Thorns, Royals entertain, fingers crossed for Banda – Equalizer Soccer

© Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Week 10 saw the Thorns and Royals put on a show, the Current and Legacy play the passive game, and a bittersweet weekend for Barbra Banda, who marveled with her play before leaving with an injury.

Here are 11 thoughts from the weekend. We’ll do this every Monday following National Women’s Soccer League match weeks. Some points will be factual, some will be opinion based. And some will just be random statements or observations.

Let’s dig in

I – Thorns, Royals produce thriller

Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash between the Thorns and Royals had everything you ask for out of such matches. Sophia Wilson and Olivia Moultrie were the best players for the Thorns and each had a goal. If there is a better tandem in NWSL, please tell me who I’m missing.

Despite that, and despite going down a goal, the Royals played a mostly outstanding match and rallied to lead 2-1 into stoppage time. Mina Tanaka was again fantastic and hits the break as a legitimate MVP candidate. If not for a strong performance by Thorns keeper Mackenzie Arnold, the Royals may well have been ahead by more and free and clear for the victory.

My gripe about the match was the Royals’ overly defensive posture in trying to see out the win. (This is something I jotted down in my notes around the 80th minute). It came back to bite them when they conceded an unfortunate but legitimate penalty.

Either way, this match was fantastic, and while I don’t think there are any great teams in the league so far this year, this was a proper battle between two teams that are very good. The return match in Sandy is August 2. Mark your calendars.