The first week where no one had their USWNT players was bound to get a little weird, right? There were the things you expect, like more rookie goals and utility players stepping up, but there was also the season’s first bit of controversy. In Portland, a questionable handball call on the edge of the box nearly cost Washington the game, and in New Jersey, the season’s first red card on an even more questionable handball call left Seattle to settle for a draw.
NWSL Week 5 in review: Refereeing controversy everywhere
Chicago and FC Kansas City keep rolling, Western NY and Boston lose again, Sky Blue FC steals a point late and Portland makes another comeback.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Western NY's missed opportunity
Coming into the game Friday night, the Western NY Flash badly needed a win. After starting the season 0-2, Western NY won last weekend in Boston, and another win this week would have leapfrogged the Flash over idle Houston. With everyone missing their internationals, this part of the season might be Western NY's best chance at moving up the table, but alas. The Flash outshot FC Kansas City 18-7, but Aaran Lines' team couldn't quite break through, squandering several chances en route to an eventual 1-0 loss. Liz Bogus scored the Blues' lone goal, her second in as many games.
Rookies come up big in Chicago again
Five weeks into the season, and the Chicago Red Stars are NWSL's hottest team. Chicago is one of two teams -- Portland is the other -- still unbeaten on the season, but with a win and Portland draw on Saturday, Chicago now has sole possession of the top spot on the table. Two rookies were responsible for all three of the Red Stars' goals, with Sofia Huerta netting two and Cara Walls scoring the other. Michele Dalton earned the shutout, making six saves, in her NWSL debut.
Wild finish in New Jersey
Usually, when it comes to games involving Seattle where a point or two get stolen late, it’s the Reign doing the stealing. But on Saturday night in New Jersey, it was Laura Harvey’s team left wondering how someone could have gotten in with all the windows and doors locked up so tight. The Reign dominated most of the game, outshooting Sky Blue 11-4 and eventually breaking the deadlock with a 76th-minute goal from Lauren Barnes. Down 1-0 into the 88th minute, Sky Blue looked headed for a third consecutive loss and second consecutive game without a goal scored.
And then: chaos broke out.
It all started harmlessly, though a little inexplicably, with Reign keeper Haley Kopmeyer deciding to play a shot that was headed well wide. Kopmeyer bobbled the ball though, setting up a corner kick opportunity for Sky Blue. From there: a goalmouth scramble, a pair of point-blank saves from Kopmeyer, a lot of players in the box, a handball call, a PK, a little referee conference and an eventual red card for Jess Fishlock. Nadia Nadim converted the penalty to level the score. The goal was Nadim’s second of the season and first since opening weekend. Fishlock’s ejection and the suspension that comes along with it, combined with Seattle’s bye in Week 6, means the Welsh international won’t play another NWSL game until June 6.
Another comeback win for the Thorns
Last week, Portland went down 2-0 against Chicago before coming back to level the score and earn a point. This week, Portland went down 2-0 against Washington before coming back to level the score and earn a point. Washington had a 2-0 lead by the 14th minute thanks to early goals from Crystal Dunn and Francisca Ordega, but then it was all Portland. Mana Shim scored in the 29th to bring the Thorns within one, and Allie Long put away the equalizer in the 51st. Long had a chance to give Portland the lead with a 66th-minute penalty kick, but she fired her shot right at Spirit keeper Kelsey Wys.
Scores
Friday
Western New York Flash 0 - 1 FC Kansas City
Saturday
Chicago Red Stars 3 - 0 Boston Breakers
Sky Blue FC 1 - 1 Seattle Reign FC
Portland Thorns FC 2 - 2 Washington Spirit
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