This past weekend was a whirlwind in the NWSL. Four playoff spots were up for grabs going into Sunday, and we witnessed a shocking series of events to settle the playoff bracket. While the Washington Spirit unfortunately fell out of the top six, Angel City FC powered their way through with a win against the top team in the league. Letโs jump into this past weekendโs womenโs soccer news.
High of the Weekendย
WE'RE IN! ๐๐๐
PLAYOFF BOUND for the first time in club history!#AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/kA6G4neZWS
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 15, 2023
In a must-win match against the Portland Thorns, Angel City FC came in with a vengeance and came out victorious. They beat the Thorns 5-1, with five goals from five different players, demonstrating the extreme depth and ability of the team.ย
This team has had quite the journey this season, from being in 11th place at week 11 of the season to climbing up the standings with a near undefeated record since then. Their incredible win meant clinching the playoffs for the first time in their team history, and theyโre set to play the OL Reign in Seattle for the quarterfinals.ย
Low of the Weekend
๐จ BREAKING NEWS ๐จ
Former Spain manager Jorge Vilda is officially the new head coach of the Morocco women's team. He signs a contract until 2027.
The Spaniard replaces Reynald Pedros, who has been dismissed from his duties
๐ธ @JamesCWPhoto pic.twitter.com/gT6jJR6JFa
— ata football (@atafball) October 12, 2023
Spain fired Coach Jorge Vilda less than two months ago, and now heโs been appointed the head coach for Morrocco. Itโs shocking how he can be banned from coaching womenโs soccer in Spain after players came out with stories of abuse but turned around and secured such a high-level position elsewhere.
News of the Weekendย
THE SHIELD BELONGS TO SAN DIEGO ๐ก pic.twitter.com/Lzr8vErZ3i
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) October 15, 2023
The NWSL Shield race was on between Portland and San Diego. While Portland was drubbed 5-1 by Angel City, San Diego snuck in, won 2-0 against Racing Louisville, and claimed the Shield.ย
San Diego ended their season with 37 points and fun factโthey have the least amount of points of any team that has ever won the Shield. Additionally, this is the season with the least amount of points separating the first and last-place teams.
Win of the Weekendย
Arsenal were losing at home 0-1 to Aston Villa as stoppage time began. Then –
โฝ๏ธ Katie McCabe (90+2โ)
โฝ๏ธ Alessia Russo (90+4โ)The game-winner assisted by Beth Mead ๐ซ pic.twitter.com/9Jpq9awaFv
— Womenโs Transfer News (@womenstransfer) October 15, 2023
A break from NWSL news for the moment. In the WSL in England, Arsenal has not gotten off the start of this season they wanted. They lost 1-0 to Liverpool, tied Manchester United 2-2, and looked like they were about to lose 1-0 to Aston Villa.ย
Beth Mead subbed in and made a world of difference, plus itย was her first game back after injury.ย Katie McCabe scored an equalizerย in stoppage time at 90 + 2โ, and then Beth Mead assisted Alessia Russoโs game-winningย goal at 90+4โ, ending the game,ย 2-1 Arsenal.
Goal of the Weekendย
.@SYDNEYLEROUX ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!
Leroux makes it 4-0 for @weareangelcity after an incredible bicycle kick goal. ๐ฑ pic.twitter.com/cTEeJ7iYOv
— National Womenโs Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
Sydney Leroux added to Angel City FCโs five goals against Portland with this ridiculous bicycle kick. What a way to seal the deal for Angel City.ย
Player of the Weekendย
Congratulations to @mPinoe, scoring her 51st goal today! ๐๐#ReignSupreme pic.twitter.com/iBNlAVYWG0
— x – OL Reign (@OLReign) October 16, 2023
In her last NWSL game, Megan Rapinoe came up big with a brace! OL Reign took on Chicago Red Stars and won 3-0, clinching a playoff spot. Rapinoe scored back to back right after the half, making it 51 goals that she scored with the club.ย
Coach of the Weekendย
#AngelCityFC Sarah Gorden and M.A. Vignola on whether Becki Tweed should win #NWSL Coach of the Year,
"I mean, she's lost one game. Can any other coach say that in the league?" pic.twitter.com/PmjHsu0bZz
— Justin Ruderman (@JustinRuderman_) October 16, 2023
Becki Tweed, Angel Cityโs interim coach, has been phenomenal this season. The players are thriving under her leadership, and the question is, could she win Coach of the Year?
What to Look Forward To
The @NWSL playoffs are HERE ๐คฉ๐บ๐ธ
Quarterfinals:
๐ฆ Gotham FC vs. NC Courage ๐ฆ
๐ผ๐ผ Angel City vs. OL Reign โ๏ธSemifinals:
๐ฆ/๐ฆ vs. Portland Thorns ๐น
๐ผ๐ผ/โ๏ธ vs. San Diego Wave ๐Who ya got? pic.twitter.com/PAeZqxA8WK
— Womenโs Transfer News (@womenstransfer) October 16, 2023
The NWSL Playoffs are set!ย
Featured image via @weareangelcity on Instagram
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