NOTES TO KNOW

RECORDS BREAKING

Week 11’s seven matches marked the largest single attendance weekend in league history with 110,845 total fans passing through the turnstiles for NWSL action. The weekend was highlighted by the Chicago Red Stars’ Saturday evening match against Bay FC, which drew a record-setting 35,038 fans to the Friendly Confines at Wrigley Field, a new league best for a standalone regular season match. So far this season, seven clubs are averaging more than 10,000 fans per game through Week 11.

WELCOME TO GOTHAM

NJ/NY Gotham FC recorded its eighth unbeaten game with a 2-1 victory over Angel City FC, tying the club’s longest unbeaten run in the regular season held between September 4, 2021-May 1, 2022. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger tied the club keeper record for consecutive games without a loss held by current San Diego Wave FC and former Gotham FC goalie Kailen Sheridan’s seven wins in 2021.

Forward Crystal Dunn notched her first goal for Gotham FC this season, becoming the 15th NWSL player to score for four or more NWSL clubs in the regular season, scoring against 13 different clubs throughout her career. Midfielder Rose Lavelle recorded the game-winning goal, her first game-winner for Gotham FC and first since May 2022 during her time with Seattle Reign FC.

THE CURRENT DOMINATION

The Kansas City Current surpassed the longest undefeated streak in club history, breaking the record set in 2022 with a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Reign. Forward Temwa Chawinga recorded a brace and an assist, jumping up to third in the Golden Boot race. Five of Chawinga’s six goals this season have come from inside the box.

The Current now have 16 different goal scorers this season off a goal from center back Lauren, and assisted by forward Bia Zaneratto, making it the second Brazilian goal- / assist combo this year and first for the Current. The club set the record for the most individual goal scorers in a season during Week 10 of action.

The scoring didn’t stop there as midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo recorded her fourth goal of the season while midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta tallied her ninth career penalty kick goal all for the Current. The match marked the club’s fifth-straight sellout at CPKC Stadium.

RACING TO VICTORY

Defeating the Houston Dash, 2-0, last weekend, Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo added to her club record with her 14th career goal and fifth goal of the year matching her total from 2023. Friday’s result against Houston also marked the third time DeMelo has had a goal and an assist in the same regular season game. Additionally, teammate Parker Goins recorded her second goal of the season.

WAVE AND PRIDE

During the club’s 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride, San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan became the first international and third keeper in league history to reach the 500- save milestone, joining Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and former Gotham FC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris in the feat. Wave forward Makenzy Doniak also recorded her 16th career regular season goal and eighth career goal coming off the bench for the match.

For Orlando, Marta checked into the game to start the second half, marking her 100th appearance for the Pride. Marta is the first Orlando player to reach the milestone. The Pride extended their unbeaten streak to begin the season, but the club’s eight-game win streak came to an end with the draw.

CLEAN SHEET KINGSBURY

Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner notched her first professional goal, becoming the 10th different goal scorer for the club this season. With a 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals, goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury recorded her 30th clean sheet, making her the fifth goalkeeper to have 30 or more shutouts for a single club.

BAY FC HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK

Saturday’s Wrigley Field match saw 35,038 fans in the stands as expansion side Bay FC edged the Red Stars in a 2-1 victory. Defender Kiki Picket recorded her first NWSL goal while midfielder Joelle Anderson notched her second goal of the season, becoming the sixth Bay player this season with two goals. Notably during the game, Bay FC set a new league record with 16 corners taken in a single game.

Red Stars forward Penelope Hocking couldn’t let her dad, former MLB Minnesota Twins legend Denny Hocking, be the only one to score at Wrigley Field as the striker recorded the club’s lone goal of the game, her fourth goal of the season, at the Friendly Confines, tying forward Ally Schlegel for the team lead.

WEEK 11 MATCH RECAP

Friday, June 7

Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash |2-0 | Match Recap

San Diego Wave FC vs. Orlando Pride | 1-1 | Match Recap

Saturday, June 8

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Angel City FC | 2-1 | Match Recap

Chicago Red Stars vs. Bay FC |1-2 | Match Recap

Utah Royals FC vs. Washington Spirit |0-1| Match Recap

Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage | 1-0 | Match Recap

Sunday, June 9

Kansas City Current vs. Seattle Reign FC | 5-2 | Match Recap