(Cover photo by Eakin Howard/NWSL via Getty Images)

The theme of Week 4 was away team victories as all but one away team found themselves with three points at the end of the weekend. In fact, it set a record for most away victories in a single weekend, besting the previous record of four. Additionally, multiple teams – Portland Thorns, Gotham, and the Chicago Stars – recorded their first wins of the season with the Stars claiming their first points as well. Here’s what you might have missed!

Friday, April 11

Utah Royals FC 0, Portland Thorns FC 1

The Portland Thorns FC picked up their first win of the 2025 season and secured the 1,000th regular season victory in NWSL history with a 1–0 road win over the Utah Royals FC. Reilyn Turner opened the scoring in the 14th minute, finishing off a composed run and assist from Hina Sugita. Bella Bixby made her long-awaited return to the pitch after maternity leave, recording a clean sheet in her first match since 2023. Portland dominated early play, registering three big chances in the first half while holding Utah without a shot. Despite multiple second-half adjustments from the Royals and a late surge to equalize, the Thorns held firm defensively to secure a second straight shutout and extend their unbeaten streak to three matches.

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Saturday, April 12

Racing Louisville FC 0, Washington Spirit 2

The Washington Spirit earned their second road win of the season with a 2–0 victory over Racing Louisville FC. After a close first half, the match opened up in the second. Leicy Santos broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a curling free kick that clipped the post and ricocheted in the Spirit’s favor. Ashley Hatch doubled the lead with a graceful header in the 75th minute—her fourth of the season and 50th career regular season goal for the Spirit. Hatch is the third player in league history with 50 goals with one club, joining Christine Sinclair (66) and Megan Rapinoe (51). Trinity Rodman, who entered after halftime, sparked Washington’s attack and kept the momentum in their favor while goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury recorded four saves for a clean sheet. The Spirit are now third in the standings headed into Week 5.

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Houston Dash 1, Angel City FC 3

Angel City FC stayed unbeaten and picked up their first road win of the season with a 3–1 victory over the Houston Dash. Rookie Macey Hodge opened the scoring in the 13th minute with her first pro goal, while Riley Tiernan and Alyssa Thompson each added finishes on either side of halftime. Thompson’s assist to Tiernan was her 10th career assist, making her the second youngest to enter the 10 goals and 10 assists club. It’s her first career regular season game with a goal and an assist. Bárbara Olivieri pulled one back for Houston in the 61st minute, but Thompson’s late strike sealed the result. The result extended ACFC’s unbeaten run to four matches and marked Thompson’s 50th career NWSL appearance. They now sit fourth in the standings.

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Seattle Reign FC 0, Orlando Pride 1

Saturday evening saw Orlando Pride continue their perfect season with a 1–0 win over Seattle Reign FC. Most of the first half was quiet with Orlando looking dangerous but not enough to score. Near the end of the first, Kerry Abello and Summer Yates connected in the corner and Yates sent in a low cross for Barbra Banda to convert in the 41st minute, her third of the year. The Pride defense held strong in the second half, with goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse making a season-high five saves to preserve the clean sheet. Spanish international Oihane made her NWSL debut off the bench for the Pride and Lynn Biyendolo made her debut for the Reign. Orlando sits at the top of the table at the end of the weekend and are perfect at 4-0-0, the fourth team in NWSL history to achieve the milestone.

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San Diego Wave FC 0, Kansas City Current 2

Just as Orlando Pride did earlier in the evening, Kansas City Current continued their perfect 2025 with a clinical 2–0 win over the San Diego Wave. Debinha opened the scoring in the 16th minute with her 50th career regular-season goal, making her the fifth in NWSL history to achieve 50 career goals and 25 career assists. Lo’eau LaBonta doubled the lead with a penalty kick just nine minutes later. Goalkeeper Lorena turned in a commanding performance with four saves, earning her third straight shutout. Kansas City has now posted 311 consecutive shutout minutes and tied the league record for eight straight regular season wins set by Orlando back to October 5, 2024. They sit second in the standings behind the Pride due to goal differential.

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Sunday, April 13

Gotham FC 3, North Carolina Courage 1

Gotham FC erupted for their first win of the season, defeating North Carolina 3–1 behind a dominant first half and a brace from Esther González. The Spanish striker scored twice in six minutes before halftime – scoring her first off of a header and scoring her second after a fumble from Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy. Defender Lilly Reale headed in a third just after the break—her first professional goal—as insurance. The Courage managed a late consolation goal from Brianna Pinto, but Gotham controlled the game while welcoming back Midge Purce, out since March 2024 with an injury. They also saw the debut of Brazilian forward Geyse.

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Bay FC 1, Chicago Stars FC 2

In the final match of the weekend, the Chicago Stars FC earned their first win and first points of the season with a 2–1 road result over Bay FC, thanks to a first-half brace from Brazilian forward Ludmila which were both assisted by Jameese Joseph. Despite Bay FC controlling second-half possession and momentum, they were unable to overcome the deficit. Caroline Conti converted a penalty in the 58th minute for her first professional goal, and Racheal Kundananji and Penelope Hocking each came close to equalizing late but were unable to convert their chances. Alyssa Naeher made several key stops to preserve the win for Chicago, while Bay FC will look to regroup on the road next weekend in North Carolina.

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