Sunday, June 11, 2017

2017 Stanley Cup Final: Pittsburgh Penguins VS. Nashville Predators

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, June 10, 2017

MLS 2017: Week 15

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

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

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

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

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Sunday, June 4, 2017

MLS 2017: Week 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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NWSL 2017: Week 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

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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Sunday, May 28, 2017

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