Week 16 had some huge moments, so Week 17 has a lot to live up to. Thankfully iconic stadiums, important matchups, and fun storylines await NWSL fans this weekend. Here’s what to be excited for!
How do I watch live games from the 2025 NWSL Regular Season?
- Friday night matches airing on Prime Video are available to U.S. fans here.
- Saturday night double-headers airing at 7:30 and 10 p.m. ET on Scripps-owned ION network are available to U.S. fans here.
- For games airing on CBS, U.S. fans can watch here. US Fans can also stream on Paramount+ here.
- For games airing on ESPN, U.S. fans can watch here. Matches on ESPN and ESPN2 will also stream on ESPN+.
- For games airing on NWSL+, U.S. fans can watch here.
- Fans outside of the U.S. can watch for free on NWSL+
- For more information on how to watch NWSL matches outside of the U.S., read more here.
Thursday, August 21
Angel City FC vs. Orlando Pride - 10:30 PM ET
How to watch: CBSSN
Week 17 starts off in sunny Los Angeles with Angel City hosting the reigning champs, the Orlando Pride. With a loss and three draws in their last four games, this could be an opportunity for the Pride to claw back to second place in the standings after being overtaken by an in-form San Diego Wave last weekend. Angel City has many new pieces – like Evelyn Shores and Sveindis Jónsdóttir – who have already been starting and impacting play Points in front of their home crowd to advance up the standings against a questionable Orlando team would go a long way.
Friday, August 22
Chicago Stars FC vs. North Carolina Courage - 8 PM ET
How to watch: Prime Video
Friday night’s Prime NWSL matchup heads to Chicago, where the Stars welcome North Carolina, two sides coming off draws last weekend that felt very different. Chicago stormed back from 3–0 down, capped off by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s first-ever NWSL goal in the dying seconds — a statement that they can fight their way to results. North Carolina, meanwhile, grabbed a late equalizer of their own last weekend, but with just one loss and two draws in their last three, the Courage sit just outside the playoff line and badly need points. Friday’s meeting sets up as a test of who wants it more, the perfect lead-in to a busy NWSL weekend.
Saturday, August 23
Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit - 4 PM ET
How to watch: CBS, Paramount+
“Take me out to the ball game,” is what NWSL fans are going to be saying this Saturday afternoon when Bay FC hosts the Washington Spirit in one of the most scenic baseball parks in the country: Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. The game is expected to set attendance records, not only for the NWSL but professional women’s sports in the U.S., but outside of those storylines, it’s still a regular season game with major implications for both teams. Washington Spirit sits in fourth place in the standings, but the Thorns are barking at their heels. After two draws in the last two weekends, they need more points to maintain their position and hope for a home playoff berth Getting Rosemonde Kouassi and new signing Sofia Cantore involved in the attack is key. But for Bay FC, in 11th place, things are more dire. Points would go a long way in getting them back into the playoff picture. They’ll be leaning on rookie Taylor Huff to generate in the midfield and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz to defend the posts against a relentless Spirit attack.
Gotham FC vs. Utah Royals FC - 7:30 PM ET
How to watch: ION
Week 16 could have gone better for Gotham. After an own goal and letting the Dash grab a late stoppage time winner, it’s easy to let a poor result demoralize you.After a midweek group stage Concacaf W Champions Cup match where they won and were able to get their bench players valuable minutes, things are looking up. For Utah, the return of hat trick hero Cloé Lacasse from injury has been huge, even though she hasn’t found the back of the net yet. She’s impacted their offense in other ways and will likely be a target for Utah’s midfield chance creators going forward. Despite their place in the standings, the Royals should never be counted out, so expect a competitive match this Saturday afternoon.
Portland Thorns vs. Kansas City Current - 10 PM ET
How to watch: ION
With an 11-point cushion over second-place San Diego and the spark of young talent Ally Sentnor, the Kansas City Current are looking every bit like a team of destiny. But Portland at Providence Park is a different challenge. The Thorns thrive at home, led by rising star Pietra Tordin, who can’t stop scoring. Backed by five home wins in front of some of the league’s biggest crowds, Portland boasts the second-best home record in the NWSL (trailing only KC). Expect Temwa Chawinga, Claire Hutton, Bia Zaneratto, and Debinha — really, anyone in teal — to pressure the Thorns’ backline, while Portland counters with Tordin, Reilyn Turner, Sam Coffey, and the endlessly inventive Hina Sugita. This one is going to be a good one.
Sunday, August 24
Houston Dash vs. Seattle Reign FC - 7 PM ET
How to watch: Paramount +, NWSL+
The Houston Dash enter Sunday flying high after last weekend’s dramatic late winner. For the Reign, though, the mood is different after being stung by a late goal despite putting on an offensive clinic. Still, context matters: after finishing 2024 in 13th, Seattle is now firmly in playoff contention, already showing major progress for a team that has big ambitions. Rookie Maddie Dahlien, sophomore Emeri Adames, and the ever-reliable Jess Fishlock have all fueled that climb. With both teams carrying very different energies into this one, expect a fun matchup.
San Diego Wave vs. Racing Louisville FC - 8 PM ET
How to watch: Paramount +, NWSL+
The San Diego Wave sit comfortably in second place, a sharp turnaround from last year’s playoff miss after their Shield-winning 2023 campaign. Their formula has been a balanced blend of international experience and homegrown talent, perfectly reflected in last weekend’s scorers: veteran French midfielder Kenza Dali and U-17 standout Kimmi Ascanio, both pivotal in San Diego’s title push. Racing Louisville, meanwhile, are carving out their own strong season. With Taylor Flint and Emma Sears bringing size, grit, and timely goals, and Bev Yanez steering the club from the sidelines, Louisville sit seventh in the table with the belief they can finally push further than ever before.
