The National Women’s Soccer League is back and the first weekend of matches had it all. From great performances to heartwarming returns here are some of the top moments from the weekend in the NWSL.
Croix Bethune celebrates her birthday with a goal in KC Current debut
Croix Bethune couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift to open the NWSL season. The young star shocked many in the offseason when she made a move to the Kansas City Current just before the start of season at her request. Then, Bethune made the most
of her Current debut scoring an equalizer in the 57th minute and celebrated by blowing out some candles.
2. Angel City FC dominate Chicago Stars 4-0
Angel City FC scored the most goals of the weekend with the largest margin of victory in their 4-0 win against the Chicago Stars. The win tied Angel City’s largest margin of victory which was a 5-1 win against the Portland Thorns at the end of the 2023 regular season. The Southern California club spread the goals with scores by four different players: Kennedy Fuller, Evelyn Shores, Ary Borges and Maiara Niehues.
3. Ashley Sanchez gets the brace and shower in NC Courage 2-1 win over Racing Louisville
North Carolina Courage star Ashley Sanchez got her first brace in her professional career and the lone brace of the the weekend with two goals at home against Racing Louisville. Most impressive was her game-winner in the 86th minute with a shot that deflected off the Louisville defender allowing it to float over the defense and goalkeeper to take the 2-1 lead.
4. The post-match shenanigans with Kailen Sheridan
To celebrate at the end of the match the new Courage goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan, splashed Sanchez a surprising amount of water during her postgame interview that left her drenched and speechless.
5. Jess Fishlock inches closer to Seattle Reign career all-time goal record
Seattle Reign club legend Jess Fishlock got a little bit closer to breaking Megan Rapinoe’s career all-time goal lead (51) with her 49th career goal in the NWSL in the Reign’s 2-1 victory against the Orlando Pride. Seattle’s captain got past the Orlando center back easily and shot the ball at the Pride goalkeeper, Anna Moorhouse who tried to bat the shot away, but it still found the back of the net.
6. Jane Campbell saves nine to take three points on the road
The Houston Dash earned an important clean sheet and three points on the road to open the NWSL season with much thanks to their captain and goalkeeper, Jane Campbell. While the Wave dominated possession and shots the Houston defense held strong and their captain made nine saves to seal the victory.
7. Sophia Wilson officially returns to the NWSL from maternity leave
Sophia Wilson spent the 2025 season on the maternity list, but the USWNT forward is back for the 2026 season substituted on in the 77th minute for the Thorns. The Thorns picked up a big victory against the Washington Spirit with a great goal by Olivia Moultrie.
8. Savy King returns to action
Savy King made her long-awaited return to in-game action after experiencing a scary medical episode in May of last season that caused her to miss the 2025 season. The Angel City defender substituted on in the 63rd minute of Angel City’s 4-0 victory against the Chicago Stars and received arguably the loudest ovation of the evening.
9. Boston Legacy break NWSL expansion team home opener attendance record
While Boston Legacy may have lost their first match 1-0 against the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, they still made history by hosting an announced crowd of 30,207 fans at Gillette Stadium, the largest crowd for an expansion team’s home opener.
Denver Summit FC is expected to break the record having already sold over 50,000 tickets for their home opener next week, but the Legacy will hold the record for the largest crowd for an NWSL match on the East coast.
10. Van Zanten sisters appear in the same match
Mimi Van Zanten for San Diego Wave and Kiki Van Zanten for Houston Dash became the 12th pair of sisters to play in the NWSL at the same time after both appearing for their respective team’s. A large number of friends and family made the trip to San Diego to watch the match donning split jersey s with both of the players numbers on the back.
Youngest sister Mimi Van Zanten got the start in the right back position for the Wave, and Kiki Van Zanten substituted on in the 83rd minute.
