Week 2 recaps
- Jody Roginson
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 23
Friday, March 21
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon. 10 p.m. ET on Prime Video
The scoring was finished in the first half, Angel City FC striking first when Fuller (9') used a pass to the top of the box from Thompson to make a turn and bury a left-foot goal.
Twenty minutes later Portland Thorn FC equalized when Turner scored off a corner, credited as unassisted despite that set piece cross from Moultrie.
The Thorns outshot Angel City, 21-10, with 9 (to 5) of those shots being on target.
Saturday, March 22
First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C. 7 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Goals by Fishlock (35' from Mercado) and Bugg (56') led the visiting Seattle squad to spoil the home opener for the North Carolina Courage.
The offensive bright spot for the Courage came in the 59th minute when Aline Gomes scored with an assist from O'Sullivan.
Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 7:30 p.m. ET on ION
In what was billed by the league as its "can't miss" match of the weekend, 19,254 fans were treated to an even match from their Washington Spirit in the first half.
A penalty kick goal by LaBonta (56') put Kansas City up early in the second. If defenses were listening to broadcasters, there likely aren't more terrifying words in the NWSL to hear than "here's a leading pass to Chawinga in space..." because the Current forward will finish, as she did at 90+8. At least those who remained in the stands were treated to a display of her tremendous speed.
For that clip and others from around the league, check out ESPN's NWSL highlights coverage on its app or watch all NWSL matches replays from their site.
To the west coast matches.
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, Calif. 10 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Now here's a result American viewers should enjoy: San Diego Wave FC used goals by Sánchez (7' from Corley), Leon (37' from Cascarino) and Corley (74') to beat visiting Utah Royals FC, 3-2. We say that not to favor one team over the other, but a team emerging with a win where multiple goals were scored should boost interest!
Goals by Zornoza (61') and Tanaka (72' from Sentnor) evened the score in an 11-minute time span which likely kept home fans in their seats long enough to watch Corley's match-winner two minutes later. (Hopefully they stayed for the final 20 or so minutes, but one never knows with traffic and all...)
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif. 10 p.m. ET on ION
Bay FC got a pair of first-half goals and locked down the defense to shut out Racing Louisville FC, 2-0, to put 3 points on their table.
Anderson (12') and Lema (45+2') were the offensive stars in this matchup, in which the visitors outshot the home team, 12-8, but only 3 of those attempts were on goal.
Sunday, March 23
SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Ill. 3 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and NWSL+
Joseph scored (17' from Franklin) to put Chicago up early in the first half, but Dash defender Nielsen (20' from Bright) equalized just three minutes later. The teams remained knotted until Graham (64' from Sheehan) found the back of the net off a set piece from the corner.
Notably for the Chicago Stars FC, the match marked the return of Sam Staab to action for the first half. She missed much of the 2024 season with an injury.
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J. 5 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 and ESPN+
An own goal (OG) by Reale (2') was followed up by a penalty kick by Marta (45+2') to close out the scoring for the reigning champion Orlando Pride, who pick up 3 points and sit atop the table (6 points and a +8 goal differential) following Week 2 action.
Gotham FC refused to quit and finished the final 12 minutes with three shots on goal but goalkeeper Moorhouse was able to save each.