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Although anyone hoping for goals in the UEFA
Champions League semi-finals would have been left disappointed in recent days,
there was far more scoring action in the Swedish and English
leagues. FIFA.com brings you the latest developments from the
past week of women’s club football.
UEFA Champions League: Semi-final
shut-outs
There was much anticipation ahead of the all-German semi-final between Turbine Potsdam and defending champions Wolfsburg, but the 5,110-strong crowd at the Karl-Liebknecht Stadium had to settle for a goalless draw on the night. Despite a hard-fought tussle, both sides were unable to convert their chances.
“I’m very happy with my team’s performance,” said Wolfsburg coach Ralf Kellermann after the match. “For large parts of the game, the players did what we set out to do. We made a great start and created two fantastic chances through Muller and Popp in the first half.
There was much anticipation ahead of the all-German semi-final between Turbine Potsdam and defending champions Wolfsburg, but the 5,110-strong crowd at the Karl-Liebknecht Stadium had to settle for a goalless draw on the night. Despite a hard-fought tussle, both sides were unable to convert their chances.
“I’m very happy with my team’s performance,” said Wolfsburg coach Ralf Kellermann after the match. “For large parts of the game, the players did what we set out to do. We made a great start and created two fantastic chances through Muller and Popp in the first half.
"After Poppi’s effort, I thought for a
moment: ‘We could do this,’” went on Kellermann. “But that was a little
premature. Nevertheless, we had two more chances at the start of the second
half, and Verena Faisst came close to scoring.” The second leg will be played in
Wolfsburg on Sunday 27 April at 17:15 CET.
The second semi-final first leg between Birmingham City and Tyreso was similarly bereft of goals, ending in another 0-0 draw.
Sweden: Rosengard advanceHaving begun the new Damallsvenskan season with a resounding 4-0 success at AIK, FC Rosengard (formerly Malmo) continued their positive start with a 7-1 victory over Vittsjo, sealing their position at the top of the table. Swiss striker Ramona Bachmann bagged a brace, while the reigning champions’ remaining goals were scored by Anja Mittag, Ali Riley, Sara Gunnarsdottir, Natalie Persson and Sara Mellouk. In the second round of matches continuing on 22 and 23 April, Orebro also secured a 2-0 win over Jitex Molndal.
Top three: FC Rosengard (6 points), Kopparbergs/Goteborg, Eskilstuna United (3 each)
England: Notts County Ladies take early leadThe long wait for the new season is finally over in England, and after a 1-1 draw against Arsenal and a 2-0 win over Everton, Notts County Ladies (previously Lincoln Ladies) have emerged as early leaders in the WSL.
The second semi-final first leg between Birmingham City and Tyreso was similarly bereft of goals, ending in another 0-0 draw.
Sweden: Rosengard advanceHaving begun the new Damallsvenskan season with a resounding 4-0 success at AIK, FC Rosengard (formerly Malmo) continued their positive start with a 7-1 victory over Vittsjo, sealing their position at the top of the table. Swiss striker Ramona Bachmann bagged a brace, while the reigning champions’ remaining goals were scored by Anja Mittag, Ali Riley, Sara Gunnarsdottir, Natalie Persson and Sara Mellouk. In the second round of matches continuing on 22 and 23 April, Orebro also secured a 2-0 win over Jitex Molndal.
Top three: FC Rosengard (6 points), Kopparbergs/Goteborg, Eskilstuna United (3 each)
England: Notts County Ladies take early leadThe long wait for the new season is finally over in England, and after a 1-1 draw against Arsenal and a 2-0 win over Everton, Notts County Ladies (previously Lincoln Ladies) have emerged as early leaders in the WSL.
Meanwhile, champions Liverpool Ladies kicked off the
defence of their title with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City and a 0-0 draw
against Chelsea. Chelsea had previously defeated Bristol Academy 2-0 and join
Notts County and Liverpool in the top three. City currently languish at the foot
of the table after losing their first two matches.
Top three: Notts County Ladies, Chelsea Ladies, Liverpool Ladies (4 each)
USA: Debutantes Houston celebrate first winFIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer conceded her first goal for Portland Thorns as her new club drew 1-1 with Sky Blue FC in front of 2,983 fans. Christie Rampone put Sky Blue ahead in the first half before Allie Long’s penalty drew the Thorns level after the break. With two games played, defending champions Portland remain top of the table with four points in their account.
Top three: Notts County Ladies, Chelsea Ladies, Liverpool Ladies (4 each)
USA: Debutantes Houston celebrate first winFIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer conceded her first goal for Portland Thorns as her new club drew 1-1 with Sky Blue FC in front of 2,983 fans. Christie Rampone put Sky Blue ahead in the first half before Allie Long’s penalty drew the Thorns level after the break. With two games played, defending champions Portland remain top of the table with four points in their account.
Elsewhere, league newcomers Houston Dash celebrated
their first win after being defeated by the Thorns in the first match of the
season, sealing a 3-2 victory over Boston Breakers at Harvard Stadium. A brace
from Teresa Novola and a further goal from Ella Masar gave The Dash the first
three points in their short history. Western New York Flash lost their second
game against Chicago Red Stars 1-0, while Washington Spirit beat FC Kansas City
3-1.
Top three: Portland Thorns (4), Seattle Reign, Western New York Flash (3 each)
Top three: Portland Thorns (4), Seattle Reign, Western New York Flash (3 each)
POWER RANKINGS
See where your favorite club stands in this week's rankings
(April 22, 2014) - Each week NWSLsoccer.com will bring you the latest power rankings for all nine teams, see which way your club is trending.
1. (3 – Last Week)
Seattle Reign FC (1-0-0, 3 pts.)
Despite enjoying a bye week, Seattle was able to move up the power rankings based on their impressive first performance and some weak performances by the teams above them in Week 2. Now, Seattle will be put to the test with two games at home this week against a resilient Spirit on Wednesday and a tough Dash side on Sunday.
Last Game: 3-0 win vs. BOS.
Next Game: 4/23 vs. WAS, 4/27 vs. HOU
2. (1)
Portland Thorns FC (1-0-1=0, 4 pts.)
The Thorns have dropped from the top of the power rankings following their 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC. Portland coach Paul Riley must continue to fine tune his lineup if he wants to get them playing the beautiful game and not just grinding out results.
Last Game: 1-1 tie at SBFC
Next Game: 4/26 vs. FCKC
3. (5)
Chicago Red Stars (1-0-0, 3 pts.)
Following a week on the sidelines, the Red Stars opened the season with a win over the NWSL Shield winning WNY Flash at Toyota Park in front of a large crowd. The lone goal of the evening came from the combination of two rookies in defender Julie Johnston, off a corner kick from Naperville, Illinois, native Vanessa DiBernardo. Next, Chicago will host the Washington Spirit, who are coming off an big win.
Last Game: 1-0 win vs. WNYF
Next Game: 4/26 vs. WAS
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4. (2)
Western New York Flash (1-1-0, 3 pts.)
The Flash went on the road to face the Red Stars in their old stomping grounds at Toyota Park and battled back and forth in a tight match with few chances. Now, Western New York will need to take advantage of their first bye week of the season, rest and look to re-group next week.
Last Game: 1-0 loss at CRS
Next Game: Bye Week
5. (7)
Houston Dash (1-1-0, 3 pts.)
The Dash earned their first win in club history, defeating the Boston Breakers, 3-2, in a match in which they had to come back twice to win. Next, Houston will be tested when they face the high powered offense of Reign FC on Sunday at Memorial Stadium.
Last Game: 3-2 win at BOS
Next Game: 4/27 at SRFC
6. (4)
FC Kansas City (0-1-1, 1 pts.)
After a tough opening match draw followed by a difficult defeat on the road to a questionable Spirit side, things will not get any easier for FC Kansas City as they travel to Portland to face the Thorns FC in their home opener.
Last Game: 3-1 loss at WAS
Next Game: 4/26 at PTFC
7. (9)
Washington Spirit (1-1-0, 3 pts.)
The Washington Spirit was a team on a roll this past weekend putting on a scoring performance in their win over Kansas City. With a two game road trip on the schedule, the Spirit will be tested to see if they can keep up their offensive drive against Seattle and Chicago.
Last Game: 3-1 win vs. FCKC
Next Game: 4/23 at SRFC, 4/26 at CRS
8. (6)
Sky Blue FC (0-0-2, 2 pts.)
The curious case of Sky Blue FC continues as the club earned their second 1-1 draw of the season against the Thorns FC. Next, Sky Blue FC head to Boston for a match up against Breakers that could prove to be just what they need to get their first win.
Last Game: 1-1 tie vs PTFC
Next Game: 4/27 at BOS
9. (8)
Boston Breakers (0-2-0, 0 pts.)
Despite taking an early lead, the Breakers allowed the Dash to come back from a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2. Now, the Dash host Sky Blue FC and will need to create more scoring chances if they are to get the win.
Last Game: 3-2 loss vs. HOU
Next Game: 4/27 vs. SBFC
1. (3 – Last Week)
Seattle Reign FC (1-0-0, 3 pts.)
Despite enjoying a bye week, Seattle was able to move up the power rankings based on their impressive first performance and some weak performances by the teams above them in Week 2. Now, Seattle will be put to the test with two games at home this week against a resilient Spirit on Wednesday and a tough Dash side on Sunday.
Last Game: 3-0 win vs. BOS.
Next Game: 4/23 vs. WAS, 4/27 vs. HOU
2. (1)
Portland Thorns FC (1-0-1=0, 4 pts.)
The Thorns have dropped from the top of the power rankings following their 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC. Portland coach Paul Riley must continue to fine tune his lineup if he wants to get them playing the beautiful game and not just grinding out results.
Last Game: 1-1 tie at SBFC
Next Game: 4/26 vs. FCKC
3. (5)
Chicago Red Stars (1-0-0, 3 pts.)
Following a week on the sidelines, the Red Stars opened the season with a win over the NWSL Shield winning WNY Flash at Toyota Park in front of a large crowd. The lone goal of the evening came from the combination of two rookies in defender Julie Johnston, off a corner kick from Naperville, Illinois, native Vanessa DiBernardo. Next, Chicago will host the Washington Spirit, who are coming off an big win.
Last Game: 1-0 win vs. WNYF
Next Game: 4/26 vs. WAS
4. (2)
Western New York Flash (1-1-0, 3 pts.)
The Flash went on the road to face the Red Stars in their old stomping grounds at Toyota Park and battled back and forth in a tight match with few chances. Now, Western New York will need to take advantage of their first bye week of the season, rest and look to re-group next week.
Last Game: 1-0 loss at CRS
Next Game: Bye Week
5. (7)
Houston Dash (1-1-0, 3 pts.)
The Dash earned their first win in club history, defeating the Boston Breakers, 3-2, in a match in which they had to come back twice to win. Next, Houston will be tested when they face the high powered offense of Reign FC on Sunday at Memorial Stadium.
Last Game: 3-2 win at BOS
Next Game: 4/27 at SRFC
6. (4)
FC Kansas City (0-1-1, 1 pts.)
After a tough opening match draw followed by a difficult defeat on the road to a questionable Spirit side, things will not get any easier for FC Kansas City as they travel to Portland to face the Thorns FC in their home opener.
Last Game: 3-1 loss at WAS
Next Game: 4/26 at PTFC
7. (9)
Washington Spirit (1-1-0, 3 pts.)
The Washington Spirit was a team on a roll this past weekend putting on a scoring performance in their win over Kansas City. With a two game road trip on the schedule, the Spirit will be tested to see if they can keep up their offensive drive against Seattle and Chicago.
Last Game: 3-1 win vs. FCKC
Next Game: 4/23 at SRFC, 4/26 at CRS
8. (6)
Sky Blue FC (0-0-2, 2 pts.)
The curious case of Sky Blue FC continues as the club earned their second 1-1 draw of the season against the Thorns FC. Next, Sky Blue FC head to Boston for a match up against Breakers that could prove to be just what they need to get their first win.
Last Game: 1-1 tie vs PTFC
Next Game: 4/27 at BOS
9. (8)
Boston Breakers (0-2-0, 0 pts.)
Despite taking an early lead, the Breakers allowed the Dash to come back from a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2. Now, the Dash host Sky Blue FC and will need to create more scoring chances if they are to get the win.
Last Game: 3-2 loss vs. HOU
Next Game: 4/27 vs. SBFC
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