The NWSL, the most unpredictable and competitive league in women's football moves into match week seven with the difference between fourth and first position just one point.
Instead of three UKG Challenge Cup matches leading up to the weekend of fixtures, week seven had just one setting the stage for what is bound to be another exhilarating week of NWSL action. The slate of games includes two matches on Friday followed by one on Saturday, and another three beginning on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EST in North Carolina.
It starts off on Friday night with the two teams at the basement of the NWSL currently with Chicago Red Stars visiting a desperate Racing Louisville side that is yet to win a match this season. Houston Dash host Portland Thorns just an hour later while one NWSL after-dark match on Saturday in Los Angeles sets the stage for three to close out the weekend. While it is almost impossible to guess what is going to happen on any given weekend in this league, here are three of the most fascinating fixtures to consider planning your weekend around.
3 matches to tune in for in week 7 of the NWSL regular season:
3. OL Reign at North Carolina Courage
Date: Sunday, May 14, 3:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
Considering the way Seah Nahas' North Carolina Courage came out of the gate at home against the Portland Thorns, there is no reason they can't do it a week later vs OL Reign. It is a clash between two sides that have to be feeling good coming off of quality week 6 results. North Carolina and the Reign are two of four clubs that have completed over 74 percent of their passes so far this season.
Powered by one of the league MVP candidates as of right now Kerolin, the Courage broke down the defending champions' backline three times. Since getting shutout in the UKG Challenge Cup at Red Bull Arena, NC have begun to take their possession and turn it into goals. Nahas has made it clear that his side is going to possess the ball more than the opponent, and now, that possession is paying dividends.
After a two-game home stand, Laura Harvey's Reign travel back to the east coast, a place that did not treat them particularly well at the beginning of the campaign. Since that loss to Washington Spirit at Audi Field to open the season, the Reign have strung together seven unbeaten across all competitions, netting two or more goals in three straight league fixtures. The Seattle side begins a tough stretch of league matches against a team that has been one of the NWSL's most compelling sides so far in 2023. The top-level talent on both sides jumps off the page, creating a match that would feature some stunning goals. The Courage have won seven out of their last eight at WakeMed Soccer Park against the Reign which could very well be on Harvey's mind heading into Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: OL Reign 2-3 North Carolina Courage
2. Washington Spirit at Angel City FC
Date: Saturday, May 13, 10:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
This has to be the game of the weekend. One of the NWSL's two remaining unbeaten clubs travels to the most hostile environment to take on a side that just won its first match in front of its home fans in week 6. What more could an NWSL want?
Nobody has stood a chance against Trinity Rodman and the Spirit so far this season as Rodman looks to be leading the MVP race with her dazzling speed and creativity in the final third for the D.C side. Washington is just one point off of league-leading OL Reign, and despite low expectations, Mark Parsons' side does not look like it going to plummet down the table anytime soon. Only one team has been more efficient in front of the net in the regular season than Washington.
Freya Coombe's Angel City FC is coming off a much-needed win at BMO Stadium against the Kansas City Current. Jun Endo's magic in the attacking third was the catalyst to producing three first-half goals that ended up being all the home side needed en route to a one-goal victory. ACFC has conceded two or more goals in four straight league games, and while their attack has been one of the most prolific in the league, the focus has to be on the backline if the home side seeks to have any chance of terminating the Spirit's unbeaten run.
Prediction: Washington Spirit 2-1 Angel City FC
1. San Diego Wave at Kansas City Current
Date: Sunday, May 14, 6:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
While both these clubs are coming off of tough losses away from home, this is still a meeting of two of the league's top-five sides from last season. Caroline Sjoblom's Kansas City Current saw their three-match unbeaten run end at the hands of Angel City despite the Current surging back in the second half to cut the deficit to just one goal. Even though she did not score in the City of Angels, the Brazilian international Debinha is tied for the league in goals in 34 minutes less than any other player with four goals across the league.
Casey Stoney's San Diego Wave is enduring just the club's second two-game losing streak in the regular season in club history. The southern California side won four out of their first five matches before allowing two east coast sides to net three goals against them in back-to-back weeks. Among the clubs in the top eight of the NWSL, only ACFC has conceded more goals than San Diego. Before giving up six goals combined across two matches, the Wave had strung together two straight clean sheets. Debinha is going to ask questions of the second-year side just as much as Rodman did in week 6. The defense is capable, especially with the talent that is back there. It is all about execution and consistency at this point.
Last year, these two teams produced a two-goal thriller at Children's Mercy Park with Alex Morgan netting a 90-minute equalizer to knot the game up at two apiece. Two exceptionally talented clubs who are looking for a way back into the win column. For the NWSL, this is the ideal match to close out the weekend.
Prediction: San Diego Wave 1-1 Kansas City Current
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