Cup triumph for Wolfsburg, showdown in Italy
The final round of matches promises to be an exciting one in both Italy and Germany. Although the champions of both leagues have yet to be crowned, Wolfsburg have already won their first trophy of the season. Meanwhile, competition is hotting up in the USA and Rosengard are once again setting the pace in Sweden.
USA: Competitors make up ground
Although Portland Thorns remain at the top of the NWSL table after a weekend off, their rivals are closing in. Chicago Red Stars drew level on points with the Thorns after a 1-0 win over Sky Blue FC, with rising star Danielle Colaprico making the breakthrough for the still unbeaten Red Stars.
Elsewhere, Seattle Reign returned to winning ways after two previous defeats to keep them in touch with the leading pair. Coach Laura Harvey’s side emerged 3-1 victors over Washington Spirit thanks to goals from Beverly Yanez, Merritt Mathias and Jessica Fishlock. Haley Kopmeyer provided vital support between the posts for Seattle, with US national goalkeeper Hope Solo and club team-mate Megan Rapinoe already preparing for the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ in June.
Kansas City also celebrated their second win in four matches, following up their 1-0 victory over Seattle by defeating Houston Dash 2-0 in Texas. Liz Bogus and Shea Groom found the target to hand their side three points for the second successive game. Both Kansas and Houston were forced to line up without the assistance of their US international team-mates.
Top three: Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars (both 7 points), Seattle Reign (6)
Germany: Wolfsburg celebrate Cup triumph
Although Wolfsburg’s dreams of a treble were dashed with exit from the UEFA Women’s Champions League, they remain on course for a double. The She-Wolves got the better of formidable Turbine Potsdam to win the DFB Cup final 3-0, the first of the two possible Cup triumphs for the Lower Saxony club. Wolfsburg men’s are side scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund in their final on 30 May. Despite preparing to call time on her playing career at the end of the season, Martina Muller was the standout performer in front of a crowd of 19,204 at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Cologne, scoring the first two goals before setting up another for Alexandra Popp. “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to concentrate on this match so quickly after going out of the Champions League in the past week – that sets our team apart,” Muller said after the game. “We’ll do a reasonable amount of celebrating today before focusing on the league again tomorrow.” Wolfsburg currently lead the Bundesliga table with 54 points and are due to face third-placed Frankfurt, currently trailing by two points, in their final match on Sunday 10 May, while closest rivals Bayern Munich, on 53 points, will play host to Essen.
Italy: Final day showdown
Germany’s final round of league games is not the only one that promises to deliver excitement. With the two leaders separated by a single point, the Italian champions will also finally be crowned this weekend. Brescia sent out a warning to their rivals in their last match by thrashing second-from-bottom Pordenone 6-0, while top-of-the-table Verona secured a narrower 1-0 win over Mozzanica thanks to a strike from Federica Di Criscio. Verona face a visit to San Zaccaria on the final day of the season, while Brescia travel to Res Roma.
Top three: Verona (64), Brescia (63), Mozzanica (53)
Sweden: Rosengard set the pace
Although Rosengard and Eskilstuna United have both recorded four wins in four matches at the start of the new Damallsvenskan season, the eight-time champions occupy top spot on goal difference thanks to an impressive 18 goals scored and only three conceded. Five of these strikes came in a single game against Pitea as Anja Mittag bagged a brace and Ramona Bachmann, Marta and Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir gave the holders a five-goal lead after just 55 minutes before Pauline Hammarlund and Linda Oqvist responded to end the match 5-2. Elsewhere, Eskilstuna United appear to be mounting a serious challenge to Marta and co. after a 2-0 defeat of Kristianstads, with Malin Diaz Pettersson and Petra Larsson getting their names on the scoresheet. Kopparberg/Goteborg beat Hammarby 3-0 and Vittsjo defeated Umea 2-0 to sit five points behind the leading duo.
Top three: Rosengard, Eskilstuna United (both 12), Kopparberg/Goteborg (7)