Also in today’s Roundup, Kelley O’Hara likely out on Saturday, Chelsea Ladies wins another title, and draftee Indigo Gibson plans for life outside soccer.
The NWSL Media Association announced today that Seattle forward Megan Rapinoe was voted the Player of the Week for Week 7 after her brace led Seattle to a 4-1 thrashing of Sky Blue. This is Rapinoe’s sixth Player of the Week honor in her NWSL career, tying her with Crystal Dunn for the most in the league. She previously won this season in Week 1 and was also named Player of the Month in March.
With four goals in three games played, as well as one assist, Rapinoe is second to Christine Sinclair in the Golden Boot race. Seattle currently sits in second place on the table. Rapinoe has made the Second XI three times (2013, 2015, and 2017) and is sixth on the all-time scoring list.
O’Hara doubtful for Saturday
Utah Royals FC defender Kelley O’Hara (5) and NC Courage defender Merritt Mathias (11) during a match between the NC Courage and the Utah Royals FC in Cary, NC in Week 4 of the 2018 NWSL season. (photo by Lewis Gettier)
Utah Royals head coach Laura Harvey told media today that jack-of-all-trades Kelley O’Hara, who has played as both a defender and forward for the club, is still being evaluated for a hamstring injury and that they are taking it slow, making it unlikely O’Hara appears in Saturday’s match against Houston for Lifetime’s Game of the Week. O’Hara has had a lingering issue with her hamstring for some time and has been in and out of Utah’s lineup, first appearing on the injury report on March 29. During last week’s scoreless draw against Orlando, she pulled up during a run into Orlando’s box before dropping to the ground and couldn’t continue, forcing a stoppage time sub for Erika Tymrak.
O’Hara currently has one goal for the Royals, helping her team to their first ever win, a 2-0 victory over Washington at home. Since moving from outside back to wide forward, she has been a big part of Utah’s turnaround after a slow start. The Royals currently sit in sixth place.
O’Hara is also a typical starter at outside back for the USWNT, who host two matches against China in less than a month, one of which is at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Royals’ home field. The USWNT has been plagued with injuries and other issues at outside back, and if both O’Hara and Casey Short remain sidelined, head coach Jill Ellis will be without two of her frequent starters.
Chelsea Ladies win FAWSL title
Get in. A pleasure to watch that from home. Champions of England, we know who we are. Love you girls x @ChelseaLFC
— Emma Hayes MBE (@emmahayes1) May 15, 2018
Chelsea Ladies FC secured their second FAWSL title with a 2-0 win over Bristol City today. This is their second trophy of the season after winning the 2018 Women’s FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Heather O’Reilly’s Arsenal on May 5. Chelsea previously won the FAWSL title in 2015 as well as winning the league’s one-off spring series last year as they transitioned from a summer to a winter-spring league.
Chelsea is currently undefeated in FAWSL play and has one game left to play. Head coach Emma Hayes was unable to attend the match due to the impending birth of her twins.
Previously home to Crystal Dunn until she returned to the NWSL this spring, Chelsea made their furthest run yet in the Women’s Champions League before falling to Wolfsburg, home of Ella Masar, in the semifinals, 1-5 on aggregate. With their title win, the club ensures their return to the 2018-2019 Champions League.
Indigo Gibson opts for career outside of soccer
Chicago Red Stars draft pick Indigo Gibson announced via Instagram that she is opting for a career outside of soccer. pic.twitter.com/SOIgpHhYUS
— John D. Halloran (@JohnDHalloran) May 14, 2018
Chicago Red Stars draft pick Indigo Gibson announced via her Instagram account yesterday that she has accepted a job with Timbuk2, a bag manufacturer based in San Francisco. The company makes a variety of pre-made and custom backpacks, messenger bags, and more.
The University of California, Berkeley, defender was the 18th pick in the 2018 NWSL draft by the Red Stars. Gibson was an All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2017. She made the Red Stars preseason roster but decided to remain at Cal to finish her degree, ultimately choosing a career outside of soccer.
