This weekend saw a full slate of matches in the NWSL. All 12 teams played in some hard-fought high-intensity matchups. These were highlighted by two stoppage-time NWSL goals that made for a dramatic and eventful weekend of soccer.
Two Stoppage-Time NWSL Goals Happened This Past Weekend
A-L-O-Z-I-E. Alozie. One more time. ALOZIE.#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/1HYbV6Bj2I
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) August 29, 2022
Friday
Orlando Pride 1 – OL Reign 2
Entering Friday night, Orlando had been on a seven-match unbeaten streak, including two consecutive wins. The Reign were also riding high after a 4-1 win over Gotham FC. Orlando would strike first in the 37-minute. OL Reign gave the ball away in their own half which lead to a Meggie Dougherty Howard goal. It was in the second half that the Reign’s star player Meghan Rapinoe was able to lead her team to a comeback.
In the 56-minute, a skillful ball from Rapinoe found the diving head of Bethany Balcer to even the match. Then in stoppage time, Rapinoe sealed the win with a celebratory goal and little time remaining. For the Reign, it was a hard-fought three points, while the Pride failed to find a result in a vital game in the stretch run of the season.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? 😱@mPinoe with a stoppage time stunner for @OLReign!#ORLvRGN | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/cVp1s0CJnd
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 27, 2022
Saturday
Racing Louisville 0 – Chicago Red Stars 4
On paper, this was one of the more lopsided matchups this weekend in NWSL. Chicago came into their matchup in Louisville nine points ahead of the home team. Mallory Pugh got the scoring started early for the Red Stars three minutes in. This was followed up by two consecutive goals from set pieces by Yuki Nagasato in the 18 and 23-minute. In the second half, Pugh got a brace of her own to secure the 4-0 win. A Chicago win makes their playoff hopes a little more comfortable. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville is still lingering at the bottom of the table on 14 points.
Make that 2️⃣ on the night for @MalPugh! 👏
The forward tucks her effort into the far corner for her eighth goal of the season for @chicagoredstars.#LOUvCHI | #MKOT pic.twitter.com/yBlCNZf00J
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 28, 2022
Houston Dash 2 – Washington Spirit 2
Just like the day before, NWSL delivered a hard-fought stoppage time result. The home team Dash opened the scoring in the 22-minute. A Houston set-piece resulted in a loose ball in the box. An alert Sophie Schmidt was able to tap it in to make it 1-0. In the second half, Washington’s Ashley Hatch got a quick brace with goals in the 53 and 55-minute. The Dash entered stoppage time down 2-1.
Less than a minute in, Michelle Alozie got a rebound off the keeper to make it even. The match would end in a draw and move Houston into a second-place spot in the table. Meanwhile, the Spirit find themselves in the reverse position near the bottom at only 12 points.
Stoppage time equalizer from @alozieee 🤯@HoustonDash | #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/pQLYFS8yDn
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 28, 2022
Portland Thorns FC 0 – San Diego Wave FC 2
Both Portland and San Diego entered Saturday tied on points atop the table. Portland had the goal difference advantage but was coming off a midweek loss to North Carolina. Early on the Wave’s Alex Morgan set up Kristen McNabb outside the box. This led to a blast that deflected into the back of the net to open the scoring in the 17-minute. Morgan would get a goal of her own in the 42 minutes to make it 2-0 before halftime.
The score would remain that way and San Diego Now occupies the sole spot atop the standings on 31 points. Meanwhile, Portland, who also lost the previous game against the North Carolina Courage, has dropped to third and is most likely not the favorite anymore to win the shield by the season’s end.
🎮The walking cheat-code🎮, @alexmorgan13!@sandiegowavefc | #WaveFC pic.twitter.com/WHMoiEVZ0j
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 28, 2022
Sunday
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 – Angel City FC 3
Angel City had not lost since July entering Sunday. Their unbeaten streak was extended to four games after dominating last place Gotham FC. All of their goals came within a 15-minute span in the first half. A 52-minute goal by Gotham’s Paige Monaghan made it 3-1. However, this game was all Angel City for the full 90 minutes. Gotham remains at the bottom of the table. While Angel City is only one point behind Chicago for the final playoff spot.
An absolute beaut from @emslie22 😍@weareangelcity | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/EVirbVJcQc
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 28, 2022
Kansas City Current 3 – North Carolina Courage 2
North Carolina was on a bit of a hot streak going into their match against the Current. They had beaten two top-tier teams handily in Chicago and Portland. Kansas City would earn a penalty in the fifth minute that was converted by Lo’eau LaBonta. The Courage would answer later with two goals from Kerolin in the 28 and 48-minute. Then, the Current answered back with two goals of their own.
One in the 56-minute by CeCe Kizer and one in the 59-minute by Kristen Hamilton. The score line would stay this way till the end with a 3-2 victory for Kansas City. North Carolina has several games in hand to make up that could help them shoot up the standings. However, at only 16 points currently, it seems like a slightly uphill battle.
Kansas City is rockin' 🤘🎸 @khamilton17 scores the go-ahead goal!@thekccurrent | #TealRising pic.twitter.com/kE3IDBYpi8
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 29, 2022
Next Week’s Matches
There is only one match this week in the NWSL. This will be Sunday, November. 4 between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the North Carolina Courage. That game takes place at Red Bull Arena at 5:00 PM EST and is streaming on Paramount+.
Photo Credit: Houston Dash on August 27, 2022.
