NOTES TO KNOW

ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

The Kansas City Current and NJ/NY Gotham FC each secured a win and clinched the third and fourth playoff spots out of eight total available. The Orlando Pride secured a top 4 seed and quarterfinal home match win their win.

DUBLANDO

The Orlando Pride defeated Bay FC on the road 1-0 in a match that saw the Northern California-based team put up an impressive fight against the undefeated Pride. Forward Barbra Banda logged the sole goal of the match, her 13th of the season, to tie the club record for goals in one season, set by teammate and fellow forward Marta in 2017. The tally also tied the league record for game-winning goals, marking her sixth of the year.

Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse set a new league record for shutouts by one player in a single season with her 12th clean sheet of the year. The shutout for Orlando also extended the club record for consecutive minutes played without conceding a goal to 501 minutes, making this the 4th longest such streak in regular season history.

THE BIG 18

The Kansas City Current defeated the Washington Spirit 3-0 in a match where forward Nichelle Prince became the 18th different goal scorer for Kansas City this season — extending the club’s own league record. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta logged her 16th tally with the Current while midfielder Hailie Mace notched her first assist of the season. Unstoppable striker Temwa Chawinga clocked a birthday goal, her 16th of the regular season, as she continues to lead the Golden Boot race.

BACK-TO-BACK COMEBACKS

Racing Louisville FC logged a second-straight come-from-behind victory, defeating the North Carolina Courage for the first time in club history in 11 all-time meetings in a match that featured forward Kerolin hitting the field for the first time since October 15, 2023.

To open the scoring Courage midfielder Brianna Pinto tallied a goal in the 43rd minute, assisted by forward Ashely Sanchez, her 10th regular season assist in her career and fourth this season. Later in the second half Racing forward Emma Sears logged her fourth goal of the year tying midfielder Savannah DeMelo and fellow forward Reilyn Turner, now with the Portland Thorns, for most goals for a Racing rookie in a single season. Louisville cemented the victory off forward Bethany Balcer’s first penalty kick attempt for Louisville, who is 3-for-3 on penalty kicks goals. The goal also marked the latest game-winning goal this season for Racing.

GOTHAM FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC booked a ticket into the 2024 Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel, defeating Utah Royals FC 1-0. Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan recorded her fourth goal of the year, adding to her career high. Ryan's goal at two minutes six seconds is the fifth-earliest in the regular season in club history and the earliest since 2017. Forward Lynn Williams notched the assist, the 30th of her career now one behind the league record of 31 shared by Seattle Reign forward Sofia Huerta and former NWSL forward Jess McDonald. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger tallied her seventh shutout, the second-most in a single season for Gotham FC.

WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD

In a back and forth battle, Angel City FC and Portland Thorns FC shared points with a 2-2 draw. Forward Alyssa Thompson recorded the match's opening goal, her fifth of the season. Thorns forward Morgan Weaver leveled the score in the 49th minute in her first start since returning from a knee injury. Portland midfielder Olivia Moultrie put the Thorns up by a goal and Angel City forward Claire Emslie tallied her seventh goal of the season to prevent a loss.

WEEK 20 Match Recap

Friday, September 20

Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit | 3-0 | Match Recap

Bay FC vs. Orlando Pride | 0-1 | Match Recap

Saturday, September 21

Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage | 2-1 | Match Recap

Houston Dash vs. Seattle Reign FC | 1-0 | Match Recap

Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave FC | 1-0 | Match Recap

Sunday, September 22

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Utah Royals FC | 1-0 | Match Recap

Monday, September 23

Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC | 2-2 | Match Recap