Also in today’s Roundup, Kerr named Player of the Week, the NWSL DisCo is back in action, and the injury report is out
(photo courtesy Canada Soccer)
Former Washington Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé will be joining Linköpings FC in Sweden, currently in the middle of their 2018 season. The 2017 champs are in 5th place on the Damallsvenskan table and is the current home of former Boston Breakers striker Natasha Dowie. She will be replacing Swedish keeper Hilda Carlén.
Labbé is no stranger to Sweden having played there at the beginning of her professional career with Piteå IF and KIF Örebro. She joined the Spirit in 2016, helping lead the club to the 2016 NWSL Championship game but took a leave of absence from the team before the 2017 season was over. She was released by Washington before the 2018 season began. Labbé then joined Calgary Foothills FC, a men’s side in the Premier Development League but was denied entry by the league before she could play an official match. The keeper attempted to fight the ruling, which said the league was a gender-based men’s league, before joining Calgary Foothills WFC of United Women’s Soccer in May.
Kerr named week’s best
(photo copyright Tom Salus)
A hat trick against her former club has propelled Sam Kerr to the top of the voting for the NWSL Player of the Week, as voted on by the NWSL Media Association. Kerr’s three goals were enough to lead the Chicago Red Stars to a 3-1 victory over Sky Blue FC. This was the Red Stars’ third game in a week, which saw them take six points out of a possible nine. This was the first hat trick scored during this NWSL season and pushed Kerr to the front of the Golden Boot race. She was the 2017 Golden Boot winner and MVP after scoring a record 17 goals. She is also the NWSL’s all-time leading goalscorer and the first to 50 goals, notching the 50th with her second goal on Sunday. This is Kerr’s third hat trick in the NWSL (also a league first) and her sixth time to be selected as Player of the Week.
Lindsey Horan and Megan Rapinoe came second and third in the voting, respectively. Horan notched a goal and an assist in the Thorns’ 4-0 rout of Utah, while Rapinoe picked up two assists and scored the game-winning penalty kick as Seattle defeated Houston 3-1.
Matheson suspended, Khano Smith fined
Here's the whole thing (gif courtesy of @SandHerrera_ ) #BAONPDX #PORvUTA pic.twitter.com/5BpJdqtJN3
— Katelyn Best (@BestKabest) July 7, 2018
Utah Royals midfielder Diana Matheson has been suspended for one game for a tackle against Midge Purce during the Royals’ 4-0 loss to Portland last Friday. Matheson was cited for “endangering the safety of an opponent that was determined to be a major game misconduct.” She was issued a yellow during the game, while Purce was unable to continue playing. Although not yet listed on the official injury report (as Portland does not play tomorrow), Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian reports that Purce will miss 4-5 weeks with an ankle sprain. This is the same ankle whose injury previously pulled Purce out of USWNT camp ahead of the China games last month and now puts her in doubt for the Tournament of Nations at the end of this month. Matheson will serve the suspension tomorrow during Utah’s game against Seattle.
Orlando Pride assistant coach Khano Smith, ejected from Saturday’s game for protesting a disallowed goal from Dani Weatherholt in the 77th minute, has been fined an undisclosed amount by the NWSL Disciplinary Committee in addition to the automatic one-game suspension that accompanies his ejection. Smith was dismissed for inappropriate behavior and language toward officials. The goal was called back due to a foul against Tori Huster prior to the shot. Orlando went on to win the match over Washington 2-1. Smith will serve his suspension during Orlando’s game tomorrow in Houston.
{Related: NWSL Week in Review: What say you, Disciplinary Committee?}
Utsugi, Banini, Zerboni added to injury report
The latest NWSL injury report is out ahead of tomorrow’s games. Notable additions include McCall Zerboni, listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain, Rumi Utsugi, questionable with a left calf strain, and Estefania Banini, questionable with right hamstring inflammation. Jess Fishlock (right quad strain) has been upgraded to questionable, while Rose Lavelle has been removed. The full injury report is as follows:
Houston Dash
OUT: Kristie Mewis (left ACL sprain – SEI)
North Carolina Courage
OUT: Liz Eddy (left quadriceps strain – D45), Julie King (left ankle repair)
QUESTIONABLE: Abby Erceg (left hamstring tendinitis), Jaelene Hinkle (left quad strain), Samantha Mewis (right knee pain), McCall Zerboni (right ankle sprain)
Orlando Pride
QUESTIONABLE: Alex Morgan (right calf strain)
Seattle Reign FC
OUT: Yael Averbuch (illness), Kiersten Dallstream (left quad strain)
QUESTIONABLE: Elizabeth Addo (left knee sprain), Jess Fishlock (right quad strain) Rumi Utsugi (left calf strain)
Utah Royals FC
OUT: Alex Arlitt (left knee strain – SEI), Makenzy Doniak (left knee ACL tear – SEI), Mandy Laddish (right hip contusion – SEI), Kelley O’Hara (right hamstring strain)
Washington Spirit
OUT: Cali Farquharson (left tibial stress injury – D45), Cheyna Matthews (pregnancy), Francisca Ordega (concussion), Mallory Pugh (right PCL sprain), Arielle Ship (right ACL recovery – D45), Tiffany Weimer (left knee Baker’s cyst)
QUESTIONABLE: Estefanía Banini (right hamstring inflammation)
