Week 9, fast and furious action

Four matches on Friday, three on Saturday. Here is the NWSL's release with how to watch info and with their take on the "spiciest" match up. (Hint: It's the same as mine, KC Current vs. Orlando Pride late Friday night.)

Week 9 is in the books and it was another fun one. Here are the brief summaries, some with video clips. (Thanks to the video content teams with the clubs and league.)

Friday, May 16, 2025

Racing Louisville FC vs. Seattle Reign FC

The match was postponed until Saturday because of severe weather threats.

Gotham FC vs. San Diego Wave FC Wave, 1-0.

Sports Illustrated Stadium on NWSL+ at 7:30 p.m.

It was a beautifully punched in shot by Kimma Ascanio in the 30th minute as the Wave pressed forward that was the difference in this one. Enjoy the clip from YouTube timed here, just before the goal.

Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns FC Thorns, 4-1.

Shell Energy Stadium on NWSL+ at 8:00 p.m.

And really, it was all Portland as the lone Dash goal was an own (charged against Sam Hiatt, 75'). Thorns' Pietra Tordin opened the scoring off an assist by Alidou (26'), followed up by the eventual game-winner from Payton Linnehan (30' from Coffey) just a few minutes later. Sam Coffey got into the scoring action at the tail end of stoppage in the first half, converting a penalty kick (45+8') before Caiya Hanks (54' from Reyes) scored her second goal of the season finished their offensive onslaught.

Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current Current, 1-0.

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

To appreciate how the speed of Temwa Chawinga has helped Kansas City to the top of the table, enjoy the embedded clip featuring the lone goal (52') in the leagues' marquee match of the week.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Racing Louisville FC vs. Seattle Reign FC Racing Louisville, 1-0.

Lynn Family Stadium on NWSL+ at 1 p.m.

The only goal of the match, postponed from the previous night because of weather, was scored by Maddie Dahlien (39') on a fast break from the center of the box into the back of the bottom right corner from an assist by Meza.

North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Stars FC Courage, 2-0.

First Horizon Stadium on Paramount+ / NWSL at 5:00 p.m.

It was a brace (two goals) by Manaka Matsukobo to give North Carolina the three points. The first, from a lovely forward redirected pass into the center of the box from Sullivan (assist), allowed Matsukobo to slip a low rolling shot past the Alyssa Naeher's outstretched dive (51'). Later in the second (77') she lifted one inside the upper far post, this time just out of the keeper's outstretched leaping reach (assist to Koyama).

Washington Spirit vs. Utah Royals FC Draw, 3-3.

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

It was a bit of a shoot-out in D.C. on Saturday night as the team's traded goals and split a point each for their efforts. The Royals started the scoring when Brecken Mozingo (9') knocked one in. The lead didn't last long as Ashley Hatch (17') equalized, unassisted. Washington took the lead three minutes later when Meg Boade (20') got an assist from Kouassi to score. Not to be outdone, Utah equalized two minutes later when Cece Kizer (22' unassisted) put back a blocked shot. So that's three goals in five minutes? Yep.

An own goal was charged to Rebecca Bernal at (36') to put the Royals up, 3-2, moving into the second half. Everything settled down (well, the scoring anyway) until Washington equalized in the 12th-minute of stoppage time on a Casey Krugueger header, crossed to her beautifully by Tara McKeown. This one reminded viewers that draws don't mean dull in this sport!

Bay FC vs. Angel City FC Bay, 2-0.

PayPal Park on ION at 10:00 p.m.

In the final match of the weekend, the home team used a goal by Penelope Hocking (23' from Huff) and a converted penalty kick by Caroline Conti (28') to beat their west-coast rival, Angel City FC, and earn three points for their table, where seven teams are bunched in the middle from 10-14 points.

Here is the live table (standings) from the NWSL site.