After 18 matches in nine different markets, the 2020 NWSL Fall Series officially came to a close on Saturday. The final match day opened with a nationally televised 3-3 tie between the Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage. The Courage led 3-0 at the half, with Lynn Williams scoring North Carolina’s second goal in stoppage time, getting in behind Orlando’s backline and calmly slotting home a right-footed finish. However, Orlando stormed back in the second half to salvage a point at home, punctuated by an equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time. Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, and Abby Dahlkemper all went 90 minutes for their respective clubs before heading to USWNT training camp the next day.
.@lynnraenie. Free on goal. Trouble for @ORLPride.
— NWSL (@NWSL) October 17, 2020
0-2 | #ORLvNC
Tune in now on @CBS and @Twitch.#NWSLFallSeries | #VerizonCommunityShield pic.twitter.com/xEXIJImZcI
Later that night, OL Reign picked up a 2-0 win at home over Utah Royals FC to officially close out the competition, which was won by Portland Thorns FC.
With the Fall Series now complete all eyes turn to the NWSL Expansion Draft featuring Racing Louisville Football Club, which will be held on November 12. Visit nwslsoccer.com for more key dates and information.
Over in Europe, despite giving up a goal for the first time since August, Emily Sonnett and Koppabergs/Göteborg FC maintained their lead atop the Damallsvenskan standings with a 1-1 draw again KIF Orebro on Saturday. Sonnett once played the full 90 minutes. With only three matches left to play this season, Göteborg has 45 points through 19 matches while second place Rosengård sits on 41 points. Göteborg could clinch the league title as early as November 1, when it takes on seventh place Växjö.
Sunday was a memorable day for the USWNT’s Manchester United contingent, as Tobin Heath and Christen Press both scored their first goals for the club in the Red Devils’ 4-2 win over West Ham United. After picking up an assist in each of her previous two league appearances, Heath made it points in three consecutive games with a goal in the 23rd minute. The USA striker collected a pass from Alessia Russo and rifled a right-footed shot that beat the goalkeeper just inside the far post.
TOBIN HEATH 🇺🇸☄️
— AtaFootball (@atafball) October 18, 2020
She gets on the scoresheet for the first time in the @BarclaysFAWSL 🤩 pic.twitter.com/KiTMkySAjd
After entering the match in the 76th minute, Press added another for Manchester United in the 87th, finishing with well-placed volley at the back-post off a free kick from Lucy Staniforth. Manchester United is unbeaten in the WSL this season and currently sits third in the league table, taking 13 points from five matches.
Press at the back post! 👋@ChristenPress scores her first goal for @ManUtdWomen off the bench! 🔥#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/XjNtI0dYam
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) October 18, 2020
Samantha Mewis scored her second WSL goal to salvage a point on the road for Manchester City. Mewis and Rose Lavelle featured together for the first time in the City starting lineup, but the Cityzens fell behind in the third minute after an early goal by hosts Reading FC. City probably deserved more from the game, launching numerous dangers attacks, but the only goal came from Mewis with the equalizer in 56th minute. She received a ball outside the penalty box on the left side, dribbled centrally to avoid a defender and rifled a right-footed shot past the Reading goalkeeper inside the right post. Mewis and Lavelle both played the full 90 minutes in the draw.
It's 1-1 at the Madejski! @sammymewy levels the score 😎#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/Kdvv8UbdE8
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) October 18, 2020
Forward Alex Morgan had a slight injury setback and it still working her way back to full fitness as she eyes her eagerly anticipated FA WSL and Tottenham debut, hopefully in a few weeks.
All eyes will be on Wembley Stadium when club competitions resume after the October FIFA break, as Manchester City and Everton square off on November 1 in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final, giving Mewis and Lavelle their first chance at English trophies. Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham will all be in action midweek as group play continues in the Continental Cup, with WSL action to come that weekend. Most FA WSL games are available for viewing through The FA Player or by visiting https://www.atafootball.com/.
