Diana Matheson was the talk of the National Women’s Soccer League in Week 3.
The Canadian midfielder netted two goals in the Washington Spirit’s 3-0 victory over the Western New York Flash, keeping her club at the top of the standings with nine points. Through three matches, Washington has scored the most goals (six) while allowing the fewest (one).
Here’s a closer look at how the Canadians performed in the third week of NWSL action:
Houston Dash
Houston and Sky Blue FC played to a 0-0 draw. Allysha Chapman suited up in her third consecutive full match at left back, helping her side preserve the clean sheet. Striker Janine Beckie was used as a sub and saw 26 minutes on the pitch for Houston.
FC Kansas City
It’s surprising to see Kansas City without a win and near the bottom of the table three weeks into the season. The reigning NWSL champions are having trouble finding the back of the net, with only one goal to their name. Desiree Scott played 90 minutes in their 1-0 loss to Seattle. The holding midfielder committed three fouls, but luckily, wasn’t carded.
Orlando Pride
Josée Bélanger and Kaylyn Kyle continue to be mainstays in the Orlando lineup. Bélanger looked comfortable in the Pride’s 1-0 loss to Chicago, contributing both defensively and offensively. She fed a perfect pass to Sarah Hagen in the opening half for one of Orlando’s best chances.
Kyle has been a stabilizing force in the midfield after three matches. Her consistency bodes well for a return to the national team, especially with alternate spots available for the upcoming Olympics and even an opportunity to join the squad for two friendlies versus Brazil in June.
Portland Thorns
Christine Sinclair is still nursing a left Achilles injury and remains out. The Thorns have earned two wins and a draw in her absence.
Washington Spirit
An impressive season continues for the Canadian trio in Washington. Diana Matheson leads the league in scoring with three goals, two of them coming in Rochester.
Shelina Zadorsky looked nothing like a rookie in the Spirit’s 3-0 win versus Western New York. Coach Jim Gabarra has entrusted the Canadian centre-back with key minutes and she’s working well on Megan Oyster’s left side.
Stephanie Labbe made three stops against the Flash to earn her second clean sheet of the year, tying her for first in that category with American internationals Hope Solo and Alyssa Naeher. Her best save of the night was tipping Samantha Mewis’ curving strike over the bar.
Western New York Flash
Goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo was the victim of a number of miscues by her back line and Washington was very opportunistic of their chances, which is indicative of the 3-0 score line. Western New York has scored just once in 2016 and that goal came in their season opener. It’ll be tough for D’Angelo to earn wins if her teammates can’t put the ball in the back of the net. Right now, she sits with a record of one win, two losses and 11 saves.
Striker Adriana Leon was subbed in at half. She finished the match with one shot.
Overseas
In Sweden, forward Melissa Tancredi scored her first goal as a member of KIF Örebro in a 3-1 win over Kristianstad. Defender Marie-Eve Nault played 90 minutes in the victory. Örebro is currently third in Damallsvenskan with one win and two draws.
Sophie Schmidt and FFC Frankfurt were eliminated in the UEFA Champions League, dropping their semifinal to Wolfsburg by a 4-1 aggregate. With her first Champions League campaign in the books, the midfielder played a total of 362 minutes over five appearances and had one goal. She also scored when Frankfurt went to penalties in the quarterfinals against Rosengård.
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