Photo by Seattle Reign FC/NWSL
BY SKYLAR ROLSTAD
In this week’s NWSL Look Back, the Seattle Reign took a commanding league position with a late win over the Boston Breakers, while the weekend’s marquee matchup was postponed due to inclement weather.
Michelle Betos, the Portland Thorns goalkeeper, came away with weekend’s best play, a last-minute equalizer with a header.
Seattle Reign take late away win against Boston Breakers
In the sixth five-goal game of this NWSL season, the Seattle Reign came away winners Sunday in Boston with a 3-2 result to jump into second place in the league.
Jess Fishlock tallied the winning goal in the 86th minute from a pass into the 18-yard box by Kim Little. Fishlock’s perfectly timed diagonal run gave her space to send the ball past Breakers goalkeeper Jami-Ann Kranich.
Boston’s Kristie Mewis scored the first goal of the game in the 14th minute, an unassisted strike, to which Little answered just before halftime.
In the second half, the teams traded goals until Fishlock’s winner. Beverley Yanez scored for Seattle, then the substitute Morgan Marlborough scored for Boston in the 76th minute.
The Reign move into second place with the win and will also have a game in hand on the first-place Chicago Red Stars when they play their make-up game with the Washington Spirit.
After a three-game unbeated streak for Boston is snapped, the team sits mid-table with 11 points.
Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit postponed due to inclement weather
The Chicago Red Stars were set to host the Washington Spirit in a battle atop the NWSL table Saturday, but lightning in Chicago forced the game to be delayed to a date that has yet to be determined.
The game was delayed until 11:50 p.m. CT and was officially postponed after 38 minutes were played. The 38 minutes will not be recorded and a new, 90-minute game will be played when the teams meet for the makeup date.
The Spirit’s Megan Oyster scored in the 38 minutes that were played, but the goal will not count as the teams will meet again to play the game in its entirety.
Good morning fans! We know you had a late night ? We are working diligently on a rescheduled future date for the match. Stay tuned. #CRSvWAS
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) June 21, 2015
Houston Dash easily dispose of the Western New York Flash
The Western New York Flash continued to struggle on Saturday as the Houston Dash defeated them 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Two players familiar with the back of the net scored for the Dash in Kealia Ohai and Jessica McDonald. McDonald added her fifth goal of the season in the 39th minute and Ohai scored her third in the 62nd minute.
McDonald’s goal was assisted by a long cross from near midfield by Ellis Brush. McDonald rose above two defenders to score the header goal.
Ohai’s goal was shot from 18 yards away as she sent a shot across the box and into the opposite upper corner.
The loss keeps the Flash at second to last in the table and hands them their fourth loss. The Dash have climbed within two points of leaders Chicago Red Stars with 13 points, although Chicago and third-place Washington each have a game in hand after Saturday’s postponement.
Betos saves Portland a point in 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City
The weekend’s best play came in the Portland Thorns’ 1-1 home draw against FC Kansas City. The equalizer came in the final seconds as Thorns goalkeeper Michelle Betos sent a header into the back of the net off a corner kick.
The goal made waves on Twitter and through the soccer world online.
Holy crap @MichelleBetos I knew you were good but this is a whole other level!! Goalkeeper and goal scorer? Love it!
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) June 20, 2015
Remarkable finish to Portland-KC as goalkeeper (!) Michelle Betos scores the late equalizer. https://t.co/pb0RyoeYzv
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 20, 2015
Sarah Hagen scored FC Kansas City’s goal, which put the team up 1-0 in the 51st minute. Jen Buczkowski assisted the goal as she sent a free kick into the middle of the box which Hagen nodded past the goalkeeper.
Betos’ goal brought Portland its second straight draw and saved the team from losing a fourth game this season. The Thorns still have not won a match since April but are waiting on some key players like Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath to return from the FIFA Women’s World Cup.