In the first match week of June in the NWSL the league saw massive table shifts as the leader heading into the week dropped to fourth.
Once again, the NWSL displays why it is one of the best women's soccer leagues in the world. The two clubs that were in the bottom two of the league heading into the week secured three points while the team that sat at the top suffered its first defeat since April 30. Anything can happen. That is what makes this league so uniquely intriguing.
The match week featured a Kansas City Current rebound result, and yet another Racing Louisville red card in the final 45 minutes. In the Lone Star State, the Houston Dash collected their second succussive triumph by a 2-0 score line, prevailing over the Orlando Pride. Two first-half goals including one by Sophie Hirst within the first six minutes propelled the once-struggling Dash up into the postseason picture. The movement among the 12 teams was once again evident as the World Cup continues to get closer and closer.
From all the action that transpired over the last few days in the NWSL, here are the top storylines you should know from week 10:
NWSL news: Portland shuts out OL Reign on the road
For the first time at Lumen Field in NWSL league play, Christine Sinclair and the Portland Thorns overpowered Laura Harvey's OL Reign. Neither Seattle side could show out in front of the home fans as the Sounders drew the Portland Timbers in the first contest of the weekend doubleheader. Sophia Smith's strength and grace with the ball at her feet gave the away side the early advantage. The Thorns never looked back. Both Smith and Crystal Dunn were dynamic in their respective positions, causing the resistance from the Reign to begin to crack. Both had six or more shot-creating actions while completing six take-ons apiece.
Harvey's side had their chances against Bella Bixby between the sticks, but for the first time since May 14 across all competitions, the Reign failed to find the back of the net. Not counting the Challenge Cup win against the Wave, the Seattle side has not lost three out of their last four contests. They are still three points back of Portland at the top of the table, but given the recent form, it begs the question if this decline could continue with still Rose Lavelle likely sidelined for an unknown period of time.
Other than the defeat to Houston on the road in early May, the defending champions have been playing the most consistent soccer of anyone. To be able to bring in players like Becky Sauerbrunn, and Sinclair off the bench is any manager's dream. The club's midfield features Dunn, Sam Coffey, and youngster Olivia Moultrie and is far and away the best middle third of any side right now. No team protected their home turf better than the Reign heading into week 10, but coming out of the week, the Thorns are now tied with Gotham for the most goals away from home.
At some point in time Portland is going to create separation from the rest of the pack, it is only a matter of time. There was really nothing the Reign could have done to prevent the Thorns from finding the back of the net twice as the quality of the players in the attacking third for Portland was on full display. Nobody shows up for big games quite like the Oregon side who will play two clubs in the current bottom four in the league over the next two weeks. They won the 2022 title for a reason. Saturday is just another example of why a repeat could be in the cards.
NWSL news: NJ/NY Gotham FC comes up short against Wave in front of record crowd
For the first time in the history of NJ/NY Gotham FC, over 15,000 fans filed into Red Bull Arena, shattering their own franchise record. Despite the fans being behind them, the New York side could not crack the San Diego Wave who have now won three straight league matches away from Snapdragon Stadium. The southern California side is now tied with the Thorns on points at the top of the NWSL table with 19 following its one-goal victory against Juan Carlos Amoros' in-form Gotham FC.
Within minutes after the second 45 minutes resumed, two of Casey Stoney's halftime substitutes combined to beat Abby Smith between the sticks in the Gotham net. Jaedyn Shaw's pinpoint ball had the exact pace on it for Makenzy Doniak to get a hold of it while Smith could not come out and corral it. Within 50 seconds of coming into the match, Shaw split the opposition's backline and Doniak stayed calm, knocking the ball away from the goalkeeper before she found the near post. It was a top-class goal from a side that is tied for first in the league for most wins away from their home ground.
The home side had their third-lowest xG of the campaign at 0.7, looking dangerous in the final third arguably on very few occasions. That last touch to beat Kailen Sheridan was not present as only three of Gotham's 15 total shots found the target. At times throughout the season so far, the new-look New York side has stalled offensively. It happened a few weeks ago against Orlando, and now again at home in front of a record attendance at Red Bull Arena. With Lynn Williams leading Amoros' team up top, it is quite unlikely to occur in back-to-back contests. Credit to the Wave, who have turned the page since that defeat to the Washington Spirit, going unbeaten in their last four in NWSL league play.
NWSL news: Chicago Red Stars snatch vital result at BMO stadium, move up the ninth
In the last contest of the match week on an unusual Monday night in the City of Angels, the Chicago Red Stars used two first-half set-piece goals to push Angel City into the bottom two of the NWSL. It was Cook's first two goals of the campaign as the Red Stars' precise balls into the box helped set up the former Michigan State attacker to punish a defense from taking a few seconds off.
The L.A. side has won just one match out of the six at BMO Stadium so far this season. Freya Coombe's team put their foot on the gas late, getting a goal from Sydney Leroux in her return to the pitch, but it was too late for a rally. The first half put the home team in such a large hole that it simply could not dig out of it. If Angel City came out with as much purpose as they did in the second 45, it is likely they would be in eighth position on 12 points.
When the chances came their way, the Red Stars delivered. That was the story of a game that moves the Chicago side above the Southern California team in 10th place in the league table. Somehow having over 16,000 fans at every home league match has not helped the team whatsoever. Coombe's team currently has the same amount of losses at BMO Stadium as they had across all competitions last season. Leroux should help bolster the attack, but at some point, Angel City needs to find a way to piece together a full 90-minute match.
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