CF Monterrey celebrate their win over Thorns FC (Photo by Diego G Diaz)
The opening of the ICC Women’s International Champions Cup brought us European UEFA Champions League winner Olympic Lyonnais, England’s champion Chealsea FC, Mexico’s champion CF Monterrey, and the host and current tournament champion, the Portland Thorns.
The European clubs opened the tournament, with Chealsea dominating the affair with a comfortable 2-0 win with goals Sam Kerr in minute 20, and Lauren James in 55. In minute 76, former Thorns midfielder, Lindsey Horan, put the hope in Olympic boots by scoring a stunning free kick. From there, Olympic took the reins of the game, and Signe Brunn in minute 88, got the equalizer. A runner up last year, Olympic Lyonnais edged Chealsea on the penalties, and sealed once again a place in the final.
Half an hour after the end of the first penalty shoot out, the host, The Portland Thorns took on CF Monterrey for the second spot in Saturday’s finals. Portland scored early in minute 5, via Marissa Everett, for the first half and part of the second, Portland looked like the better side, but couldn’t find luck against the well defended goal by CF Monterrey Alejandra Godinez.
Monterrey, however, was able to create danger, and started to push forward, finding the equalizer in minute 68, by Diana García. The match would end in a 1-1 draw, and resolved in Penalties. Monterrey’s keeper Alejandra Godinez, wanted to write her name in the books, and show the world she does not have anything to envy to Olympic Lyonnais goal keeper, Christian Endler, considered by many on of the worlds best.
Goal keepers, Endler and Godinez, were both critical in their teams victories, and one of them will be raising the ICC Women’s international Champions Cup this coming Saturday 20th.
Christiane Endler (Olympic Lyonnais) stops a penalty during their match up against Chealsea FC (photo by Diego G Diaz).
Alejandra Godinez (CF Monterrey) saves the last penalty against the Portland Thorns in the second semifinal (photo by Diego G Diaz).
