REDS LINK CAN FINALLY MAKE THE BREAKERS
boss Matt Beard believes a Liverpool linkup can kick-start a Boston Breakers revival as America’s National Women’s Soccer League returns to action today following an Olympics-enforced break.
Beard, who remains closely in touch with the English game following his winter transatlantic move, had a torrid start to his first NWSL season as Boston won just one of their first 13 games to sit bottom.
But then he signed Doncaster Belles and England striker Natasha Dowie, who had starred for him as Liverpool won the Super League in both 2013 and 2014 but, who like Beard, left the Reds during the close season.
Dowie made an immediate impact, scoring on her debut to help Boston beat Orlando Pride 1-0 in their final game before the break, so today’s meeting with Kansas City, the only other side that the Breakers had previously beaten, gives Beard’s team the chance to record both their first double and back-to-back successes.
“I’m confident we can beat Kansas again,” said Beard, “and I also believe we can get ourselves off the bottom of the table even though we’re five points adrift going into our last six games.
“Tash Dowie can play a key role for us. It’s such an open game over here compared to the way the WSL has developed back home, and Tash can be as devastating here as she was in the first season Liverpool won the league.
“She certainly impressed on her debut, and she will hopefully be the difference between us losing games by a single goal – which we’ve done six times – and winning them, because the biggest frustration has been missing chances.
“We’ve been averaging 11 shots a match yet we’ve only scored seven goals in 14 games, which is why we’re where we are and a big reason for bringing in Tash.”
Dowie has moved from one bottom of the table club to another, the Belles propping up the WSL with zero points from their first eight games.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are comfortably placed in mid-table and, to the delight of Beard for his managerial successor Scott Rogers, the only team so far to take points off the unbeaten runaway leaders Manchester City.
“I predicted before the season started that Man City wouldn’t lose a league game this year,” said Beard, “and I’m sure I’ll be proved right.
“But it was great to hear about the two draws that Liverpool got with City. I’m in regular contact with Scott and I’m so pleased for him – he was an excellent assistant to me at Liverpool and I recommended him as manager when I left.
“He’s done great so far and he will only get better, but I can’t see anyone stopping City from winning the WSL and probably going on to dominate the women’s game like Arsenal used to in the old Premier League days.
“I don’t think that will be good for the game because I think that people might lose interest if it becomes a procession for City, so I hope the likes of big budget clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal can give them a strong challenge.
“But you can’t argue with City’s pedigree – they do everything right, they’ve got a top manager in Nick Cushing and they’re on the way to the title.”