Dallas 6-0 Brooklyn FC

What a statement win for Dallas Trinity against Brooklyn. This was never close and I am somewhat shocked at how bad Brooklyn looked on the road against an aggressive and hungry Trinity side. At no point was Brooklyn threatening (aside from a shot here and there) in any consistent way. It was all Dallas, all day.

Far be it from me to disagree with the announcers (who were doing great work), but I thought that Neeku Purcell didn’t look up for the challenge in goal for Brooklyn. This was a match that would have required a keeper to stand on their head to prevent goals from going in and Purcell certainly wasn’t doing that. The first goal simply went through her arms. I’ll grant her that Chioma Ubogagu shot past her defender, so maybe her view was obstructed, but the ball hit both arms and Purcell still couldn’t keep it out.

But Brooklyn’s problems weren’t limited to goalkeeping. The entire backline looked sluggish and disinterested, especially in the second half. The midfield couldn’t seem to connect with the forwards and passes were mishit, off-pace, or to the feet of Dallas’ attackers. The entire team looked rough and unprepared for this match, certainly not what we might expect from a league-leading side.

Shout out the Dallas’ attackers, by the way. From the previously mention Ubogagu, who bagged a goal and two assists to Allie Thornton who got two goals of her own inside of three minutes. Lexi Missimo added her second of the season, as well. Great game for the Dallas’ fans who sounded great in the Cotton Bowl (drum lines for the win).

DC Power 1-2 Lexington SC

I know that both these teams are on interim coaches, but boy, these teams desperately need to turn things around asap. Funny enough, they have the opposite problem. While Lexington is actually fourth in goals scored, they are dead last in giving up goals by a WIDE margin. Power is struggling to score goals, managing to get the ball into the net a shockingly-low 11 times in 16 matches. Big problems for both sides, but at least someone go a win.

What an opening goal in this match! Julie Mackin absolutely teed off on a ball that bounced around the box after a Lexington corner. There was zero chance of a save on the shot from Mackin. Great goal. The second goal was more of a mistake by DC Power, with a botched clearance falling to Hannah White. Right place, right time, goal.

DC certainly had chances in this match, even managing to convert one after a spectacular bit of play by Gianna Gourley, who single-handedly fought through the entire left side of Lexington’s defense. Her assist to Loza Abera was as spectacular as Abera’s finish. But aside from that great play, Power couldn’t seem to convert the chances they had and it’s a real problem.

Madi Parsons subbed in very late in the match. Trying to find an emoji to express my concern.

Fort Lauderdale 1-1 Tampa Bay Sun

This match was a fun one and after Jasmine Hamid scored a spectacular volleyed goal off a beautiful cross in, I thought it was going to be a runaway match for the home side. However, later in the first half, Fløe Nielsen would match that goal and the match would remain tied for the rest of the match. Third Doppler Derby ends in a draw.

Spokane Zephyr 1-2 Carolina Ascent

While the rest of my podcasters have given up on Ascent, I have not. I think there’s plenty of quality on this side and the team’s renewed focus on scoring goals can get them back to the top of the standings. Case in point, this match.

Elianna Hutchinson and Jenna Butler both scored in the first half for Carolina, while Spokane wasn’t able to get a goal until a penalty late in the second half. The penalty call was 100% correct (though weirdly delayed) as Carolina’s keeper Samantha Leshnak Murphy charged out and wiped out an attacker who was following another spectacular Ekić cross into the box. Not sure why Murphy was starting over the rock-solid McClellan who was listed on the bench for the match. Regardless Carolina held off the push and won the match 2-1, staying a point clear of Dallas.

- Dan Vaughn