1. Utah Royals win first edition of the Rocky mountain rivalry match
The Utah Royals continued rolling atop the NWSL standings and won the first edition of the NWSL’s newest rivalry between them and the Denver Summit. Kiana Palacios got on the board first with a shot right over Denver’s goalkeeper, Abby Smith. The Royals face an exciting final match before the Summer break taking on the second-place Portland Thorns at Providence Park.
2. Mallory Swanson ekes out a victory against depleted Bay FC with
her first goal since the 2024 Olympics
Only scoring one goal when playing against nine players may sound troubling, but it was all the Stars needed to pull off the victory against Bay FC. Mallory Swanson scored the game-winner in the 70th minute after substituting on for the start of the second half. It was Swanson’s first goal since returning from maternity leave and first since her game-winner against Brazil in the Olympic gold-medal match with the USWNT.
3. Orlando Pride only need one counter to take the win against San Diego Wave
The Orlando Pride faced a tough challenge taking on the San Diego Wave on the road, but had a game plan that worked to perfection earning them a 1-0 win. The Pride absorbed the Wave pressure and took advantage of key transitional moments, and only needed one goal to take the victory. Nicole Payne put away the chance near the end of first half stoppage time with her first goal with Orlando.
4. Giselle Thompson goes off in 2-1 win against KC Current
Giselle Thompson scored the fourth NWSL goal of her career, and her first ever goal in a home match with Angel City on Wednesday night against the Kansas City Current. Thompson scored the first goal in the eighth minute with a strong left-footed strike, after controlling a great long ball into the attacking third by Nealy Martin. The 20-year-old USWNT star also helped seal the victory with a header assist to Kennedy Fuller in the 70th minute to make it 2-1.
5. KC Current take down Portland Thorns at CPKC Stadium
Two clubs with arguably the best atmospheres in the entire league faced off and the home-side harnessed the energy to push back and win 3-1 against the second-place Portland Thorns. Sophia Wilson got on hte board first with a shot that got past the goalkeeper on the near post, but Lo’eau LaBonta scored in the 40th minute to equalize , then e Current added on two more in the second half. LaBonta is known for her celebrations and tackled Ally Sentnor celebrating the equalizing goal.
6. Houston Dash end six-match winless streak in 2-1 win against Angel City FC
The Houston Dash pulled off a draw against the Wave in the middle of the week, then officially ended their six-match winless streak with a goal in stoppage time by Magie Graham. Following a quick transitional moment the Dash sent Graham past the Angel City backline after a great dummy in the midfield.
7. Seattle Reign end five-match winless streak with 2-1 win against Boston Legacy
Laura Harvey’s squad has not looked great on the offensive end over the past few matches, but scored and won for the first time in five matches with a 2-1 victory against the Boston Legacy. The first goal came via a penalty conceded by the Legacy with a handball inside the penalty area, then later on Madie Dahlien to start out the second half with a well-timed run into the box that left her wide-open.
