Chicago Red Stars Clinch Third Sport for NWSL Playoffs
Week 18 of the 2016 NWSL regular season comes to a close as the Chicago Red Stars clinch the third playoff spot with a draw versus FC Kansas City. WNY Flash and Seattle Reign FC remain the final teams in position to clinch the last playoff spot. Final matches of the regular season will be played this weekend.
NWSL Soccer News: The Chicago Red Stars highlight Week 18 of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season with a draw that clinches the third playoff spot for the 2016 postseason. Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns FC clinched the first two playoff berths last week.
Western New York Flash and Seattle Reign FC remain in the hunt for the final playoff spot.
Sky Blue FC kicked off the weekend with a 2-1 victory over the Orlando Pride on Saturday. Kristen Edmonds opened up the scoring off an assist from Alex Morgan in the dying seconds of the first half.
Sky Blue FC were led by Samantha Kerr and Maya Hayes whose second half goals put the New Jersey club in sixth place with one week left to go of the regular season.
Chicago Red Stars and FC Kansas City played out a scoreless draw in the opening match on Sunday.
The Red Stars advance to the playoffs for the second consecutive season led by goal scorers Christen Press and Sofia Huerta as well as Vanessa DiBernardo who leads Chicago with 6 assists.
Houston Dash put on a dominating performance versus the Boston Breakers with a 4-1 victory led by Carli Lloyd who tallied two goals and an assist. Houston’s Kealia Ohai recorded her tenth goal of the season as she sits tied with Lynn Williams of WNY Flash with most goals in the NWSL.
Substitute Elise Kreighoff tallied Boston’s lone goal in the 76th minute.
Portland Thorns FC topped WNY Flash 3-2 in a possible playoff matchup at Providence Park. Jessica McDonald and Williams each tallied a goal on the night for the Flash, but a strong Portland side led by three goal scorers kept the club in stride heading into the postseason.
Tobin Heath recorded her 9th assist of the 2016 season.
Seattle Reign FC kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 win versus the Washington Spirit at Memorial Stadium.
Beverly Yanez and Keelin Winters recorded goals for the host, while the Spirit remain with a one-point lead atop the NWSL Table.
Photo Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
