Happy New Year, Pride fans! We’re officially in 2018 which means the new NWSL season is mere months away. But our Pride players have to finish up their loan spells first and, as the W-League is approaching its final weeks, the race for the top four spots is heating up.
Take a look at what you may have missed this over the holiday weekend:
W-League (Australia): Round 9
Sydney FC 2, Adelaide United 1 (recap / highlights)
Aubrey Bledsoe and Sydney FC made it five straight wins with a 2-1 win over Adelaide United during Round 9. Coming off the bench, Caitlin Foord recorded the game-winning goal, scoring deep into stoppage time to claim all three points. Sydney went ahead in the 26th minute off a goal from Kylie Ledbrook but Alexandra Chidiac tied things up 10 minutes into the second half after being awarded a penalty kick. Bledsoe finished the match with four saves, including a diving stop early in the first half and later trapped a rebound after teammate Princess Ibini headed the ball off the line.
Since joining Sydney, Bledsoe has yet to be beaten from the run of play, allowing only two penalty kicks goals in her three appearances with the Sky Blues.
Brisbane Roar 2, Perth Glory 0 (recap / highlights)
Rachel Hill and Perth Glory were topped by Brisbane on Friday, as the W-League’s best defense held the league’s most powerful offense without a goal en route to a 2-0 victory.
Despite Perth’s Sarah Carroll clearing a corner attempt off the line, Hayley Raso (Portland Thorns FC) was able to jump on the rebound and put Brisbane up 1-0 in the 58th minute. The Roar doubled their lead just seven minutes later with Katrina Gorry floating a ball across the box for Allira Toby to head home.
Melbourne City FC 1, Western Sydney 0 (recap / highlights)
There were multiple reasons for Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and Melbourne City to celebrate on New Year’s Day after coming away with a last-gasp victory in the first W-League match of 2018. Jessica Fishlock (Seattle Reign FC) slammed home a cross from Kyah Simon, leading City to a 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers. The match was a historic one for Catley, who earned her 100th career W-League appearance and helped in the build-up to Fishlock’s game-winner.
Other W-League Results:
Newcastle Jets 3, Melbourne Victory 1 (recap / highlights)
Canberra United (Toni Pressley): Bye Week
Up Next: Round 10 Fixtures
Sydney FC vs. Newcastle Jets (Wed., Jan 3 at 1:20 a.m. ET)
Brisbane Roar vs. Melbourne Victory (Fri., Jan 5 at 1:20 a.m. ET)
Melbourne City FC vs. Perth Glory (Sat., Jan. 6 at 1 a.m. ET)
Canberra United vs. Adelaide United (Sun., Jan 7 at 12:30 a.m. ET)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Bye Week
Primera División (Spain)
Monica Hickmann Alves and Atlético Madrid remained on break last weekend after a 4-0 win over Levante UD on Jan. 16.
Up Next:
Atlético Madrid vs. Zaragoza CFF (Sat., Jan. 6 at 4:45 a.m. ET)
