A historic sixth season of National Women’s Soccer League action kicked off this past weekend with four matches.
The league is operating at four matches a weekend due to the number of nine clubs.
After one week, many questions are still up in the air on certain teams. Some clubs are still having their players adjust to their new teammates.
Meanwhile, other clubs like the North Carolina Courage and Seattle Reign FC are building off their positive 2017 campaigns.
However, there is still plenty of season left, and one week of action isn’t going to speak the highest of volumes.
As in any sport, especially soccer, anything can happen.
NWSL Opening Weekend: Four Takeaways
Megan Rapinoe Isn’t Missing a Beat
After an impressive 2017 season where she scored 12 goals for the Seattle Reign, Megan Rapinoe isn’t slowing down.
Rapinoe is keeping up with the younger kids on the pitch with her quick play at forward for Vlatko Andonovski. The 32-year old only totaled one assist last season, but this year she already matched that — after one week.
Against a young Washington Spirit team, Rapinoe scored the opening goal and assisted Jodie Taylor’s goal.
Rapinoe, if she stays healthy for the whole year, should have a successful season. Bringing Taylor in during the off-season didn’t push her back, or degrade her, by any means. If anything, Rapinoe is going to thrive off the partnership between her and fellow new acquisition Allie Long.
Also, the relationship between Rapinoe and Nahomi Kawasumi can only get better as they enter in their third season together.
Bend it like @mPinoe.
She's taking home the first #NWSL Player of the Week award of 2018, as voted by @NWSLmedia. pic.twitter.com/NZ6Fs3rbEa
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 27, 2018
Can the Orlando Pride Continue Without Alex Morgan?
The simple answer: Yes.
Alex Morgan was dealt a rough blow on Sunday after a collision with Utah Royals FC goalkeeper Abby Smith. She exited the match at halftime and Orlando Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni sent Chioma Ugobabu in her place.
Morgan has been listed as day-to-day with the Pride. However, despite being the star attacker that she is, the Pride can do well without her for a couple of matches.
Ugobabu was a former starter but took a backseat in the opening match to Morgan’s fellow U.S. Women’s National Team teammate Sydney Leroux.
If Morgan isn’t ready for Orlando’s away match against the Washington Spirit Saturday, Ugobabu is a perfect fit to start instead.
Morgan’s concussion doesn’t seem to be long-term, so Sermanni can breathe a sigh of relief.
Give Joanna Lohman a Standing Ovation
Joanna Lohman had a long, hard road to recovery after tearing hat ACL in the beginning of the last NWSL season.
Lohman is exactly what Washington needs right now. After scoring the lone goal for Washington just minutes after coming on a second-half substitute, Lohman picked up the pace for Washington.
With a team of young players, Lohman’s veteran presence was missed last year, and is strictly needed this year.
There’s no doubt that players like Mallory Pugh, Rose Lavelle, Andi Sullivan and Ashley Hatch have had their play speak for itself. However, all four of those players — who have never played club soccer together — are now meshed together on the same team.
Lohman is a critical piece for Washington — and Spirit Head Coach Jim Gabarra.
Not only is Lohman fully recovered from her injury, but she has more wisdom from the experience. Her on-the-field experience is lengthy — she has been a professional since 2006 — and exactly what Washington needs.
The talent on the roster stands out, but if they can’t gel together, then it’s useless. Right now, Lohman has to help Gabarra figure out where all the pieces in Washington’s puzzle can go.
Washington working away at a comeback. @JoannaLohman with the goal for the visitors.#SEAvWAS | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/xq9MzITQe7
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 25, 2018
Don’t Be Impressed by the Houston Dash…Yet
The Houston Dash looked convincing to many NWSL fans this weekend with their 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars.
However, don’t let the scoreline fool you.
The Chicago Red Stars were missing a large chunk of their offensive firepower due to injury. Having to sit out of the match due to injury were Casey Short, Julie Ertz, Yuki Nagasato, Vanessa DiBernardo and Rosie White.
For one NWSL team, that’s a lot of starter injuries.
Rory Dames, head coach of the Red Stars, was forced to work with his backup plans. Dames even put in Erin Yenney, an unsigned player, on the field against Houston.
Despite an early goal from Kimberly Keever, the Houston Dash shouldn’t be praised all too much — yet.
Vera Pauw completely took the Dash’s roster and flipped it upside down. After months of disagreements with Christen Press (who finally decided she’d go overseas to Sweden), the Dash finally settled on their roster.
However, the “Vera Pauw” experiment hasn’t been given a real test yet.
Put them up against the North Carolina Courage and the outcome will probably be different. The Dash feature against the Utah Royals this week.
Needless to say, the scoreline might be drastically different in that one, too.
