The Wait Is Over

Hollywood Studios Cup Match Day 1

Orlando City Stadium is filling up for today's first set of matches in the inaugural Hollywood Studios Cup. The first match of the day will be the Boston Breakers against the Atlanta Storm. Games in the group phase will be two 35 minute halves, with no overtime. Standings will be as normal (3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss), with the top team from each conference meeting in the final next Saturday.

The first twenty minutes of the Breakers/Storm match is a bit of cat-and-mouse, with Atlanta trying to keep possession and Boston seeking to limit Christen Press' ability to turn and shoot. In the 24th minute, the Breakers would get on the board as a Rose Lavelle cross slips behind both center backs and finds Kyah Simon at the far post for an easy tap-in past Storm keeper EJ Proctor. The second half would see Libby Stout replace Steph Labbe at its start and Jessie Fleming entering in the 49th minute for Julie King, with Morgan Andrews slipping back to defensive midfield and Sam Mewis partnering Megan Oyster on the back line. Miscommunication between Oyster and Devin Schiller just after the Fleming substitution leaves Press free between them, where a quick turn-and-shoot beats Stout to the far upper corner. Boston takes back the lead in the 58th minute as Fleming weaves through the Storm midfield and, following a give-and-go with newly-inserted Caitlyn DiSarcina, splits Atlanta's center backs before chipping the ball over Proctor into the net. Breakers 2, Storm 1.

Orlando would use a 63rd-minute goal from Alex Morgan to defeat the Philadelphia Charge, 1-0, with Ashlyn Harris going the distance for the shutout in this, the start of her final NWSL season. She and Ali have decided to move onto the next stage in their lives, with Ashlyn wanting to venture into sports photography. They are looking to leave the Orlando area for a return to the Delmarva region after the season ends.

After clearing the stadium following the first doubleheader, another near-capacity crowd enters (or re-enters in some cases) for the evening matches. First up is the Chicago Red Stars and the Houston Dash. The Red Stars get off on the right foot with a goal six minutes into the match as Arin Gilliland traps and re-crosses a Kristie Mewis corner into the path of Sofia Huerta. A slight deflection from a Houston defender sends the ball back to Danielle Colaprico, who shoots it past Jane Campbell from 13 yards out. Chicago doubles its advantage in the 31st minute as a Kristie Mewis cross hits her wife, Stephanie McCaffrey, in stride at the top of the six, with a simple header struck across the face of goal finding the net. The Red Stars finish off the scoring in the 65th minute as #2 overall draft pick Sophia Smith outruns first Andi Sullivan, then the center back pairing of Janine Van Wyk and Amber Brooks before dribbling around a charging Campbell and passing the ball into the goal. Red Stars 3, Dash 0.

The nightcap is FC Kansas City and the LA Olympias. Goals on either side of the halftime by LA's Lynn Williams and KC's Shea Groom would see the combatants split the spoils. Blues 1, Olympias 1.

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Following the Chicago/Houston match, the North American Goalkeepers' Union held an impromptu gathering at Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Each of the four National Team goalkeepers at this tournament (Steph Labbe, Alyssa Naeher, Jane Campbell, and Ashlyn Harris) and their plus-ones (Sam Mewis for lack of another choice, Jen Hoy in her first sort-of public outing with Alyssa, Andi Sullivan, and Ali Krieger plus Michael) get a table on the right side of the restaurant.

Ashlyn: As the host goalkeeper, I call this meeting of the NAGU to order. First piece of business is to welcome our newcomers to the festivities. Surprised you're here, Sam, but with Abby up in Boston and Georgia who-knows-where, it makes sense you and Steph would pal up for this.

Steph: Actually, Georgia and I broke up about two weeks ago.

Alyssa: I'm so sorry to hear that, Steph.