NOTES TO KNOW

TUNE IN

Viewers tuning in to the NWSL this season can catch more than 120 matches across CBS, ESPN, ION and Prime Video. The remaining matches will be available for free on NWSL+, the league’s first-ever domestic direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

Full details on how to watch all Week 17 matches can be found here.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS A PLAYOFF SPOT

Orlando can become the first club to clinch a spot in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel, with a win AND two out of the three following scenarios occurring:

• Bay FC draw/loss vs. Portland Thorns FC

• Racing Louisville FC loss vs. Seattle Reign FC

• Angel City FC draw/loss vs. Chicago Red Stars

TEMWA FOR THE RECORD

The Kansas City Current host the North Carolina Courage in a rematch of the August 6 Summer Cup semifinal which saw the Current advance to the tournament’s championship match, set to kick off on October 25 in San Antonio, Texas. With a goal in this weekend’s match, forward Temwa Chawinga, who has scored in six straight regular season games, will set a new league record for consecutive games with a tally with seven games.

DEFENSE WINS GAMES

The Orlando Pride return to Inter&Co Stadium to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC after setting a new league record of 18 unbeaten games, dating back to October 25, 2023. Two of the best defenses in the league will go head-to-head. Gotham FC has allowed just 13 goals while the Pride have let in 12 goals this season. Additionally, goalkeepers Anna Moorhouse and Ann-Katrin Berger hold the top two goals against averages this regular season.

Pride forward Barbra Banda looks to lead her team to victory, further extending the longest undefeated streak the NWSL has ever seen, while Gotham FC, who has not lost on the road since April 20 of this season, looks to continue its impressive streak.

PAST CLUB VS. NEW CLUB

Racing Louisville hosts Seattle Reign in a Saturday night showdown at Lynn Family Stadium as Reign defender Jaelin Howell and Racing forward Bethany Balcer face off against their former clubs for the first time after being traded during the secondary transfer window.

This is the second meeting between the two clubs this regular season. The first meeting on June 23 ended in a 1-1 draw. Balcer, now with Louisville, recorded a penalty kick goal for Seattle while Racing’s rookie forward Reilyn Turner, who has since joined the Portland Thorns, equalized in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time.

WEEK 17 MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, August 30

Portland Thorns FC vs. Bay FC |Providence Park | 10 p.m. ET | Prime Video

Saturday, August 31

Racing Louisville FC vs. Seattle Reign | Lynn Family Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | ION

Houston Dash vs. Utah Royals | Shell Energy Stadium | 9:30 p.m. ET | ION

Sunday, September 1

North Carolina Courage vs. Kansas City Current | WakeMed Soccer Park | 2:00 p.m. ET | CBS

Angel City FC vs. Chicago Red Stars | BMO Stadium| 4 p.m. ET | CBS

Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC | Inter&Co Stadium | 6:00 p.m. ET | NWSL+

San Diego Wave FC vs. Washington Spirit | Snapdragon Stadium | 8:00 p.m. ET | NWSL+