Fans were treated to another weekend of incredible match action and compelling storylines. As we reach the midpoint of the season, every point becomes even more crucial. Here’s a recap of what you might have missed this last weekend!
Friday, June 28
Kansas City Current 2, Houston Dash 0
NWSL history was made in Kansas City on Friday night. A ball was finally kicked into the Missouri River from CPKC Stadium and it was put there by none other than Kansas City’s leading goal scorer, Temwa Chawinga. “If she misses it, might as well miss it in style,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski after the match, when asked about how the splash hit resulted from Chawinga missing the box (and field) entirely. It was a jovial scene and it’s no surprise, the Current extended their unbeaten streak to an astounding 17 matches this season after Chawinga’s second half brace catapulted her squad past the Dash.
The Dash, to their credit, defended well for much of the game but with a superhuman effort, Chawinga broke the deadlock in the 77th minute and made a deep run in the box. Showing patience and experience beyond her years, she stayed on the ball, booting it into the back of the net after it rebounded off of Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell’s gloves. In much the same fashion, to double their lead, Chawinga made a similar patient and cool headed run in the 80th minute, forcing Campbell to make a dive and evading her to slot it home. Chawinga’s 11 goals are tied with Barbra Banda for most goals in the league so far.
Watch the full highlights here.
San Diego Wave 0, Chicago Red Stars 3
Headed into the match in San Diego, the Wave was winless in seven matches. Unfortunately for the home team, victory eluded them once again when an in-form Red Stars led by Mal Swanson held them scoreless. An early own goal (forced by Swanson), a second half Swanson goal, and Jameese Joseph’s first professional goal a few minutes later secured the victory for the visitors. USWNT fans have reason to rejoice: Swanson is in incredible form right now as she heads into the final matches before the Olympic break, scoring in the last 3 matches with 6 goals this season in total. The Red Stars have gotten on the board in their last 4 matches, setting them up for a positive start to their break. The Wave, meanwhile, will need to go back to the drawing board as they struggle with a bout of scoring woes.
Watch the full highlights here.
Saturday, June 29
Racing Louisville FC 0, Bay FC 1
The first matchup between expansion team Bay FC and Racing Louisville favored the California team as Bay FC defeated Racing by a single goal, a penalty taken in the 76th minute by forward Asisat Oshoala. The PK goal was the expansion team’s first of their inaugural season and puts Bay FC with back-to-back wins. And for Racing, having outshot and out-possessed their opponents on Saturday and only just outside of a playoff berth, the Olympic break is coming at a perfect time for them to recalibrate their finishing. Meanwhile for Bay FC, with a win next weekend, they could potentially leap the Red Stars in the standings.
Watch the full highlights here.
Washington Spirit 0, North Carolina Courage 1
In her first match back at Audi Field, Ashley Sanchez scored the lone goal against her former club with a strike in the 19th minute. Sanchez forced Spirit defender Casey Krueger to make an error, scooping up the ball Krueger attempted to pass between her legs and taking a run into the box and sending a cross in front of goal. However, Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury’s attempts to grab it out of the air resulted in her fumbling the ball, diverting it just enough to ping behind her and into the goal. The Carolina Courage remain undefeated in their last three matches.
Watch the full highlights here.
Utah Royals FC 0, Portland Thorns FC 0
The Portland Thorns’ visit to Utah ended in only a single point after they settled for a draw with the Royals. Both The Royals outshot the Thorns 25-16 but were unable to finish their opportunities. It’ll be a match that undoubtedly will bolster the confidence of the Royals as they prepare to hit the road next weekend and travel to Seattle.
Watch the full highlights here.
Sunday, June 30
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1, Seattle Reign FC 1
Meeting for the first time since the 2023 NWSL Championship, Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle supplied the lone goal to her team’s scoreline on Sunday in their match against Reign FC. In the early minutes of the second half, Ella Stevens found Lavelle in front of the goal, and with Reign FC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey out of position, Lavelle easily slotted it in to break the deadlock.
The remainder of the match, Dickey made up for the error by making three saves to keep Gotham’s lead minimal. Her efforts paid off in the final moments of the match when Quinn’s free kick taken from distance found the head of Gotham defender Nealy Martin, who accidentally ricocheted it over the hands of her own goalkeeper. The two teams shared the points, but for Gotham, who played near perfect all match, it surely feels like a loss.
Watch the full highlights here.
Angel City FC 0, Orlando Pride 3
Since the first matchup between these two clubs in Los Angeles back in 2022, the Pride has always won. The Orlando Pride, undefeated and in incredible form at this point in their season, powered through Angel City FC for a dominant victory thanks to a brace from Adriana and a stoppage time goal from Barbra Banda. The Pride sit just behind Kansas City in the standings but are now neck and neck with them in goal differential. And for Banda, with her 96th minute goal, she is still tied in the Golden Boot race but now with Temwa Chawinga.