Page 90 - Soccer360 Issue 107

NWSL SPOTLIGHT
ABOVE:
Portland Thorns goalkeeper
Shelby Hogan
has dominated between the posts for the Thorns this season
RIGHT:
Kansas City Current Temwa Chawinga in red and
Chicago Red Stars midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth battle for the ball at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
LEFT:
Bay FC midfielder Dorian Bailey (19) and Chicago Red Stars midfielder Cari Rocker (4) pursue the ball
‘THORNS KEEPER HOGAN HAS SHOWN A KNACK FOR PULLING PORTLAND OUT OF MANY JAMS .’
7. A THORN IN STRIKER’S SIDES
Portland Thorns goalkeeper Shelby Hogan has dominated between the posts for the Thorns this season, keeping the team in line to earn their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. In her first full season as the Thorns starter Hogan has shown a knack for pulling Portland out of jams including a tight 1-0 shutout against Seattle Reign in July before the team went on a break for the Olympics. Her seven shutouts through the Olympics break is the most among all goalkeepers in the NWSL.
6. BAY CITY ROLLERS
Despite entering the league this season, Bay FC have more than held their own against the league’s best. Entering the Olympics break the expansion side out of California had won four of their last seven games pulling them into the final playoff spot. Midfielder Dorian Bailey leads a young, defensive team that does not score many goals but will not give up many either. Their back-to-back 1-0 victories over Racing Louisville and Angel City FC proved that they can handle tough attacking teams and get big results.
5. ALL ABOARD THE CHAWINGA TRAIN
After signing with the Kansas City Current in the offseason, the hope for Temwa Chawinga was that she could help improve KC’s stagnant offense from last season. She has more than delivered becoming one of the league’s top goal-scorers while fighting neck and neck with the Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda (more on her in a minute). The Malawian international hammered home
six goals in four matches for KC in June, earning Team of the Month honors.
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