The NWSL regular season wrapped up this past weekend with a mixed bag of business-as-usual and surprising results. All around the league, for playoff bound teams and doormats alike (we’re looking at you, Sky Blue), the level was turned up to 11, giving fans both feel-good entertainment and high quality football to get excited about heading into the postseason.
In news that makes you say “duh,” league leaders/Shield winners/really good North Carolina Courage broke all kinds of records in their final regular season match. A 5-0 thrashing of the Houston Dash saw North Carolina set league records for wins (17), regular season points (57), regular season goals (53) and a club record for goals in a match. North Carolina has been nothing short of dominant this season and is the clear favorite heading into the playoffs.
But first they will be focusing on getting past the fourth-seeded Chicago Red Stars, who they host in a semifinal next Sunday, Sept. 16.
A thing of beauty. @lynnraenie scores her second of the match. (Special shoutout to the @Debinha7 pass). #NCvHOU | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/5kcWsKsseO
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 9, 2018
Speaking of Chicago (and another piece of not-so-breaking news), Red Stars forward Sam Kerr locked up the 2018 Golden Boot Award, getting her 16th goal of the season in her team’s 2-1 loss to Utah on Saturday. The Australian was the Golden Boot winner last year with Sky Blue with 17 goals. The 25-year-old Kerr has solidified her status as one of the best in the world in stringing together another MVP-worthy season and this time around, she will actually be able to show off her talents in the postseason.
Twice is nice. @samkerr1 earns #NWSL Golden Boot for second straight year after 16-goal campaign. pic.twitter.com/PrM1dC992m
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 9, 2018
On Friday, the Cascadia Rivalry, which decided second place in the league and home field advantage in the semifinals, packed the punch we all had hoped for. Jess Fishlock got Seattle off to a dream start in Portland, hitting a beauty at the top of the 18 into the upper corner to give her side the lead in the fourth minute.
Never count Portland out though, especially not in a rivalry match and especially not in front of their home crowd, the Rose City Riveters.
Portland’s Lindsey Horan smashed home a loose ball in the box to level things up in the 30th and momentum swung from there. Tobin Heath gave the Thorns the go-ahead goal in the 49th and Horan sealed Seattle’s fate in the 82nd with her head, of course.The win means Seattle finish in third and will head right back down to Oregon again next Saturday, hoping to fend off deja vú and advance to their third NWSL final.
This is how you secure a home playoff game. #PORvSEA #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/jAlAPsW6WM
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) September 8, 2018
Finally, underdogs and underdog fans everywhere rejoice, Sky Blue FC finally won a game this season! The oft-battered and heartbroken New Jersey side ended their forgettable campaign on a high note on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over the Orlando Pride. USWNT vet Carli Lloyd stepped up to the occasion in the win, scoring the game-winner in the 74th.
Here is another look at the Groom to Lloyd rocket! #NJvORL | 1-0 pic.twitter.com/vh7VsXAMfx
— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) September 8, 2018
The result means Sky Blue escaped receiving the label of the first professional women’s soccer team in the United States to finish a season winless. Phew. Not exactly how you want your name going down in the record books.
Three games left in 2018 and they are sure to be good ones with all the marbles on the line.
The #NWSLPlayoffs bracket is
#NCvCHI / Sept. 16 @ 3 p.m. ET
ESPN2
https://t.co/VyCJ6jACqc#NWSLChampionship / Sept. 22 @ 4:30 ET
@lifetimetv
https://t.co/SOsV2fm1RC pic.twitter.com/WBW2olPwGL— NWSL (@NWSL) September 8, 2018
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