From stoppage-time goals to underdog victories to celebrating a legend of the game, Week 19 delivered the full spectrum of NWSL drama, a reminder that in this league, no lead is safe and every team has a shot. Here’s how the weekend played out, one match at a time.
Racing Louisville FC 1, Portland Thorns FC 2
Racing Louisville opened the NWSL weekend, looking for a result at home but late drama handed Portland all three points. Rookie Katie O’Kane gave the hosts the lead in the 22nd minute with her first NWSL goal, and goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer lifted morale by saving Sam Coffey’s penalty, her third stop from the spot this season. Portland stayed in the game, however, weathering close calls from Emma Sears, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold produced key saves. Julie Dufour equalized with her second goal in as many games then, in the 90th minute, an own goal sealed a 2-1 Thorns victory.
North Carolina Courage 1, Utah Royals FC 1
Most of North Carolina’s home field showdown with the Utah Royals was evenly matched, with a weather delay only adding to the tension. But then, in the 89th minute, the Courage looked to have stolen it late when Manaka Matsukubo drew a penalty and Jaedyn Shaw converted it. However, Utah struck back in stoppage time as Paige Monaghan buried a loose ball from a corner to secure the equalizer. The 1-1 draw leaves both sides with a point apiece and still within reach of the remaining seven playoff spots.
Bay FC 0, Kansas City Current 2
At the future site of the 2025 NWSL Championship in San Jose, Kansas City showed no signs of slowing down, earning a 2-0 win to extend its dominance on the road. Hailie Mace, making her 100th league appearance, set up Michelle Cooper for a composed finish just before halftime, and Temwa Chawinga sealed the result in stoppage time with a trademark breakaway. The victory marked head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s 100th regular season win, set a new league record for consecutive shutout minutes at 632 and a seventh straight clean sheet, and further cemented the Current’s grip on first place.
Chicago Stars FC 5, Orlando Pride 2
Playing on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan where they’ll call home in 2026, the Chicago Stars hosted the Orlando Pride for a scoreless first half, which gave way to a seven-goal surge after the break. Sam Staab ignited the spree with a pinpoint free kick before Orlando equalized through Carson Pickett, after which the Stars hit another gear: Jameese Joseph thundered home, Bea Franklin headed in from a Ludmila cross, Julia Grosso battled to make it four, and Ludmila capped the day late. Julie Doyle set up Haley McCutcheon to momentarily cut the deficit, but Chicago’s variety in attack and clinical finishing carried the afternoon and was the storyline of the weekend.
Washington Spirit 2, Seattle Reign FC 0
Washington extended its unbeaten run to seven behind a Trinity Rodman brace, pressing in waves and turning midfield turnovers into decisive chances at Audi Field. Rodman finished a clever Leicy Santos slip in the first half and added a second late from a Croix Bethune feed, while Aubrey Kingsbury and the back line absorbed Seattle’s spell of pressure after the break to close out a sixth clean sheet of the season. The win sets up a top-of-the-table showdown next week when Kansas City hosts the Spirit. This result also means the Current clinch a quarterfinal home playoff berth.
Gotham FC 3, Angel City FC 1
Down inside two minutes thanks to a goal from Angel City’s Kennedy Fuller, Gotham regrouped and flipped the match with three second-half goals. Gabi Portilho equalized moments after halftime from a driving Midge Purce run-and-cross. Rose Lavelle followed by poking home the go-ahead goal, and Jaelin Howell lashed in a long-range insurance strike to seal it. Gotham sits in sixth in the standings now, tied with the Reign in points but decided by goal differential.
San Diego Wave FC 0, Houston Dash 3
On the night of USWNT and San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan’s jersey retirement ceremony, the home team was left without points as the Houston Dash claimed a clinical 3-0 shutout victory on the road and extended its unbeaten streak to six. Clarissa Larisey opened her NWSL account in the 17th minute and then set up Yazmeen Ryan on the stroke of halftime before Messiah Bright finished off a slick move late in the second half. Maggie Graham and Kiki Van Zanten were efficient in the midfield and Jane Campbell made five key saves for the clean sheet.
