From an upset in southern California to a statement triumph in Kentucky, week 12 of the NWSL regular season was packed with riveting action in the hottest of conditions.
NWSL news: Mary Vignola wins it late as Angel City secure three points in first match without Freya Coombe
The southern California rivalry did not fail to deliver. Just days after the franchise's first manager was fired, Angel City was set to meet up with its in-state rival. Sitting in 11th position having gone winless in the club's previous six matches across all competitions, ACFC looked more disjointed than any other NWSL club. Interim manager Becki Tweed gave Sydney Leroux her first start of the season at Snapdragon Stadium with the forward line needing a lift. Casey Stoney's San Diego Wave were on the opposite spectrum. The Wave were unbeaten in the six contests heading into week 12.
With just four shots in total within the first 45 minutes, the match lacked a lot of offensive creativity. In the 57′, that all changed. Alex Morgan played a perfectly weighted pass to Kristen McNabb who put her left boot through the strike to generate the power necessary to find the game's first breakthrough.
With the fans behind and a stable defense in the back, the Wave were well-equipped to see this match out. Tweed and ACFC had other plans. The away side continued to push forward, collecting the contest's next six shots including the equalizer by Paige Nielsen who snuck her shot past the arms of Kailen Sheridan at her near post.
It was the first time since May 27 that the Los Angeles side was either tied or leading in a regular season matchup. It was Nielsen's first goal since August 13, 2021. When the center-back found the back of the net, the belief within the team changed as the traveling fans attempted to lift their side up who were desperate to earn a result.
Even a draw given ACFC's form would have been a step in the right direction, but Tweed's team wanted more. For the next 20 minutes, the L.A side created the better of the opportunities. Minutes after Jasmyne Spencer nearly found the far post, Scarlett Camberos picked up the ball off a San Diego giveaway and dished it to Mary Vignola who did the rest. No Wave defender stepped toward the ball, and the 25-year-old was able to record her second goal in as many games. ACFC jumps to 10th position while Stoney's team ends the weekend in fifth. Maybe it is the new manager bounce, but to go on the road and win days after hearing the news of Coombe's dismissal against that opposition is quite impressive.
NWSL news: Savannah DeMelo continues her tear to propel Racing Louisville to vital victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC at home
A little over a month ago, Racing Louisville had won their first match. Now, the Kentucky side is one of the most confident in the league, taking their UKG Challenge Cup success and turning it into points in the regular season. With the 2-0 triumph over a struggling NJ/NY Gotham FC side, Racing is now unbeaten in eight out of their last nine across all competitions.
Against one of the best road teams in the NWSL this season, Kim Björkegren's squad were on the verge of breaking through within the first 10 minutes by way of Thembi Kgatlana. The South African was sensational throughout her 83 minutes on the pitch, the most she has had in the American top flight since 2018. The work in the first half that she did was rewarded almost immediately. Racing's No. 11 has scored her first goal since recovering from her torn left Achilles tendon minutes after the whistle began the second 45 minutes. She led her side in successful take-ons, and total shots.
Savannah DeMelo was the other X-factor on the pitch for the team in purple and black. The USWNT hopeful netted the opening goal of the match through pure hustle, getting up off the ground to strike the ball into the bottom right corner. DeMelo is now one of six players across the league with seven or more goal contributions. She has contributed to four goals in the last five matches.
As a sophomore in the league, the former USC midfielder has made her mark as one of the most dynamic in the final third. She has the ability to score in a plethora of ways in addition to having the vision to play the ball between the lines of a defense. Her status at the World Cup is still up in the air, but whether or not she makes it, it is quite evident, her impact for her national team is going to be felt for years to come.
Gotham had their respective chances as Lynn Williams accounted for seven shots with three on target, but for the second contest out of the last three, the New York side was shutout. Once Kelley O'Hara mashed her open header off the post, it was clear the away team just did not have it in front of that. The northeast side may have had more shots and possession, but they lacked that creativity and instinct in front of the goal that was desperately needed to get back on track.
NWSL news: Washington Spirit piece together gritty comeback to go top with win over Kansas City
With Morgan Gautrat and Vanessa DiBernardo starting as a double pivot in the midfield for the first time in Kansas City colors, the Current had their eyes set on stealing points. Right out the gate, it looked like the home side would. Twenty-two seconds into the match, rookie Michelle Cooper beat Audrey Kingsbury to earn the record for the quickest goal in league history. Caroline Sjöblom's team went on to add a second via a Debinha spot kick.
Everything was leaning toward a stunning Current victory over a playoff-bound Washington Spirit. KC had six out of the first seven shots of the game, owning the ball and the opportunities in the attacking third. The minute Ashley Sanchez guided her shot with the help of a deflection past Cassie Miller to cut the lead to one, the momentum shifted into Washington's favor. The Spirit concluded the match with three shots on target. All of them crossed the goal line.
Set pieces are the great equalizer in the game of soccer. With the score still reading 2-1 in favor of the mid-west side, Paige Metayer used her 5'10" frame to get on the end of a Lena Silano corner. Even with the amount of defenders around her, Metayer left Miller no chance between the posts. Another situation in which KC lost a runner in the box propelled Washington up to the top of the table. A creative left-footed ball by Dorian Bailey was right into the path of Tara McKeown who converted what will most likely be her easiest goal of her career. For the Current, that is a tough pill to swallow as they sit at the bottom of the table. Those are the kind of matches a team like Kansas City just trying to string together results has to have. On the other end, that is what disciplined playoff teams do. Continue to fight, and when the chances come their way, punish the opposition.
The NWSL resumes on Wednesday evening with three intriguing UKG NWSL Challenge Cup matches on Paramount+.
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