NWSL round-up: OL Reign edge closer to NC Courage

NWSL round-up: OL Reign edge closer to second-place NC Courage after being the only team to win last week

September 7, 2021 By Juan Aguerrevere

Topics: Bethany Balcer, OL Reign, NWSL, NC Courage, Taylor Kornieck, Rachel Daly, Orlando Pride, Houston Dash, Jane Campbell, 2021 NWSL Championship, Providence Park, CBS, Paramount+, Twitch, CBSSN

National Women’s Soccer League play last week was not as exciting as its usual self, with four of its five games ending in draws. However, OL Reign took advantage of the quiet NWSL matchday.

OL Reign was the only NWSL club that managed to win last week against the Houston Dash in a midweek clash. The game ended 1-0 thanks to Reign forward Bethany Balcer's awareness in the box, which helped her tap in a rebound Houston's Jane Campbell's save against Jess Fishlock in the early minutes of the game.

After scoring a game-winning goal in Houston on Wednesday, Balcer scored a game-tying goal in Louisville on Saturday. That time around, Balcer headed her way into the top of the league's goalscoring charts with eight goals in 18 appearances and just ten starts.

OL Reign is tied in points with second-place NC Courage, who have a game in hand. Both teams aim to finish the campaign in second place and secure that first-round bye in the playoffs.

Who are the top five NWSL teams as of Tuesday, Sept. 7

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NWSL top three goalscorers

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NWSL – Headlines

The 2021 NWSL Championship will be hosted at Providence Park on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 9 a.m. ET.

Players and fans complain about the 2021 NWSL Championship location (Providence Park) and starting time (9 a.m. LOCAL).

Defender Ali Krieger made her 150th NWSL appearance in Orlando Pride's 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash on Sunday.

The NWSL said that the transaction for USWNT center-back Abby Dahlkemper between the NC Courage and Houston Dash was a trade. However, head coaches Paul Riley and James Clarkson said that it was a loan, which goes against league rules.

Kansas City reached 11 points after tying 0-0 against second-place North Carolina Courage.

The Space Race between the Orlando Pride and Houston Dash ended in a one-all draw with goals from Orlando's Taylor Kornieck and Houston's Rachel Daly.