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.

Full details on how to watch all Week 20 matches can be found here.

WEEK 19 REVIEW

SANCHEZ STAYS SCORING

Bay FC extended its unbeaten streak to three games, the longest of the club’s campaign, after recording the first draw in club history against the North Carolina Courage. Forward Asisat Oshoala scored in back-to-back regular season matches for the first time in club history.

Courage forward Ashley Sanchez tallied a goal in the 28th minute of action becoming the first player in NWSL history to score against all 14 active NWSL clubs. The draw marked the 19th home match without a loss for the Courage.

TIE IN THE 405

In the highly anticipated rematch of the Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current the two clubs shared points in a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes. Despite the tie, the Pride set a new club record for regular-season minutes played without conceding going a total of 411 minutes or four straight games and 51 minutes without letting a goal in. Current forward Temwa Chawinga was the last to score against Orlando in regular season play during the first rendition of the rivalry on July 6. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse recorded her 11th clean sheet of season tying the league record in the feat.

THE HATCH AND RODMAN SHOW

Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch led her team to victory over the Houston Dash after recording her fifth regular season brace. The tallies marked the earliest pair of goals in club history with Hatch completing the feat in 25 minutes and 38 seconds. She tallied her first goal of the night in the seventh minute of the match, burying her penalty kick to make the striker a perfect 10-for-10 from the penalty spot. Later in the first half, Hatch put away her 50th career goal, becoming the seventh player to reach 50 tallies.

Forward Trinity Rodman sealed the victory for the Spirit, clocking her 23rd regular season goal. Rodman added to her club assist record with her 16th helper, while also recording back-to-back one-goal and one-assist matches for the first time in her career.

WEEK 20 PREVIEW

ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

The Washington Spirit joined the Orlando Pride as the second club to clinch a playoff spot after the Chicago Red Stars defeated the Portland Thorns during Week 19. This is the first playoff berth for Spirit since 2021 when they won the championship.

There are two clubs who have opportunities to clinch a playoff berth and one club who can clinch a top 4 spot during this weekend’s slate of matches.

The Orlando Pride would clinch a top 4 spot and a quarterfinal home match with...

• Orlando Pride Win vs. Bay FC

• Orlando Pride Draw vs. Bay FC AND North Carolina Courage Draw vs. Racing Louisville

• North Carolina Courage Loss vs. Racing Louisville

The Kansas City Current could clinch a playoff berth with...

• Kansas City Current Win vs. Washington Spirit

• Kansas City Current Draw vs. Washington Spirit AND Racing Louisville Draw/Loss vs. North Carolina Courage

• Kansas City Current Draw vs. Washington Spirit AND Portland Thorns Loss vs. Angel City FC

• Racing Louisville Draw/Loss vs. Noth Carolina Courage AND Angel City FC Draw/Loss vs. Portland Thorns

NJ/NY Gotham FC can clinch a playoff berth with...

• Gotham FC Win/Draw vs. Utah Royals

• Racing Louisville Draw/Loss vs. North Carolina Courage

• Portland Thorns Loss vs. Angel City FC

SPIRIT STANDINGS

The Washington Spirit travels to the midwest to take on the Kansas City Current for the second time this campaign. The Spirit defeated the Current 4-1 on August 25 that saw the Spirit go up 2-0 in the first 15 minutes of play. Kansas City forward Temwa Chawinga, the current Golden Boot leader, scored the Current’s only goal of the match.

The Spirit lead Kansas City in the standings by five points, sitting in second and fourth place, respectively. Forward Trinity Rodman, having scored and assisted in back-to-back matches, looks to extend her streak while new Kansas City goalkeeper Almuth Schult and the Current back line hope to register their third-straight clean sheet.

BACK IN THE BAY

Bay FC host the unstoppable Orlando Pride for the second match this season. The two clubs battled on May 11 with the Pride prevailing 1-0 due to a penalty kick goal from midfielder Adriana in the 32nd minute. Forward Barbra Banda looks to add more tallies to her stat sheet as she takes on fellow Zambian teammate, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji.

Defensively, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse has registered 11 clean sheets in 2024, tying the league regular for most shutouts in a single season. Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala is on the hunt for more goals as the striker has scored a goal in each of her last two matches.

ROYALTY IN THE BIG APPLE

The Utah Royals travel east to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC for the first meeting between the two clubs since Utah’s return to NWSL play this year. Gotham FC has won 11 of its last 15 regular season matches and now sits on 40 points through 20 games. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has recorded six clean sheets this season as Gotham looks to take all three points and continue the road to playoffs.

THORNS IN HOLLYWOOD

Angel City FC host the Portland Thorns for a Monday night meeting as Angel City, who currently sits in 10th place, look to stay in playoff contention. Forward Sydney Leroux has scored six career goals against Portland, scoring at least one of those while playing for five different teams, a feat no other player has achieved. Thorns forward Sophia Smith sits in third in the Golden Boot race with 11 tallies this season, four goals behind leader in Chawinga.

WEEK 20 MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, September 20

Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit | CPKC Stadium | 8 p.m. ET | Prime Video

Bay FC vs. Orlando Pride | PayPal Park | 10:30 p.m. ET | NWSL+

Saturday, September 21

Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage | Lynn Family Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | ION

Houston Dash vs. Seattle Reign FC | Shell Energy Stadium | 8:30p.m. | NWSL+

Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave FC | SeatGeek Stadium | 9:30 p.m. ET | ION

Sunday, September 22

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Utah Royals FC | Red Bull Arena | 1 p.m. ET | ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

Monday, September 23

Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC | BMO Stadium | 10 p.m. ET | CBSSN