Posted by

Emily Dulhanty,

August 21, 2013 Email Emily Dulhanty

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The first NWSL regular season came to a close last weekend, with thirteen Canadians seeing the field of play. Let’s take a look back at how they did, before the playoff semi-finals get underway this weekend.



Western New York 2, Boston Breakers 1



Rhian Wilkinson was the only Canadian featured in Saturday’s game in Rochester, deployed at the wide midfield position she has been used at for much of the second half of the season. WNY scored in the 23rd and 28th minutes, but Wilkinson gave Boston a glimmer of hope when she scored in the 55th minute. Wilkinson got her head on a redirected corner, and when the ball hit off of a WNY defender, it fell to Wilkinson’s feet where she buried it in the back of the net to bring her team within one. Wilkinson played a total of 71 minutes, and Boston was unable to find the late game equalizer.



Boston’s Carmelina Moscato, and WNY’s Bryanna McCarthy and Jodi Ann Robinson were left on the bench.



Highlights:







Portland Thorns FC 2, Seattle Reign FC 1



The Portland Thorns completed the season sweep of Seattle Reign FC last Saturday, when Christine Sinclair netted a brace aided by some defensive blunders by the Reign.



Megan Rapinoe scored in just the 3rd minute to give Seattle the lead, but a ball over the top of Seattle’s defensive line put Sinclair in on goal in the 8th minute. Kaylyn Kyle came forward to challenge a Portland attacker, and Seattle’s defenders were unable to contain Sinclair, who went around Hope Solo easily to equalize. In the 83rd minute, the same ball was sent to Sinclair, and she was able to beat two defenders and finish past Solo once again to take the lead.



Kaylyn Kyle played 90 minutes for Seattle at centre back. Emily Zurrer did not feature for Seattle.



Karina Leblanc recorded seven saves, including a stoppage time tip over the bar to help preserve the lead for Portland.



The full game is below, and you can skip to the 8th and 83rd minutes to see Sinclair’s goals.







Chicago Red Stars 2, FC Kansas City 1



The Chicago Red Stars stunned Kansas City late in Sunday’s game, and the loss cost FC Kansas City the title of regular season champions.



FC Kansas got on the board early through a counter attack that gave them endless space in the middle of the field. FC KC were able to get in alone with just Rachel Quon and Erin McLeod to beat. Courtney Jones‘ shot was placed perfectly just out of Quon’s reach and although McLeod was able to get a hand on the ball, it got past her into the back of the net.



Chicago equalized in the 45th minute when FC KC’s Desiree Scott was dispossessed at midfield, and Lauren Sesselmann couldn’t stop the run of Chicago’s Inka Grings. Grings got in on goal, and passed to Jen Hoy who was able to beat KC’s keeper.



After a dull second half where both teams had minimal shots on goal, Quon was able to cut out an errant pass at midfield in the 91st minute, and after many successful passes, Jen Hoy scored her second of the game for Chicago, shocking Kansas City at home and giving Chicago the win.



McLeod finished the game with three saves. Adriana Leon also featured for Chicago for the first 45 minutes, and recorded one shot.



Washington Spirit 1, Sky Blue FC 1



After a dismal season, the Washington Spirit were able to control much of Sunday’s game against playoff bound Sky Blue FC and earn a draw, ending their season on somewhat of a high note.



Washington took the early lead in the 40th minute, but their lead was taken away when Sky Blue equalized in the 83rd.



To their credit, Sky Blue was able to thwart much of Washington’s offense all game, catching them offside twelve times and allowing Diana Matheson no shots on goal. Robyn Gayle also played 90 minutes for the Spirit, and Sophie Schmidt (38 minutes) and Melanie Booth (14 minutes) featured for Sky Blue.



Sky Blue, already hampered by injuries to what would be three players in their starting eleven, will be concerned with Sophie Schmidt, who came off in the 38th minute and appeared to be limping. There has been no further word yet on whether her injury is serious or subbing her out early was just precautionary.



Overall, the game was a bit of a snoozefest. Almost losing to the last place team can’t give Sky Blue FC too much confidence heading into their playoff semi-final against first place WNY.



Semi-Finals Schedule:



Saturday August 24



Portland Thorns FC @ FC Kansas City, 2pm ET

Sky Blue FC @ Western New York Flash, 8pm ET



-There doesn’t appear to be a way to (legally) watch the semi-finals in Canada, as they will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2 in the States.



Quick Links:



- Mexican women’s national team head coach Leonardo Cuellar told Equalizer Soccer’s Caitlin Murray that Mexico will travel to Canada this fall for two friendly matches. There has been no confirmation from the CSA yet on these friendlies.



“In addition to the Sept. 3 friendly against the U.S., Mexico will play in Canada in October and November and is considering going to Asia at the end of September, he said.”



- Sportsnet caught up with John Herdman in the midst of speculation about the England women’s national team coaching job vacancy, after Hope Powell was fired yesterday morning. Herdman said he would “have to consider that situation” if the FA came calling, but went on to say "but at the end of the day I have a big job here with some exciting players and an exciting opportunity in Canada." After watching the video, I am not too concerned about him jumping ship, but stranger things have happened. We will just have to wait and see if his homeland can lure him with a bit of money.



- The Portland Thorns did a live Q&A yesterday with Christine Sinclair. You can watch Sinc answer the half hour worth of fan questions here.



- FC Kansas City released a short video yesterday entitled “Everyday” that was shot entirely with a GO PRO camera. It chronicles a training day from a first person point of view and Desiree Scott and Lauren Sesselmann are featured. It’s worth a watch if you are into that sort of technology.