From a title charge perspective, the opening weekend of the 2023 NWSL season gave us a the ability to see which teams are up to the task to mount a serious title challenge. Here are five things learned from watching matchday one of the NWSL.
Portland Thorns record 100th victory in the NWSL
Reigning champions Portland Thorns FC recorded their 100th NWSL win, becoming the first NWSL team to reach that milestone. Their 4-0 win over Orlando Pride o Sunday ensured the three time champions reach a century of wins in the league. Morgan Weaver scored an early goal before reigning National Women’s Soccer League MVP Sophia Smith scored in the 22nd minute. The result propelled the 2022 champions to the summit of the log on goal difference.
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VAR makes debut as Angel City learn the hard way
VAR made its long-awaited debut in the NWSL after NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman announcement. Angel City learned the hard way as they had a goal disallowed after Jun Endo scored from approximately 40 yards out, but Elijio Arreguin struck-off the goal after video review showed there was a foul committed by Angel City in the build-up. Angel City failed to recover from the decision and went on to loose the match 2-1 to Gotham FC. This is the first season that the NWSL is using VAR.
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New-look North Carolina Courage defeat the Kansas City Current
North Carolina Courage condemned Kansas City Current to a 1-0 defeat to open the NWSL season. KCC, who were in the final last year, went into the match as strong favorites. The win provided more insight into their self-proclaimed new era, albeit against a side that had six players unavailable.
Kansas City missed the services new midfield signings Debinha, Vanessa DiBernardo and Morgan Gautrat. Though this was merely one result in a very long regular season, head coach Sean Nahas and staff got the result that will add enough spring to their step as they look to set the team that once set the standard for success in the NWSL on a sustained path to recovery.
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The San Diego Wave Futbol Club (FC) won their home opener Saturday in a 3-2 infront of record-breaking crowd
Close to 31,000 fans were present as San Diego Wave won a match 3-2 against the Chicago Red Stars at Snapdragron Stadium. Wave FC fans were especially ecstatic to see star players like Alex Morgan and Taylor Kornieck back on the field.
Morgan ensured victory for the team on Saturday with a penalty kick at the death. The game saw bot teams finding periods of dominance as Japanese forward Yūki Nagasato gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute. Amirah Ali restored parity for the home side on minute 22 before midfielder Jaedyn Shaw gave the hosts a 32 minute lead. Mallory Swanson scored a penalty with the last action of the first half to send the teams level at the break. Morgan ensured victory for the team on Saturday with a penalty kick at the death.
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More substance than flair as Washington Spirit dispatch OL Reign
Audi Field witnessed an affair without much action on the pitch as Washington Spirit and OL Reign played to a stalemate in the first 45 minutes of action. OL Reign enjoyed more possession but failed to make the dominance count. Star player Trinity Rodman scored arguably the goal of the weekend in the 54th minute to spring the pendulum in Spirit’s favor. Rodman dribbled past midfield before sending a laser from about 20 yards into the bottom-right corner of the goal. The victory becomes the second consecutive year that the Spirit beat OL Reign in a season opener.
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Houston Dash and Racing Louisville in goalless draw
There was nothing to separate Houston Dash and Racing Louisville as both teams failed to found the back of the net. Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell made five saves and Katie Lund made six saves for Louisville.
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