1. Leicy Santos scores banger at the top of the box against NC Courage
Colombian star Leicy Santos scored what could be a goal of the year contender to open the scoring for the Washington Spirit against the North Carolina Courage on the road. The first touch to control the pass was impressive, but Santos unleashed a shot for a volley.
Trinity Rodman later scored in the first half was an impressive goal of her own while being pulled inside the box. The Spirit hold second place in the NWSL standings
with 27 points and two games in hand.
Ashley Sanchez nearly scored off a free kick in the 50th minute with a great shot just over the wall, but it was called off due to a technicality with a Courage defender too close to the wall.
2. Brazilian Angel City duo scores in first half against San Diego Wave
Angel City FC’s Brazilian duo were responsible for the two goals in the club’s big 2-0 rivalry victory on the road against San Diego Wave. Angel City’s rapid movement kept the Wave on the back foot, and they held the first-place club from creating a strong scoring opportunity. Maiara Niehues scored the first goal with a tap in header from the back post, then Ary Borges scored a throw-in set piece with a shot right through the goalkeeper’s legs. Borges looked to have felt the rivalry with her celebration shushing the Wave supporter’s.
3. Seattle win Cascadia rivalry at home
The Reign won the latest edition of the NWSL’s most historic rivalry with a 2-0 win at home against the Portland Thorns. Ryanne Brown scored the first goal in the eighth minute to open up the scoring, which was also the defender’s first NWSL goal. Brown playing as a fullback on the right side stood onside along the right wing and timed a perfect run to receive the ball and take one touch into the box before sending her shot over the Portland goalkeeper. The three points keep the Reign within three points of the final spot in the NWSL playoffs.
4. Marta scores 50th goal in 3-0 win against KC Current
Team’s should know better than to give one of the greatest players of all time any sort of space. Marta can unleash a lethal strike at any point and the Current experienced it on Friday night.
The Pride moved the ball down the pitch for a counter attack and Jacqueline Ovalle was momentarily stopped by the Current defenders inside the box forcing her to pass the ball to Marta. The Brazilian superstar was given plenty of time and space to square up her shot through the Current defense and into the back of the net.
Despite the scoreline both clubs played a relatively even even first half nearly splitting possession in half and creating around the same level of shots.
5. Esther ties Gotham FC scoring record with brace in 3-1 victory against Utah Royals
Gotham FC’s Spanish striker, Esther González, scored twice in Gotham FC’s 3-1 victory against the Utah Royals. The two goals tied returning star, Sam Kerr’s, all-time scoring record with Gotham at 28. Kerr will be available for the first time this season in Gotham’s Queens Classic match against the Washington Spirit on Wednesday, July 15.
6. Yazmeen Ryan goes top bin for Denver Summit to open scoring against former club
The Denver Summit acquired Yazmeen Ryan ahead of the 2026 season from the Houston Dash. With the Dash in 2025 Ryan led the team in scoring, and she gave Houston a reminder of her ability with her right foot. Ryan received a corner kick outside the penalty area and made one turn with a defender pressuring before unleashing a shot into the top bin on the right side that Jane Campbell could do nothing about to make it 1-0.
7. Houston return the blow one minute later
The Houston Dash made this matchup one of the most exciting of the weekend with an immediate response in the next minute right after play restarted. The Dash kept the ball for a brief moment setting up their attacking players for a run and used their pace to get behind the Summit’s backline. Maggie Graham sent in a cross intended for Linda Ullmark crashing the back post. Ullmark got a poor first touch attempting to score the pass, but rookie Kat Rader was in the area and struck it in cleanly to equalize.
8. Boston Legacy get first NWSL shutout in 2-0 win against Chicago Stars
On a foggy night in Boston the expansion club broke a four-match winless streak and earned their first clean sheet in a 2-0 win against the Chicago Stars. Goalkeeper Casey Murphy made five saves across the night and came off her line excelently to punch the ball away in the crowded box.
9. Kennedy Fuller first goal with Bay FC in 2-0 win against Racing Louisville
Bay FC’s midseason acquisition, Kennedy Fuller, scored her first goal with the club in Bay FC’s 2-0 win against Racing Louisville. Karlie Lema took the original shot on target which Jordyn Bloomer pushed away, but Kennedy Fuller stayed with the play and shot the rebound in easily for the game-winning goal. Lema went on to seal the victory with the second goal by pressing Bloomer while she tried to pass the ball and respectfully walked the ball into the back of the net.
