USWNT Rewind: NWSL Playoff Race Intensifies

Competition for the NWSL regular season title and the six coveted playoff spots remains high as ever following another entertaining week of play.

Portland Thorns FC extended its lead atop the table with a 2-1 midweek victory on the road against the Washington Spirit. After the hosts and reigning champion Spirit took the lead in the 76^th minute on a Portland own goal, the Thorns – who won the Shield in 2021 – reclaimed the lead in the 84^th minute and came away with all three points following a stoppage time goal from forward Morgan Weaver. Portland is now unbeaten in its last 11 matches while Washington continues on its quest for its first victory since May.

Houston Dash, San Diego Wave FC and the Kansas City Current all sit three points back of Portland in the league standings with 25 points apiece. Houston leads the group with a superior goal differential and played Racing Louisville FC to a 0-0 draw on Friday evening.

San Diego suffered its second straight defeat, falling to the Orlando Pride at home after the visitors from Florida were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the 23^rd minute.

The Current prevailed over the North Carolina Courage in a thrilling 4-3 affair on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Current scored twice in the final 30 minutes to erase a 3-2 deficit for their second consecutive win and 10^th match overall unbeaten.

Offense was also on display in Seattle as well where OL Reign downed NJ/NY Gotham FC 4-1 on Sunday afternoon to move up to fifth in the standings. Megan Rapinoe tallied a brace and added an assist while Rose Lavelle also found the back of the net for the Reign, opening the scoring in the 15^th minute with a stellar left-footed finish to the far post following a throw-in down the left flank from Rapinoe.

WATCH: LAVELLE OPENS SCORING IN SEATTLE

 

 

Rapinoe doubled the Reign’s advantage leading into halftime as she drew a foul in the penalty area and then coolly converted the ensuing attempt from the spot. She struck again in the 69^th minute with an emphatic right-footed one-touch finish for her third goal in two games for the Reign. Rapinoe, who now has three goals and two assists in three games for the Reign following the Concacaf W Championship, also played in the service that led to a Gotham own goal in the 73^rd minute.

WATCH: RAPINOE BAGS BRACE FOR REIGN

 

OL now sits fifth in the league standings with 24 points, followed closely by the Chicago Red Stars (24 points) and Angel City FC (21 points), who squared off in Los Angeles on Sunday evening, resulting in a 1-0 victory for the hosts.

Along with a full slate of NWSL league action, several clubs will also be competing in exhibition tournaments this week. Portland is hosting the Women’s International Champions Cup, which features reigning UEFA Women’s Champions League Winners Olympique Lyon – and USWNT midfielder Lindsey Horan – reining FA Women’s Super League Champions Chelsea and C.F. Monterrey, who won Liga MX Femenil’s México Apertura in 2021. Racing Louisville and OL Reign will be participating in The Women’s Cup, which features Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Italy's AC Milan, England's Tottenham Hotspur and Mexico's Club America along with the two NWSL sides.

 

Information on upcoming matches featuring U.S. Women’s National Team players can be found below. All times listed are ET.

 

Wednesday, August 17
Women’s Cup: Club America vs. OL Reign	5 p.m.	Paramount+
Women’s Cup: AC Milan vs. Racing Louisville	8 p.m.	Paramount
NWSL: Houston Dash vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC	8:30 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Women’s ICC: Portland Thorns FC. vs. C.F. Monterrey	11:00 p.m.	ESPN2
Friday, August 19
NWSL: Kansas City Current vs. Angel City FC	8:00 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Saturday, August 20
Women’s ICC: Portland Thorns FC vs. TBD	TBD	ESPN Networks
Women’s Cup: TBD vs. TBD	TBD	Paramount+
NWSL: North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Red Stars	7:00 p.m.	Twitch
NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Orlando Pride	7:00 p.m.	Paramount+
NWSL: San Diego Wave FC vs. Houston Dash	10:00 p.m.	Twitch