NOTES TO KNOW

TUNE IN

Viewers tuning in to the NWSL this season can catch more than 120 matches across CBS, ESPN, ION and Prime Video. The remaining matches will be available for free on NWSL+, the league’s first-ever domestic direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

WEEK 18 PREVIEW

END OF AN ERA

As she prepares to hang up her boots, San Diego Wave FC will send forward Alex Morgan off in style as she plays her last professional game at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, marking the end of an era in women's professional soccer. The Wave face off against the North Carolina Courage for the first time this season. San Diego has never lost in four all-time meetings with the Courage, recording a win and a draw both at home and on the road. The two clubs are eager to secure valuable points on the Road to the Shield, presented by CarMax, as the Wave look to jump up on the standings while the Courage sit comfortably in fifth place.

ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

The Orlando Pride remain the only team with a chance to clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win OR one of the following results to go their way.

• LA Draw/Loss vs. SEA

• BAY Draw/Loss vs. LOU

ABBY HEADS HOME

Bay FC defender Abby Dahlkemper, a Menlo Park, California native, is set to make her home debut at PayPal Park this weekend against Racing Louisville FC. The clubs face off for the second time this season as Bay look to sweep the series after defeating Racing 1-0 on June 29. Forward Asisat Oshoala buried the club’s first penalty kick attempt during the match to register the win.

THOMPSON STREAK

Angel City FC and Seattle Reign FC square off for the first time this season as forward Alyssa Thompson looks to clock a goal in her third-straight game. The striker has scored three goals in the past two games. The 2022 expansion club currently sits tied in points with Bay FC placing one spot below the playoff line due to a head-to-head tiebreaker making every point earned during this back half of the season crucial.

2/3 TRIPLE ESPRESSO

The Washington Spirit hosts Portland Thorns FC on Saturday as Spirit forward Trinity Rodman and Thorns striker Sophia Smith each look to lead their club to victory in the second match between the two sides. The Thorns reigned victorious on May 4, besting the Spirit 2-1.

Smith scored her 11th regular-season goal of 2024 against Bay FC on Friday, making his year her third-straight regular season with more than 10 goals. The only other player in NWSL history with three straight seasons of 11+ goals is Sam Kerr, who did so from 2017 to 2019.

ORLANDO TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE

The Chicago Red Stars are back home for the first regular season home match since July 6. Chicago has won its last three home matches against Orlando, each by a 1-0 scoreline. Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson has scored seven goals in nine league matches against Orlando - the most for the striker against any team - including scoring in each of her last three games against the Pride.

On the flip side, Brazilians have scored 54 regular season goals for the Pride, including Adriana’s brace in Orlando’s 2-0 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC last Sunday. The only team with more regular season goals scored by players from a single country other than the United States are the Portland Thorns, with 67 goals scored by Canadian players.

WEEK 18 MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, September 6

Angel City FC vs. Seattle Reign | BMO Stadium | 10 p.m. ET | Prime Video

Saturday, September 7

Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC | Audi Field | 12:30 p.m. ET | CBS / Paramount+

Kansas City Current vs. Utah Royals FC | CPKC Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | ION

Bay FC vs. Racing Louisville FC | PayPal Park | 10:00 p.m. ET | ION

Sunday, September 8

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Houston Dash | Red Bull Arena | 1 p.m. ET | ESPN 2

Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride | SeatGeek Stadium | 6:00 p.m. ET | NWSL+

San Diego Wave FC vs. North Carolina Courage | Snapdragon Stadium | 8:00 p.m. ET | NWSL+