Each week in the NWSL schedule is critically important, and the final match week in June is no different with two matchups of top-five sides.
NWSL schedule: Two top-five showdowns on the west coast
Washington Spirit at Portland Thorns
Date: Friday, June 23, 10:30 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
It cannot get much better than No. 1 vs. No. 2 under the lights in one of the most passionate women's soccer markets in the United States.
Mark Parsons' Washington Spirit continue their road trip coming off of an extraordinary comeback down two goals against the struggling Kansas City Current. A tap-finish by Washington's No. 9 Tara McKeown 87′ winner extended the Spirit's unbeaten streak in the league to four. McKeown was the rock defensively for the Spirit last time out, collecting 10 clearances. This match will be just days after Ashley Hatch missed out on the World Cup roster. The Washington striker who has six goals and two assists this season should be the player to look out for. She will without question come out with a chip on her shoulder.
The home team for the match, Mike Norris' Portland Thorns rebounded from a surprise defeat to the Orlando Pride with a 3-2 win on the road in the Windy City. Sophia Smith, who was just announced to the USWNT 2023 World Cup team has found the back of the net in three straight regular-season fixtures.
Portland and Washington were two of three teams to score three or more goals in week 12. No team has a better goal differential than the Thorns. The Spirit has been susceptible to goals, not having pitched a clean sheet since May 13. Breaking that streak is going to be a difficult task, but Audrey Kingsbury who has over an 82 percent save percentage will no question be up for the job on the road.
Prediction: Washington Spirit 2-2 Portland Thorns
OL Reign at San Diego Wave
Date: Saturday, June 24, 10:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
One top-of-the-table clash after another. The day after the top two teams in the league meet up, Laura Harvey's OL Reign travel to Snapdragon Stadium for the second "NWSL After Dark" clash of the weekend.
After being on the road for two weeks, the San Diego Wave returned home only to blow a one-goal lead in the second half to their fellow Southern California rivals. Angel City FC, without Freya Coombe, battled back into the match after conceding the first goal, becoming the first team since Washington on May 6 to score more than two against the Wave. Even with its sensational fan base behind them, San Diego has not won a match on their home turf since April 1 against the North Carolina Courage.
The Reign continue their road trip, heading to California from Texas with a scoreless draw that was effected by the Houston heat. Despite San Diego's poor recent home form, Harvey's side has scored the second fewest goals of any team away from their home turf. The Seattle side has just one victory away from Lumen Field this season, and it came all the way back in match week two against Gotham. With five players heading off to represent the United States in the World Cup soon, these are the kinds of matches that Harvey should feel the need to win.
Score Prediction: OL Reign 0-2 San Diego Wave
NWSL schedule: Two in-form sides meet in Cary, North Carolina
Racing Louisville at North Carolina Courage
Date: Saturday, June 24, 7:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
For the second time in less than a month, Racing Louisville matchup up with Sean Nahas' North Carolina Courage. Two second-half goals including a brilliant goal by Kerolin to double the away side's lead propelled North Carolina to all three points. Since that loss in Kentucky to the Courage, Racing is yet to lose a match across all competitions. Savannah DeMelo has netted three goals in the last four matches, firing home the opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC last weekend.
The confidence seems to be oozing out of both sides at this point in time. Kim Björkegren's team may be sitting in eighth at the moment, but a triumph could have them in the postseason picture depending on results elsewhere. The midfield battle is going to be one to watch. The duo of Denise O'Sullivan, and Narumi Miura will have their hands full competing against the likes of DeMelo, Ary Borges, and Jaelin Howell.
North Carolina has changed their identity this season, and it seems to be working. Miura and O'Sullivan has been phenomenal in the middle of the park maintaining possession for the Courage. Racing won't care much if they don't have the ball. With their talent, creating chances has not been tough recently. Before the Reign v Wave clash, this is a match that would shake a lot of things up in the table. Two of the most box office players in the NWSL, Kerolin and DeMelo going at it. Chaos is bound to ensue.
Prediction: Racing Louisville 1-3 North Carolina Courage
Angel City FC at Houston Dash
Date: Sunday, June 25, 8:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
Sunday night at PNC Stadium will be a real test to see if the new manager bounce at Angel City is for real. The L.A. side looked revitalized after the opening goal, continuously challenging the Wave backline before breaking through twice to pick up an upset win. ACFC got the job done in the rivalry, ending their six-game winless streak, but the next challenge has arrived.
Sam Laity's Houston Dash are unbeaten in their last four in the league but have drawn the last two. The Texas side has just one goal in both the regular season and UKG Challenge Cup since June 11. The heat on the field affected both teams in Houston last week, and with a high of 100 degrees on Sunday, it may be more of the same. Two of Becki Tweed's side's three total victories have been away from BMO Stadium. Before they go back for a critical cup fixture, this will be a contest in which the L.A side wants to get a win. Only three clubs have tied three or more matches at home this season. The Dash are one of them. With that, and the weather forecast, this has the makings of the teams sharing points.
Prediction: Angel City FC 1-1 Houston Dash
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