Not a bad “offseason” for Michelle Betos. On loan for the past five months with Sydney FC of Australia’s W-League, the goalkeeper played a significant role in the club’s league playoff semifinal over the weekend. Making several key saves, Betos helped Sydney FC secure a 1-0 victory against defending-champion Canberra United to earn a spot in the league’s Grand Final on Saturday, Jan. 30, in Melbourne.
Betos made three notable saves in the first half and secured the clean sheet with clutch stops in the second half. Former Western New York Flash forward Jasmyne Spencer scored the match’s lone goal in the 61st minute (highlight).
Sydney FC will face Melbourne City FC in the W-League Grand Final, which will be nationally televised in Australia on FOX Sports and ABC TV; kickoff is 7 p.m. (Pacific).
In the other W-League semifinal, defender Clare Polkinghorne captained Brisbane Roar against first-place Melbourne City FC. The Roar fell on penalties, 5-4, after a scoreless draw through regulation and extra time. Polkinghorne converted her spot kick.
