Sunday, June 16, 2019

NWSL 2019 - Week 9

After a two-week break, the NWSL is back with four games on a Saturday. First up...

The North Carolina Courage host the Portland Thorns FC. Britt Eckerstrom and Samantha Leshnak are in goal. Kaleigh Kurtz of North Carolina had a yellow card for a foul in the 19th minute. Portland opened in the 26th minute on a Midge Purce goal, via Celeste Boureille. The Courage tied it in the 59th minute with a Julia Spetsmark goal, assisted by Merritt Mathias. Tyler Lussi of the Thorns picked up a yellow card for a 63rd minute foul. The final held at 1-1, with the woman of the match being Spetsmark.

Along to Texas, where the Houston Dash welcome the Orlando Pride. Haley Kopmeyer and Jane Campbell protect the nets. Houston's Amber Brooks took a yellow card for an 11th minute foul. Orlando started in the 13th minute with a Joanna Boyles goal. In the 29th minute, the Pride's Morgan Reid received a yellow card for a foul. The Dash tied it in the 47th minute with a Sofia Huerta goal. Marias Viggiano of Orlando took a yellow card for a 66th minute foul. Houston pulled ahead on a 67th minute Kristie Mewis goal, coming off of Kealia Ohai. The Pride retied it on a Danica Evans goal in the 71st minute, passed from Boyles. Erin Greening of Orlando earned a yellow card for an 84th minute foul. The final stayed at 2-2, with Boyles picked as woman of the match.

Northwest to Utah, as the Royals FC bring in Sky Blue FC. DiDi Haracic and Nicole Barnhart patrol the penalty areas. Utah began in the 16th minute with an Amy Rodriguez goal, via Gunny Jonsdottir. Erica Skroski of Sky Blue took a yellow card for a foul in the 84th minute. Erika Tymrak of the Royals received a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul. The final was 1-0, with Rodriguez as the woman of the match.

Finally, Reign FC hosts the Washington Spirit. Aubrey Bledsoe and Casey Murphy tend the nets. Washington's Tori Huster picked up a yellow card for a 55th minute foul. The Spirit got going in the 62nd minute with an Andi Sullivan goal, courtesy of Cali Farquharson. Reign tied it on a 77th minute goal by Jess Fishlock. The final remained at 1-1, with Fishlock selected as woman of the match.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2019

2019 Stanley Cup Finals - Boston Bruins v. St. Louis Blues

The final set of games of the NHL season is here, as the Boston Bruins take on the St. Louis Blues for the Stanley Cup.

Game 1: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Jordan Binnington for the Blues. St. Louis started in the first period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his third of the postseason, via Jaden Schwartz and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues added on in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his ninth of the playoffs, guided in by Schenn. Boston got on the board with a Connor Clifton goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Sean Kuraly and Joakim Nordstrom. The Bruins tied it on an unassisted power play goal by Charlie McAvoy, his second of the playoffs. Boston took the lead in the third period with a Kuraly goal, his third of the postseason, helped along by Noel Acciari and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with a Brad Marchand empty net goal, his eighth of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kuraly, McAvoy, and Schenn. The Bruins own a 1-0 series lead to start the series.

Game 2: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Jordan Binnington for the Blues. Boston opened in the first period with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his seventh of the postseason, powered by Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak. St. Louis tied it on a Robert Bortuzzo goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Tyler Bozak and Carl Gunnarsson. The Bruins pulled ahead with a Joakim Nordstrom goal, his third of the postseason, via Sean Kuraly. The Blues tied it again with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his tenth of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis won 3-2 in overtime with a Gunnarsson goal, fueled by Ryan O'Reilly and Oskar Sundqvist. The three stars were Gunnarsson, Tarasenko, and Bortuzzo. The series heads west tied at 1 game apiece.

Game 3: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Jordan Binnington for the Blues and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. Boston led off in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his ninth of the postseason, powered by Torey Krug and Jake DeBrusk. The Bruins added on with a Charlie Coyle goal, his eighth of the playoffs, via Marcus Johansson and Danton Heinen. Boston extended the lead as Sean Kuraly scored his fourth of the postseason, thanks to Joakim Nordstrom. The Bruins padded the lead in the second period with a David Pastrnak power play goal, his eighth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Krug and Bergeron. St. Louis got on the board with an Ivan Barbashev goal, his third of the postseason, passed from Zach Sanford and Alexander Steen. Boston replied on a Krug power play goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Brad Marchand and Bergeron. The Blues got one back with a Colton Parayko power play goal in the third period, his second of the postseason, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly and Tyler Bozak. The Bruins countered with a Noel Acciari empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Nordstrom and Coyle. Boston iced it at 7-2 with a Johansson power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, with helpers from Krug and Connor Clifton. The three stars were Krug, Bergeron, and Johansson, while Coyle and Nordstrom get the honorable mentions. The Bruins retook the series lead at 2-1.

Game 4: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Jordan Binnington for the Blues and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. St. Louis began in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourth of the postseason, courtesy of Zach Sanford and Vince Dunn. Boston tied it on a Charlie Coyle goal, his ninth of the playoffs, guided in by Zdeno Chara. The Blues retook the lead with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his eleventh of the postseason, via Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden Schenn. The Bruins tied it in the second period with a Brandon Carlo shorthanded goal, set up by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. St. Louis regained the lead on another O'Reilly goal in the third period, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, fueled by Pietrangelo and Carl Gunnarsson. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with a Schenn empty net goal, his fourth of the postseason, going in unassisted. The three stars were O'Reilly, Pietrangelo, and Schenn. The series heads back to Boston tied at 2 games apiece.

Game 5: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Jordan Binnington for the Blues. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his sixth of the postseason, via Zach Sanford and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on in the third period with a David Perron goal, his seventh of the playoffs, made possible by O'Reilly. Boston got on the board with a Jake DeBrusk goal, his fourth of the postseason, fueled by Torey Krug. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Binnington (38 for 39 in saves), O'Reilly, and Perron. The Blues head home with a 3-2 series lead and two chances to clinch the Stanley Cup.

Game 6: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Jordan Binnington for the Blues and Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. Boston struck first in the first period with a Brad Marchand power play goal, his ninth of the postseason, powered by David Pastrnak and Torey Krug. The Bruins added on with a Brandon Carlo goal in the third period, his second of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Jake DeBrusk. Boston extended the lead as Karson Kuhlman scored, thanks to David Krejci. St. Louis got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his seventh of the postseason, made possible by Alex Pietrangelo and David Perron. The Bruins countered with a Pastrnak goal, his ninth of the playoffs, via Marchand and Sean Kuraly. Boston iced it at 5-1 with an empty net goal by Zdeno Chara, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The three stars were Pastrnak, Marchand, and Rask (28 for 29 in saves). The series returns to Boston for the final game of the season, with the Stanley Cup Finals tied at 3. 

Game 7: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Tuukka Rask for the Bruins and Jordan Binnington for the Blues. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his eighth of the postseason, via Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on with a Pietrangelo goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period as Brayden Schenn scored his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Vladimir Tarasenko and Schwartz. The Blues padded the lead on a Zach Sanford goal, made possible by David Perron and O'Reilly. Boston got on the board with a Matt Grzelcyk goal, his fourth of the playoffs, fueled by David Krejci. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Binnington (32 for 33 in saves), O'Reilly, and Pietrangelo, while Schwartz gets an honorable mention. The Blues won the Stanley Cup on a 4-3 series win, with Ryan O'Reilly named the Conn Smythe winner.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0. MLS and NWSL coverage will continue throughout the summer, and expect to see NHL coverage return in October, time permitting.

Saturday, June 8, 2019

MLS 2019 - Week 15

An abbreviated week sees six games from Wednesday to Saturday, beginning with...

The Montreal Impact hosting the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Evan Bush man the nets. Rudy Camacho of Montreal had a yellow card for a 31st minute foul. Seattle saw yellow cards for fouls by Nouhou in the 56th minute and Jordy Delem in the 61st minute. The Sounders got going in the 64th minute with a penalty kick goal by Victor Rodriguez. The Impact retied it on a Saphir Taider penalty kick goal in the 74th minute. Montreal gained the lead on a Taider goal in the 78th minute, assisted by Omar Browne. This made it 2-1, the final, with the man of the match being Taider.

On Thursday, New York City FC welcomes FC Cincinnati. Spencer Richey and Brad Stuver draw the starts in goal. New York City began in the 11th minute with an Alexandru Mitrita goal, via Maximiliano Moralez. The Pigeons added on in the 17th minute with a Heber goal, coming off of Anton Tinnerholm and Moralez. New York City extended the lead in the 29th minute as Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored, thanks to Tinnerholm. Cincinnati got on the board with an own goal by Heber in the 37th minute. In first half stoppage time, Moralez of the Pigeons had a yellow card. New York City replied in the 49th minute on a Heber goal, again set up by Moralez. Forrest Lasso of the Orange and Blue took a yellow card for a 71st minute foul. Cincinnati got one back with an own goal by Sebastien Ibeagha in the 76th minute. The Orange and Blue received yellow cards for fouls by Mathieu Deplagne in the 83rd minute and Nick Hagglund in the 88th minute. The Pigeons' Keaton Parks received a yellow card for his 89th minute foul. New York City padded the lead in the 90th minute on a Moralez goal, guided in by Valentin Castellanos. Cincinnati's Justin Hoyte picked up a yellow card in second half stoppage time upon a reviewed play. The final stayed at 5-2, with Moralez picked as man of the match.

On Friday, Toronto FC brings in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Quentin Westberg are the goalies. Kansas City led off in the 25th minute with a Felipe Gutierrez penalty kick goal. Toronto tied it on a Nick DeLeon goal in the 43rd minute, guided in by Justin Morrow and Alejandro Pozuelo. The Reds had yellow cards for Richie Laryea in the 57th minute and a foul by DeLeon in the 72nd minute. Sporting retook the lead in the 73rd minute with another Gutierrez penalty kick goal. In the 74th minute, Kansas City's Ilie Sanchez received a yellow card. Toronto picked up yellow cards for dissent by Liam Fraser in the 89th minute and a foul by Laurent Ciman in stoppage time. The Reds tied it minutes later with a Jordan Hamilton goal, set up by Ryan Telfer and Pozuelo. This produced the 2-2 final, with the man of the match named as Gutierrez. 

Saturday's three games begin with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting FC Dallas. Jimmy Maurer and Daniel Vega start in goal. Dallas' Dominique Badji had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the 13th minute. San Jose saw a yellow card for a Marcos Lopez foul in the 14th minute. The Toros started in the 27th minute on an own goal by Earthquakes keeper Vega. San Jose retied it on a Chris Wondolowski goal in the 46th minute, passed from Magnus Eriksson and Lopez. The Earthquakes took the lead on an Eriksson goal in the 54th minute, helped along by Tommy Thompson. Dallas evened the score in the 65th minute with a Francis Atuahene goal, courtesy of Jacori Hayes. The Toros received a yellow card for Jesus Ferreira not retreating in stoppage time. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Eriksson as man of the match.

Back east, the Philadelphia Union welcome the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Andre Blake are in the six-yard boxes. New York's Amro Tarek had a yellow card for a 14th minute foul. The Red Bulls opened in the 29th minute with an Alejandro Romero Gamarra goal, assisted by Kyle Duncan and Marc Rzatkowski. New York added on with a Brian White goal in the 42nd minute, via Alex Muyl. In the 57th minute, the Red Bulls' Duncan received a yellow card for his foul. Philadelphia got on the board in the 60th minute with a Jamiro Monteiro goal, coming off of Ilsinho. The Union tied it with an Ilsinho goal in the 61st minute, set up by Alejandro Bedoya. Philadelphia pulled ahead on a 72nd minute Ilsinho goal, his second of the game. Monteiro of the Union picked up a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. Philadelphia held on to win 3-2, with Ilsinho named man of the match.

Finally, the Colorado Rapids bring in Minnesota United FC. Vito Mannone and Tim Howard protect the nets. Andre Shinyashiki of Colorado received a yellow card for a 26th minute foul. The Rapids struck first in the 29th minute with a Kei Kamara goal, guided in by Jack Price. Minnesota saw yellow cards for fouls by Chase Gasper in the 69th minute and Darwin Quintero in the 78th minute. Colorado had yellow cards in stoppage time for Nicolas Mezquida not retreating and time wasting by Kellyn Acosta. The final stayed at 1-0, with Kamara as the man of the match.

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Sunday, June 2, 2019

MLS 2019 - Week 14

A full weekend ahead begins with one Friday game, as...

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC host Toronto FC. Quentin Westberg and Maxime Crepeau are set to start in goal. Toronto's Drew Moor had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the 84th minute with a Fredy Montero penalty kick goal. Toronto tied it in the 90th minute with a Nick DeLeon goal, set up by Marco Delgado. The final stayed at 1-1, with DeLeon picked as man of the match.

On Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome Orlando City SC. Brian Rowe and Evan Bush are in goal. Orlando City began in the 27th minute with a Nani penalty kick goal. The Lions added on in the 36th minute with a Tesho Akindele goal, via Chris Mueller and Cristian Higuita. Orlando City extended the lead as Will Johnson scored in the 42nd minute. Maximiliano Urruti of Montreal had a yellow card for dissent in the 45th minute. Joao Moutinho of the Lions picked up a yellow card for a 49th minute foul. The final was 3-0, with Akindele named man of the match.

Far to the south, Atlanta United FC brings in the Chicago Fire. Kenneth Kronholm is mismatched with Brad Guzan in goal. Atlanta led off in the 12th minute with a Josef Martinez goal, assisted by Gonzalo Martinez and Franco Escobar. The Five Stripes' Escobar took a yellow card for dissent in the 33rd minute. Atlanta added on in the 43rd minute with a Josef Martinez goal set up by Dion Pereira. Chicago saw yellow cards for fouls by Jorge Corrales in the 59th minute and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 77th minute. The final held at 2-0, with Josef Martinez tabbed as man of the match.

Back north, the New York Red Bulls host Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Luis Robles tend the twines. Nedum Onuoha of Salt Lake had a yellow card for a 15th minute foul. New York got going with an own goal by Real's Marcelo Silva in the 58th minute. The Red Bulls added on in the 59th minute with a Daniel Royer goal, passed from Alejandro Romero Gamarra and Sean Davis. New York extended the lead on a Michael Murillo goal in the 64th minute. The Red Bulls padded the lead as Omir Fernandez scored in the 83rd minute, thanks to Andreas Ivan and Murillo. This gave them a 4-0 win, with Murillo selected as the man of the match.

West to Ohio, where the Columbus Crew SC welcome New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Zack Steffen are the gloved men. Maximiliano Moralez of New York City had a yellow card for a 14th minute foul. Columbus started in the 28th minute with a Gyasi Zardes penalty kick goal. David Guzman of the Crew took a yellow card for a 34th minute foul. The Pigeons tied it on a 57th minute goal by Heber, set up by Moralez and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi. Columbus retook the lead in the 61st minute on a Pedro Santos goal, made possible by David Accam. Gaston Sauro of the Crew had a yellow card for his 72nd minute foul. New York City retied it again in the 76th minute with a Valentin Castellanos goal, coming off of Alexander Ring. Castellanos of the Pigeons picked up a yellow card for an 85th minute. Jonathan Mensah of Columbus received a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Santos as the man of the match.

Next up, DC United brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. Daniel Vega and Bill Hamid play in goal. San Jose opened in the 37th minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal, courtesy of Nick Lima. Valeri Qazaishvili of the Earthquakes had a yellow card for a foul in the 66th minute. DC tied it on a Luciano Acosta goal in the 67th minute. San Jose saw yellow cards for fouls by Harold Cummings in the 85th minute and Lima in stoppage time. The Black and Red had yellow cards for Frederic Brillant, Wayne Rooney, and Paul Arriola in stoppage time. The final remained at 1-1, with Acosta selected as man of the match.

In Texas, the Houston Dynamo host Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Joe Willis protect the nets. Kansas City cracked the scoresheet in the 63rd minute with a Yohan Croizet goal, via Ilie Sanchez. Houston tied it in the 69th minute with an Alberth Elis goal, courtesy of A.J. DeLaGarza and Maynor Figueroa. This produced the 1-1 final score, with Melia (three of four in saves) taking man of the match honors.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Rapids welcome FC Cincinnati. Spencer Richey and Tim Howard draw the starts in goal. Colorado struck first in the 43rd minute with an Andre Shinyashiki goal, via Sam Nicholson and Cole Bassett. Cincinnati tied it in the 72nd minute with a Kekuta Manneh goal, passed from Roland Lamah. The Rapids took the lead back in the 73rd minute with a Nicolas Mezquida goal, assisted by Diego Rubio. Colorado added on in the 82nd minute with a Rubio goal, courtesy of Jack Price. This made it 3-1, the final, with Rubio as the man of the match.

Back in Texas, FC Dallas brings in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Jesse Gonzalez patrol the penalty areas. Dallas received an early gift when Xavier Arreaga of Seattle committed an own goal in the 33rd minute. Kelvin Leerdam of the Sounders had a yellow card for a 38th minute foul. Seattle's troubles got worse with another own goal in the 38th minute, this time by Brad Smith to double the Toros' lead. Bryan Acosta of Dallas picked up a yellow card for a foul in the 44th minute. The Sounders got on the board with a Raul Ruidiaz goal in the 65th minute, made possible by Will Bruin and Alex Roldan. The Toros saw yellow card for time wasting by Jesus Ferreira in the 71st minute, Zdenek Ondrasek in the 84th minute for an off-the-pitch violation, and Carlos Gruezo for time wasting in stoppage time. The final was 2-1 Dallas, with Michael Barrios as the man of the match.

Saturday ends for the first time in Portland, as the Timbers host Los Angeles FC. Tyler Miller and Jeff Attinella are the keepers. Los Angeles was first to score in the 6th minute with a Carlos Vela goal. The Black and Gold added on in the 34th minute with a Diego Rossi goal, helped along by Tristan Blackmon and Vela. Portland's Larrys Mabiala had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. The Timbers got on the board in the 46th minute with a Cristhian Paredes goal. Los Angeles replied with a Latif Blessing goal in the 54th minute, courtesy of Jordan Harvey. Bill Tuiloma of Portland received a yellow card for his 58th minute foul. The Timbers got closer in the 84th minute on a Brian Fernandez goal, passed from Jeremy Ebobisse and Jorge Villafana. In the 85th minute, Portland's Sebastian Blanco had a yellow card for his foul. The Black and Gold saw a yellow card for an Eduard Atuesta foul in the 88th minute. In second half stoppage time, Los Angeles' Adama Diomande and the Timbers' Fernandez both received yellow cards for fouls. The final was 3-2, with Vela as the man of the match.

On Sunday, Minnesota United FC welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Vito Mannone are between the sticks. Minnesota's Brent Kallman had a yellow card for a 17th minute foul. Philadelphia drew first blood in the 18th minute with a Jamiro Monteiro penalty kick goal. The Loons tied it in the 28th minute with a Hassani Dotson goal. In the 44th minute, the Union retook the lead on a Haris Medunjanin goal. Brenden Aaronson of Philadelphia received a yellow card for time wasting in first half stoppage time. Alejandro Bedoya of the Union picked up a yellow card for a 66th minute foul. Minnesota retied it in the 77th minute on a Kevin Molino goal, passed from Abu Danladi and Romain Metanire. Philadelphia pulled ahead in the 86th minute with an Auston Trusty goal, coming off of Ilsinho. The Union had yellow cards for a foul by Kai Wagner in the 89th minute and time wasting by Raymon Gaddis and Blake in second half stoppage time. The final remained at 3-2, with the man of the match being Trusty.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in the New England Revolution. Brad Knighton and David Bingham man the nets. Los Angeles' Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a yellow card for a 24th minute foul. New England cracked the scoresheet in the 45th minute with a Cristian Penilla goal, via Carles Gil. The Revolution added on in the 60th minute with a Teal Bunbury goal, courtesy of Gil. The Galaxy's Favio Alvarez took a yellow card in the 73rd minute. Los Angeles got on the board with an Ibrahimovic goal in the 84th minute, passed from Joe Corona and Chris Pontius. New England's Juan Agudelo took a yellow card for time wasting in the 90th minute. The final was 2-1, with Gil picked as man of the match.

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NWSL 2019 - Week 8

The last week before the World Cup break is here, beginning with...

The Washington Spirit hosting the Utah Royals FC. Nicole Barnhart and Aubrey Bledsoe protect the nets. Washington started in the 23rd minute with an Ashley Hatch goal, set up by Tori Huster. The Spirit added on in the 70th minute with a Dorian Bailey goal. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the woman of the match being Bledsoe for her six-save clean sheet.

Also on Saturday, the Orlando Pride welcome the North Carolina Courage. Samantha Leshnak is mismatched with Haley Kopmeyer in goal. In the 53rd minute, Denise O'Sullivan of North Carolina had a yellow card for her foul. Orlando's Chioma Ubogagu took a yellow card for dissent in the 56th minute. The Courage got going in the 59th minute with a Kristen Hamilton goal. North Carolina added on with a 66th minute Hamilton goal, set up by Leah Pruitt. The Courage extended the lead as Hamilton completed her hat trick in the 85th minute, with the help of Jaelene Hinkle and Meredith Speck. This produced the 3-0 final score, with Hamilton awarded woman of the match honors.

On Sunday, Reign FC brings in the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Casey Murphy are the young goalies. Reign opened in the 32nd minute with a Bethany Balcer goal, after a deflected pass by Darian Jenkins. Shea Groom of Reign took a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Ally Prisock of Houston received a yellow card in the 67th minute for a foul. The Dash tied it in the 90th minute with a Christine Nairn goal. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the woman of the match being Balcer.

Finally, the Portland Thorns FC host the Chicago Red Stars. Emily Boyd and Britt Eckerstrom are the backups in goal. Portland struck first in the 27th minute with a Midge Purce goal, via Simone Charley. The Thorns added on in the 31st minute with another Purce goal, assisted by Charley again. Portland's Elizabeth Ball took a yellow card for a 37th minute foul. In the 66th minute, Casey Short of Chicago picked up a yellow card for a foul. The Thorns extended the lead in the 85th minute as Marissa Everett scored, thanks to Meghan Klingenberg. Kayla Sharples of the Red Stars had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended at 3-0, with Purce picked as woman of the match.

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Wednesday, May 29, 2019

MLS Midweek - May 29, 2019

Five games on during this midweek session, beginning with...

Atlanta United FC hosting Minnesota United FC. Vito Mannone and Brad Guzan are in goal. Atlanta began in the 23rd minute with a Franco Escobar goal. In the 29th minute, Miles Robinson of the Five Stripes had a yellow card for his foul. Minnesota saw a yellow card for an Ike Opara foul in the 32nd minute. Abu Danladi of the Loons took a yellow card for his 49th minute foul. Escobar of Atlanta received a yellow card in the 83rd minute for a foul. The Five Stripes added on in stoppage time with a Josef Martinez goal, set up by Julian Gressel. Atlanta extended the lead as Martinez scored three minutes later to make it 3-0, the final. Martinez's late brace made him man of the match.

Up in Montreal, the Impact welcome Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Evan Bush draw the starts in goal. Samuel Piette of Montreal had a yellow card for a 36th minute foul. The Impact struck first in first half stoppage time on an Omar Browne goal, via Shamit Shome and Bacary Sagna. Salt Lake had yellow cards for fouls by Damir Kreilach in the 59th minute and Justin Portillo in the 60th minute. Montreal added on in the 68th minute with a Saphir Taider penalty kick goal. Sagna of the Impact had a yellow card for dissent in the 83rd minute. Real got on the board in the 84th minute with a Sam Johnson goal, coming off of Kreilach and Erik Holt. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the man of the match honors going to Taider.

Back stateside, DC United hosts the Chicago Fire. Kenneth Kronholm and Bill Hamid are the goalies. Chicago led off in the 12th minute with a C.J. Sapong goal, courtesy of Nicolas Gaitan. The Fire added on in the 14th minute with a Djordje Mihailovic goal. DC got on the board with a Ulises Segura goal in the 43rd minute, helped along by Wayne Rooney. Russell Canouse of the Black and Red took a yellow card for a 49th minute foul. DC tied it in the 61st minute on a Segura goal, assisted by Leonardo Jara. Przemyslaw Frankowski of Chicago received a yellow card for his 62nd minute foul. The Black and Red pulled ahead with a Luciano Acosta goal, made possible by Jara and Frederic Brillant in the 81st minute. The Fire retied it in stoppage time with a Francisco Calvo goal, passed from Bastian Schweinsteiger. The game ended 3-3 with the man of the match being Segura.

Next up, the Philadelphia Union bring in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Andre Blake are between the sticks. Philadelphia opened in the 26th minute with a Sergio Santos goal, via Jamiro Monteiro. Colorado saw yellow cards for fouls by Lalas Abubakar in the 50th minute and Diego Rubio in the 58th minute. The Rapids tied it on a Jonathan Lewis goal in the 72nd minute, helped along by Andre Shinyashiki and Rubio. The Union's Jack Elliott had a yellow card for his 86th minute foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Monteiro as the man of the match.

Finally, Sporting Kansas City hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy. David Bingham and Tim Melia are the strong keepers. Giancarlo Gonzalez of Los Angeles had a yellow card for a 33rd minute foul. The Galaxy got going with a Favio Alvarez goal in the 55th minute, passed from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Perry Kitchen. Ilie Sanchez of Kansas City had a yellow card for dissent in the 59th minute. Los Angeles added on with an Ibrahimovic goal, courtesy of Uriel Antuna and Kitchen. This produced the 2-0 final score, with the man of the match being Ibrahimovic.

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Monday, May 27, 2019

NWSL 2019 - Week 7

We've got games from Saturday to Monday this time, beginning with...

Sky Blue FC hosting the Portland Thorns FC. Britt Eckerstrom and DiDi Haracic get the starts in goal. Portland got going in the 69th minute with a Midge Purce goal, on a rebound from a shot by Simone Charley. Dagny Brynjarsdottir took a yellow card for a foul in the 87th minute. The final held at 1-0, with Meghan Klingenberg of Portland earning woman of the match honors.

Out west, the Utah Royals FC welcome the Orlando Pride. Haley Kopmeyer and Nicole Barnhart are the gloved women. Utah began in the 31st minute on an Amy Rodriguez penalty kick goal. Orlando saw yellow cards for Dani Weatherholt in the 64th minute and Bridget Callahan in the 68th minute, both for fouls. The Royals added on in the 89th minute with a Makenzy Doniak goal. This made it 2-0, the final, with the woman of the match being Rodriguez.

On Sunday, the Chicago Red Stars bring in the Washington Spirit. Aubrey Bledsore faces a lesser foe in Emily Boyd in goal. Washington dented the scoreboard when Jordan DiBiasi's corner kick found Sam Staab, whose header deflected off of Chicago's Yuki Nagasato for the own goal in the 9th minute. The Spirit's Meggie Dougherty Howard had a yellow card for a foul in the 16th minute. Washington added on in the 63rd minute with an Ashley Hatch goal, via Arielle Ship and Dorian Bailey. Katie Johnson of the Red Stars took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended at 2-0, with the woman of the match being Bledsoe for her seven-save clean sheet.

Finally, Reign FC hosts the North Carolina Courage on Memorial Day. Katelyn Rowland and Casey Murphy draw the starts in goal. Reign led off in the 13th minute with a Bethany Balcer goal, via Kristen McNabb. Reign's Theresa Nielsen picked up a yellow card for a 30th minute foul. Reign added on in the 86th minute with a Shea Groom goal. North Carolina got on the board in the 89th minute with an Abby Erceg goal, set up by Jaelene Hinkle and Denise O'Sullivan on the corner kick. The final stayed at 2-1, with Murphy's four of five saves performance tabbing her as woman of the match.

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