Week 15 in the NWSL

A pair of 1-run contests opened the weekend's action and was followed by 4 consecutive draws before host, Portland, closed the weekend with a resounding win. Here are the recaps:

Friday, August 8, 2025

Houston Dash vs. NC Courage, Dash 2-1.

Shell Energy Stadium on NWSL+ / P+

Sophie Schmidt (90+5') was the (S)hero in this one as the Dash midfielder came on in the 83rd minute and was there in front the goal in a cluster for the put-back score in stoppage time. Courage player Riley Jackson (32' PK) opened the scoring but Kiki Van Zanten (39' assist by Graham) sent a shot into the top right corner to equalize.

Utah Royals FC vs. Kansas City Current, Current, 1-0.

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

Utah battled for more than 80 minutes in this one, but Temwa Chawinga (82') got an assist from Sharples that was the difference. It was Chawinga's 10th goal to land her in a tie with Esther for most goals in the league.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit. Draw, 0-0.

Sports Illustrated Stadium on ESPN at Noon

Given they played 2/3 of the match a player down after a red card was issued to Geyse (30'), it's kind of notable that Gotham escaped with the same 1 point for their table that Washington did, but there's the facts.

Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville FC Draw, 1-1.

Inter&Co Stadium on ION at 7:30 p.m.

It was a draw-happy Saturday, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

What was interesting in this one was that both goals scored were in stoppage time. The first was a left-footed shot by Louisville's Marisa DiGrande (45+4' assist to Sonis). The equalizer came quickly in added time at the end of the match when Ary Borges (90+3') was charged with a bloody own goal (OG).

Defending NWSL champs, Orlando, escaped this one with a point they technically didn't earn that keeps them tied with Washington (27 points) in the second spot on the table. (Kansas City is running away with the regular season, with 39 points.)

San Diego Wave FC vs. Angel City FC Draw, 1-1.

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

In the late-night match from the west coast on ION (yawn), all the scoring came late in the contest (double yawn).

Makenzy Robbe's goal (85' unassisted) woke the scorer up to flip the 0 to a 1 and give San Diego the lead before 9 minutes of stoppage time was added. Angel City really only needed 2 of that to equalize as Alanna Kennedy (90+2') headed in a lovely cross (assist), following a corner, from Jónsdóttir. Both teams earn a point, keeping San Diego relavant in the fourth spot with 26 points. (LA is four 4 points back of 8th-place Gotham on the table entering Sunday's matches.)

Sunday, August 10, 2025

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

SeatGeek Stadium on CBS at 2:00 p.m.

Well, the draw theme continued. Taylor Huff (29') put back a close range shot from a set-piece kerfuffle that got Bay on the board. But Chicago's Shea Groom (42') answered after a perfect leading pass from Schlegel (assist) allowed her to slip her opponent in stride for the equalizer and both teams picked up a point.

Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC Thorns, 4-2.

Providence Park on CBS at 4:00 p.m.

Portland put an emphatic end to all the tying to pick up 3 points and, importantly, dominate their Pacific-northwest rivals which is quite legit.

Seattle opened the scoring when Emeri Adames (3') used a pass from Fishlock (assist) and knocked it into the bottom right corner. But then ...

Sam Coffey (18') buried a PK to equalize and the Thorns followed that up a few minutes later when a corner came into Fleming (assist) who sent a pass into the box for Reilyn Turner (26') who did not miss from about 6 yards out. Reyna Reyes (55' assist to Obaze) got in on the action, heading a shot past the keeper which put Portland up 3-1.

Seattle got a little life when Jess Fishlock (64') use her head for a goal off a cross from Curry (assist). But that was short lived as Pietre Tordin (65') knocked a through ball from Sugita into the back of the net a minute later. Portland would not relinquish the 2-goal lead over the final 30+ minutes of play.

The battle for 2 thru 6 on the table is thrilling! You should check it out, Dear Reader.

Live Standings, aka the Table.

Live individual stats leaders.