Three of the four playoff positions in the National Women’s Soccer League are currently occupied by teams that finished in the bottom three last season.
The defending champion Portland Thorns FC have dropped to sixth place — five points out of a playoff spot — after a league record 5-0 home loss to the Western New York Flash on Saturday. And that came on the heels of a 4-1 loss to the last-place Boston Breakers. Not even the season debuts of Alex Morgan, Veronica Boquete, Rachel Van Hollebeke and Stephanie Catley could right the ship in the Rose City.
It was another wild week in the NWSL — thanks in part to referees, per the usual, at this point. On Saturday, five penalty kicks were awarded in three matches. The Chicago Red Stars and Seattle Reign FC combined for nine yellow cards, and Seattle earned two of those penalty kicks.
If you missed anything, here are the highlights and recaps from the week’s matches:
Chicago Red Stars 0, Washington Spirit 1 (June 4)
FC Kansas City 1, Western New York Flash 0 (June 4)
Portland Thorns FC 0, Western New York Flash 5
Seattle Reign FC 3, Chicago Red Stars 1
FC Kansas City 2, Boston Breakers 0
Sky Blue FC 0, Houston Dash 3
