Just like that Labor Day weekend came and went!

Week 18 in the NWSL began with a slate of four on Friday (did you fire up the double screens?) and ended with a match on Monday evening (did you fire up the BBQ?). We did.

Here was the schedule, where and how to watch or follow and recaps are complete for the holiday weekend. (We took no breaks here at NWSLines.com).

Friday, August 29, 2025

Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash Draw, 1-1.

Lynn Family Stadium on NWSL+ at 7:30 p.m.

When Taylor Flint (71' from van Zanten, assist) knocked in a header from six yards out, Racing Louisville might have thought that would be enough. But they play a full 90 minutes and then tack on additional stoppage time at the end of each half and Houston only needed one minute of that time to equalize, Evelina Duljan (90+1' from Ryan). Both teams escape with a point in the standings.

Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC Gotham, 2-0.

Inter&Co Stadium on Prime Video at 8:00 p.m.

Gotham FC picked up 3 table points when Esther González (13' from a perfect through ball by Lavelle) scored her 12th goal of the season (league-leading) and Jaelin Howell (45+1' unassisted) drilled a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner. Gotham needed the lift to put some distance between them and 9-14 in the all-important race for the 8th spot to make the playoffs.

Portland Thorns FC vs. Utah Royals FC Utah, 2-1.

Providence Park on NWSL +/ P+ at 10:30 p.m.

A much-needed win for the Royals (bottom dwellers) was realized in Portand on Friday night as Utah got goals from Paige Monaghan (22' assist to Zornoza) and Kherrington Ream (85' unassisted following a fast break). Thorns goal by Julie Dufour (90+7 unassisted) from a set piece situation was, while lovely, meaningless to the outcome.

Seattle Reign FC vs. San Diego Wave FC Draw, 0-0.

Lumen Field on NWSL+/ P+ at 10:30 p.m.

While there were highlights and the game was largely entertaining, there's really nothing much to report about it as neither team could mount any offense.

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Kansas City Current vs. NC Courage Current, 2-0.

CPKC Stadium on ION at 7:30 p.m.

A pair of first-half goals were all Kansas City needed to snatch its 3 points and push their lead atop the table to a 15-point gap to No. 2 (46-31, Spirit currently in second). On a corner situation, Izzy Rodriguez (31' unassisted) scored the first goal and it was followed up 10 minutes later when Lo'eau LaBonta converted a PK.

The Current now sports a 15-1-2 record and, while they could take the next five weeks off and still sit at the top of the table, North Carolina finds itself three points behind Gotham in the race to make the playoffs.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Stars FC Draw, 1-1.

Audi Field on CBS at 4:00 p.m.

This one was fun, complete with more than a few defensive "stops at the goal line" kind of play on both sides. Sofia Cantore (57' unassisted) put Washington ahead when she sored from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. That lead evaporated 10 minutes later when Ludmila (67' unassisted) converted an eerily similar goal for Chicago. Both teams finished with four shots on goal and time of possession was nearly equal as well (51.8% - 48.2%) and if you've been paying attention to the offensive approach a coaching change has meant for Chicago, you understand those things are encouraging.

The point earned for the Spirit means they stay in the No. 2 spot on the table and for the Stars it means they move just ahead of Utah and out of the bottom spot.

Monday, September 1, 2025

Angel City FC vs. Bay FC Angel City, 2-1.

BMO Stadium on CBSSN at 9:00 p.m.

An early goal by L.A.'s Riley Tiernan (12' assist by Vignola) got things rolling for the host in this North/South California featured match up. That lead held up for 25 minutes until Bay's Rachel Hill followed up a shot attempt that was saved by Angel City's Hannah Seabert with a close-range tap in (37') off a through ball with an assist credited to Boade.

Angel City got a corner situation, following which Moriya's cross into the center of the box found Maiara Niehues' head into the back of the net for the winning goal. With the three points, the southern California team finds itself just off the No. 8 spot in the standings, trailing Gotham by a point in the race for that playoff spot.

Find match highlights on YouTube from the NWSL, for any of your favorite teams!

Live Table (Standings)

Player Leaderboard (Individual stat leaders)