Week 8 had a little bit of everything: Christen Press’ first home goal since 2022, a Debinha brace in front of a packed home crowd, late-game equalizers, and more goals from the rookies. Here’s what you might have missed!
Friday, May 9
Racing Louisville 1, Gotham FC 0
Taylor Flint’s highlight-reel strike lifted Racing Louisville to a 1-0 win over Gotham FC on Friday night, securing their first home victory of the season. The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Savannah DeMelo found Flint in space outside the box. With no pressure on her, Flint stepped up and launched a rocket into the top corner—her first goal of the year. Louisville’s aggressive press disrupted Gotham’s attack all night and in her second-ever NWSL game, goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer made five saves to stop any real attempts Gotham was able to muster. She was integral in helping earn Racing’s second clean sheet of the year, as Louisville saw out the result and continued their rise up the table.
Angel City FC 2, Utah Royals FC 0
Angel City earned a dominant 2–0 win over Utah Royals thanks to second-half goals from Christen Press and Alyssa Thompson. After a scoreless first half where ACFC controlled most of the possession and outshot Utah 12–4, Press broke the deadlock in the 66th minute—less than a minute after subbing on—dribbling into the box off a feed from Alanna Kennedy and curling a left-footed shot into the upper 90. It was her first goal ever at BMO Stadium and her first in a home stadium since 2022. In the 74th minute, Savy King experienced a medical emergency and was taken off the field. After resuming play, Thompson sealed the win in the 98th minute, finishing off a through ball from Riley Tiernan with a rocket off the post and in.
Saturday, May 10
Chicago Stars 2, Washington Spirit 3
The Washington Spirit became just the second team in league history to start 4–0–0 on the road after a 3–2 win over the Chicago Stars. After an early own goal off a Rosemonde Kouassi cross gave the Spirit the lead in the 31st, Chicago equalized five minutes later through Julia Grosso’s first-ever NWSL goal, assisted by Camryn Biegalski. In the 41st, Kouassi got her first career NWSL goal as well with a diving header off a Tara McKeown ball, becoming the 500th unique goal scorer in league history. Sam Staab brought Chicago level again in the 54th after pouncing on a loose ball in the box, but Gift Monday delivered the game-winner in the 83rd, poking in a Kouassi cross to secure all three points.
North Carolina Courage 1, Orlando Pride 1
In front of a sellout crowd of 9,366 at WakeMed Soccer Park, North Carolina and Orlando played to a 1–1 draw after a stoppage-time equalizer from Prisca Chilufya. Feli Rauch scored first in the 27th minute, cleaning up a rebound from a Manaka Matsukubo shot following a quick transition sparked by Shinomi Koyama. Orlando had few clear chances until deep into stoppage time, when Angelina delivered a corner to the front post and Chilufya flicked it in for her first NWSL goal. It marked the second time this season the Pride have scored in second-half stoppage to earn points on the road and was ultimately a heartbreaking result for the Courage, who otherwise had a strong game.
San Diego Wave FC 1, Portland Thorns FC 1
San Diego struck early but couldn’t hold off a late Portland push, settling for a 1–1 draw at Snapdragon Stadium. Kimmi Ascanio put the Wave ahead in the 6th minute, diving to head home a Perle Morroni cross after a deflected shot by Gia Corley. The match turned in the 41st when defender Kennedy Wesley received a red card for a last-player foul. Despite being down a player, San Diego held firm until the 90+5th minute, when Sam Coffey drew a penalty and rookie Jayden Perry converted from the spot—her third goal of the year, all from the spot—to rescue a point and extend Portland’s unbeaten run to four matches.
Sunday, May 11
Kansas City Current 4, Bay FC 1
Kansas City snapped its two-game losing streak in emphatic fashion with a 4–1 win over Bay FC at CPKC Stadium, led by a Debinha brace and two assists from Hailie Mace. Bia Zaneratto opened the scoring in the 3rd minute after Mace picked off a pass and played her through. Debinha doubled the lead in the 35th, finishing a lofted ball from Claire Hutton, and curled in a free kick just three minutes later for her second of the night. Though Penelope Hocking pulled one back for Bay in the 53rd, Temwa Chawinga restored the three-goal cushion in the 62nd with a composed finish after a long ball from Mace. The win keeps KC perfect at home in 2025.
Seattle Reign FC 0, Houston Dash 1
Houston Dash earned their third clean sheet of the season—and first ever in Seattle in regular season play—after a 1–0 win over Seattle Reign. The lone goal came in the 57th minute, when Yazmeen Ryan forced a turnover and played Ryan Gareis into space. Gareis sent a pinpoint cross to the far post, where midfielder Maggie Graham buried the finish for her third goal of the season. Abby Smith made her first Dash start in goal and recorded the shutout in her return to NWSL play. Houston’s press stifled Seattle down the stretch, and Ryan nearly added a second in the 80th.
