Thursday, August 17, 2017

Midweek Soccer: August 16, 2017

Four games on today, split between MLS and NWSL action. The first is in the men's league, with...

The Montreal Impact hosting the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Evan Bush protect the nets. Montreal led off with a sixth minute Ignacio Piatti goal. Victor Cabrera of the Impact had a yellow card for a twentieth minute foul. In the thirty-sixth minute, Chicago keeper Lampson took a yellow card for a foul, and Montreal added on with a Matteo Mancosu penalty kick goal a minute later. The Impact extended the lead as Piatti scored in the thirty-eighth minute, thanks to Blerim Dzemaili. Montreal saw yellow cards for Chris Duvall's forty-eighth minute foul and a Samuel Piette foul in the seventy-eighth minute. The final held at 3-0, with Piatti named man of the match.

In NWSL, the Boston Breakers welcome the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Abby Smith are in goal. Houston began in the tenth minute with a Sarah Hagen goal, helped along by Rachel Daly, who collided with the keeper Smith in the process of heading along a cross from Janine Beckie. Boston tied it in the twenty-sixth minute with a Natasha Dowie goal, passed from Midge Purce. In first half stoppage time, the Breakers' Smith received a yellow card for a foul on Nichelle Prince outside the box. The Dash took the lead back in the sixty-fourth minute with a Beckie goal, assisted by Prince. Houston added on in the seventy-ninth minute with another Hagen goal off a rebound from Smith's save on a cross by Poliana. In second half stoppage time, Boston's Megan Oyster took a yellow card for fouling Beckie. The game ended 3-1, with the woman of the match being Hagen. Also strong for the Dash were Beckie, Cami Levin, and Amber Brooks, while the Breakers' best were Dowie, Purce, and Amanda Frisbie.

West to Chicago, where the Red Stars bring in the Seattle Reign FC. Haley Kopmeyer and Michele Dalton draw the starts in goal. Chicago opened in the twenty-third minute with a Jen Hoy goal, via Taylor Comeau. In the seventy-fourth minute, Seattle's Christine Nairn took a yellow card for persistent infringement. The Reign tied it on a Nahomi Kawasumi goal, assisted by Rumi Utsugi in the ninetieth minute. Seattle took the lead in stoppage time with a Katie Johnson goal, coming off of Merritt Mathias. This made it 2-1, the final, with the woman of the match being Kawasumi. Other strong Reign efforts came from Kopmeyer (eight for nine in saves), Utsugi, and Johnson. The Red Stars' best were Julie Ertz, Comeau, and Hoy.

Finally, FC Kansas City hosts the Portland Thorns FC after a lengthy weather delay. Adrianna Franch and Nicole Barnhart are the goalies. In the forty-third minute, Kansas City's Becca Moros fouled Portland's Christine Sinclair in the box, leading to a penalty kick goal by Amandine Henry a minute later after the injury delay to put Portland ahead. Kansas City tied it in the sixty-fifth minute with a Yael Averbuch goal on a free kick drawn by Moros against the Thorns' Ashleigh Sykes. Kansas City pulled ahead in the sixty-ninth minute with a Sydney Leroux goal, set up by Brittany Ratcliffe. This made it 2-1, which stood for the final. The woman of the match was Averbuch, with other stars for Kansas City being Becky Sauerbrunn, Leroux, and Barnhart. The Thorns' top performances came from Emily Menges, Meghan Klingenberg, and Henry.

NWSL Team of Midweek
GK Haley Kopmeyer
RB Midge Purce
CB Yael Averbuch
CB Amber Brooks
LB Amanda Frisbie
DM Amandine Henry
DM Rumi Utsugi
AM Janine Beckie
FW Nahomi Kawasumi
FW Sarah Hagen
FW Sydney Leroux

Monday, August 14, 2017

NWSL 2017: Week 17

We're back for a full weekend of games, with three on Saturday and two more on Sunday (and publication expected to be finished on Monday). We begin with...

The Washington Spirit hosting the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith faces a lesser foe in Didi Haracic in goal. Washington led off in the sixth minute with an Estelle Johnson goal, following her own rebound to score. Boston tied it on an Adriana Leon goal in the forty-fourth minute. The Spirit took the lead back in the sixty-fourth minute with a Cheyna Williams goal, heading it in after a previous cross was punched lightly away by Smith. The Breakers tied it again in the seventy-ninth minute on a Leon goal, her second of the game, assisted by Ifeoma Onumonu. Boston's Angela Salem took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time on Washington's Tori Huster. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Leon named woman of the match. Other good Breakers were Smith (9 for 11 in saves), Salem, and Rosie White, while the Spirit's best were Johnson, Mallory Pugh, and Estefania Banini.

Down in Florida, the Orlando Pride welcome Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan opposed a returning Ashlyn Harris in goal. Orlando began in the fourth minute with an Alex Morgan goal, via Marta. The Pride added on in the forty-third minute with a Dani Weatherholt goal, coming off of Camila. Orlando extended the lead in the forty-seventh minute as Morgan scored again, thanks to Jasmyne Spencer. The Pride padded the lead in the fifty-third minute on a Marta goal. Orlando made it 5-0 with a Marta goal in the fifty-eighth minute, courtesy of Morgan. This stood for a final, with Morgan the woman of the match. Marta, Camila, Spencer, Weatherholt, Monica, and Harris (three-save clean sheet) all excelled for the Pride, while Mandy Freeman, Taylor Lytle, and McKenzie Meehan led the way for Sky Blue.

To Chicago, where the Red Stars host the Portland Thorns FC. Adrianna Franch and Alyssa Naeher protect the nets. Portland opened in the third minute with a Hayley Raso goal, via Lindsey Horan. The Thorns added on with a Christine Sinclair goal in the ninth minute, made possible by Dagny Brynjarsdottir. Chicago got on the board in the sixteenth minute with a Christen Press goal. The Red Stars tied it in the thirty-eighth minute on a Sofia Huerta goal, passed from Julie Ertz. Arin Gilliland of Chicago had a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. Portland reclaimed the lead as Emily Sonnett scored on a free kick by Meghan Klingenberg in the fifty-fifth minute. This stood for a 3-2 win, with Sonnett the woman of the match. Other starring Thorns were Amandine Henry, Horan, Raso, and Sinclair, while the Red Stars' best were Gilliland, Ertz, Alyssa Mautz, Press, and Huerta.

On Sunday, the Houston Dash bring in FC Kansas City. Nicole Barnhart and Jane Campbell are the keepers. Houston's Amber Brooks took a yellow card for a sixty-third minute foul. Kansas City got going in the eighty-third minute on a Shea Groom goal, set up by Becky Sauerbrunn. The final held at 1-0, with the woman of the match being Groom. Other good players for Kansas City were Barnhart (six-save clean sheet), Sauerbrunn, and Yael Averbuch, while the Dash's top players were Brooks, Cami Levin, and Andressinha.

Finally, the Seattle Reign FC host the North Carolina Courage. Katelyn Rowland and Haley Kopmeyer are the gloved women. North Carolina started in the twenty-fourth minute with a Samantha Mewis goal, via Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald. Seattle tied it in the fortieth minute on a Rumi Utsugi goal, passed from Lindsay Elston and Merritt Mathias. The Courage retook the lead on a seventy-fourth minute goal by Mewis, which would stand for the 2-1 win. Mewis was named woman of the match, while Williams and McDonald also played well for North Carolina. Seattle's best were Mathias, Elston, and Utsugi.

NWSL Best XI of the Week
GK Abby Smith
RB Estelle Johnson
CB Emily Sonnett
CB Becky Sauerbrunn
LB Cami Levin
DM Samantha Mewis
AM Shea Groom
AM Rosie White
FW Lynn Williams
FW Alex Morgan
FW Marta

Sunday, August 13, 2017

MLS 2017: Week 23

Ten games this week, all on Saturday, as we begin with...

The Seattle Sounders FC hosting Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Stefan Frei protect the nets. James Musa of Kansas City took a yellow card for a twenty-seventh minute foul. Seattle opened in the thirty-sixth minute on a Clint Dempsey goal, via Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan. The Sounders saw a yellow card for a Nicolas Lodeiro foul in first half stoppage time. Seattle's Roman Torres received a yellow card for a sixty-sixth minute foul. In second half stoppage time, Jimmy Medranda of Sporting had a yellow card for his foul. The game ended at 1-0, with the man of the match being Dempsey.

Over in Canada, Toronto FC welcome the Portland Timbers. Jake Gleeson and Alexander Bono are in goal, but Gleeson was subbed out in the eighteenth minute and Jeff Attinella finished the game in goal for the Timbers. Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco took a yellow card for dissent in the fifty-third minute. Toronto got going in the fifty-eighth minute on a Justin Morrow goal. Toronto added on with a Victor Vazquez goal in the seventy-second minute, via Giovinco and Marco Delgado. Toronto extended the lead as Morrow scored in the seventy-sixth minute. Toronto padded the lead on a Delgado goal in the eighty-seventh minute. Portland got on the board in the eighty-ninth minute with a Diego Valeri goal, passed from Jeremy Ebobisse and Diego Chara. The final stood at 4-1, with the man of the match being Morrow for his brace.

Down in DC, United brings in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Bill Hamid are the goalies. The game was suspended in the thirtieth minute, and will be completed on Sunday due to inclement weather. In the sixty-second minute, Chris Wingert of Salt Lake took a yellow card for a foul. Real struck first in the sixty-fourth minute on a Luis Silva goal. Paul Arriola of DC took a yellow card for dissent at the same time. The game ended 1-0, with Silva the man of the two-day match.

In Ohio, the Columbus Crew SC host the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Zack Steffen are the inexperienced goalies. Chicago started in the thirteenth minute with a Michael de Leeuw goal, via Dax McCarty. Columbus tied it in the eighteenth minute with a Kekuta Manneh goal. Joao Meira of the Fire took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-sixth minute. The Crew had yellow cards for a dive by Justin Meram in the fifty-ninth minute and a sixty-seventh minute foul by Jonathan Mensah. Matt Polster of Chicago took a yellow card for dissent in the seventy-third minute, followed by Columbus taking the lead on a Meram goal made possible by Waylon Francis and Wil Trapp. In the eighty-eighth minute, the Crew added on with an Ola Kamara penalty kick goal, and dissent after the tally earned the Fire's Lampson a yellow card. The final was 3-1, and the man of the match was Kamara.

Back east, the New York Red Bulls welcome Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Luis Robles are the gloved men. Orlando City began in the eighteenth minute with a Carlos Rivas goal, made possible by Kaka. New York tied it on an own goal by Leo Pereira in the thirtieth minute. Rivas of Orlando City had a yellow card for a thirty-ninth minute foul. The Red Bulls' Damien Perrinelle took a yellow card for his forty-fifth minute foul. New York took the lead with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal in the sixtieth minute, passed from Alex Muyl and Sean Davis. Felipe of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for his foul in the sixty-seventh minute. New York added on with a Davis goal in the eightieth minute, set up by Kemar Lawrence. In stoppage time, the Red Bulls had yellow cards given to Sacha Kljestan and Davis, while Orlando City saw yellow cards for Richie Laryea and Cristian Higuita, and a red card to Kaka to leave them at ten men at the end of the game. The Red Bulls won 3-1, with Davis the man of the match.

In Texas, FC Dallas brings in the Colorado Rapids. Tim Howard and Jesse Gonzalez play in goal. Dallas saw yellow cards for a dive in the sixteenth minute by Kellyn Acosta and a thirty-seventh minute foul by Matt Hedges. Colorado's Micheal Azira took a yellow card for a fortieth minute foul. The Rapids had more yellow cards in the second half, for fouls by Mike da Fonte in the fifty-seventh minute and Kevin Doyle in the eighty-sixth minute, and an argument from Jared Watts as well. The final stood at 0-0, with the man of the match being Howard for his six-save clean sheet.

Back to the northeast, where the New England Revolution host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Stefan Marinovic is mismatched with Cody Cropper in goal. Andrew Jacobson of Vancouver had a yellow card for his forty-first minute foul. New England's Lee Nguyen took a yellow card for a foul in first-half stoppage time. The Revolution dented the scoreboard in the fifty-third minute with a Teal Bunbury goal, via Kelyn Rowe. New England saw yellow cards given to Kei Kamara in the sixty-third minute and Je-Vaughn Watson in the sixty-ninth minute, both for fouls. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Bunbury.

Moving along, the Philadelphia Union welcome the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and John McCarthy are in the six-yard boxes. Chris Duvall of Montreal took a yellow card for a forty-seventh minute foul. The Impact drew first blood in the sixty-ninth minute with a Blerim Dzemaili goal. Montreal had a yellow card for a Samuel Piette foul in the eighty-fourth minute. The Impact added on in stoppage time with an Ignacio Piatti penalty kick goal. Montreal extended the lead four minutes later on a Dzemaili goal, assisted by Piatti. The final was 3-0, with Dzemaili named man of the match.

Back to Texas, where the Houston Dynamo bring in the San Jose Earthquakes. Andrew Tarbell faces a tougher foe in Tyler Deric in goal. Houston led off in the twenty-first minute with an Alberth Elis goal, assisted by Boniek Garcia. Elis took a yellow card in the thirty-ninth minute for the Dynamo for his dive. Andres Imperiale of San Jose had a yellow card for a forty-eighth minute foul. Garcia of Houston received a yellow card for a foul in the fiftieth minute. The Earthquakes' Fatai Alashe had a yellow card for his foul in the fifty-ninth minute. The Dynamo added on in the eighty-sixth minute with a Vicente Sanchez goal, made possible by Elis. Houston extended the lead in stoppage time as Mauro Manotas scored, thanks to Sanchez. This made it 3-0, the final, with Elis the man of the match.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Brian Rowe draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles saw a yellow card for a thirty-fourth minute foul by Jermaine Jones. New York City had yellow cards for fouls by Alexander Callens and Alexander Ring in the thirty-sixth and forty-fifth minutes respectively. New York City was first to score in the fifty-fourth minute with a Jonathan Lewis goal, via Ben Sweat. New York City added on with a David Villa goal in the seventy-third minute, coming off of Yangel Herrera. New York City saw yellow cards for Ethan White in the eightieth minute and Rodney Wallace in the eighty-fifth minute, both for fouls. The final stayed at 2-0, with Lewis the man of the match.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

NWSL Midweek: August 8 & 10, 2017

Two games in the middle of the week, on Tuesday and Thursday. First up...

The Orlando Pride host the Washington Spirit. Stephanie Labbe and Aubrey Bledsoe protect the nets. In the forty-fifth minute, Maddy Evans of Orlando took a yellow card for her foul on Washington's Cheyna Williams. The Pride got going in the fifty-second minute with a Marta goal, via Alex Morgan on a give-and-go. Orlando added on in the fifty-seventh minute when Labbe rushed against Morgan to send a ball away, and then Camila chipped Labbe for the goal. Chioma Ubogagu of the Pride took a yellow card for dissent in the sixty-second minute. Orlando extended the lead in the sixty-fourth minute as Morgan scored, thanks to a world-class cross by Steph Catley. The final stood at 3-0, with the woman of the match being Morgan. Other stars for the Pride were Marta, Camila, Alanna Kennedy, and Catley. Washington's best were Kassey Kallman, Meggie Dougherty Howard, and Williams.

On Thursday, FC Kansas City hosts the North Carolina Courage. Katelyn Rowland and Nicole Barnhart play in goal. Kansas City had a yellow card in the forty-fifth minute for a Lo'eau Labonta foul. North Carolina dented the scoreboard in the eighty-sixth minute with a Lynn Williams goal, after a deflected cross combination with Jessica McDonald and Taylor Smith. The final held at 1-0, with Williams the woman of the match. Also impressive for the Courage were Rowland (clean sheet), Smith, and Samantha Mewis. Kansas City's best were Becca Moros, Yael Averbuch, Desiree Scott, and Katie Bowen.

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Sunday, August 6, 2017

MLS 2017: Week 22

All teams are in action this weekend, with eight games on Saturday and three more on Sunday. We begin in...

The US capital, as DC United hosts Toronto FC. Alexander Bono and Bill Hamid draw the starts in goal. DC led off in the sixth minute with a Kofi Opare goal, set up by Lloyd Sam. Toronto had yellow cards for fouls by Marco Delgado in the eleventh minute and Michael Bradley in the thirty-sixth minute. Sean Franklin of DC took a yellow card for his thirty-eighth minute foul. DC went down to ten men in the forty-fourth minute with a straight red card to Sam for a foul. Toronto tied it in the fifty-second minute on a Steve Birnbaum own goal. The game ended at 1-1, with the man of the match being Hamid for stopping every shot Toronto directed at him, save for one deflection.

Over in Philadelphia, the Union welcome FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and John McCarthy protect the nets. Philadelphia began in the seventeenth minute with a C.J. Sapong goal, via Haris Medunjanin and Ilsinho. The Union added on in the twenty-second minute with an Ilsinho goal. Carlos Cermeno of Dallas had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Dallas saw a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute Matt Hedges foul. Philadelphia's Ilsinho took a yellow card for his sixty-fourth minute foul. The Union extended the lead as Sapong scored in the sixty-eighth minute, with the help of Ilsinho. Dallas got on the board in second half stoppage time with a Michael Barrios goal, set up by Roland Lamah. This made it 3-1, the final, with the man of the match being Sapong for his brace.

In Canada, the Montreal Impact bring in Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Evan Bush are the veterans in goal. Orlando City opened in the twelfth minute with a Cyle Larin goal. Montreal tied it in the forty-eighth minute with an Ignacio Piatti penalty kick goal. The Impact took the lead with an eighty-fourth minute goal by Anthony Jackson-Hamel, set up by Blerim Dzemaili. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Dzemaili.

Back stateside, Minnesota United FC hosts the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Bobby Shuttleworth guard the nets. Seattle started in the ninth minute with a Will Bruin goal, passed from Clint Dempsey. The Sounders added on in the eighteenth minute with a Dempsey goal, via Chad Marshall and Gustav Svensson. Seattle's Joevin Jones took a yellow card for his sixty-eighth minute foul. The Sounders extended the lead in the seventy-first minute as Jordan Morris scored, thanks to Nicolas Lodeiro. Seattle padded the lead with a Dempsey goal in the seventy-third minute, coming off of Jones. Minnesota's Sam Cronin took a yellow card for his eighty-fourth minute foul. The game ended at 4-0, with Dempsey named man of the match.

Down in Chicago, the Fire welcome the New England Revolution. Cody Cropper and Matt Lampson are in the six-yard boxes. Chicago struck first in the eighth minute with a Matt Polster goal, via Joao Meira. New England tied it on a twenty-fourth minute goal by Kei Kamara goal, helped along by Lee Nguyen. The Fire took the lead back with a Juninho goal in the thirty-ninth minute, set up by Patrick Doody. Benjamin Angoua of the Revolution had a yellow card for a forty-fourth minute foul. David Accam of Chicago received a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. The Fire added on in the forty-ninth minute with a Michael de Leeuw goal, helped along by Doody. Chicago saw yellow cards for fouls by de Leeuw in the sixty fourth minute and Jonathan Campbell in the eightieth minute. The Fire extended the lead in second half stoppage time on a Luis Solignac goal, assisted by doody, who earned a sock trick. The final was 4-1, with Doody's distribution making him the man of the match.

West to Colorado, as the Rapids bring in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Tim Howard are the gloved men. Vancouver was first to score in the fifth minute with a Tony Tchani goal. Colorado tied it on an Axel Sjoberg goal in the fifteenth minute. The Rapids had a yellow card for a foul by Micheal Azira in first half stoppage time. Colorado took the lead in the fifty-fourth minute with a Kevin Doyle goal, via Marlon Hairston and Mohammed Saeid. The Rapids had yellow cards for fouls by Eric Miller in the sixty-eighth minute and Hairston in the seventy-fifth minute. The Whitecaps tied it in the seventy-sixth minute with a Fredy Montero goal, guided in by Cristian Techera. This made it 2-2, the final, with the man of the match being Doyle.

In Utah, Real Salt Lake hosts the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Nick Rimando are between the posts. Salt Lake's Justen Glad took a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. Houston went down to ten men as Alex took yellow cards in the sixty-fourth and sixty-fifth minutes, both for fouls. Kyle Beckerman of Real had a yellow card for dissent in the seventy-first minute. The Dynamo saw yellow cards for Alberth Elis' eighty-first minute foul and time wasting in stoppage time by A.J. DeLaGarza. The final held at 0-0, with Rimando the man of the match for his one-save clean sheet, the only shot to get on goal.

Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes welcome the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and David Bingham draw the starts in goal. Jonathan Mensah of Columbus had a yellow card for a twenty-sixth minute foul. San Jose got going in the forty-second minute with a Marco Urena goal, via Shea Salinas. The Earthquakes added on in the fifty-sixth minute with a Chris Wondolowski goal, assisted by Tommy Thompson. The Crew got on the board in the seventy-sixth minute with an Adam Jahn goal, fueled by Mensah and Justin Meram. In stoppage time, San Jose's Salinas took a yellow card for a foul. The final held at 2-1, with Wondolowski the man of the match.

On Sunday, the first of three games is the Portland Timbers bringing in the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brian Rowe and Jake Gleeson are set to start in goal. Portland drew first blood in the fifth minute with a Liam Ridgewell goal, via David Guzman. Los Angeles tied it in the sixth minute with an Emmanuel Boateng goal, assisted by Joao Pedro. The Timbers' Alvas Powell took a yellow card for a tenth minute handball. In the thirteenth minute, the Galaxy's Gyasi Zardes had a yellow card for a handball. Portland took the lead back in the thirty-third minute with a Diego Valeri goal, coming off of Roy Miller. Joao Pedro of Los Angeles had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. The Timbers added on with a Powell goal in the fifty-third minute, guided in by Fanendo Adi and Sebastian Blanco. Portland's Ridgewell took a yellow card for a fifty-eighth minute foul. The Galaxy saw yellow cards for fouls by Jonathan dos Santos in the seventy-first minute and Jermaine Jones in the seventy-second minute. The Timbers had a yellow card for a Miller foul in the eightieth minute. Guzman of Portland took a yellow card in second half stoppage time for time wasting. The final held at 3-1, with Valeri the man of the match.

Back east, New York City FC hosts the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Sean Johnson are in the six-yard boxes. New York's Daniel Royer took a yellow card for a sixth minute foul. New York City saw a yellow card for a foul in the seventh minute by Maximiliano Moralez. New York City cracked the scoresheet with a David Villa goal in the twenty-eighth minute, courtesy of Alexander Ring. The Red Bulls tied it in the forty-first minute with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, coming off of Sean Davis and Sacha Kljestan. New York took the lead in the sixty-fourth minute on a Wright-Phillips goal, via Tyler Adams. New York City retied it on a Villa goal in the seventy-second minute, passed from Frederic Brillant. In the seventy-fifth minute, Sal Zizzo of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for a foul. New York City took the lead on a penalty kick goal by Villa for his hat trick after that foul. Damien Perrinelle of New York had a yellow card for dissent in the seventy-eighth minute. New York City's Villa took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. In the ninetieth minute, the Red Bulls went down to ten men as Zizzo took a second yellow card for a foul. The final held at 3-2, with Villa named man of the match.

Finally, Sporting Kansas City hosts Atlanta United FC. Brad Guzan and Tim Melia tend the nets. Atlanta had yellow cards for fouls in the twenty-first minute by Jeff Larentowicz and in the twenty-fourth minute by Carlos Carmona. Kansas City's Ike Opara took a yellow card for his twenty-seventh minute foul. Atlanta took a yellow card for a fifty-first minute Yamil Asad foul. Sporting dented the scoreboard in the fifty-ninth minute with a Benny Feilhaber penalty kick goal. Atlanta's Leandro Gonzalez Pirez took a yellow card for his dissent in the sixty-first minute. Mikey Ambrose of Atlanta had a yellow card for a seventy-seventh minute foul. Atlanta tied it in stoppage time with a Jacob Peterson goal. The final stood at 1-1, with Peterson named man of the match.

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Saturday, August 5, 2017

NWSL 2017: Week 16

The league is back after an international break, with two games on Friday and three more on Saturday. First up...

The Boston Breakers host FC Kansas City. Nicole Barnhart and Sammy Jo Prudhomme play in goal. Kansas City opened in the twenty-first minute with a Maegan Kelly goal, assisted by Christina Gibbons and Desiree Scott. Boston tied it in the twenty-sixth minute with a long-distance shot from Rosie White, set up by Katie Stengel. The Breakers took the lead in the thirtieth minute with another goal by White, coming off a corner kick executed by Adriana Leon and Morgan Andrews. Kansas City tied it in the eighty-first minute on an Erika Tymrak goal through traffic. The game ended 2-2, with White named woman of the match. The Breakers also got good games out of Julie King, Andrews, and Leon, while Kansas City's best were Kelly, Scott, and Gibbons.

In New Jersey, Sky Blue FC welcomes the Washington Spirit. Stephanie Labbe and Kailen Sheridan are the Canadian goalies. Sky Blue started in the second minute with a Maya Hayes goal, via Daphne Corboz, who touched a cross from McKenzie Meehan. Washington tied it in the fifty-first minute with am Arielle Ship goal, set up by Havana Solaun. The Spirit's Whitney Church took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul. Washington took the lead on a Cheyna Williams goal in the sixty-first minute, coming off of Ship and the keeper Labbe on a broken defensive play from Sky Blue. The Spirit added on in the seventy-third minute with a Meggie Dougherty Howard goal, passed from Ship. In the eighty-seventh minute, Sky Blue's Sarah Killion fouled Dougherty Howard in the box, and Solaun made the penalty kick to extend the Washington lead. This made it 4-1, the final, with the woman of the match being Ship. Other Spirit stars were Williams, Dougherty Howard, Whitney Church, and Estelle Johnson, while Sky Blue's best were Hayes, Meehan, and Corboz.

On Saturday, the first game sees the Portland Thorns FC host the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Adrianna Franch protect the nets. Portland led off in the twelfth minute with an Emily Sonnett goal, set up by Tyler Lussi and Meghan Klingenberg from a free kick. Houston's Caity Heap took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute foul. The Dash tied it in the thirty-third minute on a Carli Lloyd penalty kick, after Heap was taken down by Lindsey Horan in the box. The Thorns retook the lead with a Lussi goal in the thirty-ninth minute after Klingenberg made a run into the offensive third. Lloyd of Houston had a yellow card for her foul in the fortieth minute. The game ended at 2-1, with the woman of the match being Klingenberg. Sonnett, Lussi, and Christine Sinclair also did well for the Thorns, while Cami Levin, Heap, and Lloyd were best for the Dash.

Back east, the North Carolina Courage bring in the Seattle Reign FC. Haley Kopmeyer and Katelyn Rowland are the keepers. Seattle saw a yellow card for a twenty-fourth minute Rebekah Stott foul. North Carolina began in the thirty-second minute with a Lynn Williams goal, via Makenzy Doniak. The Reign's Lauren Barnes took a yellow card for her eighty-sixth minute foul. The game ended 1-0 for the Courage, with Williams the woman of the match, while Abby Erceg and McCall Zerboni also played well for the Courage. Seattle's best were Barnes, Merritt Mathias, and Jess Fishlock.

Finally, the Orlando Pride host the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Aubrey Bledsoe guard the woodwork. Orlando struck first in the twenty-fourth minute with an Alex Morgan goal, passed from Jasmyne Spencer. Sam Johnson of Chicago had a yellow card for her fifty-first minute foul. The Red Stars tied it in the fifty-third minute with a Sofia Huerta goal, made possible by Jen Hoy. Alanna Kennedy of the Pride took a yellow card for a sixty-ninth minute foul. The final held at 1-1, with the woman of the match being Huerta, while Naeher, Alyssa Mautz, and Hoy did well for Chicago and Morgan, Spencer, Jamia Fields, and Ali Krieger led the way for Orlando.

NWSL Team of the Week
GK Alyssa Naeher
RB Estelle Johnson
CB Emily Sonnett
CB Abby Erceg
LB Meghan Klingenberg
DM Desiree Scott
DM Meggie Dougherty Howard
AM Rosie White
FW Arielle Ship
FW Sofia Huerta
FW Lynn Williams

Sunday, July 30, 2017

MLS 2017: Week 21

All teams are in action after the Gold Cup, with ten games on Saturday and one more on Sunday. We begin in...

Georgia, as Atlanta United FC hosts Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Brad Guzan man the nets. Yamil Asad of Atlanta had a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-fourth minute. Orlando City opened in the fortieth minute with a Kaka goal, made possible by Cyle Larin. Cristian Higuita took a yellow card for Orlando City for his fifty-sixth minute foul, as did Atlanta's Hector Villalba. Orlando City's Will Johnson took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-sixth minute. Atlanta tied it on a Villalba goal in stoppage time, via Asad and Miguel Almiron. The game ended at 1-1, with the man of the match being Villalba.

Up in New England, the Revolution welcome the Philadelphia Union. John McCarthy and Cody Cropper draw the starts in goal. Philadelphia had a yellow card for a foul by Oguchi Onyewu in the twenty-ninth minute. New England saw a yellow card for Gershon Koffie's foul in the thirty-fourth minute. The Revolution started in the thirty-eighth minute with a Kei Kamara goal, helped along by Kelyn Rowe and Scott Caldwell. Giliano Wijnaldum of the Union took a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-sixth minute. New England added on in the eighty-fifth minute with a Kamara goal, passed from Andrew Farrell and Lee Nguyen. The Revolution extended the lead in the eighty-ninth minute as Juan Agudelo scored, thanks to Caldwell and Nguyen. This produced the 3-0 final, with Kamara named man of the match for his brace.

Over to the New York Red Bulls bringing in the Montreal Impact. Maxime Crepeau and Luis Robles play goal. New York led off in the twenty-third minute with a Daniel Royer penalty kick goal. The Red Bulls had a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul by Aaron Long. New York added on with a fifty-eighth minute goal by Michael Murillo. The Red Bulls extended the lead as Bradley Wright-Phillips scored in the eighty-fifth minute, thanks to Alex Muyl and Sacha Kljestan. New York padded the lead in the eighty-ninth minute with another Royer goal, via Derrick Etienne. Montreal had a yellow card for a Laurent Ciman foul in stoppage time. The game ended 4-0, with Royer's brace making him the man of the match.

In Texas, FC Dallas hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Jesse Gonzalez are between the posts. Vancouver began in the eighteenth minute with a Bernie Ibini-Isei goal, assisted by Fredy Montero. The Whitecaps added on in the forty-ninth minute with a Montero penalty kick goal. Dallas went down to ten men in the fifty-ninth minute with a straight red card for violent conduct by Carlos Gruezo. Vancouver extended the lead in the sixty-seventh minute with a Montero goal, with the help of Tony Tchani and Matias Laba. In the seventy-ninth minute, Yordy Reyna of the Whitecaps had a yellow card for a foul. Vancouver padded the lead on an eighty-third minute Nicolas Mezquida goal, guided in by Sheanon Williams. Atiba Harris of Dallas had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The game stayed at 4-0, with Montero the man of the match for his brace and assist.

In the same state, the Houston Dynamo welcome the Portland Timbers. Jake Gleeson and Tyler Deric are the gloved men. Portland struck first in the thirteenth minute with a Diego Valeri goal, passed from Zarek Valentin and Darlington Nagbe. Houston tied it in the thirty-seventh minute with a Mauro Manotas goal. The Timbers took the lead back in the forty-third minute with a Sebastian Blanco goal, coming off of Valeri. Portland had yellow cards for fouls by Roy Miller in the sixty-fifth minute and Diego Chara in the sixty-eighth minute. The Dynamo tied it on a Juan Cabezas goal in the eighty-first minute, made possible by Memo Rodriguez. In the eighty-fifth minute, Houston's Cabezas took a yellow card for persistent infringement. The result was a 2-2 draw, with the man of the match being Valeri.

Back north, Sporting Kansas City brings in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Tim Melia are the gloved men. Kansas City was first to score in the twenty-third minute with a Daniel Salloi goal. Chicago tied it in the twenty-eighth minute when Sporting's Matt Besler committed an own goal. Sporting took the lead back with a Benny Feilhaber goal in first half stoppage time. Kansas City added on with a Latif Blessing goal, via Diego Rubio and Salloi in the fifty-first minute. In the seventy-sixth minute, the Fire's Juninho took a yellow card for a foul. Chicago got a goal back with a seventy-eighth minute David Accam goal, assisted by Patrick Doody and Dax McCarty. The Fire's Joao Meira took a yellow card for a ninetieth minute foul. Sporting won 3-2, with Salloi the man of the match.

Further north, Minnesota United FC hosts DC United. Bill Hamid and Bobby Shuttleworth are in the six-yard boxes. Minnesota opened in the seventh minute with a Christian Ramirez goal, via Kevin Molino. DC had a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul by Taylor Kemp. Minnesota added on in the fortieth minute with an Abu Danladi goal, helped along by Molino. In the fifty-eighth minute, DC's Jared Jeffrey committed an own goal to extend the Minnesota lead. Minnesota had yellow cards for time wasting by Shuttleworth in the seventy-ninth minute and Sam Cronin's eighty-sixth minute foul. Minnesota iced it at 4-0 in stoppage time with a Miguel Ibarra goal, created by Johan Venegas. the man of the match was Molino for his two assists.

West to Utah, where Real Salt Lake welcomes the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Nick Rimando guard the woodwork. Columbus started in the fifteenth minute with an Ola Kamara goal, guided in by Connor Maloney. Salt Lake tied it on a fiftieth minute Joao Plata penalty kick goal. Real took the lead with a fifty-third minute Jefferson Savarino goal, courtesy of Luis Silva. The Crew retied it on a Kamara goal in the sixtieth minute. Sebastian Saucedo of Salt Lake had a yellow card in the eighty-eighth minute for a dive. The final held at 2-2, with the man of the match being Kamara for his brace.

In California, the San Jose Earthquakes bring in the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath and David Bingham are set to start in goal. Mike da Fonte of Colorado had a yellow card for his foul in the thirty-seventh minute. San Jose got going in the fifty-ninth minute with a Nick Lima goal, fueled by Darwin Ceren and Shea Salinas. The Earthquakes had a yellow card for a seventy-seventh minute foul by Andres Imperiale. The final stood at 1-0, with Lima the man of the match.

Saturday ends with the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Brian Rowe protect the nets. Los Angeles saw yellow cards for fouls by Jermaine Jones in the forty-second minute and Jelle Van Damme in first half stoppage time. The Galaxy's Bradley Diallo had a yellow card for a foul in the eightieth minute. Seattle had a yellow card for a Joevin Jones foul in the eighty-third minute. Los Angeles' Romain Alessandrini received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fifth minute. The Galaxy went down to ten men in the eighty-sixth minute with a second yellow card to Van Damme for a foul. The score held at a 0-0 draw, with Chad Marshall of the Sounders named man of the match.

On Sunday, Toronto FC hosts New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Alexander Bono are the keepers. Toronto dented the scoreboard in the thirty-second minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, assisted by Marco Delgado. Toronto added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Giovinco goal. Alexander Callens of New York City took a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. Toronto extended the lead as Jozy Altidore buried the ensuing penalty kick in the seventy-fifth minute. Toronto's Raheem Edwards received a yellow card for his eightieth minute foul. Toronto padded the lead as Edwards made amends with a goal in the eighty-second minute, set up by Giovinco. This made it 4-0, the final, with the man of the match being Giovinco.

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