Here at 32 Flags, we’re proud to provide weekly updates of the National Women’s Soccer League as well as a Standings and Schedule page. FIFA Women’s World Cup stars are beginning to return to their regular club sides just as the season is reaching its apex, so get out there and support women’s club soccer!
WESTWOOD, CA – JULY 16: U.S. Women’s Soccer player Carli Lloyd rides onstage at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2015 at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on July 16, 2015 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
News Summary
This week saw the return of basically all FIFA Women’s World Cup players, a sweep of Seattle over Portland, and dominance from the USWNT’s best players.
- All the US Women stars are back with their teams! This past week saw the returns of Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Christen Press, Julie Johnston, and others.
- Fox Sports GO will air another game this Wednesday, this time it’s Houston-Kansas City. Watch it.
- Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash) is back and scored a goal in each of her two appearances this past week. It’s like the FIFA Women’s World Cup never ended.
- Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars) is also back and also scored a goal in each of her two appearances.
- Somehow, I overlooked the Kid’s Choice Sports Awards from this past week. Alex Morgan won Best Female Athlete, and Carli Lloyd pedaled about on a tiny tricycle.
July 20-26 Results
FC Kansas City draw Houston Dash, 1-1 — Video Link
- Kansas City Goals: None; Houston Goals: Carli Lloyd (45′), Toni Pressley (OG 55′)
- This game saw seven women from the World Cup Champions starting: Becky Sauerbrunn, Lauren Holiday, Heather O’Reilly, Amy Rodriguez, Meghan Klingenberg, Morgan Brian, and Carli Lloyd. Rodriguez and Holliday looked sure to break through for Kansas City, but it would ultimately be Lloyd to score the only goal from the run of play.
Red Stars’ Press Powers Dramatic 2-1 Win at Boston. Photo by Chicago Red Stars.
Chicago Red Stars def. Boston Breakers, 2-1 — Video Link
- Chicago Goals: Melissa Tancredi (41′), Christen Press (89′); Boston Goals: Kyah Simon (69′)
Seattle Reign def. Portland Thorns, 1-0 — Video Link
- Seattle Goals: Kim Little (57′); Portland Goals: None
- Megan Rapinoe wasn’t credited with an assist, but she was critical to the Little goal and the Seattle attack. Portland sorely misses Alex Morgan, although Tobin Heath did her best to will the Thorns offense to life.
Washington Spirit draw Chicago Red Stars, 1-1 — Video Link
- Washington Goals: Crystal Dunn (83′); Chicago Goals: Christen Press (31′)
- A great draw for Washington as Chicago was riding high on the momentum brought on by the dual returns of Press and Johnston. Attendance for this game was well over 5,000 in Maryland, signifying the further growth of women’s soccer in the Mid-Atlantic.
- Crystal Dunn leads the league with nine goals.
Kim Little and Seattle Reign FC welcome rivals Christine Sinclair and Portland Thorns FC to town Sunday for the second meeting between the clubs in five days. Photo by NWSL.
Houston Dash def. Western New York Flash, 1-0 — Video Link
- Houston Goals: Carli Lloyd (49′); Western NY Goals: None
- This was the sixth consecutive game in which Lloyd has scored, including both NWSL and World Cup games. Houston sits a bit low on the table and look to climb rapidly in coming weeks.
Sky Blue FC def. Boston Breakers 3-1 — Video Link
- Sky Blue Goals: Kelley O’Hara (13′), Samantha Kerr (36′, 52′); Boston Goals: Lauren Lazo (84′)
- The second game in a row where Sky Blue FC notched three goals.
Seattle def. Portland, 3-0 — Video Link
- Seattle Goals: Jessica Fishlock (38′), Beverly Yanez (46′, 50′); Portland Goals: None.
This Week’s Fixtures
Wednesday, July 29:
- Portland Thorns @ Seattle Reign, 7 pm EST
- FC Kansas City @ Houston Dash, 8:30 pm EST — FOX SPORTS GO
Saturday, August 1:
- Seattle Reign @ Boston Breakers, 4 pm EST
- Houston Dash @ Washington Spirit, 7 pm EST
- Western New York Flash @ Sky Blue FC, 7 pm EST
- FC Kansas City @ Chicago Red Stars, 8 pm EST
Standings
[table id=NWSL /]
