NWSL Rewind: McDonald becomes all-time leading scorer

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, May 9, 2017

Jessica McDonald became the NWSL's all-time leading scorer when her 33rd career goal gave the North Carolina Courage a 1-0 win at the Boston Breakers. She came into the game tied with Kim Little, who joined Arsenal Ladies after three seasons at Seattle.

The Courage has opened up a five-point lead over second-place Portland after four games. It needs three more wins to match the Seattle Reign's record of seven straight wins to open the 2014 season.



The Washington Spirit won its first game of the season with a 4-3 victory over Sky Blue FC. Nigerian international Francisca Ordega had a hand in all four Spirit goals.

She scored the first and fourth goal, assisted on Havana Solaun's goal and made a play to force an own goal to give the Spirit the lead it never relinquished midway through the first half.

“We made a commitment to being more balanced and aggressive in our attack, and we were much better in transition,” said Spirit head coach Jim Gabarra. “It was big for us to get a win at home in front of our fans.”

CROWD COUNT. A crowd of 16,160 fans at Providence Park watched the Portland Thorns rally for a 2-2 tie with the Reign thanks a second-half equalizer from U.S. national team midfielder Allie Long. The four other weekend matches in the NWSL barely combined for 10,000 fans.

NWSL, WEEK 4 RESULTS:
Saturday, May 6
Chicago 2 (own goal 44, Johnston Ertz 61) Houston 0.
Att.: 2,114.
Portland 2 (own goal 37, Long 82) Seattle 2 (Fishlock 1, Mathias 39).
Att.: 16,160.
Washington 4 (Ordega 6, 56, own goal 26, Solaun 34) Sky Blue FC 3 (O'Hara 12, Killion 50, 71).
Att.: 3,190.
Sunday, May 7
Boston 0 North Carolina 1 (McDonald 32).
Att.: 2,276.
FC Kansas City 1 (Tymrak 84) Orlando 1 (Marta 73).
Att.: 2,514.

NWSL STANDINGS:
1. North Carolina 12 points;
2. Portland 7;
3. Boston, Houston, Chicago 6;
6. Seattle 5;
7. Sky Blue FC, FC Kansas City, Washington 4;
10. Orlando 2.