Each club in the NWSL wants to end this stretch on a positive note with this weekend being the last set of regular season matches until Aug. 18.
NWSL schedule: Portland Thorns aim to end skid at Red Bull Arena against NJ/NY Gotham FC
Portland Thorns at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Date: Sunday, July 9, 5:30 pm EST
How to watch: Paramount+
Despite owning the higher xG last week at home against the Kansas City Current, the Portland Thorns are yet to find the back of the net with their international stars out on duty. Led by Sam Coffey in the middle of the park, and Morgan Weaver in the frontline, the Thorns must find a way to break through against a team that limited their opponent last week to just one shot on target. The Oregon side has already tied their loss total from last season, and another one with seven contests remaining after this one could hurt their postseason seeding.
NJ/NY Gotham FC has the opportunity to tie Portland on points at 25 heading into the break. One of the positives for Juan Carlos Amorós' side last week was Margaret Purce's explosiveness coming off the bench at halftime. Purce, who missed being in the pool for the USWNT World Cup roster due to injury had six progressive carries to lead her team against Angel City FC. Her speed and creativity in the final third are X-factors for Gotham, especially in front of its home fans.
After not finding the back of the net for the third time in their last five matches, the New York side got to work this week. They recently added Katie Stengel from Liverpool on loan and Spanish international Maitane López on a two-year deal. It may take some time for the two to adjust, but both have quality experience playing in a top league overseas. It is going to come down to like most matches this upcoming weekend which set of role players step up in those key moments.
Prediction: Portland Thorns 1-1 NJ/NY Gotham FC
NWSL schedule: Current ride good form into Kentucky, encounter Racing Louisville with chance to move to eighth
Kansas City Current at Racing Louisville
Date: Friday, July 7, 8:00 pm EST
How to watch: Paramount+
Since that impressive triumph over Gotham a few weeks ago at home, Racing Louisville has begun to pivot in form. The Kentucky side dropped points in their last two contests including last week's road test where they held a two-goal lead late in the second half against OL Reign.
A win would have put Racing into seventh on goal differential over the Houston Dash. Kim Björkegren's team head back home for a meeting with one of only two sides that have taken six points from their last two fixtures in the regular season. Caroline Sjöblom's Kansas City Current have won three out of their last four in all competitions, taking down the Thorns at Providence Park last weekend.
The away side had just four shots on the Portland net. None of that mattered because of Michelle Cooper's composure at the penalty spot, converting the game's only goal via a chance created by fellow rookie Alexa Spaanstra.
These two midwest foes have met once in the league and once in the UKG Challenge Cup so far during this campaign. Racing took both fixtures, shutting out KC on its home turf back in May. Heading into the matchup, the Current are just one point behind Louisville.
After spending time on the road for the last two games, being back at home has to feel good for Björkegren's side. The last time Racing lost a match at home was against the North Carolina Courage on May 27. Not only is the boost of being in front of their fans going to be a boost, but veteran Nadia Nadim is officially off the injury list and available for selection.
Prediction: Kansas City Current 1-2 Racing Louisville
NWSL schedule: Angel City FC meet league leaders North Carolina Courage to cap off the weekend
North Carolina Courage at Angel City FC
Date: Sunday, July 9, 8:00 pm EST
How to watch: Paramount+
Sean Nahas' Courage began the campaign with one victory from their first five matches in all competitions. They have had some bumps in the road along with some luck, but this youthful team has turned their season completely on its head. Even without Kerolin, Casey Murphy, and Emily Fox, North Carolina's depth is remarkable.
Led now by Tyler Lussi in addition to youngsters like Olivia Wingate, and Haley Hopkins to go along with Katelyn Rowland between the sticks, NC is simply a well-constructed roster. After a three-game home stand, Nahas' crew heads west for a meeting with Becki Tweed's Angel City FC. Even with their scoreless draw in New Jersey last week, the Los Angeles side is still unbeaten since the departure of Freya Coombe.
If it was not for Abby Smith's incredible reflexes, ACFC would have three triumphs in their last four games. Finding that goal in week 15 is going to be even more challenging. The Courage have not conceded a goal in their last four league fixtures. The stability of the backline combined with the confidence in the double pivot of their midfield has caused all sorts of issues for teams attempting to disrupt Nahas' crew. The home team is going to need a special game from Sydney Leroux, or Scarlett Camberos among others in the forward line in order to convert a chance against this in-form North Carolina team.
Prediction: North Carolina Courage 2-0 Angel City FC
NWSL schedule: Two out of form top-six sides battle at Snapdragon Stadium in a Saturday NWSL After Dark meeting
Washington Spirit at San Diego Wave
Date: Saturday, July 8, 10:00 pm EST
How to watch: Paramount+
No team in the top eight of the NWSL table has more losses than Casey Stoney's San Diego Wave. With 15 shots on the road against the league's worst team record-wise, a side as talented as the Wave have to unearth a way to earn a result. Shae Yanez has been a standout in between the sticks as the club's backup, but against the team that has conceded the most goals so far, San Diego has to be better.
There were times when Stoney's team was unlucky, sticking the post within the first 17 minutes, but at the end of the day, this side has led for just 12 minutes out of their last 450 minutes of soccer. If Houston defeats Chicago on Friday night, the Wave will fall out of the playoff picture.
The positive for San Diego is its week 15 matchup is against a club who are also out of form. The Washington Spirit head to southern California following a brutal 3-0 defeat at Audi Field to Seb Hines' Orlando Pride. Just two shots out of Washington's nine were on frame. The key is going to be getting out to a much better start than it did last week. Mark Parson's team allowed two goals within the first 16 minutes at home to the Pride.
The Spirit have to be much better a tracking runs into the box, and clearing the ball away from danger when the opportunity presents itself. Ashley Hatch has five shots last weekend, and could very well be the difference in week 15. Without the stars on each side, it is tough to predict the kind of performance either team is going to put out. One would think being at home would help San Diego, but the Wave have not won a match at Snapdragon Stadium in the league since April.
Prediction: Washington Spirit 0-0 San Diego Wave
