Here’s a quick recap of all the NWSL action you might have missed from this weekend!
Friday, May 10
Racing Louisville FC 1 - Washington Spirit 2 (Attendance: 6,222)
Louisville kicked off the NWSL weekend on Friday night as Racing faced off against the Washington Spirit. Rookie standout Croix Bethune wasted no time, scoring her fourth career goal just four minutes into the game, giving the Spirit a lead they would never give up all match. Bethune’s goal was a one touch off of a corner kick sent in from Andi Sullivan. Twenty minutes later, Racing earned themselves a penalty kick but Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury stopped Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo’s first shot along with Racing forward Emma Sears’ follow up when the ball rebounded off of Kingsbury’s gloves.
Before the second half ended, Ouleye Sarr produced a shot that resulted in an own goal, doubling the Spirit’s lead. Although Savannah DeMelo pulled one back for Racing with a remarkable set-piece goal, it wasn't enough to earn a draw. The second half remained goalless, securing a 2-1 win for the Spirit and capping off a successful three-game road trip.
Saturday, May 11
Orlando Pride 1 - Bay FC 0 (Attendance: 7,707)
In the two clubs’ first showdown against one another, Orlando Pride clashed with Bay FC for the very first time in Saturday's opening match. In the 15th minute, Barbra Banda’s advance into the box resulted in a penalty, which midfielder Adriana handily converted. It would ultimately be the lone goal of the match but enough to deliver Orlando’s sixth straight win.
Watch the full highlights here.
Portland Thorns FC 4 - Seattle Reign FC 0 (Attendance: 20,229)
The final match of Saturday was one Portland fans will never forget. An 18 yard stunner from Olivia Moultrie (assisted by Sophia Smith), Smith’s fortieth career goal, an acrobatic one touch goal from a wide open Hina Sugita (also assisted by Smith), and Payton Linnehan’s second rookie goal (again, assisted by Smith) were too much for their northern neighbors. With a goal line clearance from Kelli Hubly, the Thorns tidied up the evening in front of their loyal fans with a clean sheet and three more points to add to their stash.
Sunday, May 12
Chicago Red Stars 3 - Utah Royals FC 1 (Attendance: 3,104)
Jenna Bike got the scoring started for the day, in the 23rd minute, thanks to a cross from Mal Swanson, delivered near the corner flag. The Red Stars doubled their lead in the 29th minute thanks to a calmly taken penalty from Swanson. Utah forward Cameron Tucker buried her shot into the far top corner of the net from outside the penalty box, narrowing the home team’s lead. However Penelope Hocking scored a stoppage time stunner to put the game away for the Red Stars.
Watch the full highlights here.
Kansas City Current 1 - North Carolina Courage 0 (Attendance: 11,500)
In the 52nd minute of the match, Kansas City forward Temwa Chawinga sent in a low ball that glanced off of Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy’s outstretched glove. Fortuitously, the ball slid in front of Debinha and with a wide open net calling her name, she buried her shot, giving the Current a lead they’d never lose the rest of the match. The Current remain unbeaten and undefeated at home.
Watch the full highlights here.
Angel City FC 0 - Houston Dash 1 (Attendance: 18,037)
It was a plotline straight out of a movie, fittingly unfolding just a 15-minute drive from Hollywood itself. The match, attended by celebrity moms and a devoted crowd of Angel City FC fans, initially lacked any major twists. However, deep into stoppage time of the second half, the plot unfolded. as Paige Nielsen, who once called BMO Stadium home, found a ricocheting ball that was sent in front of ACFC’s goal box. With a crowded cast of opponents and teammates obscuring her view, goalkeeper DiDi Haracic found herself unable to make a save as Nielsen’s ball nestled into the bottom corner of the net.
Watch the full highlights here.
San Diego Wave FC 1 - NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 (Attendance: 16,024)
West Coast versus East Coast rivalries are always a fan favorite and this one – between the 2023 NWSL Champs and the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup winners – is turning into an exciting one. The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute when a ball from Jenna Nighswonger found the boot of Ella Stevens, who skillfully bounced it and volleyed it past Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Defenders and goalkeeper alike were unable to handle the combined attack from all of the advancing Gotham FC players, but the match was far from over.
In the 64th minute, Savannah McCaskill’s expertly placed corner kick swung in and, using the back of her head (and maybe even her ponytail?), Swedish and San Diego defender Hanna Lundkvist redirected it into the net, tying things up and giving the hometown fans something to scream about. However, it was the last bit of excitement as the rest of the match ended without any goals, forcing the two teams to deservedly share the points.