Week 18 of the NWSL delivered all the action fans could have ever hoped for as teams battled to secure crucial points with the playoffs in sight. Orlando Pride is the only team to have clinched a playoff spot so far, leaving plenty of positions still up for grabs as the race tightens. Here's a breakdown of all the action!
Friday, September 6
Angel City FC 2, Seattle Reign FC 3
To start the weekend of NWSL match action off, Seattle Reign edged Angel City 3–2 in a tightly contested match, with goals from Sofia Huerta, Ji So-Yun, and Tziarra King leading the visitors to victory. Angel City started strong, opening the scoring early when Sydney Leroux set up Alyssa Thompson for an eighth-minute goal. However, Seattle responded in the 31st minute with Huerta converting a penalty, and Ji So-Yun gave the Reign the lead just before halftime. King added what would prove to be the decisive goal in the 59th minute. Leroux found the net in stoppage time to narrow the gap but despite their best efforts, Angel City was unable to equalize and deny Seattle the win.
Saturday, September 7
Washington Spirit 2, Portland Thorns FC 1
The Washington Spirit secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Portland Thorns FC with a last-second header from Leicy Santos deep into stoppage time, sending Spirit fans (and Magic Johnson) in attendance into a frenzy. Despite a goalless first half in which both teams had promising chances, Portland took the lead early in the second half with a Hina Sugita strike followed by a quick equalizer from the Spirit as substitute Trinity Rodman netted her seventh goal of the season. In the final minutes of the match, both teams pushed for a winner, but it was Santos who ultimately sealed the victory in the dying moments with a diving header off a Rodman cross. The win marks the Spirit’s 13th of the season, setting a new franchise record for most victories in a single season.
Kansas City Current 1, Utah Royals FC 0
Kansas City Current earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals on the road, with Temwa Chawinga scoring the decisive goal in the 47th minute to extend her NWSL-record streak to eight consecutive matches with a goal. Kansas City capitalized on a swift counterattack after a Utah corner, with Lo’eau LaBonta threading a perfect pass to Chawinga, who finished calmly for her 15th goal of the season. Despite Utah's pressure, Kansas City's defense held firm, allowing the Current to grab three points as they attempt to overtake the Spirit in the standings and fend off Gotham FC’
Bay FC 1, Racing Louisville FC 0
Bay FC earned their second consecutive victory with a 1-0 win over Racing Louisville FC at PayPal Park, strengthening their playoff position. Asisat Oshoala netted the decisive goal in the 75th minute, marking her team-leading fourth goal of the season, three of which have been game-winners. Penelope Hocking, making her club debut, provided the assist after persistence in the box allowed her to find Oshoala, who finished inside the left post. Bay FC ended the weekend seventh in the NWSL standings, keeping them firmly in playoff contention.
Sunday, September 8
NJ/NY Gotham FC 2, Houston Dash 1
NJ/NY Gotham FC secured a thrilling 2-1 win over the Houston Dash at Red Bull Arena, highlighted by Sinead Farrelly's retirement ceremony. Gotham took an early lead when Esther's no-look pass set up Yazmeen Ryan for a near-post finish, but Houston quickly equalized with a Diana Ordoñez header. In stoppage time, Lynn Williams assisted Esther for the dramatic 93rd-minute winner, marking Gotham's 11th victory of the season.
Chicago Red Stars 0, Orlando Pride 1
The Orlando Pride extended their unbeaten run to 20 games with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars, thanks to a brilliant goal from Marta in the 37th minute. Dominating from start to finish, Orlando outshot Chicago 14-3 with Barbra Banda and Marta leading the offense. The match also ended in goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse’s 10th clean sheet of the season. The Pride now sit six points clear atop the NWSL standings, having clinched a playoff spot, and are chasing both the NWSL Shield and league records for unbeaten runs and wins.
San Diego Wave 1, North Carolina Courage 4
North Carolina Courage secured a dominant 4-1 victory over San Diego Wave FC in front of a sold-out crowd at SnapDragon Stadium, with the match marking Alex Morgan’s retirement from professional soccer. Haley Hopkins opened the scoring for the Courage early in the 4th minute with a header from a corner, and Casey Murphy preserved the lead with a penalty save against Morgan just minutes later. Though San Diego equalized in the 13th minute for a strike by Kennedy Wesley, the Courage quickly regained control with goals from Feli Rauch and Bianca St-Georges. Malia Berkely provided three assists, making a league record in first half assists. Meredith Speck added a late goal, capping off a commanding performance by the Courage.
