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Bundesliga: Frankfurt wins top game, maintains title chances

by Olaf Goldbecker

The top game of matchday 20 took place in Frankfurt that hosted top seed Wolfsburg in an effort to keep the title race close. The visitors had the better start and hit the post by Anna Blässe early, but Frankfurt answered and scored the lead by Kerstin Garefrekes after a corner kick in minute 15. Midway through the first half the game had to be stopped for ten minutes when Nadine Angerer and Svenja Huth collided, both continued playing afterwards. Saskia Bartusiak added the second goal after the break for Frankfurt’s 2-0 win, which keeps the league open to a certain degree. Read more

Allocated Players Coming Alive

Week Three brought out the scoring in the national team allocated players. Through the first two weeks of the season, the players distributed to the NWSL teams by the United States, Canadian and Mexican national team combined for six goals. But this weekend’s slate alone, that total was equaled including an impressive brace by Heather O’Reilly. More importantly fans are being treated to more offensive play, something that was absent in the first two weeks of the season. Yes, those two weeks were really used for having the teams still figure out how to play with each other on the field and it was expected that there would be a lack of goals. But this weekend fans saw a precursor for what is to come this season: great offensive flow, great moments of goalkeeping and some nicely worked goals. So let’s take a look back at Week Three of the National Women’s Soccer League: Read more

If You Bring Excitement….The Fans Will Come

It’s not as catchy as the ghost voice speaking to Kevin Costner in the Field of Dreams saying “If you build it, they will come.” But I feel the same concept can apply to week two of the National Women’s Soccer League action. After the first week of action where goals weren’t flowing as one would hope, the play in the two matches this week was quite a step up in quality and pace. There were late match dramatics, scene setters, injury scares and a rivalry that has been born. Plus with exceptional crowds at both the Maryland SoccerPlex and Jeld-Wen Field (standing room only crowd at the ‘Plex and overflow seating at Jeld-Wen to boot), it made for great play. As keeping form from week one, here are this week’s top players, the little things and some things to watch in the future: Read more

Wolfsburg with big win, Frankfurt with big point loss in makeup games

by Olaf Goldbecker

Four makeup games were played in Bundesliga and all of the top four teams were featured.

The toughest battle took place between No. 1 Wolfsburg and No. 4 Munich. The Bavarians proved to be a top team killer in the last two seasons, and also today they delivered an open battle. Three goals were scored, all between minutes 38 and 42. Martina Müller scored the lead for Wolfsburg, Katharina Baunach tied by penalty kick, and Viola Odebrecht scored what proved to be the game winner for Wolfsburg. The Wolves spoke about a hard-battled win but their 19th straight league home win got them closer to the title. Read more

One-One: The New Nil-Nil

The opening weekend in the National Women’s Soccer League proved that the 1-1 draw is the result in season right now. With three of the four matches ending with this result, it proved that goals will be at a premium in the early stages of the season with all the teams still getting used to playing with each other on the field. While some full rosters have been on the field together for maybe two or three training sessions, with some players only arriving a day or two before the weekend, some of the play in each match looked disjointed at times. But then there were a couple of moments of magic that gave fans a glimpse of what is to come this season. With that, lets take a look back at week one with some top players, the little things that won’t be seen in the box score and the things that need a little improving for next week: Read more

The Start the NWSL Needed

by Rachael Caldwell

Often times, extraordinary things happen at small high schools across the nation. There are many stories about a last-second football touchdown or a college basketball prospect’s dunk that occasionally makes it in the Top Ten.  Saturday night’s event was different than that.  The National Women’s Soccer League inaugural game was played at a small high school in Kansas. Compared to the women’s soccer leagues of the past, this was nothing flashy or extravagant.  Even so, over 6,000 fans filled the stadium as soon as the gates opened to see the opposing teams, FCKC and Portland, battle to a 1-1 score. The will call ticket line was long, but it was nothing compared to the chaos happening at the merchandise stand.  The atmosphere was intensified by the supporter’s section marching through the crowds of people, playing trumpets and drums while chanting songs that one is used to hearing in MLS stadiums across the country.  Yes, this was certainly something different. Read more

Potsdam Takes Advantage of Three Own Goals; Frankfurt Drops to Freiburg

by Olaf Goldbecker

During the week two makeup games were played. Wolfsburg increased their lead in a 6-0 win at Sindelfingen. Five of the goals were scored in the final 30minutes and saw Alexandra Popp as player of the match after marking four strikes. Duisburg freed themselves of any relegation worries after crushing Gütersloh 7-3. The home team was up 2-0 after seven minutes, Gütersloh tied after 15 only to see Duisburg being back on a two goals lead after 20 minutes – 4:2 also was the halftime score. After the break Gütersloh closed to one goal again but at the end they suffered a heavy defeat. Read more