The 2018 NWSL season is on the horizon, and that means things are beginning to wind down overseas. Over the past weekend, things in the W-League table started to take shape (featuring a showdown between two Pride players in Sydney) and Atlético Madrid battled through a high-scoring affair in Spain.
Take a look back at all the action from Pride players on loan:
W-League (Australia): Round 11
Melbourne Victory 2, Melbourne City FC 1 (recap / highlights)
Victory came out on top in Saturday's Melbourne Derby, picking up a big 2-1 win over rival Melbourne City. City got on the board after an own-goal from Laura Alleway, after the centerback attempted to sweep away a sure-goal off the line. Victory responded with Melina Ayres catching Lydia Williams off her line with a long-distance shot and eventually went ahead after Christina Gibbons (Sky Blue FC) put in a cross from Natasha Dowie (Boston Breakers).
Both Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy played all 90 minutes, with both players having featured in all 900 minutes for Melbourne thus far.
Canberra United 2, Western Sydney Wanderers 0 (recap / highlights)
In her 100th W-League appearance, Michelle Heyman scored the game's winning goal in the 75th minute as Canberra United went on to beat Western Sydney 2-0. Elise Thorsnes added an insurance goal just a minute later, leading Canberra to its third straight victory. Earlier in the half, with the game still scoreless, Toni Pressley had a go off a second-half corner kick but she wasn't able to get enough on her headed attempt.
With the win, Canberra sit just one point out of playoff position, trailing Melbourne City's 16 points.
Sydney FC 2, Perth Glory 0 (recap / highlights)
It was a Pride vs. Pride battle on Saturday, with Aubrey Bledsoe and Sydney FC hosting Rachel Hill and Perth Glory. It was Bledsoe who came out on top, downing Perth 2-0 to jump into second place in the W-League and extend the team's unbeaten run to seven games. Lisa De Vanna scored in the 20th minute, robbing a Perth defender deep in the zone before slotting her shot home. Chloe Logarzo added a second in the 50th after De Vanna's slip pass setup an empty net tap-in.
Bledsoe came up with two big saves against her teammate at the end of the match, pouncing on a ball with Hill knocking on the doorstep, then making a sprawling save against the rookie just inside the six-yard box.
Other W-League Results:
Adelaide United 2, Newcastle Jets 1 (recap / highlights)
Brisbane Roar: Bye Week
Up Next: Round 12 Fixtures
Western Sydney vs. Melbourne Victory (Fri., Jan. 19 at 1:20 a.m. ET)
Perth Glory vs. Canberra United (Sat., Jan. 20 at 3:30 a.m. ET)
Melbourne City vs. Brisbane Roar (Sun., Jan. 21 at 12:30 a.m. ET)
Sydney FC, Adelaide United, Newcastle Jets: Bye Week
Primera División (Spain)
Atlético Madrid 4, Fundación Albacete 3 (recap / highlights)
After falling behind 1-0, Spanish midfielder Soni provided two goals and an assist to help Atlético Madrid rally back and defeat 4-3. In a back-and-forth match, Soni first sent a cross in that was headed home by Ludmila. After Albacete regained the lead at 2-1, Soni pulled things even with a set piece goal and scored again in the 46th. Angela Sosa added Atlético's third goal of the match just before the halftime whistle. Pride defender Monica started the match but was replaced after 52 minutes.
Up Next:
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Sociedad S.A.D. (Sat., Jan. 27 or Sun., Jan. 28, time TBD)
