Week 3 in summary

The teams will take a one-week hiatus for their first international break, so no play the weekend of April 4-6.

(All times listed are Eastern.)

Friday, March 28, 2025

Shell Energy Stadium on NWSL+ at 8:00 p.m.

Despite possessing the ball nearly 60% of the time and outshooting (9-3, 2-1 shots on goal) the host (Houston), Gotham FC wasn't able to connect with the back of the net and the teams played to a draw, nil-nil. Each team adds a point to their table.

*Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC Spirit, 2-0.

Audi Field on Prime Video at 8:00 p.m.

Ashley Hatch scored two goals within 3 minutes in the first half and the Spirit settled in to beat Bay FC and pick up 3 points in the league's featured "must watch" match.

The first goal for Hatch, assist to Santos, came at 24' in then Miura's assist and goal was tallied at 27'. Hatch currently leads the NWSL with goals scored at 3 on the early season.

*This one was the league's featured match, complete with a "5 Reasons to Watch" on the NWSL website. Oops, so sad if you missed it!

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Orlando Pride vs. San Diego Wave FC Pride, 2-1.

Inter&Co Stadium on ESPN at Noon

When Marta gets a second chance to bury a PK, she will not shank it twice. That is exactly what happened on the game-winning goal (76'), when the league's best goalkeeper at stopping a penalty kick, Kailen Sheridan, left her line too soon. But let's back up.

Neither team broke through until the second half when Orlando's McCutcheon put the home team on the board, unassisted (50'). San Diego equalized when Okwuchukwu headed a pass from Dali into the back of the net (62') setting up the PK drama about 15 minutes later.

Kansas City Current vs. Utah Royals FC Current, 3-0

CPKC Stadium on ION at 7:30 p.m.

How to put this? Utah suffered a first-half drubbing at the feet of KC Current.

One of the league's most exciting players to watch, Temwa Chawinga, got a crossing pass from Cooper as she was positioned near the far post and buried her 3rd goal in as many matches (22'). Cooper then scored on her own (37'). Debinha got in on the scoring action 2 minutes into first-half additional time with an unassisted goal before the home team settled in and defended for the remaining half of play.

Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage Draw, 0-0

Providence Park on ION at 10:00 p.m.

The result reads dull match, right?

Maybe, but not if you enjoy great defensive play with some terrific stops by the goalkeepers, 5 shots on goal against Thorns Mackenzie Arnold and 2 by Courage Casey Murphy including one brilliant save in the second half.

All these recaps can't be about offense all the time and for those on west-coast time, this one was worth the late night viewing.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Chicago Stars FC vs. Racing Louisville Racing Louisville, 1-0.

SeatGeek Stadium on CBSSN at 4:00 p.m.

What began with a two-hour weather delay, ended with the visiting Racing Louisville squad escaping the windy-city with 3 points. The win was courtesy of an Emma Sears bomber (26' from Flint) from the top of the box.

It was a bit unclear who was more flummoxed by the delay, Chicago or the CBS broadcast team, but the Stars recovered more quickly in the second half than did the camera crew. Impressively, 1,806 fans stuck out the weather.

Angel City FC vs. Seattle Reign FC Angel City FC, 2-1.

BMO Stadium on CBSSN at 8:00 p.m.

In a starkly contrasting stadium atmosphere, 15,384 fans were treated to nice weather and a win by the home team in the final match of the weekend.

Angel City got an early goal by Alyssa Thompson (8 from Fuller') but it was equalized a few minutes later when when Ji So-Yun was awarded and converted a PK (12'). The teams battled evenly for the remaining time in the first half until Riley Tiernan (63' from Emslie) put Angel City ahead to emerge with 3 points.

Here is the table / standings following Week 3.