The 2022 National Women’s Soccer League regular season returns Friday after a brief hiatus following the CONCAF W championship. Many USWNT and Canadian internationals are back at their respective clubs, and NWSL action will feature a full slate of six games featuring all 12 clubs competing over the weekend.
All operations will start from Friday. North Carolina Courage the host Washington Spiritetc Racing Louisville FC Face Portland Thorns FC. the host Houston Dashetc Angel City FC Face Kansas City Current. Fans can watch NWSL action live and on demand throughout the season. Paramount+.
Here’s what to know about this weekend’s matches:
Schedule and Viewing Method
Friday 29 July
- North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
- Racing Louisville FC vs. Portland Thorns FC, 8 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Saturday, July 30
- Chicago Red Stars Vs San Diego Wave FC8 pm ET (Twitch)
- Angel City FC Vs OL Raj Saturday at 10:30 pm ET (Paramount +)
Sunday, July 31
- NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Houston Dash, 5 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
- Kansas City Current Vs Orlando Pride7 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
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The second half of the season is in full swing
The North Carolina Courage will face the Washington Spirit for the fifth time this year after three meetings during the Challenge Cup, including a championship final win for the Courage. The familiarity between the two sides has also led to some tight contests, though with two draws and two wins for North Carolina, the Braves are currently getting the better of it. Both Courage and Spirit find themselves in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the table as the second half of the regular season gets underway, and both teams will be desperate to pick up points as they hope to finish the season fifth or sixth. position and grab one of the last two playoff spots.
Seventh-placed Angel City FC will host sixth-placed OL Reign for a spot at the top of the table. The two teams are meeting for the fourth time this year, with Reign dominating the series with three victories. However, the competition has become tighter with a recent 1-0 win for OL in June. The two clubs are tied on points, and a win could have tie-breaker implications between the two clubs that could be crucial in determining who makes the playoffs or if they both make it. Angel City is in hand and an extra game, so these two will battle it out all the way up the table.
The NWSL comes to Soldier Field.
The Chicago Red Stars will host San Diego Wave FC in a doubleheader with MLS side Chicago Fire at Soldier Field. Chicago had its nine-game unbeaten streak snapped in a lopsided 4-1 loss on the road to the Houston Dash just before the regular season break, while San Diego is winless in its last two games. The game could feature USWNT forwards Mallory Pugh and Alex Morgan going head-to-head, although the number of minutes the two forwards can play remains to be seen following the CONCACAF W Championship.
The Red Stars are thin along the back line, so the return of Alyssa Nahr in net will be an added boost defensively as they try to get back into the win column.
Kansas City and Portland are trying to extend unbeaten streaks.
The Kansas City Current is on a seven-game unbeaten streak as they prepare to host the Orlando Pride on Sunday. The Current have won their last three games, and are turning narrow leads into victories thanks to a strong performance from goalkeeper Adriana French. The Frenchman has two clean sheets going into Sunday’s game, and will face an Orlando side that has lost its focus in attack, having conceded just one goal (one goal) in their last two matches.
The Portland Thorns will also look to extend their unbeaten streak to nine when they face the Racing Louisville on Friday. Their ability to get results on the road will only help them as they look ahead to making a run at the NWSL Shield. Five teams’ last eight wins have come on the road. Portland’s depth has led the club to another mid-season without key international players, and Yezmin Ryan has made a case to stay in the starting lineup with Sophia Smith returning for the second half of the season. Ryan now leads the team in assists with four, making them last month, and chances created with 16.
