The final round of matches in the National Women's Soccer League regular season kick-off this weekend. The Boston Breakers host the Western New York Flash in what will be a pivotal match for the Flash and teams around them in the NWSL table.
The two teams last met on September 7th, ending in a two-all draw after Boston had jumped into a two-goal lead and led for most of the match before the Flash pulled them back. The Breakers will want a different ending this weekend while the Flash will gladly take a repeat of that scoreline.
The Breakers have it in them to win this weekend
The Breakers will finish the 2016 NWSL season in last place, even with a change of management at the beginning of the season that saw Matt Beard take over as head coach. Despite their overall standing, the Breakers fans have been solid in their support for their team and the players have spoken about how they would like to reward that support with winning their final home game of the season.
Although the Breakers have not done well this season, they are capable of pulling off surprise results such as the ones they managed away against FC Kansas City and at home against the Orlando Pride. Players like Australian striker Kyah Simon, Natasha Dowie, midfielder Kristie Mewis and defender Whitney Engen are all solid players and if those around them can match their consistency, Boston can get the three points this weekend. However, conceding late goals due to a drop in concentration have been Boston's achilles' heel and against a team like the Flash that tends to score late goals, the Breakers will need to be fully focused all match to get the win.
A playoff spot is on the line for the Flash
The Flash know exactly what they have to do to reach the postseason, do not lose. A draw or a win will be enough to book their place into the playoffs. A loss, however, will leave them as Houston Dash supporters on Sunday night as the team that could pip them to the playoffs, Seattle Reign FC, will need to win against the Dash to give themselves a chance at the playoffs.
The Flash have goals in them. Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald have been in fantastic form the Flash and are currently competing to finish as the NWSL top goal scorer this season along with Houston's Kealia Ohai. The Flash will need Williams and McDonald to take their chances against the Breakers to prevent a loss. WNY will also look to Samantha Mewis who, after the news of Lianne Sanderson's season-ending injury, will have to bear the brunt of the creativity for the Flash. In terms of recent results, the Flash have not managed to pick up a win in their last five matches. This leaves them right on the edge of the final playoff spot, two points ahead of Seattle. A draw will be good enough as they lead the Reign on head-to-head and head coach Paul Riley will not complain if his team pick up another draw this weekend.
Key factors for the match
Both teams can score goals. They both have problems when it comes to conceding goals. Boston is at the bottom of the NWSL because of this and the Flash's recent form, all those draws, come from the fact that they continue to concede multiple goals each game. This game will likely come down to which defense concedes the least amount of goals to hang on for the win. Players like Engen, Alanna Kennedy, and Jaelene Hinkle will be expected to keep their teams compact and not allow the other team to get clean looks on goal.
The other interesting battle on show will be the midfield of both teams. It could come down to most of the game bypassing the midfield as both teams attempt to be very direct or one midfield will completely dominate proceedings and thus, provide enough cover for their back line and provide enough opportunities for their front line to capitalize on. Based on the current league standings, this match will have a lot of eyes on it as it will not only determine who will be the fourth team in the playoffs, but which team will be traveling to either Washington or Portland in the semi-finals.