With just five weeks in the NWSL schedule before an extensive hiatus, each team seeks to put themselves in the right position ahead of the World Cup.
Just five points separate seventh-place North Carolina Courage and first place Portland Thorns. This upcoming week of contests has at least one match from Friday to Sunday. One slip-up, just like week 10 can shake up the top and bottom of the current table.
The NWSL schedule has three fixtures on Saturday, highlighted by an enticing "NWSL After Dark" matchup between the Kansas City Current and the struggling OL Reign at Lumen Field. Two fixtures on Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. EST close out the match week as the Thorns and Houston Dash seek to continue the momentum they have created over the past few weeks.
To begin week 11, the red-hot San Diego Wave visit Racing Louisville who have dropped points in their last two matches on Friday. Casey Stoney's Wave have won four out of their last five contests in the league away from Snapdragon Stadium. Here are three must-see fixtures among the six weekend matches across the NWSL:
NWSL schedule: 3 of the best fixtures in week 11
3. Kansas City Current at OL Reign
Date: Sunday, June 10, 10:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
NWSL matches under the lights have not disappointed whatsoever so far this season. Interim manager Caroline Sjöblom and her Kansas City Current side head to Seattle following five straight defeats across all competitions. Since her return to the lineup, Kristen Hamilton has been a difference maker since her return to action on May 20 against Racing Louisville.
In just 45 minutes, the former Courage attacker collected two shots on target including a goal within the first eight minutes. Despite not having much of the ball at all, KC used Hamilton's first goal of this campaign and a stable defense to shut down North Carolina in front of its home fans. Just having her presence on the pitch and in the dressing room seems to have made a difference in the Current's confidence levels.
OL Reign remain at Lumen Field for the second successive match week after a loss in the Cascadia Rivalry. Despite the defeat, Laura Harvey's side is the only team in the league with four wins on their home turf. Only the Portland Thorns have found the back of the net more than the Reign at their home facility.
The form of the Seattle side as of recently has begun to fall off in the last two matches. Going up against a midfield with one of the best players in the world, the Reign are going to desperately miss Rose Lavelle. Megan Rapinoe and Veronica Latsko are going to have to be the two players that step up for the home side. Rapinoe's quality with her passing range has the ability to win the game alone. If Latsko or Bethany Balcer are able to get into the spaces between the Current's backline, it has the potential to be a long day on the road for Sjöblom's team.
It is a rematch of the playoff semifinals from last season where Kansas City walked into Lumen and knocked off the No. 1 seeded Reign with goals from Alex Loera and Hamilton. Taking down an in-form side like the Courage should motivate Kansas City. Hamilton's return combined with the X-factors of Debinha and Vanessa DiBernardo in the midfield should be enough to give the home side fits. Expect chaos, just like most of these after-dark matches often possess.
Prediction: Kansas City Current 1-1 OL Reign
2. NJ/NY Gotham FC at Houston Dash
Date: Sunday, June 11, 7:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
This could very well be the game of the weekend. After losing three out of four matches between April and May in the league, Sam Laity's Houston Dash have strung together two in a row. One on the road, and one at PNC Stadium, two wins, four goals combined. Seven out of Houston's 13 shots against the Orlando Pride last week found the target. Not only are they creating more chances, but the club's efficiency in front of the net has improved.
Laity's side sits just two points behind their week 11 opponent, NJ/NY Gotham FC before Sunday evening. Juan Carlos Amoros' NJ/NY Gotham FC side are coming off a narrow defeat at Red Bull Arena to the San Diego Wave, sinking to fourth in the NWSL table. To think that a team with Lynn Williams up top is going to go two consecutive weeks without a goal is simply incomprehensible.
With the table as tight as it is, this matchup between two top-six sides could create even more havoc as the World Cup approaches in late July. No team in the NWSL has more points away from their home ground than Gotham who are 4-1-1 away from New Jersey. The Dash are going to have to contain Williams, and rookie Jenna Nighswonger among others as this Gotham attack with have a chip on their shoulder after last week. No mid-week match for Amoros' side will help a lot a whole lot as they travel for a Sunday showdown in the Lone Star State.
Prediction: NJ/NY Gotham FC 3-1 Houston Dash
1. Angel City at Washington Spirit
Date: Saturday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
No team has been in worse form over the last month than Freya Coombe's Angel City FC. The L.A. side has scored a goal in their last three games, but have conceded nine goals in the last 270 minutes of soccer across all competitions. A torrid first half at home against the Chicago Red Stars was enough to prevent the home side from bouncing back. Given their road form, Coombe's side should be ecstatic about being able to go as far away from BMO Stadium as possible.
Sydney Leroux's return sparked something in ACFC in the final 45 minutes. Leroux came on in just the 76′, but her impact changed the game. She should be able to contribute more time between the white lines at Audi Field on Saturday evening. After going unbeaten in their first seven matches, the Washington Spirit have been held without a win for the past three weeks. Mark Parson's side are one of three sides to concede just nine goals, but Washington has allowed at least one in three straight games.
The 2021 NWSL champions looked disappointing post-game given how the end of the contest in the nation's capital against Racing Louisville last week. MVP candidate Trinity Rodman has to be chomping at the bit to get back out in front of their fans at Audi Field and finish the job they should have with a one-player advantage at the conclusion of last week's fixture. The southern California side has to turn it around at some point given their talent, but a match against the Spirit is not the most ideal matchup to do that.
Prediction: Angel City 0-2 Washington Spirit
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