NWSL, Liga MX Femenil return from break with a bang | OneFootball

MIAMI, Florida – The women’s professional leagues across Concacaf resumed after the final international break before the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with players extra motivated to leave their all on the field with their club sides.

In the NWSL, the San Diego Wave suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday evening at the hands of OL Reign, as the current league winners scored a last-minute goal to secure the three points. It was a really intense match in which both teams tried everything to open the scoring, but it wasn’t until the 90+5’ when Megan Rapinoe sent in a corner kick and Olivia Van der Jagt scored from just outside the area to give her team the win.

NJ/NY Gotham FC downed Orlando Pride 2-0 while visiting Orlando’s Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Both teams pushed from minute one in trying to break each other's defense, with Gotham finally succeeding in the 90+10’ after a VAR review and Midge Purce converting a penalty. But it was not over, and in the 90+17’, Lynn Williams put an end to the game, scoring the second and final goal, handing Orlando their third loss of the season.

It was a weekend full of action in Liga MX Femenil, with Puebla delivering a top performance in a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul on Sunday afternoon. Fatima Rosales was the author of La Franja’s first goal after a great collective play, receiving the ball in the area and scoring. Near the end of the match in the 86’, Samantha Martinez found space outside the area and fired into goal for her team’s second score, giving Puebla three important points.

The second big result of the week saw Monterrey, who are already qualified for the Liguilla, falling to Toluca on Monday afternoon 2-0, ending the Rayadas’ winning streak. Mariel Roman, in the 33’, opened up the scoring for Las Diablas when she received the ball just outside the area and with a clear view, sent the ball into net. In the 70’, Liliana Rodriguez polished off a great collective sequence with a shot from outside the area, giving Toluca not only three points, but one of their most important wins of the season, as they now sit in ninth place and in the mix for a Liguilla spot.

The Torneo de Apertura of Costa Rica continued its second round of the competition, with Dimas Escazu and COFUTPA sharing the points on Saturday evening in a 1-1 draw. It only took the hosts 11 minutes to score, as Yoanka Villanueva of Dimas Escazu delivered the opening goal. However, the new team of the First Division of women’s football in Costa Rica showed what they have learned in this tournament and in the 21’, Ivonne Rodriguez scored for her COFUTPA, earning them a precious point.

Another draw happened on Sunday afternoon, as CS Herediano tied 1-1 with Municipal Perez Zeledon. In the 9’, Herediano’s Nicole de Obaldia scored first for the hosts, giving them the advantage early on in the match. Herediano’s defense was good throughout the first half, but it wasn’t enough in the second, as in the 51’ Perez Zeledon got back on level terms from the boots of Darlin Arce. CS Herediano now have nine points, sitting in sixth position, while Municipal Perez Zeledon has 10 points, being just one place up in fifth.