NOTES TO KNOW

DEMELO FREE KICK

With a spectacular free kick goal from nearly 30 yards out over the weekend, Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo is now the only current NWSL player to record three career free kick goals in regular season play. The goal marked the Southern California native’s 15th tally in all competitions, making her the all-time leader for Racing.

P-RIDING TO VICTORY

The Orlando Pride extended their unprecedented unbeaten streak last Saturday after taking down expansion club Bay FC in a 1-0 victory. The match also marked the first time two Zambian international went head-to-head in NWSL play as Pride forward Barba Banda led her team against Bay FC striker Rachael Kundananji. With a club record six wins, the Pride currently own the longest win streak of any club this season.

Continuing her impressive first stint in the NWSL, Banda drew a penalty kick for the second time this season, opening the door for Pride forward Adriana to put away the game-winning goal. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse became the league shutout leader after recording her fourth clean sheet of the season

WILLIAMS AWARDS

With a goal in NJ/NY Gotham FC’s 1-0 win over Houston last Wednesday, forward Lynn Williams tied former NWSL forward Sam Kerr for the all-time scoring record with 78 goals across all competitions.

CASCADIA RIVALRY WRAP UP

Portland Thorns FC dominated the 39th edition of the storied Cascadia Rivalry last Saturday, routing Pacific northwest rival Seattle Reign FC, 4-0, to even the all-time series at 15-15-9 Four different goal scorers found the back of the net, including striker Sophia Smith who, with a goal from the penalty spot, became the youngest player to record 40 goals in league history, beating former NWSL forward Sam Kerr by two months.

SMITH SCORING

With her latest penalty kick goal, Thorns forward Sophia Smith is now five-for-five in career penalty kick conversions in regular season play. The Windsor, Colorado native, who won the 2023 Golden Boot with 11 goals in 17 games, currently has eight goals in nine matches to start the 2024 campaign. For the third time this season, the 2022 NWSL MVP recorded both a goal and an assist in the same match.

PAGING NIELSEN FOR THE WIN

Houston Dash defender Paige Nielsen faced her former club, Angel City FC, for the first time notching her first goal since June 2023, her first goal with the Dash and her first goal against her former club.

WEEK 8 RECAP

Wednesday, May 8

Houston Dash vs. Gotham FC | 0-1 | Match Recap

Seattle Reign vs. Kansas City Current | 0-0 | Match Recap

San Diego Wave vs. Utah Royals | 2-0 | Match Recap

Friday, May 10

Racing Louisville vs. Washington Spirit | 1-2 | Match Recap

Saturday, May 11

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

Portland Thorns vs. Seattle Reign | 4-0 | Match Recap

Sunday, May 12

Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals | 3-1 | Match Recap

Kansas City Current vs. North Carolina Courage | 1-0 | Match Recap

San Diego Wave vs. Gotham FC | 1-1 | Match Recap

Angel City FC vs. Houston Dash | 0-1 | Match Recap