Jumbled: A quick look at the NWSL table and Monday notes.
Courtesy ISI Photos
You take a week off and the world is turned upside down! Well, not quite but the NWSL table looks quite a bit different than it did before I left for New England last week:
Portland is the only tram to hold their place in the top 4.
Early season leaders (and perennial posers) Orlando are now in 5th, where frankly they probably belong.
Chicago, although having played one more match than most of the other teams is nicely placed in 2nd and has been playing well since Racing embarrassed them on their home pitch.
Houston is moving nicely up the table and steady as you go Gotham continues to rack up points while not conceding many goals.
The Courage seem to be missing their Olympians and have dropped two in a row and down the table to 6th.
All of this is interesting to watch and still probably means next to nothing at this point. Only 4 points separate 1st from 7th.
Racing has a real opportunity to make up some ground over the next few matches. Their next 3 matches are against 7, 9 and 10 in the league table. While Washington is a playoff contender, Racing know that they are beatable. The stats from the last match will definitely have to improve, but the belief should be there. A trip out to Tacoma will be tough, especially if they have another travel nightmare like their trip to Portland. Speaking of travel nightmares, I had a bit of one on my way back from Boston due to storms in Philly and an unnamed airline's (for now) general incompetence. I spent an extra night in Philadelphia and a small fortune to get back to the Ville last night. I missed my pick up soccer game, which is a clear tragedy.
KC looks to be the league doormat and anything but a win there will be a disappointing result. This is the stretch where Racing will solidify its season goal. Will it be playoffs or bust, or to finish with the best point total of an expansion franchise? I think 5 points keeps us in the playoff hunt, but anything less, and it will be time to reassess a realistic goal.
In case you somehow missed it, Nadia is here! I am sure she will need a bit of time to get back up to match fitness. I predict a brief appearance on Saturday, but not a start until August.
