USWNT REWIND: Pride Clinch Playoff Spot, Morgan Plays Last Match

The Orlando Pride became the first team to secure a place in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, clinching a postseason berth before even taking to the field. The regular season slate of action kicked off on Friday night with Seattle Reign FC taking on Angel City FC at BMO Stadium. Alyssa Thompson scored her fourth goal in three games to give the hosts the lead just eight minutes in, but the Reign responded with three goals in a span of less than 30 minutes to turn the tide, sparked by a penalty kick from Sofia Huerta in the 31st minute. Angel City scored late in second-half stoppage time to cut the deficit to one, but the Reign persevered for their third consecutive win. The Angel City loss officially clinched a playoff spot for the Pride, who will make their first postseason appearance since 2017.

With a top eight finish already assured heading into their game against the Chicago Red Stars, the league-leading Pride continued their pursuit of the 2024 NWSL Shield with a 1-0 win on the road on Sunday evening. Brazilian star Marta scored the game’s only goal in the 37th minute as Orlando extended its win streak to six in a row and its unbeaten run to 20 consecutive games.

The second-place Washington Spirit are closing on a playoff spot of their own and moved one step closer to a postseason berth with a 2-1 win over Portland Thorns on Saturday at Audi Field. Portland took a 1-0 lead just minutes into the second half, but Trinity Rodman pulled the Spirit level in the 60th minute with her seventh goal of the season. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist showed off her 1-v-1 abilities, collecting the ball on the left wing and cutting past several Portland defenders before unleashing a right-footed shot from 12 yards out. Rodman’s seven goals mark a new single season high for the 22-year-old. Rodman’s day was far from over as she assisted on the game-winning goal by Colombian international Leicy Santos in the 90+6th minute with a pin-point cross from the endline. It was Rodman’s fifth assist of the season and gave Washington its third win in the last four games.

WATCH: RODMAN EQUALIZES FOR SPIRIT

The Kansas City Current snapped their three-game losing streak and held onto third in the table with a 1-0 win at home on Saturday over Utah Royals FC. Temwa Chawinga scored the game’s only goal in the 47th and extended her own NWSL record scoring streak to eight consecutive games. The Malawi international leads the league in scoring with 15 goals in 19 games, followed by Pride forward and Zambian international Barbra Banda (12 goals in 15 games) and Portland Thorns and USA forward Sophia Smith (11 goals in 16 games).

Rounding out the action on Saturday, Bay FC made it back-to-back wins with a 1-0 victory at home over Racing Louisville. Nigerian international Asisat Oshoala scored the game’s only goal in the 75th minute to lift Bay FC to its fourth win in sixth games, pushing the expansion side into seventh in the league standings.

Defending NWSL Champions NJ/NY Gotham FC maintained their hold on fourth in the league standings with a 2-1 win over the visiting Houston Dash on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. After trading goals in the first 17 minutes, the teams remained deadlocked at 1-1 into second-half stoppage time, where Spanish international Esther Gonzalez came up with the game-winning goal in the 90+3rd minute, finishing off a cutback cross from U.S. winger Lynn Williams. It was the first assist of the season for Williams, who also has three goals in 10 regular season appearances this year.

WATCH: WILLIAMS ASSISTS GAME WINNER FOR GOTHAM

In an emotional close to the weekend – and to one of the most impactful careers in the history of women’s soccer – Alex Morgan played the final match of her professional career on Sunday, playing the first 13 minutes of San Diego Wave FC’s match against the North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium. The Courage prevailed 4-1 for just their second road win of the season, but the attention of the 26,000+ fans in the stadium was fixed on Morgan, who announced her pregnancy and retirement earlier in the week. The two-time World Cup champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, in a fitting nod to her iconic No. 13 jersey, played the first 13 minutes, marking the end of a 15-year professional career that lifted women’s soccer - and women’s sports – to new heights both in the U.S. and around the globe. Morgan exited the match with the score tied 1-1 and the Courage scored three unanswered goals for their their fifth win in six games.

While Morgan’s final match and the heightening NWSL playoff race were the main storylines of the weekend, there was also plenty of midweek action to go around.

In Europe, Emily Fox and Arsenal FC advanced to the second round of qualifying for the 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League, with a 6-0 win over Rangers followed by a 1-0 win over Norwegian side Rosenborg. Fox started both matches and went the distance in the victory over Rosenborg.

In the Concacaf W Champions Cup – the region’s first continental club competition launched earlier this year – Portland Thorns FC defeated Mexico’s Club America 3-1 to open Group B play on Wednesday at Providence Park. Midfielder Olivia Moultrie assisted Portland’s third goal, that coming in the 52nd minute. NJ/NY Gotham FC took to the road, beating Costa Rican side Alajuelense 4-0 on Thursday in Group A action. Defender Jenna Nighswonger scored in first-half stoppage time to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

WATCH: NIGHSWONGER SCORES IN CONCACAF W CHAMPIONS CUP ACTION

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