NWSL Preview: Crucial fixtures for Westfield Matildas stars

A host of Westfield Matildas are in action this weekend when the National Women's Soccer League resumes.

Here's a preview of what's ahead of 

Portland Thorns FC v Utah Royals

Katrina Gorry’s Utah Royals travel to Providence Park to take on Ellie Carpenter’s Portland Thorns on Saturday (AEST) in what could prove to be a crucial match-up in the play-off race.

The sides drew 1-1 in their previous fixture but with the two outfits only separated by a single point on the ladder, the sixth-placed Royals will fancy their chances at leapfrogging the third-placed Thorns come kick off.

Westfield Matildas’ starlet Ellie Carpenter will enter the contest having clinched her maiden NWSL goal in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Washington Spirit.

The 18-year-old becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history. Teammate Hayley Raso is still sidelined with a knee sprain.

 

Chicago Red Stars v Orlando Pride

Sam Kerr’s Chicago Red Stars host Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy when Orlando Pride come calling at Toyota Park on Sunday morning.

The fifth-placed Red Stars have drawn four of their last five matches and arrive into the contest on the back of a 0-0 stalemate with Seattle Reign.

 

Orlando will still be reeling from their midweek 4-3 defeat to league leaders North Carolina Courage, with Alanna Kennedy’s header midway through the second half eclipsed by a 90th minute winner for the Courage.

Sky Blue v Seattle Reign

Lydia Williams and Steph Catley will be in action when Seattle Reign travel to Yurcak Field to play league cellar dwellers Sky Blue on Sunday morning.

Seattle were defeated 2-1 by Houston Dash midweek in a match that saw Williams’ surrender her position between the sticks to Michelle Betos.

With Sky Blue still searching for their first win of the season, the Reign will need to avoid complacency in order to maintain their pursuit of runaway leaders North Carolina Courage.

NWSL LADDER

*Teams in bold contain Westfield Matildas players

  1. North Carolina Courage – played 10, 26 points, +10
  2. Seattle Reign – played 8, 14 points, +4
  3. Portland Thorns – played 9, 12 points, +0
  4. Orlando Pride – played 9, 12 points, +0
  5. Chicago Red Stars – played 10, 12 points, +1
  6. Utah Royals – played 8, 11 points, +2
  7. Houston Dash – played 10, 10 points, -5
  8. Washington Spirit – played 9, 8 points, -4
  9. Sky Blue – played 7, 1 point, -8

Here are the game details for Westfield Matildas stars and their teams…

Portland Thorns FC v Utah Royals, Saturday 26 May 12.50pm AEST

Chicago Red Stars v Orlando Pride, Sunday 27 May 5.30am AEST

Sky Blue v Seattle Reign, Sunday 27 May 9.00am AEST

Matches can be live-streamed at nwslsoccer.com