After an action-packed week of NWSL regular season games -- a week which also featured some exciting exhibition tournaments -- three teams are now level on points atop the league table.
While reigning NWSL Shield winners Portland Thorns FC – who remain atop the standings due to a superior goal differential - took a break from league play this week to host the Women’s International Champions Cup, San Diego Wave FC and the Houston Dash each earned victories over the course of the week to match the Thorns at 28 points.
Houston kicked off the action with a 2-1 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC on Wednesday evening, extending its unbeaten streak to five in a row and giving the Dash their fourth victory during that span.
Houston’s run of success came to a close on Saturday night as it faced an inspired San Diego Wave side looking to bounce back from consecutive losses. The Wave did just that with a 3-1 victory over the Dash in its final match at Torero Stadium, erasing an early 1-0 deficit to come away with a convincing victory at home. Alex Morgan scored the equalizing goal for the Wave in the 13th minute, as she corralled a bouncing ball in the penalty box and rifled a left-footed shot across frame and into the upper right corner for her league-leading 12th goal of the season and the 50th regular season goal of her NWSL career. Morgan’s 50 career regular season goals rank fifth all-time in NWSL history and are the third-most by any American in the league’s history.
In this house 13 is a lucky number.pic.twitter.com/1UYni3iDwO
With a goal already to her name, Morgan continued to make her presence felt in the second half and assisted the Wave’s go-ahead goal in the 67th minute. The Wave scored again in the 90th minute to secure the win.
The North Carolina Courage put together a similarly impressive victory on Saturday, downing the visiting Chicago Red Stars 4-0. Goalkeeper Casey Murphy made three saves as she collected the clean sheet for the Courage, who ended their six-game winless streak. Defender Carson Pickett assisted North Carolina’s opening goal, which came off a corner in the 10th minute.
The Orlando Pride also were victorious over the weekend, beating Gotham FC by a score of 2-1 to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in a row. Kristie Mewis scored the lone goal for Gotham in the 75th minute. Mewis’ goal, which came off a header, was her second of the season and the 25th regular season goal of her NWSL career.
The Kansas City Current extended their unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive games, playing Angel City FC to a 1-1 draw on Friday night at Children’s Mercy Park where a crowd of 10,395 was on hand, setting a home attendance record for the club. The U.S. Women’s National Team will play at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday, September 3, taking on Nigeria in the first of two upcoming friendlies. Kickoff at Children’s Mercy Park is slated for 1:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. CT with coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET / Noon CT on FOX.
In exhibition play, reigning UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Olympique Lyon look primed to kick off the new season after winning the Women’s ICC Tournament in Portland. Lyon defeated Mexican side C.F. Monterrey 4-0 in the final behind a brace from midfielder Lindsey Horan. Horan scored her first goal of the game from a penalty kick in the 39th minute and tallied again in the 43rd with a stellar right-footed volley. Horan was named the Tournament MVP after scoring three goals over the two games, also finding the net in Lyon’s opening match against Chelsea FC on Wednesday night. Lyon defeated the reigning English champions, 4-3, on penalties to advance to the final after a 2-2 score line through the end of regulation.
LINDSEY HORAN CAN’T STOP SCORING IN PORTLAND
The Portland Thorns also saw their first match of the WICC go to penalties. Tied with Rayadas 1-1 after 90 minutes of play, the Mexican side won 3-2 on penalties to advance to the tournament final. Portland faced Chelsea in the Third-Place match on Saturday, falling 1-0.
OL Reign claimed victory in The Women’s Cup, defeating hosts Racing Louisville FC 2-1 in the final. The Reign opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Club América on Wednesday while Louisville defeated AC Milan 2-0 in its semifinal match.
Information on upcoming matches featuring U.S. Women’s National Team players can be found below. All times listed are ET.
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Wednesday, August 24 |
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NWSL: North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns FC |
7:00 p.m. |
Paramount+ |
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Friday, August 26 |
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NWSL: Orlando Pride vs. OL Reign |
7 p.m. |
Paramount+ |
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Saturday, August 27 |
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NWSL: Racing Louisville FC vs. Chicago Red Stars |
7:30 p.m. |
Paramount+ |
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NWSL: Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit |
8:30 p.m. |
Paramount+ |
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NWSL: Portland Thorns FC vs. San Diego Wave FC |
10:30 p.m. |
Paramount+ |
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Sunday, August 28 |
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Trophée des Champions: Olympique Lyon vs. Paris Saint-Germain |
3 p.m. |
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NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Angel City FC |
5 p.m. |
Paramount+ |
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NWSL: Kansas City Current vs. North Carolina Courage |
7 p.m. |
Twitch |
