NOTES TO KNOW

WASHING-TONS OF GOALS

In the Washington Spirit’s 4-2 victory over Angel City FC, the Spirit notched four goals in the first half setting a club record for most first half goals. In the win, rookie midfielder Croix Bethune notched two assists and passed the club and league record for assists by a rookie (7) in a single season just 10 games into her NWSL career. Bethune also now has 10 goal contributions (3 goals, 7 assists) this season becoming just the fifth player in league history, and first since 2015, to reach this milestone in their first 10 matches. Spirit forward Trinity Rodman also contributed to the scoresheet recording her second career brace.

SISTER, SISTER

With starts against Washington on Saturday, Angel City FC forward Alyssa Thompson and rookie defender Gisele Thompson became the first two sisters to start for the same club in the same game. Over the years, there have been several sets of siblings in the league such as the Mewis, Miramontez, Kelly, and Huster siblings, although none have played in an NWSL game for the same team, let alone started together.

P-RIDE THE STREAK

The Orlando Pride extended its impressive unbeaten streak to 10 games and recorded their seventh straight win with a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Reign. The win streak has now tied the league record set in 2014 by Seattle.

Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams started off the scoring with her first career goal and forward Barbra Banda tallied a brace to continue her stellar scoring ways to begin her NWSL career. Banda now has four goals in five starts and her six total goals in 2024 is tied for the fourth-most goals in a single season in club history.

LYNN FOR THE WIN

Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams opened the scoring with her historical 79th career goal passing Sam Kerr as the all-time NWSL scoring leader (all competitions). The goals also marked her 10th regular season goal for Gotham making her one of six NWSL players to score 10 or more goals for three different clubs (Gotham FC, NC Courage, Western NY Flash).

Former Red Star midfielder Ella Stevens scored the late game-winning goal for Gotham making this the third straight year Stevens has scored in this series including twice for Chicago and now once for Gotham.

KANSAS CITY SELL OUT

The Kansas City Current keep their unbeaten streak alive with a 3-3 tie against Racing Louisville during a Saturday night showdown in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,500 fans. The Current have sold out all five home matches this season.

Two new players found the back of the net for Kansas City as forward Michelle Cooper notched her first goal of the season and defender Gabrielle Robinson recorded her first career NWSL goal in stoppage time. The Current now have 14 different goal scorers in 10 games this season, matching the league record of goal scorers in a single season.

With her 20th career assist on Cooper’s goal, midfielder Debinha became the 18th NWSL player to reach that milestone and the 13th player to record 20 goals and 20 assists.

PORT-LAND OF GOALS

The Portland Thorns, on a six-game win streak, jumped up in the standings for sole possession of fourth place after forward Ana Dias opened the scoring with her first career NWSL goal. Dias is the first Portugal international to score in the league this year. The goal came off midfielder Hina Sugita who notched her third assist in her last five matches and 10th career regular season assist.

In the 2-0 triumph over the Houston Dash, Olivia Moultrie recorded her third goal of 2024 and second in as many games, and goalkeeper Shelby Hogan recorded her third clean sheet of the season.

WEEK 9 MATCH RESULTS

Friday, May 17

North Carolina Courage vs. Utah Royals FC | 1-0 | Match Recap

Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns FC | 0-2 | Match Recap

Bay FC vs. San Diego Wave FC | 2-1 | Match Recap

Saturday, May 18

Washington Spirit vs. Angel City FC | 4-2 | Match Recap

Kansas City Current vs. Racing Louisville FC| 3-3 | Match Recap

Sunday, May 19

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chicago Red Stars | 2-1 | Match Recap

Seattle Reign FC vs. Orlando Pride | 2-3| Match Recap