From huge upsets to record-breaking goals, this weekend's NWSL action was truly remarkable. Here's a speedy rundown, just in case you missed out on all the fun. And trust us, after this, you won't want to miss another match!
Friday, June 7
Racing Louisville FC 2, Houston Dash 0
Racing (3-2-6) is starting off June with a victory as they raced past the Dash (3-6-3) Friday evening in the first NWSL match of the weekend. The first half seemed to be in the Dash’s favor, however, as they outshot the home team five to three with one of those shots on target. They also dominated in possession, specifically in Racing’s half of the field.
But in the second half, Racing woke up and in the 62nd minute, Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo put away a rebound and gave her team the lead. And in the 85th minute, DeMelo would double that lead after DeMelo fed teammate Parker Goins a cross that Goins handily diverted past Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell. Racing now sits in 7th place, having moved up a position in the standings after their victory and the close of the weekend’s fixtures.
San Diego Wave 1, Orlando Pride 1
Fans who tuned in (or attended) the San Diego Wave’s (3-4-4) Friday night match against the visiting Orlando Pride (8-0-4) were rewarded with two stunning goals and plenty of action as the two teams settled for a draw, ending Orlando’s unprecedented eight-match win streak. In the 36th minute, Orlando forward Barbra Banda lifted a cross past Wave’s defenders to an open Julie Doyle, who sacrificed her footing to extend a leg backwards and redirect the ball past Kailen Sheridan’s gloves. With this goal, the Pride have maintained their streak of scoring in every match this season.
In the second half, the Wave made a few tactical changes, which resulted in pressure on the defense and the space for María Sánchez to pick her shot and force Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse to swipe a curving ball away from the danger zone. Unfortunately for Moorhouse and the Pride, the ball landed at the feet of Wave forward Makenzy Doniak, who sent a low skidding ball past the legs of defender and goalkeeper, tying up the match. The Pride were never able to find the back of the net again and their win streak was snapped. They ended the weekend in second place in the standings, with the Kansas City Current’s goal differential being the difference maker.
Saturday, June 8
NJ/NY Gotham FC 2, Angel City FC 1
In front of Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, and thousands of fans celebrating Pride Night, the reigning champs (6-2-3) extended their unbeaten streak to seven after their victory against the visiting Angel City FC (3-6-2). Gotham got the scoring started in the 26th minute after Crystal Dunn launched a low ball that had too much weight on it for Los Angeles goalkeeper DiDi Haračić to fully get a hand on. The visiting team equalized early in the second half when Clarisse Le Bihan’s cross missed the heads of Sydney Leroux and the two defenders on her and bounced into goal. Not one to be outdone, however, Gotham retook the lead not ten minutes later when Rose Lavelle and Delanie Sheehan combined in the penalty box, freeing up space for Lavelle to dribble past her opponent’s defenders and blast the ball low into the net.
Gotham FC continues to rise in the standings, putting them in the middle of playoff contention with enough space to breathe as they hit the road next week.
Chicago Red Stars 1, Bay FC 2
More than 35,000 fans attended the match of a lifetime as the Chicago Red Stars (5-6-1) hosted Bay FC (4-8-0) Saturday night on the grass of the historic Wrigley Field. But it was the visiting team who would knock it out of the park with a walk-off win thanks to goals from Kiki Pickett and Bay Area native Joelle Anderson.
In the 25th minute, Kiki Pickett collected a deflected ball and from the hot dog stands on the concourse (almost) booted the ball from outside the box, sending it rocketing past Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. The goal was Kiki’s first professional career goal and made her Bay FC’s tenth goal scorer of the season, a number only surpassed by the Current. Joelle Anderson doubled the lead in the 79th minute when she blocked a clearance from Red Stars defender Chardonnay Curran, redirecting it into the net. The home team got on the board in stoppage time thanks to a goal from Penelope Hocking – whose father Denny Hocking hit a home run in Wrigley Field twenty-five years prior – but it wasn’t enough to change the tides. Bay FC came away with all three points and will return home to host Utah for their first ever Pride Night match.
Utah Royals FC 0, Washington Spirit 1
The Utah Royals (1-10-1) hosted the Washington Spirit (9-3-0) on Saturday evening but were unable to secure a shutout, falling 0-1 to the visitors. Rookie defender Katie Wiesner was the difference maker in the 26th minute when she picked up a loose ball at the top of the box and pivoted to shoot it past defender and goalkeeper alike. It was the lone goal of the match. With this victory and at the close of the weekend, the Spirit stand third in the standings, only a point off from league leaders Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride.
Portland Thorns FC 1, North Carolina Courage 0
Portland Thorns (7-4-1) earned a narrow victory over visiting team North Carolina Courage (5-7-0) on Saturday night. For most of the match, the score remained even but in the 79th minute, Hina Sugita drew a penalty, which Sophia Smith calmly converted. The goal was Smith’s ninth goal of the season, extending her lead in the Golden Boot race. History was also made in the 57th minute as Becky Sauerbrunn became the eighth player in league history – and the first Portland Thorns player – to play 15,000 regular season minutes. The Thorns, now 4th in the standings, next head to Seattle for the second Cascadia rivalry match of the season.
Sunday, June 9
Kansas City Current 5, Seattle Reign FC 2
Sunday’s lone NWSL fixture was one for the books as the Kansas City Current (8-0-4) hosted the Seattle Reign (2-9-1) in the glorious CPKC Stadium. The match resulted in seven goals from five different goal scorers, with the goal fest starting in the 24th minute after Jordyn Huitema found a deep cross from Veronica Latsko. Huitema would again find the back of the net after Current forward Temwa Chawinga equalized a few minutes after Huitema’s first goal, but Reign would head into the locker room level with the home team after Brazilian and Current defender Lauren picked up the loose ball from a corner and slipped it past Reign goalkeeper Laurel Ivory. The goal made Lauren the Current’s 16th different goal scorer this season, which extends their record.
The second half, the Current, having settled into the match’s pace, never let in another goal despite Reign FC’s multiple attempts. However, they were able to put away three more goals of their own, from Vanessa DiBernardo, another from Chawinga, and a penalty from Lo’eau LaBonta (complete with a celly). The match concluded with a decisive 5-2 victory for the home team, extending the Current’s unbeaten streak in 2024 to twelve games. With thirty-one goals this season, they have firmly secured their position at the top of the league standings.