A photo posted by Glennon Doyle Melton (@glennondoylemelton) on Nov 24, 2016 at 4:32pm PST

Christian mommy blogger, Glennon Doyle Melton, announced her relationship with US Soccer star Abby Wambach on social media in November. Melton took to both Instagram and Facebook to make the announcement; which came two months after Wambach announced her divorce and three months after Melton announced her own divorce.

As most of us remember, Wambach was married to fellow soccer star Sarah Huffman. The two were married in 2013. Rumors of trouble in their relationship started surfacing after Wambach was arrested for a DUI in 2015. Melton, for her part, was married to a man for 10 years and wrote two books about saving her marriage. Melton also has a history of substance abuse. However, she indicated that the two women are building a relationship based on faith. Read the full post below. Best of luck to the new couple!

[[[LOVE WINS ANNOUNCEMENT PART ONE]]] Feels like the world could use all the love it can get right now. So today, I’m going to share with you my new love. Her name is Abby. You might recognize her from soccer. She was one of the best players of all time, and she has been a fierce and committed advocate for women’s equality for a decade. And honestly? Those are the least impressive things about her. Abby is deeply sensitive and kind. The kids call her an M&M because she looks tough on the outside but inside she’s really mushy and sweet. Abby’s brave. Not just with her words but with her entire being. She’s unwaveringly good to Craig, to the kids, to Sister and to all my people. And oh my God, she is so good to me. She loves me for all the things I’ve always wanted to be loved for. She’s just my favorite. My person. Wanted to answer a few questions you might have: Isn’t this fast, G? Yes, it is. How is Craig? He’s his beautiful, kind, brave self. He’s dating too — and we are both supportive of each other’s relationships. How are the kids? I’ll let them speak for themselves, or not. I can tell you that as usual, we’re walking through this together. They have the love and support of their dad, me, their grandparents, their aunts and uncles, their church, their teachers, their friends’ families. They’re lucky kids, to be surrounded by so much love. We have family dinners together – all six of us — and Abby cooks. (She is an AMAZING chef because Jesus loves me). We are a modern, beautiful family. Our children are loved. So loved. And because of all of that love, they are brave. When Craig and I sat them down to tell them about Abby I started by saying: “In our family, we live and tell the truth about who we are no matter what, and then love each other through it — and I’m about to show you how that’s done.” [[CONTINUED IN LOVE WINS PART TWO]]]

A photo posted by Glennon Doyle Melton (@glennondoylemelton) on Nov 13, 2016 at 5:55pm PST

[[[LOVE WINS PART TWO, CONTINUED FROM PART ONE]]] How are we supposed to FEEL about this? My loves, here is the good news: You are allowed to think and feel WHATEVER YOU NEED OR WANT TO FEEL! Come close–because I need to explain this part well: It has been my job for so long as a leader in this community to care deeply about what you think and feel about me and the way I live my life. I have cared so much, for so long. It has been a great honor. Now we are entering a new time which calls for a different type of leadership. And now it is my job as a leader not to concern myself too deeply about what you think and feel about me- about the way I live my life. That is what I want to model now, because that is what I want for YOU: I want you to grow so comfortable in your own being, your own skin, your own knowing – that you become more interested in your own joy and freedom and integrity than in what others think about you. I want you to refuse to betray yourself. Not just for you. For ALL OF US. Because what the world needs — in order to grow, in order to relax, in order to find peace, in order to become brave — is to watch one woman at a time live her truth without asking for permission or offering explanation. The most revolutionary thing a woman can do is not explain herself. What I need you to know- and what I know you need to know- is that I am deeply, finally, FINE. Fine through my bones and soul and mind and just every fiber of me. You have the room to feel and react with your truth….because I am so unshakably certain inside of mine. I have officially become a woman who knows who she is and refuses to betray herself. So anyway. What I’m trying to say is. PRECIOUS WORLD: I LOVE ABBY. Love Wins. G

A photo posted by Glennon Doyle Melton (@glennondoylemelton) on Nov 13, 2016 at 5:57pm PST

The post Christian mommy blogger announces relationship with Abby Wambach first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Everyone’s favorite U.S. Women’s Soccer Team mid-fielder, Megan Rapinoe, announced her engagement to singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone. Rapinoe has long been recognized as a force to reckon with on the soccer field and was recently launched into the public eye with the U.S. Women’s Soccer team World Cup Win. She came out early in her athletic career and has given back to the LGBT community, through advocacy with Athlete Ally, an organization dedicated to ending homophobia and transphobia in sports, as well as GLSEN, the Gay Lesbian and Straight education center. Celebrate Rapinoe’s and Cahoone’s engagement with a look back at their cutest moments!

1. When they got engaged!

This little lady’s getting married ❤️

A photo posted by Megan Rapinoe (@mrapinoe) on Aug 6, 2015 at 7:49pm PDT

2. When they kissed at the ESPY’s:

Everything is better with my main squeeze. #ESPYS @seracahoone A video posted by Megan Rapinoe (@mrapinoe) on Jul 16, 2015 at 10:02am PDT

3.When they soaked up culture while on vacation:

Sera and I ❤️….aaaaaand Paulo. @seracahoone

A photo posted by Megan Rapinoe (@mrapinoe) on Mar 7, 2015 at 9:40am PST

4. When they kept each other warm:

❤️

A photo posted by Megan Rapinoe (@mrapinoe) on Jan 22, 2015 at 10:36pm PST

5. When they took a romantic boat ride:

Where you lookin’ sugar?! @seracahoone

A photo posted by Megan Rapinoe (@mrapinoe) on Sep 14, 2014 at 11:49am PDT

Congratulations to the happy couple! May they continue to be lesbian #cutespiration for years to come.

The post 5 Times Megan Rapinoe & her fiancee were the cutest first appeared on Lesbian.com.

ESPN’s Body Issue hits newsstands today and U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Seattle Reign star Megan Rapinoe makes history as the first openly gay athlete to appear on the magazine’s pages. While both Olympic ice skater Johnny Weir and soccer phenom Abby Wambach have previously appeared in the Body Issue, neither was officially out at the time.

Rapinoe is joined in the 2014 issue by other elite athletes — including Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, USMNT soccer player Omar Gonzalez, tennis’ Venus Williams, snowboarder Jamie Anderson and Paralympian Amy Purdy — in tastefully showcasing the beauty of the athletic physique.

Rapinoe spoke with ESPN magazine about coming out. “I think it’s kind of awkward when everyone knows you’re gay but you don’t say it. I had been thinking about coming out for almost a year before I did. I thought about it seriously on the plane ride home from the World Cup, while I was casually talking to my friend Lori Lindsey. She said, ‘Dude, you should just come out.’ She was right. Everyone in my life already knew. If you want to stand up and fight for equal rights but then won’t even stand up for yourself and say ‘I’m gay’ — that just started to feel weird.”

Rapinoe added that it was important to her to be out at the 2012 London Olympics. “I did want to be out for the [London] Olympics. My girlfriend was coming with me and my family was there, and it just felt like the right time. I just wanted it to reach as many people as possible.”

The post Rapinoe unlaces for ESPN Body Issue first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

I’m not a soccer fan. There, I said it.

Some might find the statement sacrilegious, particularly given the timing, with the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) set to kick off – or tip off or whatever they call it in soccer – against Ghana tonight in their first match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but I’ve never managed to go all in on this sport revered by so many.

I may be dating myself a bit in saying this, but back when I was in high school soccer was the sport that girls played in the spring when they weren’t good enough to make the softball team. And when my son was old enough to engage in athletics, we had ice skates on him, a plastic bat in his hand and a small basketball hoop in our living room when he was three, but nary a soccer ball in sight.

My most up close and personal experience with soccer came when I dated a woman for eight years who coached her teenaged daughter’s soccer team. I dutifully suffered through those Saturday morning events, the baseball coach in me frustrated by my ex’s half-time indulgences of her team. I’m sorry, but when you’re losing 6-0 at the half, the players should take a knee and listen to the coach talk strategy, not fret about whose hair ribbons are akimbo. No orange slices for you!

Honestly, I’ve just not had much interest in soccer over the years. Sure, I’ve gotten wrapped up in the nationalistic pride inspired by the Olympics or World Cup a few times. In 1999 when the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) claimed the cup I was as happy as anyone – and not just because a totally ripped and tanned Brandi Chastain tore her shirt off after winning the game with a penalty kick (a terminology I still don’t find apropos given that the kick wasn’t the result of a penalty, but rather the methodology this odd game uses to break a tie after having played but one mere overtime period, which they don’t even call overtime, but, instead extra time).

And when the USMNT squared off against England in their first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I was firmly planted in front of my television, nearly bursting with anticipation and red, white and blue fervor. Yes, I’d bought into the hype hook, line and sinker, briefly duped into caring about men’s soccer by weeks of media propaganda touting the contest as if it were a replaying of the Revolutionary War.

By the time they threw out the first pitch – no wait, “pitch” is what they call the field in soccer, but you get my meaning – I was fired up and ready for my underdog Americans to put an ass-whoopin’ on those boys with notoriously bad teeth. (Calm down all you folks over in the U.K.; sweeping generalizations and the perpetuation of stereotypes are permitted for comedic effect.)

What I got that day instead was 90-plus minutes of the most disappointing and anticlimactic sporting event since Mike Tyson knocked out Peter “Hurricane” McNeeley in less than 90 seconds. What you have probably forgotten by now (but I remember vividly), is that the game ended in a 1-1 draw, a fancy word for tie. That is, no one won and no one lost – kind of like in T-ball.

So here I am, an avid sports fan and proud American, but I am torn about how much to invest in the USMNT’s exploits in Brazil. I’m having a hard time emotionally committing to a sport which allows what are essentially their playoff games to end in a tie. (Spare me your detailed explanation of the round-robin tournament format and the associated point system. I’m a girl, but I do “get” it. I just don’t like it. Playoff games — which, in effect, each contest leading up to the championship is, shouldn’t end in ties. Man up and play the thing out, boys!)

This is a huge tournament, not U-5 soccer where there are no winners and no losers. People wait four years for this thing to come around, paint themselves in their home country’s colors, take a month off from work to attend and have been known to beat each other to a pulp over the outcome. This is supposed to be the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup and NBA Championship all rolled into one (pun most definitely intended).

Imagine going through the entire NFL season and heading into the playoffs. As luck would have it, your favorite team is matched up against your most loathed conference rival. You eat, sleep and dream football all week. You trash talk. You RSVP “No” to your own child’s wedding because you don’t want to miss the game. FOX runs slickly produced commercials ballyhooing the contest and you get a little more charged up each time you see one. You have your snacks lined up, your friends gathered around the 70” HD set to rally ‘round the team and your sports-averse partner has agreed to leave the house so that you may bask in glory that is hardcore, hard-fought and hard-won competition.

The teams scuffle through the first half to a 0-0 score. “Great defensive battle!” you tell yourself as you replenish the beer cooler and refill the dip bowls at half-time, “This is what championship football is all about!”

Defense continues strong as each team manages only a field goal in the second half. Time is running out on a 3-3 score. Your team is driving down the field, almost within your kicker’s striking distance when you notice that the game clock has expired. But wait, the ref is winding his arm indicating that he’s putting more time on the clock, albeit a mystery amount of time to which only he is privy. You watch a few more plays, your team is getting closer and closer to the end zone and then…

*Shrill whistle sound*

Game over. It’s a 3-3 tie and there is no winner. Thanks for watching; everyone can go wash off their face paint now.

How disappointed are you in that moment? Exactly. And the world dares call this soccer thing a sport? Hrumph!

And adding to my World Cup apathy is the fact that the USMNT coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, has already conceded defeat. Yep, you read that right. The man charged with preparing our national team for battle on the sport’s grandest stage has stated multiple times in recent weeks that his team doesn’t stand a chance of winning. Real coaches in real sports don’t do that! Sure, the USMNT didn’t get the best tournament draw – I believe their bracket has been deemed the “Group of Death” by those in the know – but a coach should never admit pre-game defeat.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on how these so-called world class athletes tumble to the ground writing in pain if someone so much as looks at them cross-eyed.

So what’s an ardent sports fan and patriotic American to do when her national team in a sport in which she has little to no interest is about to compete on the world’s largest stage, led by a coach who says they can’t win?

I think this time around, I’ll set the bar on my own emotional involvement a great bit lower than I did in 2010. And if the USA and Ghana play to a draw tonight, I won’t let it faze me one bit. Heck, if the guys who make the rules don’t care who wins, why should I?

The post My FIFA World Cup does not runneth over first appeared on Lesbian.com.

There were a handful of games in the NWSL over the holiday weekend, starting with a match-up between Chicago (5-2-1) and Houston (1-7-1) Friday night. The Red Stars extended their win streak to four with a 3-1 win over the home team Dash.

Chicago got scores from Vanessa DiBernardo, Alyssa Mautz and Jen Hoy in the very physical contest which saw multiple fouls called on each side. Ella Masar had the only tally for the Dash.

Chicago secured the 2nd place spot in the NWSL rankings with the win.

Action continued Saturday with Sky Blue FC (2-3-4) defeating Portland Thorns FC (4-2-2) 1-0 in front of a crowd of 13,427 in Portland’s Providence Park.

The game’s lone score came after a foul was called against Thorns FC in the 84th minute. Christie Rampone took the free kick, playing a long ball into the box. Wide open defender Kelley O’Hara headed the ball past Portland goalkeeper Nadine Angerer to secure the win.

Sky Blue FC vs. Portland Thorns FC highlights

Sunday featured two games, with FC Kansas City (4-4-3) traveling to Boston (1-6-0) to defeat the Breakers 2-0 and the visiting New York Flash (3-3-2) playing to a 2-2 draw against Seattle Reign FC (7-0-2).

In Boston, the teams played a scoreless first half before FC Kansas City’s Nikki Philllips capitalized on a corner kick at the 62’ mark to put her team up 1-0. The goal was Phillips’ first in her professional career.

Twenty minutes later, Amy Rodriguez secured the Kansas City win with a drive past Boston keeper Alyssa Naeher. The score came off an assist from Jen Buczkowski.

FC Kansas City vs. Boston Breakers highlights

Meanwhile in Seattle, a game featuring USWNT superstars Abby Wambach and Hope Solo ended in a draw as the Flash controlled play for much of the contest against league points leader Seattle. The contest ended a two-game losing streak for Western New York, allowing them to earn their first point in the final game of their three-game road trip.

Wambach came up big for the Flash, factoring in both Western New York goals. At the 17’ mark, Wambach took advantage of a defensive miscue by Kendall Fletcher who failed to clear the ball from the Seattle penalty area. Wambach took the mishit and drilled a shot past Solo.

Later, Wambach served up the assist on Carli Lloyd’s score in the 62nd minute, a goal which put the Flash up until very late in the game.

Seattle’s offense came from Jessica Fishcock who scored in the 45th minute and Kim Little who assured the draw with a goal at the 92’ mark.

Western New York Flash vs. Seattle Regin FC highlights

Finally, Memorial Day saw one game as the Washington Spirit (4-4-1) rallied late to secure a 3-2 win over the Houston Dash (1-7-1).

Washington jumped out to an early lead on a score from Diana Matheson in the 4th minute. Eight minutes later, the Dash evened the scoring on a Nina Burger goal.

Jodie Taylor secured the half-time lead for the Spirit on a goal at the 38’ mark off an assist from Christine Naim, but Houston fought back to even things up in the 77th minute with a tally from Osinachi Ohale.

It appeared the contest could end in a draw, but at the 93’ mark in stoppage time Naim notched a score of her own to put Washington ahead for good.

Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit highlights

Upcoming NWSL action includes:

Wednesday, May 28

Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC
Portland Thorns FC vs. Boston Breakers

Saturday, May 31

Houston Dash vs. Western New York Flash

Sunday, June 1

Seattle Reign FC vs. Sky Blue FC
Washington Spirit vs. Boston Breakers

The post NWSL highlights: Wambach faces Solo, Chicago continues streak first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

Going into Saturday night’s contest, the Western New York Flash (3-2-1) and the Washington Spirit (3-4-0) had played a total of five times since the inception of the NWSL. Each time, the Flash had prevailed. But the Spirit broke the losing streak in front of a home crowd of nearly 4,600 in Boyds, Maryland, defeating the Flash 3-2.

Western New York held a 2-1 lead at halftime after the Flash’s Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd each responded to an initial goal by Washington’s Jodie Lindsey in the 11th minute. Wambach evened the game at 1-1 in the 18th minute and Lloyd put the visitors ahead at the 30’ mark.

But the second half was all Spirit with Kathryn Williamson and Taylor notching scores just seven minutes apart to secure the victory for the home team.

Western New York Flash vs. Washington Spirit highlights

NWSL action continued Sunday night as FC Kansas City (3-4-2) and Houston Dash (1-5-1) played to a 2-2 draw.

FC Kansas City got scoring from Lauren Holiday (2’) and Erika Tymrak (36’) while the Dash’s offense was served up by Jordan Jackson (20’) and Tiffany McCarty (78’) in the evenly match contest.

Houston Dash vs. FC Kansas City highlights

Finally, Chicago (4-2-1) downed Boston (1-5-0) in a lopsided 4-1 match pitting the second-ranked Red Stars against the last place Breakers.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first half with Chicago’s Michelle Wenino striking first at the 23’ mark to give the visiting Red Stars the lead. Boston’s Heather O’Reilly drew her team even in the 35th minute on a penalty kick after Chicago defender Samantha Johnson was called for a handball.

The second half saw a torrent of offense from Chicago with goals by Jen Hoy (50’), Lori Chalupny (57’) and Zakiya Bywaters (85’) as Boston was unable to adjust to the Red Stars’ speed attack.

Chicago Red Stars vs. Boston Breakers highlights

Upcoming NWSL action includes:

Wednesday, May 21

Sky Blue FC at Washington Spirit
Seattle Reign at FC Kansas City
Western New York Flash at Portland Thorns FC

Friday, May 23

Chicago Red Stars at Houston Dash

Saturday, May 24

Sky Blue FC at Portland Thorns FC

Sunday, May 25

FC Kansas City at Boston Breakers
Western New York Flash at Seattle Reign FC

The post Spirit ends Flash losing streak, Red Stars rout Breakers first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Chicago Red Stars celebrate victory

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

The National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) leading teams continued to separate themselves over the weekend with Seattle, Western New York, Kansas City and Chicago all earning wins.

Seattle Reign FC (6-0-0) continued its pursuit of perfection earning a hard-fought 1-0 win over Portland Thorns FC (2-1-2) Saturday afternoon.

League-leading scorer and Scottish International Kim Little notched her fifth goal of the season in the 90th minute to give visiting Seattle the victory. The goal capped a late flurry by Seattle during which Bev Goebel drilled an uncontested shot directly at Thorns goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and later barely missed the foot of Sydney Leroux at the 88’ mark.

Reign goalkeeper Hope Solo kept Portland off the board with eight saves in the contest, including two key stops in the 67th and 68th minutes – a header from Jessica McDonald and shot by Amber Brooks, respectively.

Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns FC highlights

USWNT superstar Abby Wambach provided all the offense necessary for the Western New York Flash (3-1-1) on Sunday, treating the home crowd to a 2-0 win over visiting Sky Blue FC (1-3-3).

After a scoreless first half, Wambach netted the game’s first goal in the 49th minute with a header off a bending free kick from Vicky Losada. The free kick was awarded after Flash midfielder McCall Zerboni was fouled.

Wambach sealed the win with a goal in injury time at the 93’ mark. Wambach chased down a long kick from teammate Kelsey Wys, beating Sky Blue FC’s goalkeeper Brittany Cameron to the ball and powering a shot to the back of the net.

In other action, FC Kansas City (3-3-1) welcomed the return of Amy Rodriguez, who missed last week’s game while away with the USWNT, as the forward scored two goals in a victory over the Washington Spirit (2-4-0) Sunday evening.

Rodriguez notched her first goal in the 36th minute when Leigh Ann Robinson carried the ball down the right side and sent a low cross to the middle. The initial cross missed Rodriguez’s foot, but Jen Buczkowski recovered the loose ball, tapping an easy pass to Rodriguez who drove a shot into the upper left corner of the goal.

Kansas City took the 1-0 lead into the half, but Washington rallied briefly when, at the 63’ mark, Danesha Adams scored the equalizer for the Spirit, arcing a 25-foot shot over goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

Less than one minute later, Rodriguez netted the winning goal, sending a shot to the near post to put her team up 2-1 and secure the win.

Washington Spirit at FC Kansas City highlights

Finally, the Chicago Red Stars (2-2-1) earned a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash (1-4-0) after waiting out a three-hour delay due to lightening and storms in Chicago area Sunday evening.

A goal at the 33’ mark by forward Jen Hoy was the lone goal of the night as Red Stars’ goalie Karina LeBlanc posted her second shut-out of the season.

Houston Dash at Chicago Red Stars highlights

The NWSL has a full slate of action this week with the following upcoming games:

Wednesday, May 14

Portland Thorns FC at Houston Dash
FC Kansas City at Seattle Reign FC

Thursday, May 15

Chicago Red Stars at Boston Breakers

Saturday, May 17

Western New York Flash at Washington Spirit

Sunday, May 18

Houston Dash at FC Kansas City
Chicago Red Stars at Boston Breakers

The post Wambach, Solo, Rodriguez star in NWSL action first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

Four games were featured across the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) over the weekend with every team except the Chicago Red Stars seeing action.

The Seattle Reign (5-0-0) extended their league lead with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Spirit (2-3-0). Seattle sits securely atop the standings with 15 points; their closest competition Portland Thorns FC with 8 points.

Washington struck first in the contest with Ali Krieger notching a Spirit goal at the 53’ mark after the teams played a scoreless first half. But Krieger’s mark was neutralized just two minutes later when Seattle’s Jessica Fishlock riffled a kick past Spirit goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.

The deciding goal came at the 76th minute mark when Sydney Leroux nabbed her first goal of the season, beating Spirit defender Tori Huster in a one-on-one battle before netting the goal.

Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit highlights

In other action the Western New York Flash (1-1-1) and Portland Thorns FC (2-0-2) played to a 1-1 draw Saturday. Sonia Bermudez gave the Flash the initial lead at the 39’ mark, but Portland equalized just four minutes later when Jessica McDonald took advantage of a bobbled save by Flash goaltender Lydia Williams. Despite two big scoring chances late in the second half, Portland couldn’t convert for the win.

The game saw the return of USWNT star Abby Wambach to the Flash line-up who missed the team’s first two contests with an orbital bone fracture. Wambach was held to two shots on goal.

Portland Thorns FC vs. Western New York Flash highlights

The Boston Breakers (1-3-0) fell to home team Sky Blue FC (1-2-2) 1-0 Saturday with Monica Ocampo netting the game’s only goal. Ocampo scored off an assist from Kelley O’Hara at the 14’ mark. The win was the first for Sky Blue FC who faces Chicago Wednesday night.

Finally, in the most lopsided contest of the weekend FC Kansas City (2-2-1) defeated the Houston Dash (1-3-0) 4-0 disappointing the 5,198 fans at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium.

Kansas City was on the attack from the start, earning a corner kick just two minutes into the game. A near miss by Lauren Holiday was followed quickly by two backline breakthroughs by Amy Rodriguez by the 11th minute. Stalwart effort by Dash goalkeeper Erin McLeod thwarted Kansas City’s initial attempts but in the 13th minute Liz Bogus tucked a goal past a sliding McLeod to give her team the lead.

Early in the second half Rodriguez capitalized on yet another scoring opportunity, giving Kansas City an insurance goal they never needed. Erika Tymrak and Frances Silva added late goals for Kansas City cementing the victory.

Upcoming games in the NWSL include:

Wednesday, May 7

FC Kansas City at Western New York Flash
Chicago Red Stars at Sky Blue FC

Saturday, May 10

Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns FC

Sunday, May 11

Sky Blue FC at Western New York Flash
Houston Dash at Chicago Red Stars
Washington Spirit at FC Kansas City

The post Seattle Reigns after weekend action in the NWSL first appeared on Lesbian.com.

(Photo by Mike Gridley)

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action continued over the weekend with Boston, Portland, Seattle and Washington earning wins.

Saturday featured two contests with the Washington Spirit traveling to Chicago to face the Red Stars and the Portland Thorns FC hosting FC Kansas City in their home opener.

In the first game, Chicago battled both the Spirit and gusty winds throughout much of the first half, unable to convert their aggressive offensive attack to goals. Chicago’s best first-half scoring opportunity came in stoppage time when midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo played a ball across the box to Adriana Leon who blasted a left-footed shot that drifted just inches wide of the upright.

The game’s only goal came in the 50th minute when Washington capitalized on a corner kick. Danesha Adams played a cross toward the goal and the Spirit’s Tori Huster, alone near the center of the goal, netted a header to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.

The second half was a physical battle, with Washington earning three yellow cards and the Red Stars one in the hard fought contest. Despite the determined play by Chicago, Washington held on for the win.

Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars highlights

In Saturday’s second match-up, Portland downed Kansas City 3-1, with the Thorns’ Allie Long and Jessica McDonald each playing key roles in the victory.

The regular season home opener for the Thorns featured two goals from McDonald and a goal and assist from Long. Portland goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was also impressive in front of the home crowd, registering six saves. Forward Lauren Holiday, the 2013 NWSL Most Valuable Player, scored the lone goal for Kansas City in the losing effort.

Before the contest, the returning Portland players received their 2013 NWSL championship rings and the team unveiled a banner at Providence Park to commemorate the achievement.

Kansas City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC highlights

Sunday saw two matches, as the Boston Breakers hosted Sky Blue FC and the Houston Dash visited the league-leading Seattle Reign FC.

Boston earned their first win of the 2014 season in front of a home crowd at Harvard Stadium Sunday evening. The Breakers’ Julie King struck first at the 15’ mark, but after Sky Blue evened it up on a goal from Monica Ocampo in the 30th minute it was Boston’s Lianne Sanderson who secured the win with goals at 43’ and 60’. Ashley Nick added a goal for Sky Blue late in second-half stoppage time to pull within one, but ultimately fell short in the contest.

Sky Blue FC vs. Boston Breakers highlights

In the weekend’s final match-up Seattle shut out the Dash 2-0 to maintain their place atop the early NWSL season standings. Seattle is now 3-0-0 with a two-point lead over Portland (2-0-1).

Kim Little’s two first-half goals were enough to secure the win as Reign and USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo fended off three shots on goal from Houston. Little now leads the NWSL with four goals.

The Reign’s first goal came on a penalty kick after forward Sydney Leroux was taken down inside the box by Dash midfielder Becky Edwards. Little took the shot and confidently drilled the shot past goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

Seattle’s second goal came when Bev Goebel split the Dash backline with a pass that Little sent into the net in the 38th minute.

Houston Dash vs. Seattle Reign FC highlights

Finally, in late breaking news Monday, the NWSL announced that the league had suspended Western New York Flash midfielder Carli Lloyd for two games for use of excessive force in an April 19 incident involving Chicago Red Stars’ midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo. Lloyd will sit out the next two matches in which is she available to play.

“My action in the game against the Chicago Red Stars was not acceptable and is inexcusable,” said Lloyd. “I am very disappointed in myself and this is a lesson I will learn from. I want to apologize to Vanessa, the Red Stars, my teammates, the Western New York Flash organization and the NWSL fans.”

The suspension stems from an incident in which Lloyd appeared to strike DiBernardo in the face in first-half stoppage time after tugging on the Red Stars rookie’s jersey.

Upcoming games in the NWSL:

Wednesday, April 30

Seattle Reign FC at Sky Blue FC
Chicago Red Stars at FC Kansas City

Saturday, May 3

Seattle Reign FC at Washington Spirit
Portland Thorns FC at Western New York Flash
Boston Breakers at Sky Blue FC
FC Kansas City at Houston Dash

The post NWSL action: Weekend recap, Lloyd suspended first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

Seattle Reign FC sits alone atop the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) standings after notching their second win of the young season, a 3-1 win over Washington. In front 1,750 fans at Moda Health Pitch at Memorial Stadium in Seattle, the Reign struck early and continued with a relentless attack to down the visiting Spirit.

Defender Kendall Fletcher set the tone early, scoring at the 3′ mark off an assist from Jess Fishlock. Despite numerous shots on goal by U.S. Women’s National Team forward Sydney Leroux and midfielder Bev Goebel, Washington remained down by just the one goal going into the half.

Seattle notched the insurance goal early in the second half when midfielder Keelin Winters converted on a corner kick from Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi. Washington made a game of it at the 73′ mark when Fletcher was called for a handball inside the penalty box. Diana Matheson took the penalty kick for Washington, pulling her team within one goal.

The Reign sealed the win when midfielder Jess Fishlock snuck past the front post to notch a goal into the far left corner in the 80th minute.

Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit highlights

At 2-0-0, Seattle is the only team to have won two games at this point. Portland Thorns FC and Sky Blue FC also remain undefeated, but have played to one or more draws at this point.

In their next contest, Seattle hosts the Houston Dash (1-1-0) Sunday, April 27, at 7pm.

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