USWNT players in NWSL: Week 20

It was a weekend of close results as teams look to clinch playoff spots and secure home advantage for semifinals. Two teams have clearly pulled away from the pack, while Chicago and Seattle look like they’re struggling and Orlando is trying to continue climbing towards their peak. There’s not much mystery now in the final four, although Seattle might keep us on our toes since there’s technically still a chance for them to squeak in, five points behind both Chicago and Orlando with six points left on the board. Here’s how USWNT players did in NWSL this past week.

Orlando Pride 1 - 1 Seattle Reign

Ashlyn Harris: How unfortunate for Harris that after a mostly boring game that they were robbed of three points by a literal last-minute Jess Fishlock header. Her footwork could have been better to get to the ball, which just slipped past her glove.

Ali Krieger: Even though Seattle tried to spread the Orlando defense, Krieger really helped limit their ability to shoot and even sneaked her way into the Orlando box a few times.

Alex Morgan: Of course, she got the first goal of the game late in stoppage with a very nice finish and she had some earlier chances but Seattle smartly concentrated on her any time she was in the 18.

Megan Rapinoe: Rapinoe was key in Seattle’s attempts to move the ball, especially in the first half, but for all her string-pulling Seattle just wasn’t able to find a good shot on goal.

FC Kansas City 0 - 0 Chicago Red Stars

Becky Sauerbrunn: She did a good job pushing Chicago back and covering Christen Press while helping to reset KC from the back.

Alyssa Naeher: A mix of good and bad from Naeher. Some bad distribution weighed on one side, while a huge double save late in the game and some smothering plays weighed on the other.

Casey Short: Short had an interesting time dealing with KC’s Shea Groom and mostly was able to control her up and down the line.

Julie Ertz: Ertz moved around the midfield for Chicago. She was more solid in her deeper role and wasn’t able to push Chicago to a goal when she shifted higher late in the game.

Morgan Brian: After a quick trade from Houston, Brian was already connecting decently with national teammates Ertz and Press in her 59 minutes of play.

Christen Press: Though Press had a few chances, KC also very much limited her service in a game that saw only eight shots total from Chicago.

North Carolina Courage 1 - 0 Houston Dash

Abby Dahlkemper: Good coverage from Dahlkemper in this game helped limit Houston chances around goal.

Taylor Smith: Not a ton from Smith on the night, but she got up the field as usual while also covering Nichelle Prince. Prince got the better of her a few times, but it wasn’t enough for Houston.

Samantha Mewis: She did her best to take up space in the midfield and often opened up the game with controlled short passing.

Lynn Williams: A good number of opportunities for Williams inside the box, but none of them lined up quite right for her on the night. Still, she was a threat who could pull Houston’s attention and open up play for her teammates.

Jane Campbell: Five saves for Campbell on the night, including a point blank one with her feet from being in the right position. Possibly she shouldn’t have tracked so far right on NC’s one goal to leave the near post open.

Carli Lloyd: still out with ankle injury

Boston Breakers 0 - 1 Portland Thorns

Rose Lavelle: Lavelle came in in the 56’ for Brooke Elby and sat deeper in the midfield, although she eventually pushed up plenty through the mid in an effort to create a scoring opportunity. Still some rust after her long injury, but she’s clearly about ready to play full halves.

Lindsey Horan: Horan had some difficulty operating as she usually does in the midfield as Boston dominated a lot of play and patiently recycled the ball out of the back, leaving her chasing or watching.

Allie Long: Long played a lot higher on the field and was a target to drop away from the Boston back line, but didn’t get a ton of opportunities to pounce on balls through or over the top.

Sky Blue FC 1 - 2 Washington Spirit

Kelley O’Hara: O’Hara was one of Sky Blue’s most involved players on the night, perhaps moreso in the second half as she tried to help Sky Blue build on its lead.

Mallory Pugh: Pugh subbed in in the 62’ playing centrally and eventually scored the game winner for Washington, which pushed them out of last place in the standings.