Posted by

Emily Dulhanty,

June 27, 2013 Email Emily Dulhanty

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Now that Canada’s two June international friendlies are behind them, the Canadian women will be with their NWSL clubs through the end of the season before coming back together for residency in October. Our NWSL recap series continues, with some player updates and game recaps, as well as a look ahead to this weekend’s action.



Inconsistent Playing Time for Three Canadian Centre Backs

The recent lack of playing time for a few of the Canadian centre backs has been a bit troubling. Emily Zurrer has not featured in a match for the Seattle Reign since May 16th, with coach Laura Harvey opting to use Kaylyn Kyle as a centre back (out of her natural midfield position) over Zurrer. With Kyle settling into the CB position and the Reign earning their first NWSL victory on Wednesday, it doesn’t look like things will get much better for Zurrer any time soon.



In the two games Carmelina Moscato has been available for the Chicago Red Stars in late May and early June, she has only played in one game for three minutes. It will be interesting to see if coach Rory Dames opts to start using Moscato again consistently for 90 minutes, now that she will have no more international duty to attend to this season.



Candace Chapman seems to not be fully match fit after recovering from her knee injury. She has only featured in the first half of two games this season for the Washington Spirit, and she looked hesitant in her most recent game on June 15th. Chapman was very solid in the Canadian back line when healthy just a year ago, so we can only hope she will be able to regain this form soon, or her days with the national team as a 30 year old may be over.



Rachel Quon Playing Well for Chicago While FIFA Decision Delayed

Before Canada’s international friendly against Germany last week, John Herdman revealed that FIFA’s decision regarding Rachel Quon’s eligibility has been delayed. However Herdman said he expects the issue to be cleared in time for Canada’s next camp and friendly in October.



Quon has been solid all season for the Chicago Red Stars, consistently playing 90 minutes in nine of the ten games she has been available for. She is quick, and has been able to get forward quite well to help the Red Star’s attack. Whether Canadian supporters like the Quon situation or not, she will be able to provide more young depth to Canada’s back line.



Tiffany Cameron Waived by Seattle, Signed by FC Kansas City

With the return of USWNT midfielder Megan Rapinoe to the Seattle Reign after a short stint with Olympique Lyonnais in France, the Reign announced on June 19th that Canadian forward Tiffany Cameron was waived to make room for Rapinoe and two additional signings. However, this Wednesday it was officially announced that Cameron has been signed by FC Kansas City, and her NWSL career will continue with the team currently in third place.



FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski commented on Cameron, saying "She will increase the competition up top, add a little more depth and will allow us to play a couple different formations. She is young, has a lot of potential and was a proven goal scorer in college, too good of an opportunity to pass up.”



Intergenerational Living Experiment Continues

CBC recently did a great audio documentary entitled “Soccer Stars and Seniors” for The Sunday Edition, where David Gutnick visited the Washington retirement home Diana Matheson and Robyn Gayle are currently living in. The documentary examines the relationship between Matheson and Gayle and the senior residents, and is worth a listen.

Recent Results



Portland Thorns 0, Sky Blue FC 0 (Sat. June 22)

Just three short days and a long transatlantic flight after Canada’s friendly in Germany, Christine Sinclair looked tired for the 70 minutes she played last Saturday between the two teams at the top of the table. However, Sinclair did combine very nicely up top with Tiffany Weimer, a new signing for the Thorns, as she created two very nice chances in the first half that Weimer was not able to finish.



Karina Leblanc earned the NWSL player of the week award for her performance in the match. She was a very bright spot in a rather underwhelming performance by the Thorns, and her seven saves ensured the Thorns one point away from home.



Sophie Schmidt came into the match for the last thirteen minutes and recorded two shots (one on goal) to provide some spark into the Sky Blue attack at the end of the match.

FC Kansas City 2, Washington Spirit 0 (Sun. June 23)

After returning from Germany, Diana Matheson was listed in the latest NWSL injury report as ‘out’ with an ankle injury, and she therefore did not feature in Sunday’s match. The Spirit sorely felt Matheson’s absence, as FC Kansas City absolutely controlled the midfield all game. Desiree Scott, after having a bit of an off game against Germany, was back in top form, winning an outstanding number of balls and recording minimal turnovers. Lauren Sesselmann also played 90 minutes for FC KC.



Despite the score line, Robyn Gayle also had a great game for Washington, highlighted by a great tackle in the 15th minute, and a heading clearance off of the Washington goal line in the 30th minute to keep her team within one.







Seattle Reign 1, Western New York Flash 1 (Sun June 23)

Seattle Reign coach Laura Harvey has really shuffled around her starting eleven over the past month after some early poor performances from her team. As mentioned above, this lineup shuffle has put Kaylyn Kyle at the centre back position for the past five games she has played for the Reign. Each game Kyle has looked more and more confident at the position, knowing when to step or hold the line and working effectively with Hope Solo to organize the back line.



With the Reign still looking for their first NWSL win last Sunday, they got off to a great start, scoring in the 28th minute. However, a penalty kick was awarded to the Flash in the 55th minute and was converted by Abby Wambach to level the score. The Reign were then forced to play with 10 women for the remainder of the game after two yellows were given to Seattle’s Kiersten Dallstream.



The Flash pushed for a late game winner, as Jodi-Ann Robinson was subbed on in the 65th minute. The Canadian recorded a dangerous shot on goal that was stopped by Hope Solo, and combined nicely with Wambach up top, recording another two shots just off target. She was not able to find a late winner, and the game ended in a draw.



Seattle Reign 2, Boston Breakers 1 (Wed. June 26)

Wednesday’s matchup between the Reign and Breakers presented two challenging defensive matchups for Kaylyn Kyle and Rhian Wilkinson. Kyle was tasked with containing Boston’s Sydney Leroux, and she did well at not giving Leroux space, as Leroux recorded no shots on goal for the entire 90 minutes. On the Breakers, Wilkinson had Megan Rapinoe to deal with down the right side. Rapinoe oftentimes showed her superior speed, however Wilkinson played well positionally and had some perfectly timed tackles.



With Seattle up 2-1 in the closing minutes of the game, Adriana Leon was subbed on in the 89th minute to try to find an equalizer for the Breakers. However, the Reign were able to effectively close out the game, giving them their first NWSL win. The team was visibly ecstatic with the result.



FC Kansas City 2, Sky Blue FC 2 (Wed. June 26)

Wednesday’s game provided some late game drama when first place Sky Blue FC was able to score two late goals and earn a draw against the third place FC Kansas City side.



Sophie Schmidt played 79 minutes for Sky Blue in a higher position than her usual midfield role. Schmidt looked very dangerous early on, as she skipped around FC Kansas City’s 18-yard box and had three shots on goal that required some stellar goalkeeping by KC’s Nicole Barnhart.



Sky Blue was able to score off a badly defended free kick in the 85th minute, and again in extra time. Lauren Sesselmann and Desiree Scott, who both played 90 minutes for Kansas, expressed a little bit of disappointment on twitter last night at letting the win slip in the final moments of the game.



Upcoming This Weekend



Friday June 28th

Washington Spirit at Western New York Flash (7:05pm EST)



Saturday June 29th

Chicago Red Stars at Seattle Reign FC (11:00pm EST)



Sunday June 30th

Portland Thorns FC at FC Kansas City (4:10pm EST)

Sky Blue FC at Boston Breakers (6:30pm EST)



All games are available to watch at the NWSL Soccer Youtube Channel.