NWSL Wrap: Carpenter makes US history as Simon scores

Westfield Matildas attacker Kyah Simon has found the net to help Houston Dash salvage a draw with Portland Thorns on Thursday, while Ellie Carpenter made National Women’s Soccer League history.

Simon scored her first goal for her new club just before the hour-mark to help the Dash get a 1-1 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

And it was a superb finish too.

The 26-year-old Aussie made a great overlapping run on the right, receiving a pass from Veronica Latsko before firing a low shot into the far corner of the net.

SEE SIMON’S GOAL BELOW

Simon then went close to winning it for the Dash four minutes from time, but her long-range strike went inches over the crossbar.

She wasn’t the only Westfield Matilda to feature in the match, with youngster Carpenter coming off the bench 19 minutes from times for the Thorns.

In making her debut fresh off winning the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award for her Westfield W-League form, Carpenter became the youngest-ever player to appear in a NWSL match aged just 18 years and 11 days old.

Portland remains in fourth spot in the NWSL after the draw, losing just one of their last six matches, while Simon’s Dash have moved up one spot to seventh.

The Aussie pair will again be in action over the weekend.

Carpenter’s Thorns are at home against Orlando Pride, while Simon’s Houston travels to Chicago to take on Sam Kerr and the Red Stars.

There were three Westfield Matildas involved from the start in the other NWSL game on Thursday, which ended in a 0-0 draw between Utah Royals and Orlando Pride.

Katrina Gorry played the full 90 minutes for the Royals, who remain in sixth spot and one point behind the Pride.

Alanna Kennedy (full game) and Emily van Egmond (70 minutes) were both excellent for Orlando in their midfield.