Olivia Chance – Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)

What a move this is, Flying Kiwis Transfer Season serving up another belter with Liv Chance off to Celtic. Back in the UK after previous stints with Everton, Bristol City, and Sheffield United... and following an excellent campaign with Brisbane Roar in the last W-League. Polished off an Olympic campaign and then right off to Scotland for the opening round of the WPL and a cheeky Champions League qualifier a few days later.

Celtic were runners up in the last WPL finishing three points behind Glasgow City, who have been the dominant team over the last decade and then some. Glasgow City have literally won the last 14 titles in a row (not including the 2020 season which was abandoned one week in due to covid). But second place was the best finish Celtic have managed since 2010 and it shows the progress that they’re making. Last year they became the first fully professional women’s football team in Scotland. They’re about to embark on their first ever Champions League campaign. Heady times.

Meaning that there are now two kiwi women with a possibility of some Champions League footy this season. CJ Bott’s Valerenga are in the same situation of entering the first qualifying round. Celtic will face Spain’s Levante on Thursday and then either the winner or loser of FC Minsk (Belarus) vs Rosenborg (Norway), depending on whether they win or lose themselves, with the winner of the four-team mini-tournament advancing to the second qualifying round. This particular mini-tournament will take place in Norway hosted by top seeded Rosenborg.

Also Celtic are managed by Fran Alonso, a former assistant to the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman but best known in these here pages as ex-manager of Lewes FC where he worked with Katie Rood. There are always these links and coincidences, always. Chance joins to obviously bolster that midfield... and also to add a bit of positivity into the squad ahead of a massive season after captain and reigning player of the year Lisa Robertson and top striker Sarah Ewens both left for Birmingham in recent weeks. American forward Mariah Lee has also departed for FC Nordsjælland in Denmark. Not ideal timing with the UCL qualifiers on the horizon.

Celtic had begun their season with a 3-1 win over Partick Thistle a week ago in the SWPL Cup group stage and they’re now on the brink of qualifying for the quarters after game two, their first home game of the campaign, provided a 2-0 win over Hearts. Too soon for Chance to start but she was on at half-time replacing Sarah Teegarden with her team 1-0 up thanks to a Tegan Bowie goal in the 34th minute. They’d double that lead through Kathleen McGovern on 48 mins and should really have won by more with the chances that they created. But a solid win all the same and now it’s off to Norway.

Up Next: 4am on Thursday, UCL qualifiers vs Levante (NZT)

Sarpreet Singh - SSV Jahn Regensburg (German 2. Liga)

Holstein Kiel on the cards this week and they got dealt to the way SSV Jahn are dealing to everybody these days. A team which came into the season only hoping to get the 40-odd points they’d need to avoid relegation are sitting pretty at the summit with a perfect record through three games. They got a lucky break ten minutes in when Fabian Reese’s header came back off the crossbar for Holstein but after the first quarter of an hour or so they were easily the better team and took the lead after twenty as Max Besuschkow took a touch and picked his spot following a lovely flowing move in which Sarpreet Singh picked out the final pass. Nothing flashy, just a one-touch pass to get the ball exactly where it needed to go from a situation where many players would get tunnel-vision and shoot.

Then before the half was out he had another assist. This one a corner kick delivery which was sent deep and headed up and over and into the top corner over a recovering defender (should’ve had a man on the near post, aye?) by Bendikt Gimber. Two more assists for Singhy who now has four of them for the season (three in the 2.Liga, one in the DFB Pokal) to go with his goal on debut – a goal involvement in all four games he’s played for the club so far.

It’s not only the assists either. Singh didn’t finish on top of this stat because he was replaced with ten minutes remaining and the job well and truly accomplished but at half-time he had covered more ground than any other player on the park. The end product is the most important thing but don’t think for a second a coach isn’t noticing that work rate too.

Gimber would provide another goal in the 58th minute via a deflection that took his shot past the keeper to make it 3-0, officially credited later as an own goal. Holstein thought they’d pulled one back soon after but that goal was cancelled out for a handball and SSV Jahn were in full control the rest of the way for the 3-0 win. They’re the only team to have won all three 2.Liga games and they’ve done so without even conceding a goal so get that into ya. Sarpreet Singh is tied for the most assists in the division with Finn Becker of St Pauli. Things are going well.

Up Next: SSV Jahn vs Schalke, Saturday at 11.30pm (NZT)

Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)

First game of the Premier League season and like so many others from the two Aotearoa Olympic footy teams it was straight back into it for The Woodsman. Starting for Burnley despite skipping out pretty much the last month of preseason. Not that he missed a lot... he was playing much more intense games than preseason friendlies and the squad he returned to at Burnley is almost entirely the same as the one he played in last time following what has, to date, been another concerningly quiet transfer window for the Clarets. 20 year old Irish defender Nathan Collins has joined from Stoke, a longish term target, while Wayne Hennessey is in as a backup goalie and that’s about it for the first team. At least they haven’t lost anyone important. Robbie Brady was released and that’s about it (they sold Ben Gibson to Norwich but he wasn’t really in the picture) and there’s still a couple weeks to add that new winger they’ve been searching for.

Brighton & Hove were the opponents at Turf Moor... and the Clarets got off to the ideal start as James Tarkowski put them ahead inside two minutes. It took longer to be awarded than it did to be scored. Bit of a VAR intervention there after all sorts of pushing and shoving from the corner kick before Tarks got his head to that ball but, having initially looked like it would be ruled out, the goal was given post-review. Burnley with the lead and for most of the game it felt like they’d either hold on to that slim lead or add to it. Chris Wood only had one proper chance and it was deflected behind for a corner. He might have had a crack in the second half had Jay Rodriguez not gotten there before him, J-Rod forcing a save, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Ben Mee both hit the post with other efforts.

But then Burnley got sloppy. Could be first game of the season rustiness, could have just been back luck. Whatever it was, Neal Maupay dashed in to level it up in the 73rd minute after a lovely cross from Jakub Moder and then the brilliantly named Mac Allister scored what proved to be the winner five minutes later. One that got away from Burnley, especially considering their tough run of early fixtures. Brighton were really good in the second half though, to be fair. Full game for Chris Wood because fatigue is for non-Olympians only.

Up Next: Liverpool vs Burnley, Saturday at 11.30pm (NZT)

Callum McCowatt, Elijah Just & Dalton Wilkins - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)

It’s been a truly incredible start to the season for FCH, who with a 3-1 win over Vendsyssel on the weekend have now made it 12 points out of 12. Eli Just was the one NZer who started and he helped spark an early attack that led to a penalty shout, however it was Vendsyssel who struck first as Tiemoko Konate picked off a loose pass and shaped up on the keeper to score in the ninth minute. Both teams would have chances in an arm wrestle of a first half but 1-0 was the way it remained into the break.

Then on came Callum McCowatt. Introduced at the half and while he took a little longer to score after coming on than he did last week, score he still did. A towering header of all things. Philip Rejnhold with the cross and a great finish from McCowatt (and some impressive physicality too). That was in the 54th minute. Two minutes earlier Frederik Bay had chopped in from left back to equalise, meaning that McCowatt’s goal made it 2-1. A couple of lovely goals turning the game on its head as FCH were really impressive in that second half.

With the lead they were able to sit back and soak up the pressure from Vendsyssel and then hit ‘em back on the counter. 65 minutes gone and they scored another. Eli Just this time. Ball just inside the area but he threw in a dummy and took it further onto his left foot before blasting it through the keeper with a bit of late outswing to deceive him. A goal for each of the returning Olympians. Too good.

Both McCowatt and Just even had chances to score again. Just with a close-ranger that caught the keeper on the shin with basically the rest of the goal there open while McCowatt couldn’t drill one in from a tight angle soon after. Then right near the end McCowatt really should have scored his second, he was the one who played in Rejnhold who was bundled over in the box and the ref whistled for a spottie. Up stepped McCowatt to do what he did against Japan in the Olympic shootout... but the goalie dove the right way and saved his effort. Ah well, so it goes.

When Dalton Wilkins wandered over to the fourth official with a couple of minutes left, it seemed we might finally be graced with the presence of all three New Zealanders at FCH on the pitch at once for the first time... but not quite. It was Eli Just whom he replaced so still waiting on that milestone. They did all feature in the 3-1 win though. Four from four to start things off. 8 goals scored and only 2 conceded. Second on the ladder only goal difference behind Lyngby. Wonder who’ll fail to win first: Helsingør or Jahn Regensburg?

Up Next: A tricky first round Danish Cup tie against HB Køge on Thursday at 5am then it’s a top of the table 1. Division clash against Lyngby at 11pm on Saturday (NZT)

Vic Esson – Avaldsnes IL (Norwegian Toppserien)

Mixed feelings here as Vic Esson and Avaldsnes had a crack at CJ Bott’s Vålerenga... but CJ Bott wasn’t in the squad so that helped with that conundrum. Avaldsnes have come around lately with a few positive results. This was another one.

Robyn Decker gave them an early lead in the 11th min against the defending champs with a mint header from a corner kick. Esson had already smothered one chance rushing out though she didn’t have much hope when Katherine Stengel snuck in to divert one past her in the 33rd min for the equaliser. Granted she did get a foot on it and there were some hefty complaints about what looked like a pretty legit case for offside. Right back mighta been late getting up with the rest of the line. Goal stood. 1-1.

Avaldsnes continued to slide forward and attack at pace on the break. Nothing that they were able to score from but after how bad they were early doors in the season that’s a promising sign. Meanwhile they did what they needed to do at the back. No diving saves for Esson, it was all regular stuff as VIF didn’t quite ramp things up the way you’d have expected them to do late on. Might be fair to say that the Champions League qualifiers in Greece coming up this week were a tad distracting. 1-1 the final score as Avaldsnes have now gone five league games without defeat.

Oh and there were cup games in the midweek too. Both Avaldsnes and Vålerenga rolled on into the next round with ease however neither of the kiwi ladies played. Esson was rested for a 4-1 win over Byrne while Vålerenga cruised to a 6-0 win away at Ullensaker/Kisa without Bott in the team. Seems like she may be injured given she played off the bench last week... hopefully just a precautionary rest ahead of the Champions League stuff. Check out our latest Substack mailer for more on that sitch.

Up Next: A week off before playing Arna-Bjørnar in the third round of the Norwegian Cup on Thursday 26 August at 4am... speaking of which... (NZT)

Emma Rolston - Arna-Bjørnar (Norwegian Toppserien)

Yeah chuck this one onto the Flying Kiwis Transfer Season list too. The impending deal had actually been mentioned by Rolston in an interview before the Olympics but now it’s been confirmed. Emma Rolston back in the professional ranks signing with Arna-Bjørnar in the Norwegian top flight to make it three NZers in the division as it stands. One of three fresh signings arriving at once along with Ingrid Andreassen and Julie Madsen.

And get this: she scored on debut. Got the third goal in a 4-3 defeat against LSK, playing 85 minutes before being replaced. An annoying game for A-B in which they were always chasing things after going behind early. They pulled it back to 2-1 and then conceded straight away. Pulled it back to 3-2 and then conceded straight away. Didn’t concede after Rollo’s 64th minute strike but they also didn’t score again either. That loss broke a nice little run of form they’d had going having won three in a row prior.

Arna-Bjørnar bounced back with a win in the cup, dropping Fyllingsdalen 3-0. Rolston started and played the first hour before she was replaced with the score still level and A-B getting frustrated at how little they’d been able to create to that point... but then they scored three times in the last quarter of an hour to sprint over the finish line and into the next round.

Rolston then started a third game in a week as they travelled to face Lyn and again they conceded early - Laura Gashi in the 16th minute after a soft defensive giveaway – but this time they did find an equaliser... a late dramatic one courtesy of Tora Ose penalty in the 89th minute, awarded after a handball at the back post from a swerving corner. Rolston missed that bit of fun having been subbed off in the 72nd minute which means she also missed the less enjoyable dramatics as Lyn appeared to have scored directly from a stoppage time corner kick... but while it looked at first like it had been awarded, a bit of shoving in the six yard box had impeded the keeper and it was ruled out. 1-1 the final score.

Up Next: Week off to rest before that aforementioned cup game against Vic Esson & Avaldsnes (NZT)

Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)

Molde are the club that delivered Erling Braut Haaland to the world. They were where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made his name as a manager. They’ve not always been a powerhouse club in Norway, they didn’t win their first league title until 2011, but they have been for the last decade finishing in the top two in seven of the last ten seasons and they’re leading the way in 2021. That’s what VFK were up against this week.

Viking got into it from the start against the league leaders with a flurry of shots, most of them blocked (including a long ranger from Joe Bell), but by half time they were in all sorts. Birk Risa had given Molde the lead driving in a loosie after a corner kick in the 26th minute and then in the 39th it was two thanks to Eirik Ulland Andersen’s goal on the break. 2-0 down and it seemed like a regulation defeat was on the way.

Then Kevin Kabran tapped in from about five yards out from a low square ball in the 66th minute and Viking had a lifeline. Six minutes later they were on the attack again and a Kristoffer Lokberg shot deflected onto the post and away to where Zlatko Tripic ran onto it and was tripped before he could shoot. Meaning he got a free shot from the penalty spot, sending the keeper the wrong way with a lovely bottom corner finish to level things up at two-apiece. And they kept coming. It was VFK now on top of the game and seeking a winner. Into stoppage time and the ball fell for Joe Bell outside the box. He unleashed another attempt at goal... and like most of his others this day it was blocked. Crowded penalty area and it pinballed out for a corner kick which Bell rushed over to take himself and, well...

David Brekalo with the injury time winner from the Joe Bell corner. Brekalo’s only just signed with the club, this was his debut! He joined at around the same time as Gianni Stensness but the Slovenian centre-back was coming in from NK Bravo in his homeland so bit of a simpler travel schedule there. Like, don’t expect Gianni Stensness in the team for a couple weeks... he’s only just got out of MIQ quarantine in Aotearoa along with the Welly Nix lads from the Olympic team so he’s not even in Norway yet. Give it a couple weeks.

That was Joe Bell’s fourth assist for the season and he’s third in the team on xA despite playing as a defensive midfielder. Hasn’t got on the scoresheet yet but there were signs in this one with multiple cracks from distance... including two separate corner kick routines drilled deep to him in space. One he volleyed into a defender first time, one he curled over the top from about 30 yards out. It’s coming. Incredibly that’s now four of VFK’s last five games that have ended in a 3-2 result one way or the other. They’re now up to sixth on the ladder only four points off second.

Up Next: Vålerenga vs Viking, Monday at 4am (NZT)

Logan Rogerson - HJK Helsinki (Finnish Veikkausliiga)

Here we are, finally a bit of news on Logan Rogerson who since signing with HJK has only featured in friendlies and reserve team games. A shoulder injury has hampered his ability to settle into things at the top club in Finland but he’s gotten back fit again in the last few weeks, leading to a couple subs appearances for HJK Klubi 04 (the club’s reserve team affiliate)... alongside old mate Chris James who is a regular for Klubi 04. Rogerson even scored a goal in one of those games, a 2-1 loss away to PK-35.

But Klubi 04 play down a division so while he could get a nice run of games there it might not be the ideal preparation for cracking the HJK team, what with HJK being defending champs in Finland and into the final playoff round for the Europa League group stages and all that. Hence now that he’s healthy he’s been loaned out to a rival Veikkausliiga team: FC Haka. Fitting, really, for a lad from Aotearoa.

It’s a season-long loan linking up with the club currently placed ninth out of 12 teams. Three wins from 14 games means they’re likely to find their way into the bottom six relegation rounds... although their defence is pretty good so if Rogerson can come in and supply a few more goals (they’ve scored 11 in 14 games so far) then that fortune could change fast.

Rog mentions in that vid above that Haka was a club he had some talks with about signing for when he first went to Finland before settling on HJK so there’s an existing relationship there, same as there’s an existing relationship between the two clubs as last season goalie Jakob Tånnander was loaned from HJK to Haka and he’s since gone back to win the number one jersey for HJK. That’s the blueprint. That’s the plan.

Wouldn’t you know it he was out there balling immediately, only two days after being announced he made his debut for FC Haka. Came off the bench in the 71st minute of a 2-0 win over third-placed FC Lahti in which Aleksandar Vucenovic scored a first half double – the first running onto a terrible back pass that missed the keeper and tapping it in from close range (15’) while the second was a strong low shot at the near post from a tight angle after some more speediness running in behind (39’). That’s a big time result for Haka and it does Nikko Boxall’s SJK more than a small favour too – they won 3-2 against FC Honka a couple days later to move up to fourth, only one goal difference point behind Lahti. Rogerson played on the left wing but most of his time was spent quite deep as Haka closed out the result. First Veikkausliiga appearance for the dude though. On the board.

Up Next: Haka vs Oulu on Saturday at 3.30am (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)

There were no dramas getting through the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland. Thomas was the only chap missing for PSV (excluding the expelled Mo Ihattaren) as they eased their way to a 1-0 win in Denmark thanks to a very late Bruma goal though with the 3-0 aggregate lead after the home leg they were cruising through by that point regardless. Withstood the early challenges then took the heat out of things in the second half like old heads.

Poor old Midtjylland, the club that gave Winston Reid his start in professional football. They were way under strength after a few covid cases broke out in the camp. Their defence in particular was super inexperienced and yet it was only a goalkeeping error that led to the goal they conceded. Anyway here we are with PSV into the final playoff round where they’ll face Benfica over two legs (away leg first) after the Portuguese side overcame Spartak Moscow 4-0 on aggregate... same agg score as in PSV’s tie.

Then on the weekend...

It was only a five minute cameo at the end of a game that had long since been wrapped up but the man is back in contention, get in there. PSV waltzed to a 2-0 win over Heracles in which Bruma (40’) and the ridiculously in-form English/Nigerian teenaged forward Noni Madueke (64’) bagged the goals. They started slow but were never in much trouble and could have doubled that score if they’d had their shooting boots on. No dramas. It’s a winning start to the new league season to continue their winning start to every other competition so far and they’re two games away from the Champions League group stage potentially with Thommo back and available again. They rested a few blokes for the Heracles game too. Eyes on the prize here, friends.

Up Next: Thursday at 7am, Benfica vs PSV in the UCL Play-offs (NZT)

Liberato Cacace – Sint-Truiden (Belgian Pro League)

Slow times for Libby Cacace since he returned to STVV from Tokyo. His first game back he got a full game but playing mostly as the right wingback with Ko Matsubara continuing on after holding down the left side of defence in Cacace’s absence.

That game was a 3-1 defeat against Zulte Waregem. He got his offside trap right in the first half to bail out his keeper who’d been caught off his line and lobbed but a sharp move down his edge early in the second half did lead to the opening goal for Zinho Gano. STVV had their moments as they tried to get back into it but then they conceded again in the 69th to Jelle Vossen who caught Matsubara slightly out of position (after a break down Cacace’s wing) and then his shot took a deflection on the way in. Gano scored again to ice it in the 84th running onto an early low cross (by which time Cacace had switched over to the left after Matsubara had been subbed). They’d pull one back late via Laurens de Bock’s near post header but too little too late. First defeat of the season for STVV after a win and draw while Libby was in Japan.

Then next game he was on the bench. Away to KAS Eupen and it was Matsubara again on the left and Daiki Hashioka on the right... also fresh from the Olympics. Hashioka was the dude who was seen consoling Cacace after the shootout defeat in the quarters...

Cacace was subbed on for Matsubara with half an hour to go as part of a double sub with STVV down 1-0 and chasing the game. The goal had come against the run of play from a corner in the 21st minute and somehow they’d failed to find a response. Then on came Cacace and five minutes later it was 1-1. Nelson Balongo with the goal. Hashioka had headed a deep free kick back across and things got messy for a few seconds there before a moment of clarity as the ball fell for Balonga to whack it home.

Straight afterwards Cacace drilled a great low ball across the face of goal which deserved a touch but didn’t get one. But ten mins later they conceded again, damn. A tidy finish on the volley from Jonathan Heris after a free kick cross – second set piece goal conceded of the arvo – and that was the winner. 2-1 to Eupen. Consecutive defeats for STVV.

Up Next: STVV vs Kortrijk on Sunday at 6.45am (NZT)

Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)

These early season cup games are nothing flash, certainly not ones for high intensity football. Charlton Athletic vs AFC Wimbledon was one of those but after ninety gruelling minutes the Dons had earned their way into the second round. There were sweeping changes from the win against Doncaster in the League One opener, only three players retained their spot for the midweek match. But Nik Tzanev was one of them and he bagged himself his first clean sheet of the campaign in the process.

Paul Osew’s 25th minute goal was the first decent effort we’d seen as he slammed in at the far post after a lovely team move that had included Tzanev with the ball at his feet feeding the ball into midfield. Ethan Chislett then had a soft attempt cleared off the line soon after. The Dons were looking solid and it wasn’t until the second half that Charlton began to offer much. When they did, Tzanev had to be sharp to tip a violent Josh Davison shot over the top (could’ve picked his spot and probably scored but he went for power and Nikola was too good for that). That was as close as they came. It ended with a 1-0 Dons win after seven nervous minutes of injury time.

As for the weekend’s performance...

They were 1-0 up against Bolton. Then they were 3-1 down. Then they fought back to draw 3-3 thanks to a couple rapid goals. No less than they deserved after showing plenty of attacking prowess along the way. Aaron Pressley scored from the penalty spot in the 74th min then Dapo Medube got the equaliser a minute later. That’s how they did it.

Tzanev had given away a penalty for the first Bolton goal getting caught in two minds coming out towards a bounding ball over the top and dropping a shoulder on the attacker... he then dove the right way for the spottie but couldn’t quite reach it. The other two goals were from low crosses from the left of defence, nothing to be done there. This was the first home game for the Dons with a full capacity of fans and they got an absolute thriller to enjoy with the occasion.

Up Next: Home to Gillingham at 6.45am on Wednesday then away to Sunderland at 2am on Sunday (NZT)

Tommy Smith – Colchester United (English League Two)

EFL Cup first round action against Championship club Birmingham. A club that finished fifty places ahead of the U’s on the Football League ladder last time out... it was always gonna be an unlikely task for Colchester to get through. But tell you what they gave it a proper go.

With less than twenty minutes remaining the game was still scoreless. Colchester wouldn’t have a single shot on target all game - although they did have more total shot attempts than Birmingham - but they defended really well in a back three formation. In fact they more than held their own throughout a scrappy first half with Sylvester Jasper going close to giving them an early lead. Birmingham had made eleven changes from their opening Champo team and so perhaps predictably they grew into the game as it went along... yet for a while there it was looking very much like penalties were on the cards (with no extra time in the League Cup).

But nah then Marcel Oakley took a pop in the 75th min that deflected off Tom Eastman and it flew inside the far post, Smithy had a chance to stop the play rushing up on the left but his sliding challenge on Oakley caused the ball to bounce back off Oakley’s shin and into his path again. A series of misfortunes and that was the difference on the day. It almost wasn’t... the U’s managed a couple late counters and one in particular in stoppage time saw Alan Judge square for Cameron Coxe but his shot hit the crossbar. Valiant effort just not quite enough. 1-0 to Birmingham and if there’s to be a cup run for Colchester this term then it’ll have to come in the FA Cup.

Then they lost 1-0 at home to Northampton Town on the weekend. A bugger of a result given they arguably had the better of the game overall but in the 22nd minute Jon Guthrie followed up on his own header that was saved by Shamal George at close range and managed to squeeze in the only goal. Brendan Wiredu almost responded in the second half cutting in to shoot on his left but the Northampton goalie made a super one-handed stop. Then it was a one-footed save that denied Freddie Sears 1v1 after he’d broken the offside trap.

Meanwhile Northampton continued threatening too, don’t doubt it. Luke Chambers had to clear one off the line, there was a shot deflected just past the post, while Tommy Smith mopped up at the back stick another time under pressure. Then in the 84th min the visitors went down to ten men as Fraser Horsfall hilariously parried away a ball over his head with his hands, too off-balance for the header so he blocked it like a volleyball player at the net and that was a pretty rapid red card came surging outta the ref’s pocket. But Colchester still could not muster an equaliser. Concede one soft goal and that’s what can happen. The U’s defence looks strong as for the most part but they’re yet to score after 270 minutes of footy in all comps this season.

Up Next: ‘Tis a double gameweek, with Mansfield Town at hom on Weds 6.45am and then Oldham away on Sun at 2am (NZT)

Katie Bowen – Kansas City (American National Women’s Soccer League)

They’ve done it, they’ve finally done it. At the fourteenth attempt the relocated Kansas City team has finally won a game of football. Or soccer, as they’d say. Whatever. Point being that they won a game... and Katie Bowen played 88 minutes of it, starting in central midfield, and having a lil bit of a blinder.

KC have come close. They’ve had some heartbreakers in there. But the luck finally came around against an OL Reign team that’d won three straight coming into this contest. The Reign came out swinging with a few early chances but then so did Kansas City, only neither team was much good at kicking the ball on target. That played into KC’s hands as they gained more confidence the longer they lasted unharmed and after half-time refreshments were served at 0-0 they ramped it up some more with Victoria Pickett and Kristen Hamilton both going close. KC were right in this one. It was there for the taking if they could muster that one major moment.

That moment came in the 73rd minute. Long range free kick, the type that Katie Bowen had been chipping into the area most of the game but this time Hailie Mace blasted it towards goal after a sneaky set up. Her shot was blocked but it fell to Pickett who launched one towards the near post. The OL keeper got down to it but it snuck under her after a slight deflection. A bit lucky... but that’s the kind of luck that had been avoiding this team all year.

They held on the rest of the way, restricting the Reign to just one shot on target all match, and there was that historic first win. Bowen was subbed off with a couple minutes to go capping an excellent game. Her first start since the Olympics and she was influential in shutting down a very dangerous attacking opposition.

The Equalizer: “Three players stood out as huge pieces for the winners in this one. Kiki Pickett continues to be terrific at outside back, both with her attacking threat and smart, gritty defense. Lo’eau LaBonta is a nonstop engine in midfield, a true box-to-box midfielder who will track all the way back on defense but also contribute creativity to the attack. Both players had a fantastic match, but perhaps the most influential aspect was the return of Katie Bowen. We are used to seeing her at outside back, but on Saturday she was used as the defensive midfielder in the bottom of a diamond midfield. Her defensive savviness in front of that back line really helped connect the various lines and also provide security to those more attacking players getting up the field.”

Also if you were looking for KB in the celebrations of the goal you won’t have spotted her because she was hanging back with an injured opponent, German midfield star Dzsenifer Marozsán, as she got treatment for a knock or something. Marozsán was replaced before the game kicked off again. An excellent performance at the base of midfield breaking things up all arvo and she’s also a first round pick in the All-Sportsmanship team. All very much in character.

Up Next: North Carolina Courage vs Kansas City, 11am on Sunday (NZT)

Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Still grinding it out. The Courage with the 1-0 win over Chicago Red Stars thanks to a 39th minute Amy Rodriguez penalty – her first for the club since being traded for during the Olympics – and despite a lengthy weather delay at the start. The penalty was for a handball from a defender trying to chest down a loose ball in the area. Slim margins. But while the Courage weren’t at their best they did get that important goal at a handy time, no pun intended, and they defended well throughout with Casey Murphy making a couple nice saves and Abby Erceg captaining the team to another clean sheet. Plus they close the gap to first place to five points thanks to the next entry...

Up Next: NCC vs KC, Sunday at 11am (NZT)

Ali Riley - Orlando Pride (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Lol. Back to proper events now and how about the Pride taking points off the Portland Thorns? Ali Riley played 88 minutes at right back, subbed off late while on a yellow card – one of five Pride starters booked in a feisty affair. Jodie Taylor had given them a 15th minute lead getting on the end of Courtney Petersen’s cross from left back and that early goal gave them something to defend against a dangerous team, allowing them to sit a little deeper and negate the high press. They weren’t always the best in those scenarios, coughing up the ball too easily once or twice, but Ashlyn Harris continued her hot form in goal and it looked like they might just get there.

They didn’t. Simone Charley got up in the 78th minute to head in a looping free kick delivery, can’t say that Portland didn’t deserve it either. But a 1-1 draw is still a fine result when you’re taking points off the league leaders to remain undefeated under interim coach Becky Burleigh. Riley’s yellow card was for a rough tackle, slightly crooked on a 50/50 you know how it goes. She then needed a bit of a check up on the sideline, something to do with her ear... maybe a bandage coming loose. Nothing serious.

Up Next: Monday at 8am away to Washington Pride (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

He didn’t play... but Michael Boxall was back on the bench for Minny’s 1-0 loss to LA Galaxy on the weekend. Kevin Cabral scored the only goal just before the break while the Loons absolutely battered an under-strength LAG in the second half only to come up against a brilliant performance from Jonathan Klinsmann in goal (son of Jurgen) and they simply couldn’t beat him despite an abundance of attempts. That’s how it goes some days. Should have Boxy back imminently though, that’s a positive.

Up Next: San Jose vs Minnesota on Wednesday at 2.30pm (NZT)

Elliot Collier – Chicago Fire (American Major League Soccer)

Elliot Collier got another start for Chicago Fire which was cool to see though he’d already been replaced (after 57 mins) by the time they scored their winner via Luka Stojanovic in the 77th to beat Columbus Crew 1-0. Collier did have one shot off target, an extremely ambitious overhead kick from deep in the box that he didn’t get over the top of to direct it goalwards (with an xG value of 0.07 according to MLSSoccer.com) but mate this edition is already long enough so with apologies to EC we’ve gotta make some sacrifices for the sake of sanity. Collier played as a second striker again. Here are the highlights...

Elsewhere in the MLS, Bill Tuiloma was back to the bench as the centre-back rotation continued for the Portland Timbers. He got on for the last couple minutes but by then the game was gone. They lost 6-2 to Seattle Sounders. Yikes.

Up Next: Inter Miami vs Chicago on Thursday at 11.30am & Orlando vs Chicago on Sunday at midday (NZT)

Paige Satchell - Sydney FC (Australian W-League)

Last season we saw the second most New Zealanders ever in the W-League and it continued all the way through as Claudia Bunge and Annalie Longo lifted the title with Melbourne Victory, beating Sydney FC 1-0 after extra time. Sydney were the only team in the semi-finals without a kiwi in their ranks... and obviously they’ve seen the error of their ways because they’ve scooped up Paige Satchell (after beating her old Canberra United team 3-0 in those semis). The fastest Fern in the known multiverse. Excellent move from her as she becomes the third NZer signed up for the 2021-22 campaign overall after Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory) and Liz Anton (Perth Glory).

Head Coach Ante Juric: “Paige can definitely give us something different in the final third and can play up front or in a wide position. She has experience of playing at the Olympics and in a FIFA Women’s World Cup, so that is going to be vital for us. We are looking to challenge for trophies again and Paige is a great addition to the very competitive squad we are assembling. We can’t wait until we get the season going.”

Satchell played every game for Canberra last time, sometimes starting and sometimes off the bench (with one goal). That was the first time that Canberra had made the semis for four years whereas Sydney FC are perennial title contenders so gotta say it’s a tidy progression for PS.

Up Next: New season starts in November, how many more Flying Kiwis can we sneak in there?

Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)

WHUFC.com: “Winston Reid is still working his way back to fitness after suffering an injury on Olympic duty with New Zealand.”

Already coulda guessed that but it’s nice to know for sure. If Reid’s injury is bad then it could scupper his chances of a transfer before the window closes (although there’s a little more time available for loans which is most likely).

One thing’s for sure is the shop window of the Olympics didn’t really help him. Yes, he was brilliant in the South Korea game... but then the injuries occurred and it’s not Reid’s ability that will be causing teams to balk on him, it’ll be his fitness problems. The Olympics kinda only reinforced them. But hey if he’s stuck at West Ham then he might still get games, they’ve got a Europa League campaign to balance and defensive depth ain’t all there for the Hammers at the moment. You never know.

Up Next: Tuesday at 7am against Leicester City (NZT)

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