Alex Morgan became the first player in NWSL history to score the game-winning goal in three consecutive matches to lead the Orlando Pride to a club-record fourth straight victory in a 2-1 win over FC Kansas City. The U.S. international has eight goals and two assists in the last seven games – and has scored […]

Alex Morgan became the first player in NWSL history to score the game-winning goal in three consecutive matches to lead the Orlando Pride to a club-record fourth straight victory in a 2-1 win over FC Kansas City.The U.S. international has eight goals and two assists in the last seven games – and has scored in each of the previous five matches – as she and Marta have powered the Pride to 13 points in the last five contests, the most in the league during that stretch. Marta assisted on the game-winner by Morgan against the Blues and the pair have combined for the game-winning goal in three of the four games during Orlando’s win streak. Elsewhere, Sam Kerr tied the NWSL single-season scoring record with her 16th goal of the year to keep Sky Blue FC in the hunt for the playoffs and Hayley Raso turned in a two-goal performance as the Portland Thorns became the first club in the NWSL with 50 regular-season victories with a 2-1 win over Cascadia rivals Seattle. 1**

ORLANDO PRIDE

9-6-5, 32 pts**

Up: 1 Last week: 2 Marta and Alex Morgan looked scary on paper. Now that they’re on the field together, it’s downright terrifying for opposing defenses as the pair have combined for 13 goals and five assists over the last eight games as the Pride have put together a four-game win streak. * * * 2**

PORTLAND THORNS FC

11-5-4, 37 pts**

Up: 2 Last week: 3 Hayley Raso netted a brace to deliver a huge 2-1 victory over Cascadia rivals Seattle. The forward now has five goals on the season and Portland has won six of their last seven. * * * 3**

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

13-5-0, 39 pts**

Down: 2 Last week: 1 It seems cruel to drop the Courage two spots after the Week 18 match against Houston was postponed, but that’s how good Orlando and Portland have been of late. North Carolina gears up for two matches in Week 19 as they look to secure a playoff spot and possibly home-field advantage. * * * 4**

SKY BLUE FC

9-9-2, 29 pts**

Up: 2 Last week: 6 Sam Kerr has made NWSL history nearly every time she’s stepped on the field this year. Kerr did it again as she tied the NWSL single-season scoring record with her 16th goal of 2017 to lead Sky Blue to a big 1-0 win over Boston. * * * 5**

FC KANSAS CITY

6-9-5, 23 pts**

Down: 1 Last week: 4 FC Kansas City saw their three-game win streak come to an end with a 2-1 loss to Orlando in Week 18. There’s no time to dwell, as the Blues will have to stare down playoff elimination when they go against Sky Blue FC in Week 19. * * * 6**

CHICAGO RED STARS

9-6-5, 32 pts**

Up: 1 Last week: 7 Nothing like making an instant impact for your new club. New arrival Kristie Mewis scored her first goal as a Red Stars’ player and Christen Press added her 10th of the year to make sure Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over Washington. * * * 7**

SEATTLE REIGN FC

7-7-6, 27 pts**

Down: 2 Last week: 5 The Reign have lost four of the last five games – with a 2-1 setback against bitter rivals Portland the latest in the slide. Jess Fishlock scored the only goal of the match for Seattle, who sit five points out of a playoff spot with four games to play. * * * 8**

HOUSTON DASH

7-10-2, 23 pts**

— Last week: 8 No change for the Dash after having their Week 18 match against North Carolina postponed due to Hurricane Harvey. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the NWSL go out to those affected by the natural disaster. * * * 9**

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

4-11-4, 16 pts**

— Last week: 9 The Spirit had their fate officially confirmed in Week 18 as a 2-1 loss to Chicago meant that Washington will miss out on the playoffs for the first time since 2013. There’s still a lot to look forward to for Spirit fans as Mallory Pugh continues to showcase her foundational talent. * * * 10**

BOSTON BREAKERS

3-10-7, 16 pts**

— Last week: 10 The Breakers were eliminated from playoff contention with a 1-0 road loss against Sky Blue FC. It’s the fifth consecutive season Boston will miss out on the postseason. Matt Beard and his players now look to play spoiler as they travel to face Orlando in Week 19.