NOTES TO KNOW

NOTES TO KNOW

IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
On Friday, Portland Thorns FC striker Sophia Smith became the youngest player to reach 30 regular season goals in the NWSL after tallying a hat trick in the club’s 4-2 win over the Washington Spirit. At 22 years and 10 months, the Windsor, Colorado native takes over the record from former Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr, who reached the 30-goal mark at 23 years and nine months.

The night also marked Smith’s second three-goal performance of the regular season, making her just the third player in league history to net two hat tricks in one season.

NO GOALS ALLOWED
North Carolina currently owns the longest shutout streak of any team this regular season, having not allowed a goal since May 27 when the club conceded a goal in the 88th minute to Racing Louisville FC. Holding opponents scoreless for 352 straight minutes of play, the Courage need to post 195 minutes to match the previous club record of 547 minutes, set by goalkeeper Casey Murphy and company from July 31 to September 12, 2021.

LEAD WITH YOUR HEAD
Powering OL Reign to a 2-1 road win over San Diego Wave FC, forward Bethany Balcer scored both goals in her brace with her head for the first time. A natural in the air, the Hudsonville, Michigan native currently leads the league in career headed goals with 12, four more than the next player.

OFF THE PITCH

20K AND CLIMBING
For the first weekend ever, the NWSL saw three regular season matches with over 20,000 fans in attendance. Portland Thorns FC opened the weekend in front of 20,254 fans as the club took down the top-of-the-table Washington Spirit in a 4-2 thriller at Providence Park. Fans came out in droves to enjoy Saturday evening soccer at Snapdragon Stadium as San Diego Wave FC faced OL Reign before Angel City FC rounded out Week 13 action with its third sellout crowd of the season and seventh in history for the club’s 0-0 draw against the Houston Dash on Sunday.

The next crowd to reach 20,000 fans will be the 10th of the regular season. The 2023 campaign has already surpassed the single season record for 20,000+ crowds from 2022, when the league saw six matches reach the number.

PRIDE PLAYS HERE
With 16 goals scored last weekend, an additional $3,200 will be donated to Athlete Ally’s Playing for Pride 365 campaign as part of the NWSL’s Pride celebration this month, extending the league’s total contribution to $14,400. Playing for Pride 365 brings together athletes, teams, leagues, and fans to support Athlete Ally's mission of making sports inclusive for the LGBTQI+ community.

For every goal scored across the NWSL in the month of June, the league has pledged $200 to the campaign. Additionally, 10% of proceeds from NWSL Pride gear at NWSLShop.com will also be donated.

WEEK 13 MATCH RESULTS

June 23, 2023
Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit | 4-2

June 24, 2023
Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current | 1-2
North Carolina Courage vs. Racing Louisville FC | 1-0
San Diego Wave FC vs. OL Reign | 1-2

June 25, 2023
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chicago Red Stars |2-1
Angel City vs. Houston Dash | 0-0