NOTES TO KNOW

ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

The Orlando Pride clinched the 2024 Shield, presented by CarMax, for the first time in club history after defeating the Washington Spirit 2-0, continuing their 24-match unbeaten streak that began on October 15, 2023. The Pride are the sixth different club to win the Shield.

Elsewhere, the North Carolina Courage became the fifth club to clinch a playoff berth with a 2-1 win over San Diego last Saturday, leaving three spots up for grabs with four weeks left in the regular season. The Houston Dash were the first team eliminated from the 2024 Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel, suffering a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars.

RACE TO THE SHIELD IS OVER

The Orlando Pride clinched the club’s first-ever Shield in a 2-0 victory against the Washington Spirit after a hard-fought match at Inter&Co Stadium. Helping to maintain the 24-match unbeaten streak from last season, veteran forward Marta buried her 11th penalty kick goal of her career and is now tied for third most all-time in the regular season. The goal also marked her 39th career regular season tally tied the Brazilian international for 14th on the league’s all-time scoring list with former player Amy Rodriguez and current NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Crystal Dunn.

The Pride now, with 57 points and 17-wins this season, have tied the North Carolina Courage records for most points earned and total wins in a regular season with four matches left to play.

ROYALTY REMAIN IN CONTENTION

The Utah Royals remain in playoff contention for another week after defeating the Portland Thorns on the road 2-1. Forward Hannah Betfort scored against her former club to notch her first regular-season goal for Utah while Japanese striker Mina Tanaka tallied her first NWSL goal. Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie scored the lone goal for Portland, marking the first penalty kick goal for the young star.

BATS BATTLE BAY

NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated Bay FC 5-1 at Red Bull Arena in a match that featured four separate goal scorers for Gotham FC. Notching her first goal of the season, forward Jenna Nighswonger now sits on four NWSL regular season goals. Bay FC tied the match in the 18th minute as forward Asisat Oshoala buried a goal assisted by fellow forward Racheal Kundinanji, the first time Bay FC’s two African players have combined on a goal.

The second half saw a flurry of Gotham FC goals en route to the 5-1 victory. Esther became the only Gotham player this season with a goal and an assist in the same match, which she has accomplished twice. Midfielder Rose Lavelle registered a goal and the newest signing from the Houston Dash, forward Cece Kizer, recorded her first goal for the east coast-based club.

THE LUDMILA SHOW

The Chicago Red Stars defeated the Houston Dash 2-0 with forward Ludmila scoring for the third-straight game, becoming the eighth Chicago player to score in three or more straight regular season games. Forward Ally Schlegel doubled the lead after scoring her first regular season penalty kick goal. Defensively, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher broke current Kansas City forward Vanessa DiBernardo's club record for career regular season minutes played with 12,482 minutes for Chicago.

CHAWINGOING FOR THE RECORD

Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga has officially matched the single season record of 18 goals after scoring the second-fastest goal for the club this season in one minute and 49 seconds Saturday against Racing Louisville FC. Striker Vanessa DiBernardo registered her fifth goal of the season to push the Current’s total to 49 goals on the season. The next goal would mark just the fourth time in league history that a club has scored 50 goals in one campaign.

WEEK 22 MATCH RECAP

Friday, October 4

Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars | 0-2 | Match Recap

Seattle Reign vs. Angel City FC | 0-1 | Match Recap

Saturday, October 5

North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave FC | 2-1 | Match Recap

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Bay FC | 5-1 | Match Recap

Racing Louisville FC vs. Kansas City Current | 0-2 | Match Recap

Portland Thorns FC vs. Utah Royals FC | 1-2 | Match Recap

Sunday, October 6

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit | 2-0 | Match Recap