sean Johnson draw the starts in goal. New York City led off in the sixteenth minute with a Jack Harrison goal, via David Villa. New England tied it on a twenty-fourth minute Kei Kamara goal, coming off of Lee Nguyen. Gershon Koffie of the Revolution had a yellow card for his twenty-ninth minute foul. New York City retook the lead in the sixty-fourth minute with a Miguel Camargo goal, assisted by Maximiliano Moralez and Villa. In the eighty-first minute, New York City's Villa took a yellow card for a foul. New England retied it in the eighty-sixth minute with a Xavier Kouassi goal, set up by Kelyn Rowe. In the eighty-seventh minute, the Revolution's Rowe earned a yellow card for a foul. Mikey Lopez of New York City had a yellow card for his ninetieth minute foul. The game ended 2-2, with the man of the match being Villa for his role in both goals.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC brings in DC United. Bill Hamid and Joe Bendik protect the nets. Taylor Kemp of DC had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the thirty-fourth minute. Donny Toia of Orlando City took a yellow card for a foul in the thirty-fifth minute. In the sixty-fifth minute, Orlando City keeper Bendik had a yellow card for dissent, and a minute later, DC's Lloyd Sam also got booked for dissent. Shortly thereafter, Orlando City got going on a Cyle Larin goal, set up by Will Johnson. Orlando City added on with an eighty-eighth minute Giles Barnes goal. The final stood at 2-0, with Larin the man of the match.

Finally, the Houston Dynamo host Real Salt Lake. Matt Van Oekel and Tyler Deric play goal. Houston struck first in the third minute when Justin Schmidt of Salt Lake committed an own goal. The Dynamo added on in the fifteenth minute with an Alex goal, via Mauro Manotas. Houston extended the lead as Manotas scored in the forty-fifth minute, thanks to Erick Torres and Alberth Elis. The Dynamo padded the lead on a fifty-second minute goal by Torres, coming off of Elis and Alex. Sunny of Real had a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. Juan Cabezas of Houston took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul. Salt Lake got one back on a Joao Plata goal in the sixty-third minute. The Dynamo replied with a Leonardo goal in the sixty-eighth minute, helped along by Boniek Garcia and Ricardo Clark. Garcia had a yellow card for Houston in the seventy-ninth minute for his foul. The final stood at 5-1, with the man of the match being Manotas.

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MLS 2017: Week 13

We begin on Thursday this week, with one game in...

Chicago, as the Fire host FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Matt Lampson man the nets. Chicago led off in the third minute with a Nemanja Nikolic goal, passed from Brandon Vincent and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Dallas tied it on a Roland Lamah goal, assisted by Cristian Colman. The Fire reclaimed the lead with a David Accam goal in the ninth minute, via Johan Kappelhof. Luis Solignac of Chicago took a yellow card for his eighteenth minute foul. Dallas had yellow cards for fouls by Carlos Gruezo in the twenty-first minute, Aaron Guillen in the twenty-third minute, Walker Hume in the forty-fifth minute, and Matt Hedges in the seventieth minute. Kappelhof of the Fire took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The final held at 2-1, with the man of the match being Accam for his winner.

On Friday, Toronto FC welcomes the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Alexander Bono are in goal. Jonathan Mensah of Columbus took a yellow card for a fifth minute foul. Toronto began in the sixth minute with a Victor Vazquez penalty kick goal. Toronto added on in the thirty-ninth minute with a Justin Morrow goal, via Ben Spencer. Toronto extended the lead in the fifty-ninth minute as Vazquez scored again. Toronto went down to ten men in the eighty-first minute with a straight red card to Marco Delgado for his foul. Toronto padded the lead in the eighty-sixth minute as Jonathan Osorio scored, thanks to Jordan Hamilton. Toronto iced it at 5-0 with a Hamilton goal in stoppage time, set up by Raheem Edwards and Osorio. The man of the match was Vazquez for his brace.

Saturday's seven begin in Seattle, with the Sounders FC bringing in the Portland Timbers. Jake Gleeson and Stefan Frei protect the nets. Seattle started in the fourth minute with a Cristian Roldan goal, assisted by Chad Marshall and Nicolas Lodeiro. The Sounders had a yellow card given to Frei in the forty-first minute for time wasting. Portland's Amobi Okugo received a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. The Sounders won 1-0, with Roldan being the man of the match.

Up in Vancouver, the Whitecaps FC host DC United. Bill Hamid and David Ousted are the keepers. Tony Tchani of Vancouver had a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul. DC got going in the sixty-first minute on a Lamar Neagle penalty kick goal. Kofi Opare of DC had a yellow card for time wasting in the seventy-sixth minute. Tim Parker of the Whitecaps received a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-0, with the man of the match being Hamid for his four-save clean sheet.

Back east, the New York Red Bulls welcome the New England Revolution. Cody Cropper and Luis Robles are in the six-yard boxes. New England opened in the ninth minute with a Lee Nguyen penalty kick goal. Je-Vaughn Watson of the Revolution had a yellow card for a thirty-ninth minute foul. New York tied it on a forty-seventh minute goal by Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Red Bulls took the lead with a seventy-fourth minute goal by Daniel Royer, set up by Kemar Lawrence and Felipe. In the seventy-eighth minute, Felipe received a yellow card for persistent infringement, and his teammate Alex Muyl was booked for time wasting in the eighty-eighth minute. New England's Xavier Kouassi and Teal Bunbury each took yellow cards for fouls in stoppage time. The final stood at 2-1, with Royer's winner making him the man of the match.

Back west, the Colorado Rapids bring in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Tim Howard play goal. Colorado struck first in the eleventh minute on a Kortne Ford goal, set up by Shkelzen Gashi. The Rapids had yellow cards in the nineteenth and twenty-second minutes for fouls by Bobby Burling and Eric Miller. Kansas City took a yellow card for a forty-first minute foul by Roger Espinoza. Colorado had two more yellow cards, for Howard's time wasting in the eighty-sixth minute and Kevin Doyle's foul in the eighty-ninth minute. Sporting went down to ten men when Espinoza took a second yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. The final was 1-0 to the Rapids, with Ford the man of the match.

Northeast to Minnesota, where United FC hosts Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Bobby Shuttleworth are the veteran goalies. Minnesota had a yellow card for a Johan Venegas foul in the thirty-eighth minute. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the fifty-sixth minute on a Christian Ramirez goal, passed from Venegas and Ibson. Minnesota saw yellow cards for fouls by Sam Cronin and Ismaila Jome in the sixty-sixth and seventy-sixth minutes, Marc Burch for time wasting in the eighty-first minute, and Miguel Ibarra for not retreating in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-0 Minnesota, with the man of the match being Shuttleworth for his seven-save clean sheet.

Back in the Rockies, Real Salt Lake welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Nick Rimando are between the posts. Salt Lake's Luis Silva took a yellow card for a twenty-eighth minute foul. Real was first to score in the thirty-sixth minute on a Joao Plata goal, passed from Jefferson Savarino. Salt Lake's Chris Wingert had a yellow card for a fifty-second minute foul. Philadelphia saw yellow cards for fouls by Oguchi Onyewu in the seventieth minute and Alejandro Bedoya in the seventy-seventh minute. The final stood at 1-0, with Plata the man of the match.

Closing out Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes bring in the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brian Rowe and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose drew first blood in the tenth minute with a Chris Wondolowski goal, set up by Danny Hoesen. Los Angeles tied it in the nineteenth minute with a Joao Pedro goal, made possible by Ashley Cole and Jelle Van Damme. The Galaxy took the lead on a Giovani dos Santos penalty kick goal in the thirty-fifth minute. The Earthquakes retied it in the thirty-seventh minute with a Hoesen goal, passed from Tommy Thompson. Los Angeles pulled ahead when San Jose's Victor Bernardez committed an owl goal in the forty-fourth minute. The Galaxy added on with a dos Santos goal in the sixty-fourth minute, assisted by Romain Alessandrini. Bradley Diallo of Los Angeles had a yellow card for a sixty-sixth minute foul. Wondolowski of the Earthquakes received a yellow card for his foul in the sixty-ninth minute. Jack McInerney took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended 4-2, with dos Santos named man of the match for his brace.

On Sunday, Atlanta United hosts New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Alec Kann are the veterans in goal. Atlanta opened in the sixteenth minute with a Miguel Almiron goal, via Julian Gressel and Hector Villalba. Atlanta added on with a Villalba goal, set up by Yamil Asad. Atlanta extended the lead as Almiron scored in the twenty-third minute, thanks to Gressel. Michael Parkhurst of Atlanta had a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul. New York City took a yellow card for a foul by Alexander Ring in the forty-third minute. Carlos Carmona of Atlanta had a yellow card for his sixty-fifth minute foul. New York City got on the board in the seventy-first minute on a Jack Harrison goal, made possible by Ben Sweat. Maximiliano Moralez of New York City had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended 3-1, with the man of the match being Almiron for his brace.

Finally, FC Dallas hosts the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Jesse Gonzalez are the keepers. Ricardo Clark of Houston had a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. The Dynamo's Juan Cabezas had a yellow card for an eighty-third minute foul. Houston's Deric took a yellow card time wasting in stoppage time. The game ended at 0-0, with Deric the man of the match for his four-save clean sheet.

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NWSL 2017: Week 7

All teams played on Saturday this weekend. This post is delayed so that I could watch all the games and get a feel on player performances. We begin in...

Houston, as the Dash host the Seattle Reign FC. Haley Kopmeyer and Lydia Williams are the gloved women. Seattle began in the thirtieth minute with an own goal by Houston's Cari Roccaro off a Megan Rapinoe shot. The Reign added on with a Katie Johnson goal in the sixty-fourth minute, via Nahomi Kawasumi. The final held at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Kopmeyer, who made eight saves in a clean sheet, while Johnson and Rapinoe were best for the Reign. Standouts for the Dash were Jannie Beckie, Andressinha, and Rachel Daly, who collapsed on the field at the end of the game due to heat exhaustion.

Up in Chicago, the Red Stars welcome the North Carolina Courage. Sabrina D'Angelo and Alyssa Naeher are the goalies. Chicago began in the twenty-seventh minute with a Danielle Colaprico goal, assisted by Vanessa DiBernardo. Colaprico also had a yellow card for her thirty-ninth minute foul for the Red Stars. North Carolina tied it in first half stoppage time on an Abby Erceg goal, coming off of a Samantha Mewis corner kick. Chicago regained the lead in the fifty-fourth minute on an Alyssa Mautz goal, passed from Christen Press. The Red Stars added on as DiBernardo scored in the fifty-ninth minute. The Courage got one back in the eighty-second minute on a free kick goal by Debinha. The final held at 3-2, with the woman of the match being DiBernardo, while Press and Colaprico also impressed for the Red Stars. For the Courage, Erceg, Mewis, and Taylor Smith were the top performers.

To the east, Sky Blue FC hosts the Orlando Pride. Aubrey Bledsoe and Kailen Sheridan are the inexperienced goalies. Orlando opened in the eighteenth minute with a Jasmyne Spencer goal, set up by Camila. Sky Blue tied it on a forty-third minute goal by Sam Kerr, courtesy of Daphne Corboz. Sky Blue took the lead in the eighty-second minute with a Maya Hayes goal, via Kerr. This made it 2-1, the final, with the woman of the match being Kerr. Sky Blue also saw great efforts from Sheridan and Hayes, while the Pride's best came from Steph Catley, Camila, and Spencer.

Back west, FC Kansas City brings in the Washington Spirit. Stephanie Labbe and Nicole Barnhart protect the nets. Washington started in the fifth minute with a Kristie Mewis goal after her own corner kick spilled back to her. Kansas City tied it in the ninth minute on a Sydney Leroux goal, via Brittany Ratcliffe. Alexa Newfield of Kansas City had a yellow card for a fifteenth minute foul. Kansas City took the lead with a twenty-seventh minute goal by Leroux, coming off of Shea Groom. Meggie Dougherty Howard of the Spirit received a yellow card for a thirty-ninth minute foul. Kansas City added on in the sixtieth minute when Becky Sauerbrunn headed a Ratcliffe corner kick in. Kansas City went down to ten women when Newfield took a second yellow card for her foul on the Washington keeper Labbe. The Spirit got one back with a Havana Solaun goal in the eighty-third minute, made possible by Francisca Ordega. In the eighty-sixth minute, Washington's Ordega took a yellow card for her foul. Brittany Taylor of Kansas City took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-ninth minute. Kansas City held on for a 3-2 win, with the woman of the match being Leroux for her brace, while Sauerbrunn and Ratcliffe get honorable mentions. Washington's best efforts came from Mewis, Shelina Zadorsky, and Ordega.

Finally, in Portland, the Thorns host the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith and Adrianna Franch are in the six-yard boxes. Portland struck first in the first minute as a Nadia Nadim corner kick led to an Amandine Henry shot that deflected off of Boston's Julie King and in for a goal. The Thorns added on as Henry scored a goal herself in the fifth minute. Boston had a yellow card for an Emilie Haavi foul in the twenty-fourth minute. Nadim of Portland had a yellow card for a forty-ninth minute foul. In the seventy-first minute, the Breakers' Christen Westphal took a yellow card for her foul. Boston went down to ten women in stoppage time as Allysha Chapman committed a bad foul on Hayley Raso and received a straight red card. The final held at 2-0, with Henry the woman of the match. Raso and Lindsey Horan also get honorable mentions for the Thorns, while the Breakers saw Megan Oyster and Rosie White play well.

NWSL Team of the Week
GK Kailen Sheridan
RB Rachel Daly
CB Becky Sauerbrunn
CB Abby Erceg
LB Steph Catley
DM Amandine Henry
AM Vanessa DiBernardo
AM Brittany Ratcliffe
RF Sam Kerr
CF Katie Johnson
LF Sydney Leroux

Eastern Conference Final: 2) Pittsburgh Penguins VS. 2) Ottawa Senators

We're back with the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the winners of these two series advancing to the final round. This is the Eastern Conference Final, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators.

Game 1: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his eighth of the postseason, assisted by Bobby Ryan. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixth of the playoffs, via Chris Kunitz and Ron Hainsey. The Senators won 2-1 in overtime with a Ryan goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Pageau and Mark Stone. The three stars went to Ryan, Pageau, and Anderson (27 for 28 in saves). The Senators have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Phil Kessel goal, his sixth of the postseason, via Evgeni Malkin and Olli Maatta. This made it 1-0, the final, with the three stars going to Fleury (23 save shutout), Kessel, and Anderson (28 for 29 in saves). The series heads north tied at 1.

Game 3: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Craig Anderson for the Senators. Ottawa began in the first period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Kyle Turris and Alexandre Burrows. The Senators added on with a Marc Methot goal, his second of the playoffs, via Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard. Ottawa extended the lead as Brassard scored his fourth of the postseason, helped along by Clarke MacArthur and Ryan. The Senators chased Fleury with a Zack Smith goal, assisted by Methot and Erik Karlsson. Matt Murray came on in relief. Ottawa padded the lead in the second period with a Turris goal, his fourth of the playoffs, made possible by Hoffman and Fredrik Claesson. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, powered by Phil Kessel and Mark Streit. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Methot, Hoffman, and Brassard, while Turris and Ryan get the honorable mentions. The Senators hold a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Craig Anderson for the Senators. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with an Olli Maatta goal, via Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Crosby power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Guentzel and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Brian Dumoulin scored, thanks to Ian Cole and Scott Wilson. Ottawa got on the board with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his third of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Bobby Ryan. The Senators got closer in the third period with a Tom Pyatt goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Erik Karlsson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Crosby, Guentzel, and Dumoulin. The series heads south again tied at 2.

Game 5: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Pittsburgh started in the first period with an Olli Maatta, his second of the postseason, via Bryan Rust. The Penguins added on with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his seventh of the playoffs, powered by Trevor Daley and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Rust scored his sixth of the postseason, thanks to Nick Bonino and Carter Rowney. The Penguins padded the lead with a Scott Wilson goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from Rowney and Bonino. Mike Condon replaced Anderson in goal for a second time, and permanently, at this stage. Pittsburgh struck again in the second period with a Matt Cullen goal, his second of the postseason, helped along by Mark Streit and Rowney, who earned a sock trick. The Penguins continued in the third period with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his seventh of the playoffs, with assists provided by Crosby and Malkin. Pittsburgh iced it at 7-0 with a Daley power play goal, made possible by Kessel and Malkin, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Daley, Rowney, and Malkin, while Crosby, Rust, Bonino, and Kessel get the honorable mentions. The Penguins leave home with a 3-2 series lead now.

Game 6: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. In goal: Matt Murray for the Penguins and Craig Anderson for the Senators. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his seventh of the postseason, via Ian Cole and Scott Wilson. Ottawa tied it on a Bobby Ryan power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. The Senators took the lead in the third period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his sixth of the postseason, passed from Fredrik Claesson and Clarke MacArthur. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Anderson (45 for 46 in saves), Hoffman, and Ryan. The series heads stateside one more time, tied at 3. 

Game 7: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Matt Murray for the Penguins. Pittsburgh struck first in the second period with a Chris Kunitz goal, fueled by Conor Sheary and Matt Cullen. Ottawa tied it on a Mark Stone goal, his fifth of the postseason, passed from Erik Karlsson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Penguins retook the lead with a Justin Schultz power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Phil Kessel and Kunitz in the third period. The Senators tied it again with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Karlsson and Kyle Turris. Pittsburgh won in double overtime with Kunitz's second of the game, made possible by Sidney Crosby and Schultz. The 3-2 game saw the three stars awarded to Kunitz, Schultz, and Karlsson. The Penguins will get to defend their title from last season in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Nashville Predators after this 4-3 series win.

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NWSL Midweek: May 24, 2017

Just one game off the weekend this time. The North Carolina Courage host Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Katelyn Rowland are in goal. North Carolina began in the twentieth minute on a Lynn Williams goal, via Taylor Smith. In the twenty-sixth minute, the Courage's Abby Erceg took a yellow card for her foul. In the forty-second minute, North Carolina added on with a Samantha Mewis goal after a couple of saves from Sheridan and Sarah Killion. Sky Blue's Killion received a yellow card for a foul in the forty-seventh minute. In the fifty-ninth minute, Nikki Stanton took a yellow card for a foul for Sky Blue. The final held at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Williams. The other strong Courage players were Smith, Mewis, and Abby Dahlkemper, while Sky Blue saw good games from Sheridan, Killion, Stanton, and Kayla Mills.

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Western Conference Final: 1) Anaheim Ducks VS. 4) Nashville Predators

We're back with the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the winners of these two series advancing to the final round. This is the Western Conference Final, with the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators.

Game 1: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and John Gibson for the Ducks. Anaheim began in the first period with an unassisted Jakob Silfverberg goal, his eighth of the postseason. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his fourth of the playoffs, coming off of Matt Irwin and Ryan Johansen. The Predators took the lead with an Austin Watson goal, made possible by Johansen and Mattias Ekholm in the second period. The Ducks retied it with a third period goal by Hampus Lindholm, assisted by Nate Thompson. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime on a James Neal goal, his fourth of the postseason, courtesy of P.K. Subban and Ekholm. The three stars were Johansen, Ekholm, and Neal. The Predators have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and John Gibson for the Ducks. Nashville led off in the first period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi. The Predators added on with a James Neal power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, powered by Johansen and Mattias Ekholm. Anaheim got on the board with a Sami Vatanen power play goal, with assists provided by Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler. The Ducks tied it in the second period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his ninth of the postseason, guided in by Rickard Rakell and Cam Fowler. Nashville regained the lead with a Filip Forsberg goal, his fifth of the playoffs, made possible by Arvidsson. Anaheim tied it on an Ondrej Kase goal, assisted by Shea Theodore and Josh Manson. The Ducks took the lead with a Nick Ritchie goal, his third of the postseason, fueled by Getzlaf and Brandon Montour. Anaheim iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Antoine Vermette, set up by Getzlaf, who got a sock trick, and Fowler. The three stars went to Getzlaf, Fowler, and Johansen, while Arvidsson gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 1 as it heads east.

Game 3: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Corey Perry power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Rickard Rakell and Sami Vatanen. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his sixth of the playoffs, via Ryan Ellis. The Predators took the lead with a Roman Josi power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, with assists provided by Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars given to Josi, Forsberg, and Gibson (38 for 40 in saves). The Predators have a 2-1 series lead now.

Game 4: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his seventh of the postseason, with a lone assist by Cam Fowler. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Nick Ritchie goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Nate Thompson and Sami Vatanen. Nashville got on the board with a P.K. Subban goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Colin Wilson and Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his seventh of the playoffs, made possible by Arvidsson and James Neal. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime with a Thompson goal, his third of the postseason, with a lone assist from Corey Perry. The three stars were Thompson, Arvidsson, and Ritchie. The series heads west again tied at 2.

Game 5: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and John Gibson for the Ducks. Jonathan Bernier had to replace Gibson at the start of the second period. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Chris Wagner goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Brandon Montour and Jakob Silfverberg. Nashville tied it on a Colin Wilson power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Colton Sissons and P.K. Subban. The Predators added on with a Pontus Aberg goal, passed from Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm in the third period. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Austin Watson, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The three stars were Aberg, Wilson, and Rinne (32 for 33 in saves). The Predators head home with a 3-2 series lead, hoping to advance in front of their own fans. 

Game 6: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Jonathan Bernier for the Ducks and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville started in the first period with an Austin Watson goal, his third of the postseason, via Yannick Weber and Matt Irwin. The Predators added on with a Colton Sissons goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Pontus Aberg. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with an Ondrej Kase goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Nashville answered with another Sissons goal in the third period, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, passed from Aberg and Filip Forsberg. The Ducks got one back with a Chris Wagner goal, his third of the postseason, fueled by Nicolas Kerdiles and Antoine Vermette. Anaheim tied it on a Cam Fowler goal, his second of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Vatanen. The Predators retook the lead when Sissons finished his hat trick on his fifth of the postseason, helped along by Calle Jarnkrok. Nashville extended the lead as Forsberg scored an empty net goal, his eighth of the playoffs, with the help of Vernon Fiddler. The Predators iced it at 6-3 with a Watson empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, set up by Ryan Ellis. The three stars went to Sissons, Watson, and Forsberg, while Aberg and Vatanen get the honorable mentions. The Predators are in the Stanley Cup Finals thanks to a 4-2 series win.

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NWSL 2017: Week 6

All teams in action once again this week, beginning with...

The Boston Breakers hosting the Portland Thorns FC on Friday night. Adrianna Franch and Abby Smith play goal. Boston opened in the thirty-eighth minute with a Natasha Dowie goal, via Adriana Leon. The Breakers added on in the forty-eighth minute with a Rosie White goal, set up by Dowie. Portland got on the board in the fifty-seventh minute with a Nadia Nadim penalty kick goal after a Megan Oyster handball in the box. The Thorns saw yellow cards for fouls by Mallory Weber in the sixty-fifth minute and Meghan Cox in the sixty-eighth minute. Portland tied it on a Nadim goal in the eighty-third minute, coming off of Hayley Raso. Angela Salem of Boston had a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. The game ended at 2-2, with the woman of the match being Nadim for the equalizing brace. Other standouts this week were Lindsey Horan and Emily Sonnett of the Thorns and Salem, Dowie, and White for the Breakers.

On Saturday, Sky Blue FC welcomes the Houston Dash to New Jersey. Lydia Williams and Kailen Sheridan are set to start in goal. Sky Blue started in the twentieth minute on a Sarah Killion penalty kick goal, coming after Houston's Amber Brooks took down Sky Blue's Raquel Rodriguez in the box. The Dash tied it on a fortieth minute goal by Andressa after her first shot deflected back to her off the post. Cami Privett of Houston had a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul. Sky Blue took the lead on the free kick in the eighty-fifth minute, as the ball fell to Rodriguez, who scored it after a frenzy of chances. Sky Blue saw a yellow card for Madison Tiernan's foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The game ended 2-1, with the woman of the match being Rodriguez, while Sam Kerr and Killion also excelled for Sky Blue, and the Dash saw good performances from Andressa, Kealia Ohai, and Rachel Daly, who played in a defensive role unlike her usual forward position.

The other Saturday game saw the Washington Spirit host FC Kansas City. Nicole Barnhart and Stephanie Labbe are the goalies. Kansas City led off in the thirty-ninth minute with an Alexa Newfield goal, set up by Sydney Leroux. Kansas City saw a yellow card for a foul by Becky Sauerbrunn in the forty-eighth minute. Washington's Francisca Ordega took a yellow card for her eighty-fourth minute foul. The game ended 1-0, with Newfield being the woman of the match. Also excelling for Kansas City were Sauerbrunn, Barnhart, and Shea Groom, while the Spirit saw good efforts from Alyssa Kleiner and Kristie Mewis.

On Sunday, the North Carolina Courage bring in the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Sabrina D'Angelo are the keepers. Chicago began in the thirtieth minute with a Christen Press penalty kick goal. The Red Stars added on in the thirty-seventh minute with a Sofia Huerta goal, via Press. Chicago extended the lead as Vanessa DiBernardo scored in the forty-fifth minute. North Carolina got on the board in the fifty-fifth minute with a Lynn Williams goal, assisted by Jaelene Hinkle. Casey Short of the Red Stars had a yellow card for a seventy-fifth minute foul, as did teammate Julie Johnston Ertz in the ninety-fourth minute. The game ended 3-1, with Press the woman of the match. Also excelling for the Red Stars were Huerta and DiBernardo, while the Courage's best were Hinkle, Debinha, and Williams.

Finally, the Seattle Reign FC host the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Haley Kopmeyer guard the woodwork, but Harris was subbed off injured and replaced by Caroline Stanley in the twenty-sixth minute. Seattle struck first in the fortieth minute on a Beverly Yanez goal, set up by Rachel Corsie. The Reign had yellow cards for a forty-ninth minute foul by Lauren Barnes and dissent by Megan Rapinoe in the fiftieth minute. Orlando tied it on a fifty-second minute goal by Marta, set up by Camila. Both of those Pride players received yellow cards later, Camila for an eighty-third minute foul, and Marta for dissent in stoppage time. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Reign's best being Yanez, the woman of the match, and also Carson Pickett and Kopmeyer, while the Pride saw great games from Marta and Ali Krieger.

Outsider Sports Team of the Week

GK Nicole Barnhart
RB Ali Krieger
CB Becky Sauerbrunn
CB Emily Sonnett
LB Alyssa Kleiner
DM Sarah Killion
AM Raquel Rodriguez
AM Rosie White
RF Christen Press
CF Nadia Nadim
LF Sam Kerr