MIAMI, Florida – The women’s professional leagues across Concacaf are in full flight after another exciting weekend across the region.
In the NWSL, the emotions were high until the last second on Monday evening in the 3-3 draw between the Portland Thorns and Angel City FC. The visitors from Los Angeles scored first in the 10’ when young rookie Alyssa Thompson scored from outside the area to give her team the lead. Japan international Hina Sugita then equalized for the hosts in the 32’ via penalty kick.
The second half proved to be even more exciting, as in the 65’, Portland’s Morgan Weaver put her team ahead for the first time that evening with a strong finish. In the 74’, Angel City leveled things up again after Natalia Kuikka scored an own goal. USWNT legend Julie Ertz, then gave Angel City a 3-2 lead in the 79’ with her trademark, a header from a corner kick. However, things weren’t finished and in the 90+7’, Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby scored with a great backheel to close out a thriller.
The Houston Dash suffered a defeat at home on Sunday afternoon against North Carolina Courage 1-0. The only goal of the match arrived in the 33’ through Tyler Lussi, who was able to redirect in a cross from the left. The Dash tried to battle back to even the game, however, in the second half the match was suspended due to weather conditions, as North Carolina went back home with the three points.
Portland Thorns dominate week 4 👑 pic.twitter.com/SOXxEsWXGb
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 24, 2023
After 15 weeks, five teams have qualified for the Liguilla of this Clausura of the Liga MX Femenil, however, the rest of the teams are fighting to get those three remaining spots to be able to play for the championship.
On Monday evening, Necaxa won for just the second time this season by downing Mazatlan 1-0. The lone goal of the match came in the first half came from the boots of Saira Lopez in the 21’, who after a great pass through the midfield from El Salvador international Karen Reyes, got past the defensive line of Las Canoneras, as well as their goalkeeper, scoring her third goal of the season.
Fans saw a display of power on Monday evening after Monterrey downed Club America 2-0 at home. Aylin Avilez, who was also named the MVP of the match, scored the first one for Rayadas in the 65’ with a header off a free kick. The second goal arrived in the 78’ thanks to Nigeria international Chinwendu Ihezuo, who took a great pass from Diana Evangelista and finished. With this win, Rayadas now are back atop the table.
The Apertura 2023 of the professional league in Costa Rica is also delivering great and exciting results, with every team now thinking about what it will take to qualify for the postseason.
Saprissa FF gave another great performance to solidify their position at the top of the table, this time on Sunday morning by topping C.S Herediano 5-0. Fans were able to see an early goal, in the 5’, when Yessenia Flores opened the scoring. La Sele international Katherine Alvarado widened the advantage in the 18’, before Flores showed up again in the 25’ for her eighth goal of the season, making her the second leading scorer in the league.
Las Moradas kept their tally going in the second half, getting their fourth goal of the day in the 70’, courtesy of Mariana Benavides. The fifth and final goal came from Gloria Villalobos in the 82’,
Sporting FC keep adding points, getting another three on Sunday morning against Municipal Pococi, winning 1-0. Both teams fought to score first, but it was the visitors' efforts that paid off in the end, scoring the first and only goal of the day in the 40’ through Karla Riley, lifting Sporting to third place in the table.
