Also in today’s roundup, Chile, Colombia and Brazil atop South American qualifying, Amy Rodriguez is removed from the NWSL injury report ahead of Utah’s home opener, and Breakers season ticket holders get word of refund process from NWSL.
Sam Kerr played a pivotal role in Australia clinching a 2019 World Cup berth. (Getty Images)
Japan 1-1 Australia: In dramatic late-game fashion, Sam Kerr rescued the Matildas, who were on the brink of exit from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with an 86th-minute finish to tie the game, 1-1. With that point, the Matildas were able to secure the top spot in Group B, giving them not only a spot in the semifinals of the Women’s Asian Cup, but also a berth to the World Cup. Japan also locked in a spot in the semifinals and a World Cup berth with the tie.
Japan opened scoring in the 63rd minute thanks to Mizuho Sakaguchi, but that lead was later closed thanks to Kerr’s late-game heroics when she capitalized on a loose ball inside the six and fired it in on goal on the turn. Australia will take on Thailand, followed by China taking on Japan in the semifinals of the qualifying tournament.
VIDEO | Samantha Kerr does it again. Watch the goal that sent @thematildas to the 2019 @FIFAWWC. #GoMatildas https://t.co/jKMSpCJAL6 pic.twitter.com/IlLQAZfKsz
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 13, 2018
Korea Republic 4-0 Vietnam: Korea Republic trounced Vietnam by the score of 4-0 in their final match of Group B play. The win for Korea Republic gave them five points, tying them in points with Australia and Japan. However, due to the head-to-head tiebreaker, Korea Republic was ousted from the semifinals. Korea Republic will take on the Philippines in a fifth place playoff for World Cup qualification.
Chile, Colombia, Brazil and winner of Argentina-Venezuela advance in Copa America Femenina
Aedo of the Washington Spirit helped Chile punch it’s place in the Copa America Femenina semifinals
Chile 5-0 Peru: Chile took home their second win of Copa America Femenina after defeating Peru 5-0 in Group A action to round out group play for both teams. The Washington Spirit’s Yanara Aedo opened scoring in the 29th minute to get Chile on the board, while Yesenia Lopez notched a second 10 minutes later to give them a 2-0 advantage at the half.
Once the second half began, the scoring floodgates opened. Francisca Lara put one away in the 63rd minute, followed only three minutes later by Aedo’s second of the day. Maria Jose Rojas’ 86th-minute goal rounded out scoring for the team and helped secure their big win.
With two wins and two ties through four games, Chile finished the group stage in second place in Group A with eight points, behind Colombia with 10 points. They are set to advance out of the group along with Colombia.
2️⃣ more goals for @YanaraJudo tonight as Chile stormed past Peru 5-0 to finish off #CopaAmericaFemenina group play!
?@LaRoja pic.twitter.com/zGqx2CUHDK
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) April 13, 2018
Paraguay 2-1 Uruguay: In the earlier Group A game yesterday, Paraguay took home the win against Uruguay, 2-1. Uruguay opened scoring early as Sindy Ramirez put one in for her country in the opening minute of play. Paraguay equalized a little before the half thanks to Jessica Martinez in the 37th minute. The game winner for Paraguay didn’t come until second-half stoppage time when Amanda Peralta finished in the 92nd minute giving Paraguay the 2-1 lead as the final whistle blew.
Despite the win, Paraguay rounded out group A play with seven points, finishing in third place. Uruguay was not able to capture a win in the group stage and finished with one point, in fourth place. Both teams were eliminated from moving on in the tournament.
Later today, Group B action will round out with Argentina taking on Venezuela. Winner of this match will join Chile, Colombia and Brazil in advancing to the final round of South American World Cup qualifying. The last game of group play will take place later today with Brazil taking on Bolivia.
A-Rod clear of NWSL Injury Report ahead of sold out home opener
Amy Rodriguez of Utah Royals FC has been removed from this week’s edition of the NWSL Injury Report after being on the 45-day disabled list and being out for the first two week of this season after tearing her ACL in last year’s FCKC home opener. Rodriguez will be available for the Royals in their sold out home opener when they welcome the Chicago Red Stars to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Red Stars will also be welcoming back forward Yuki Nagasato, who missed the first two weeks with a left hamstring strain and has also been removed from the injury report. Tobin Heath, Kelley O’Hara and Sam Mewis have all been upgraded to questionable in this week’s report.
When the #NWSL injury report comes out and A-Rod isn’t listed!
? | https://t.co/98A8KL9D46 pic.twitter.com/DfrSZfm650
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) April 13, 2018
Full report below.
Chicago Red Stars
OUT: Vanessa DiBernardo (stress fracture pelvis – D45), Julie Ertz (right knee sprain), Casey Short (right ankle sprain – D45),
Rosie White (right and left navicular fracture – D45)
QUESTIONABLE: Stephanie McCaffrey (illness)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Sam Kerr (AUS)
North Carolina Courage
OUT: Makenzy Doniak (left knee ACL tear – SEI), Liz Eddy (right hamstring strain), Yuri Kawamura (right knee ACL repair –
D45), Julie King (left ankle repair)
QUESTIONABLE: Samantha Mewis (right knee strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Debinha (BRA)
Orlando Pride
OUT: Camila (right knee surgery – D45)
QUESTIONABLE: Rachel Hill (right quad strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Alanna Kennedy (AUS), Marta (BRA), Monica (BRA), Poliana (BRA), Emily van Egmond (AUS)
Portland Thorns FC
OUT: Elizabeth Ball (left hamstring strain), Emily Menges (right tibia stress syndrome), Meg Morris (left hip pain)
QUESTIONABLE: Tobin Heath (right minor ankle surgery)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Andressinha (BRA), Ellie Carpenter (AUS), Caitlin Foord (AUS), Hayley Raso (AUS)
Seattle Reign FC
OUT: Jaycie Johnson (right knee sprain)
QUESTIONABLE: None
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Steph Catley (AUS), Nahomi Kawasumi (JPN), Rumi Utsugi (JPN), Lydia Williams (AUS)
Sky Blue FC
OUT: Amandine Pierre-Louis (right tibia/fibula contusion), Domi Richardson (illness), Erin Simon (left foot hardware removal
– D45)
QUESTIONABLE: Madison Tiernan (left turf toe)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Thaisa Moreno (BRA)
Utah Royals FC
OUT: Alex Arlitt (left knee strain – D45), Mandy Laddish (right hip contusion – SEI), Becca Moros (left calf strain)
QUESTIONABLE: Kelley O’Hara (left hamstring strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Katrina Gorry (AUS)
Washington Spirit
OUT: Rose Lavelle (left hamstring strain), Cheyna Matthews (pregnancy), Rebecca Quinn (right TFL muscle strain), Arielle
Ship (right ACL recovery – D45)
QUESTIONABLE: Cali Farquharson (left tibial stress injury)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Yanara Aedo (CHI), Estefania Banini (ARG)
NWSL announces process for Boston Breakers ticket holder refunds
Breakers season ticket holders finally get official communication in regards to refunds (LINEHAN PHOTOGRAPHY/Equalizer Soccer)
Today, the NWSL announced that the League will be refunding 2018 Boston Breakers season ticket holders and registered Breakers camp participants. The NWSL is working with Garden City Group, LLC to oversee the refund process.
