Comeback wins and set piece golazos highlighted the matches from Week 11 as all eight clubs were in action.
Here are three things we took away from the matches:
1. Lineup changes can be hit or miss
Week 11 saw a plethora of lineup changes across the league with many players earning their first starts and minutes on the field. Whether it was due to players on international duty or in an attempt to break a losing streak, the lineup tweaks produced mixed results.
Brooklyn made a huge statement by benching its top goal-scorers of Jess Garziano and Isabel Cox in Wednesday’s match against Tampa Bay Sun. However, Dana Scheriff shined in her first start, scoring the equalizer and drawing the foul in the box that led to the go-ahead penalty kick. She earned the start in Brooklyn’s second match of the week where she scored another goal and recorded three shots on target.
In Spokane, Hope Hisey got her first start in goal in place of Izzy Nino. The University of Arizona alum made five saves to record the Zephyr’s first clean sheet and win since September 22 against DC Power. The performances of both Scheriff and Hisey could force head coaches Jess Silva and Jo Johnson to reevaluate if they will be regular starters going forward.
On the other hand, Fort Lauderdale United FC did not see as much success with changes to its defense on Sunday. Newly-signed Sabrina McNeill got the start at right outside back, a position the team has frequently rotated players through this season, and Makenna Gottschalk made her first start in goal. The three goals allowed were the highest for the team this season despite Gottschalk’s eight saves. A lot of defensive miscues have led to FTL UTD’s back-to-back losses, a disappointing feat after winning three straight.
2. Beware of the set piece
Set pieces can potentially be dangerous scoring opportunities, and DC Power, Brooklyn and Spokane Zephyr all capitalized on them last week.
The brace from DC’s Allie Flanagan will go down in history for the club’s first come-from-behind win. After sending in the equalizer from outside the box in the 52nd minute, Flanagan headed in the game-winner off a corner kick from Katie Duong, who leads the league in crosses and chances created.
Brooklyn has recently adopted the short corner formula, and after the technique resulted in Allison Pantuso’s first goal in Week 10, the team tried it again on Sunday. Mackenzie Pluck set up a lingering Sam Kroeger at the top of the box, and the midfielder took a touch before blasting the ball far post for the first of three goals in Brooklyn’s win.
The last goal of the weekend came from Spokane’s Marley Canales after drawing a foul for the free kick that led to her opportunity. The ball into the top of the penalty area took a deflection off a Tampa Bay player and landed right at the feet of Canales, who hit a screamer into the top-right corner of the net for the 1-0 win.
3. Pros and cons of a double matchweek
Brooklyn and Tampa Bay were the two of eight clubs who took the field twice in Week 11, and while positive momentum can carry from one match to the next, the same can be said for the losing side.
In Wednesday’s match, Tampa Bay jumped out early and took a 1-0 lead over the home side with a fifth-minute goal by Sydny Nasello. Brooklyn grew into the match, though, and took a 2-1 lead into halftime that ended as the final score. Brooklyn just looked more composed and more aggressive, despite the Sun holding on to nearly 58% of possession.
Heading into Sunday, Brooklyn looked arguably the best it has all season and went on to secure another home win. Tampa Bay made the cross-country trip from New York to Washington within five days just to play equally as listlessly against Spokane Zephyr. Aside from Nasello, the Sun have struggled to create threatening looks and don’t take advantage of their scoring opportunities. A two-loss week dropped the team to seventh in the standings.