Summary of the Week 4 action

Week 4 marked the resumption of action in the NWSL, following the first international break of 2025.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Utah Royals FC vs. Portland Thorns FC Thorns, 1-0.

America First Field on Prime Video at 10:00 p.m.

It was a lovely finish by Reilyn Turner (13' from Sugita) but really it was the Sugita interception, slip pass ahead to Castellanos who then lead Sugita forward perfectly in front of the near post, that was magnificent. When Sugita didn't have an angle, she crossed it to Turner who kept advancing and put herself in the right position near the far post to tap it in for her second goal of the early season.

Don't arrive late, sometimes the winner happens in the first 15 minutes!

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Racing Louisville FC vs. Washington Spirit Spirit, 2-0.

Lynn Family Stadium NWSL+/ P+ 5:00 p.m.

Leicy Santos took a free kick from about 8 meters beyond the box and drilled a perfect goal (58') off the left post into the back of the net to put the Washington Spirit ahead. Ashley Hatch (75' from Morgan) got in on the scoring when she headed a cross into the bottom right corner nearly 20 minutes later.

Houston Dash vs. Angel City FC Angel City FC, 3-1.

Shell Energy Stadium on NWSL+ / P+ at 5:00 p.m.

Macey Hodge (13') got the scoring started early for Angel City FC with an unassisted goal from just outside the box. Riley Tiernan (29' from Thompson) countered a few minutes later in similar fashion, but with her right foot.

Houston kept things interesting when Bárbara Olivieri (61' from Ryan) tapped in a close-range goal. Alyssa Thompson added her third goal of the season (88' from Moriya) when she scored off a lovely cross to Dash the hopes of the home team. (Remember puns are a goal for me!)

Seattle Reign FC vs. Orlando Pride Pride, 1-0.

Lumen Field on ION at 7:30 p.m.

In the leagues' featured match of the week on Saturday night in Seattle, Barbra Banda scored late in the first half (41') in traffic from center front of the goal off a perfect incoming cross and assist from Yates.

The match was exceptionally well played by both squads as Seattle was otherwise able to keep the leagues' leading team quiet.

San Diego Wave FC vs. Kansas City Current Current, 2-0.

Snapdragon Stadium on ION at 10:00 p.m.

The visitors got a Debinha goal (16' cross in from Rodriguez) and followed up nearly 10 minutes later when Lo'eau LaBonta converted a penalty kick (25' PK). San Diego Wave FC could not find the back of the net despite a comparable four shots on goal.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Gotham FC vs. North Carolina Courage Gotham, 3-1.

Sports Illustrated Stadium on NWSL+ / P+ at 4:00 p.m.

Gotham FC got a pair of goals from Esther (González) within 8 minutes before the end of the first half (43' from Stevens and 45+4' unassisted), added another in the first minute of the second, from Lilly Reale (46' from Stevens) to overwhelm North Carolina Courage, who did get a meaningless goal from Brianna Pinto (90+4' assist to Speck).

Likely not meaningless to Brianna, still, it was scored in what other sports might refer to as "garbage" time.

Bay FC vs. Chicago Stars FC Stars, 2-1.

PayPal Park on ESPN 2 at 7 p.m.

In what might be considered the leagues' "feel good" match of the weekend, Chicago Stars FC picked up a 2-1 win over Bay FC as Ludmila scored a pair of first-half goals to lead the formerly table's bottom dwellers to earn their first 3 points of the season with the win. (That win moves them from 14th-12th on that table.)

About the first goal: Joseph sent a beautiful lead pass to Ludmila and she pressed forward, dribbled around three defenders including the goalkeeper to tap the goal home at the 5' mark. It looked like a completely different offensive approach and likely provided some needed excitement for the fanbase. The same combo scored (41') near the end of the first half to seal it for the Stars. Caroline Conti converted a PK (58') but Bay FC had no other answer.

Live NWSL standings.