The 2025 NWSL season kicks off on Friday, March 14, marking the start of a new journey for all 14 clubs—including the 2024 NWSL Champions, the Orlando Pride, who begin their title defense on the very first day of the weekend. From record-chasing goal scorers and elite defensive battles to rising stars ready to shine, the league’s biggest names and future icons collide in an opening weekend primed to captivate loyal fans and draw in newcomers, turning curiosity into lasting passion.
How do I watch live games from the 2025 NWSL Regular Season?
- Friday night matches airing on Prime Video are available to US fans here.
- Saturday night double-headers airing at 7:30 and 10 p.m. ET on Scripps-owned ION network are available to US fans here.
- For games airing on CBS, US fans can watch here. US Fans can also stream on Paramount+ here.
- For games airing on ESPN, US fans can watch here. Matches on ESPN and ESPN2 will also stream on ESPN+.
- For games airing on NWSL+, US fans can watch here.
- Fans outside of the US can watch for free on NWSL+
- Fans in Australia can watch here.
Friday, March 14
Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Stars FC – 8:00 PM ET
How to watch: Prime Video
Opening night of kickoff weekend will see two matches, one with the defending 2024 NWSL Champions, Orlando Pride, playing host to the newly named Chicago Stars FC. Orlando’s 17-game unbeaten streak at home makes this stadium one of the hardest to win in, with Barbra Banda, fresh off a 17-goal season and 2024 NWSL Championship MVP honors, returning to lead the Pride alongside 2024 Defender of the Year Emily Sams and legend Marta, who re-signed for two more years.
On the other side, Chicago arrives with rising star Ally Schlegel, who was tied with Mallory Swanson as team leader in goals last season; second-year standout Jameese Joseph, coming off a strong finish to 2024 and a callup to the January USWNT Futures camp; and veteran Alyssa Naeher, anchoring the team between the posts following her USWNT retirement. Buckle up—this one has blockbuster written all over it.
Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit – 8:00 PM ET
How to watch: NWSL+
The second match of the night takes place in Houston with the Houston Dash hosting Washington Spirit at home. The Spirit enter on the back of an explosive 2024 season, setting club records for wins, points, and goals and making it to the NWSL Championship. The defeat they experienced there, where they were unable to score against a clinical Orlando Pride, will surely fuel their 2025 aspirations. Trinity Rodman and Ouleymata Sarr, who tied as team goal leaders last season, return to spearhead the attack. Adding to the mix is rising star Hal Hershfelt, fresh off an exciting 2024 campaign that made her a fan favorite and a regular USWNT callup.
For Houston, the focus is on a reset after a challenging 2024 campaign. Newcomers Yazmeen Ryan and Messiah Bright bring attacking reinforcements, while returning stars Diana Ordóñez and promising second-year defender Avery Patterson look to spark improvement on both ends of the field. Anchoring the effort is standout goalkeeper Jane Campbell, tasked with containing Washington’s dynamic attack. With both teams eager to make a statement, this match will be a battle of fresh starts and title aspirations.
Saturday, March 15
Kansas City Current vs. Portland Thorns FC – 12:45 PM ET
How to watch: ABC / ESPN+
If we can count on anything, it’s Kansas City Current versus Portland Thorns FC delivering another high-octane showdown in the 2025 opening weekend, revisiting their thrilling 2024 season opener where the Current scraped out a 5-4 win in front of their home crowd in their brand new stadium. Leading the Current once again is Temwa Chawinga, the 2024 NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner, who scored 20 regular goals last season and contributed directly to her team’s record-breaking 57 goals. With new Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena and promising collegiate signings like Mary Long and 2024 NCAA Champion Clare Gagne joining returning stars Michelle Cooper and Claire Hutton, the Current looks more dangerous than ever.
The Thorns, led by USWNT star Sam Coffey, bring their own firepower. New signing Deyna Castellanos is eager to find her groove after a tough stint with Bay FC, while Ivy League standout Pietra Tordin brings youthful energy to Portland’s frontline. With both teams packing goal-scoring potential and a history of barn burners, expect nothing less than another explosive chapter in this growing rivalry.
Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage – 5:00 PM ET
How to watch: NWSL+
Continuing your weekend with the NWSL, Racing Louisville FC is hosting North Carolina Courage and it’s surely another must-watch. The two last met in a 2-1 thriller, where Racing rallied from a halftime deficit to claim victory—a comeback win that snapped a six-game drought of wins when trailing at the half. Returning stars like Savannah DeMelo, Bethany Balcer, and Brazilian international Ary Borges will be key for Racing, along with fresh collegiate signings Allie George, Ella Hase, and Sarah Weber, as they look to lock down their home stadium.
On the other side, North Carolina comes in ready to build on their fluid, possession-heavy play. Ashley Sanchez, who led the team in assists last season, returns alongside new signing Jaedyn Shaw, Japanese international Shinomi Toyama, and standout defender Kaleigh Kurtz, a 2024 NWSL Iron Woman. With both teams boasting dynamic attacks and new faces eager to make an impact, this matchup could easily become another nail-biter.
Utah Royals FC vs. Bay FC – 7:30 PM ET
How to watch: ION
Utah Royals FC will welcome Bay FC to their mountainous home, but this time, neither side is an expansion team finding its footing. With a season of experience and fresh signings on both sides, the two clubs are primed to build on strong 2024 finishes—Bay FC made a playoff run, while Utah closed the back half of the season with a winning record. Leading Bay FC’s charge are electrifying internationals Racheal Kundananji and Asisat Oshoala, who bring elite attacking flair. They’re supported by veteran defender and 2019 World Cup winner Abby Dahlkemper and new collegiate standouts Taylor Huff and Bay Area native Karlie Lema.
For Utah, forward Ally Sentnor, the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, will be central to their attack as she looks to build on her impressive rookie season. The Royals have added firepower with international goal scorer Aisha Solórzano and promising collegiate goalkeeper Mia Justus, while USYNT U-16 forward KK Ream brings youthful energy. Anchored by captain Paige Monaghan and USWNT goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, Utah is set to make their mark. As both teams chase 2025 success, this early clash could be a defining moment for what’s to come.
Seattle Reign FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC – 10:00 PM ET
How to watch: ION
A rematch of the 2023 NWSL Championship that saw Gotham FC claim glory, Seattle Reign FC versus Gotham FC is a must-watch showdown to kick off the 2025 season. Gotham is coming off a dominant 2024 campaign with 56 points and one of the league’s stingiest defenses, returns top scorers Esther, Rose Lavelle, and Ella Stevens, bolstered by new additions like Brazil’s Olympic star Gabi Portilho and midfield dynamo Jaelin Howell. With reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Ann-Katrin Berger anchoring a defense led by Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett, Gotham’s balance of attacking firepower and defensive strength will be hard to crack.
For Seattle, the addition of NWSL all-time leading scorer Lynn Biyendolo, formerly Lynn Williams, headlines a new-look squad determined to rewrite last season’s narrative. Backed by veteran leaders Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes and exciting young talent like rookies Maddie Dahlien and Emily Mason, the Reign are poised for a fresh start after struggling in front of goal last season. With huge legacies on the line and title aspirations ahead, this clash could define the season’s tone for both sides.
Sunday, March 16
Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC – 6:50 PM ET
How to watch: ESPN2 / ESPN+
Kicking off the 2024 season with the Southern California derby is a dream scenario, as Angel City FC hosts San Diego Wave FC in front of what’s sure to be a packed, electric crowd. Angel City rides into the matchup with momentum, thanks to Alyssa Thompson’s brace in their last meeting, which secured a victory in front of a rowdy San Diego audience. With Alyssa and her sister Gisele recently extending their contracts through 2028, the Thompson duo will be key to ACFC’s success this season, alongside seasoned veterans Christen Press, Sydney Leroux, and Claire Emslie. Defensively, ACFC has bolstered its backline with Australian standout Alanna Kennedy and promising defensive mid Macey Hodges, while new international additions Julie Dufour and Miyabi Moriya bring fresh versatility across the pitch.
San Diego enters with an equally stacked lineup, headlined by returning talents like dynamic French forward Delphine Cascarino and rising USYNT standouts Mel Barcenas and Kimmi Ascanio add attacking depth and creativity. New additions include 2024 NCAA Champion Trinity "T3" Armstrong from UNC and Nigerian talent Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Favour Emmanuel. With both teams blending youth, experience, and international firepower, expect another tight battle in what’s quickly becoming one of the league’s most entertaining rivalries.
