1. Top of the table battle ends in 2-2 draw between Utah Royals and Portland Thorns
The matchup between two of the best teams in the NWSL lived up to expectations with an exciting back-and-forth match at Providence Park that saw both share the points at the end. Portland’s top stars ended up scoring both goals for the home side while Kiana Palacios and Cloé Lacasse scored for Utah. The Thorns ultimately equalized after Jayden Perry was pushed down inside the penalty area during a set piece. Sophia
Wilson took the penalty and made it easily with a stuttered run-up sending the opposing goalkeeper in the wrong direction.
2. Colorado native, Ally Brazier, scores her first goal for hometown club
Ally Brazier scored her first goal with the Denver Summit making it the first time the Colorado Springs native has scored for her hometown club. Brazier substituted on in the 61st minute then scored in the only a few minutes later to beat Racing Louisville. The Summit had a moment in transition and Brazier kicked it into a another gear through the middle to get behind the Louisville backline to make it 1-0.
3. Barbra Banda still in top form with brace against Bay FC
It seems repetitive, but Barbra Banda seems to be running away with the NWSL golden boot, and potentially the MVP award as well. Orlando’s star forward scored in the fourth and 51st minute of the Pride’s 3-1 victory against Bay FC. Surprisingly the Pride had less shots and barely had a better expected goal differential with 0.84 to Bay FC’s 0.79. The victory kept the Pride in the playoff picture in eighth place with 17 points in 12 matches played.
4. North Carolina and Angel City trade goals to start the second half
The Courage scored first after great defensive work and dribbling by Ashley Sanchez against Kennedy Fuller in the midfield. The home side responded quickly only a few minutes later to equalize with a goal by Maiara Niehues setting up for an exciting final 40 minutes in which Manaka Matsukubo scored in to make it 2-1.
5. Dudinha continues MVP case with early goal in victory against Chicago Stars
Now with seven goal contributions on the year, her presence on the left wing should not be ignored, but the Brazilian forward managed to hide on the left side waiting for the perfect opportunity to get open inside the penalty area to take the early lead in Chicago.
6. Gotham FC extend NWSL unbeaten streak to six with 1-0 win against Houston Dash
Gotham FC spent a week in Mexico for two tough matches in altitude for the Concacaf Champions Cup and returned to NWSL action with a tough match against the defensively sound Houston Dash. Gotham dominated possession and established their identity on the game early and only needed one goal from rookie Jordynn Dudley to take the victory.
7. Temwa Chawinga’s lone goal earns victory against Boston Legacy
Kansas City’s star Temwa Chawinga put up her ninth goal contribution in only eight matches with the only goal in the Current’s 1-0 win against the Boston Legacy. The original shot came in by Croix Bethune, then Chawinga stayed with the play to shoot the ball with multiple defenders all around her to take the lead.
8. Washington Spirit return from Concacaf Champions Cup with 2-1 victory against Seattle Reign
The best goal of the day came from Leicy Santos who scored directly from a free kick just outside the penalty area. Santos used a quick run-up and surprised Reign Goalkeeper, Claudia Dickey with a shot that skipped off the ground and into the far post.
