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USWNT players in NWSL roundup: Week 2

Another wild weekend in terms of injuries, but with more predictable scorelines

By Stephanie Yang

NWSL season four is rolling onwards with their second week of games. The Orlando Pride had their home opener to the tune of 23,403 in attendance and the Seattle Reign bounced back from their shock loss against Sky Blue FC. Also, why oh why couldn't Kim Little be eligible to play for the United States?

Chicago Red Stars 1 - 0 Western New York Flash

Julie Johnston: Johnston continues to push forward while also anchoring the back line. She had a good late game clearance during a scramble in the box.

Alyssa Naeher: It was Naeher's first clean sheet with her new club. She had six saves on the night.

Christen Press: Press was playing deeper for Chicago, sitting behind the forwards and reading the field while also pushing up into the box. She managed some decent shots on goal but then had a one-on-one chance in the 84' that got blocked by an onrushing Sabrina D'Angelo, a goal which would have helped Chicago deal with WNY's last-minute pressure.

Jaelene Hinkle: Hinkle was out this week with a fractured toe after stubbing it at home (and not as a result of Heather O'Reilly's rough tackle on her last week).

Samantha Mewis: Mewis worked the ball around pretty well when she had it, but was isolated in the middle of the park at times as play moved out wide.

Orlando Pride 3 - 1 Houston Dash

Ashlyn Harris: Harris made several critical saves to preserve the Orlando Pride's first win and first home game.

Alex Morgan: Once again Morgan found herself a bit isolated at the top of the Pride's formation, although she ended up scoring anyway, one-timing it into the net off a sharply-cut ball back into the box.

Morgan Brian: Not the biggest game for Brian, who is still coming back to match fitness after a hamstring injury and just managed 65 minutes against Orlando.

Carli Lloyd: Lloyd had to leave the game early after a seemingly innocuous challenge that ricocheted a ball off of her leg led to her collapsing on the field, unable to play on. The Dash confirmed that Lloyd suffered an MCL sprain and will be out 3-6 weeks.

FC Kansas City 1 - 1 Portland Thorns

Heather O'Reilly: HAO has been pushing hard in games, whether to help Kansas City make up for the conspicuous absence of the retired Lauren Holiday or to prove something after seeing her national team time diminish. She managed to pick up an assist, curling a nice left-footed ball into the box for Shea Groom to finish with a diving header.

Becky Sauerbrunn: A typically controlled game from Sauerbrunn, who couldn't do much on the goal.

Tobin Heath: She was everywhere for the Thorns, a repeat of her week 1 performance, and she picked up the assist on the goal. So far Heath has been the architect behind every Portland goal this season, but we'll see if she can keep up this relentless pace.

Lindsey Horan: She scored the Thorns equalizer off Heath's corner kick, stretching over a defender to get her head to the ball.

Meghan Klingenberg: Plenty of action for Klingenberg, who continues her high-flying attacking style as a left fullback. She took a hard knock to the body late in the game and managed to finish out stoppage, but immediately sat down at final whistle.

Sky Blue FC 1 - 2 Washington Spirit

Kelley O'Hara: She battled it out with Ali Krieger while also pushing high for Sky Blue on the left. O'Hara did well using her pace to move the ball quickly and find targets in the box. She also received a yellow card for sliding in hard on national teammate Crystal Dunn.

Crystal Dunn: Dunn picked up the assist on the Spirit's second goal, sending a nicely-weighted through ball for Diana Matheson to finish by nutmegging the keeper.

Ali Krieger: She bossed a classic shot-cross right into the net, giving the Spirit their first goal of the game.

Boston Breakers 0 - 3 Seattle Reign

Whitney Engen: It was an unremarkable night for Engen as she anchored the Breakers back line.

Hope Solo: Solo had a few sharp saves, including being quick to come off her line to punch a ball out of the box. She also received a yellow card for delay of game on a goal kick, which is sure to be keeping her up at night.

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