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2026 NWSL Season thread

Ed H in Pasadena

Ed H in Pasadena

Well-known member
So I know some of us watch NWSL matches regularly. Felt it was time for a thread to talk about it.
Out here in LA, my team is Angel City. I've been more than pleasantly surprised at the good start to the season. Even the heartbreaking loss to Orlando tonight (98' goal) doesn't dampen my delight with the team performance thus far. Sveindis Jonsdottir is really making an impact up front, the midfield looks comfortable and the back four has been mostly solid. Gisele Thompson is thriving not having to play in her older sister's shadow, and Savy King, who nearly died on the pitch last season, has been a huge inspiration and has provided some rock solid defending.

I'll allow others to comment on their teams. I've seen a handful of other games but didn't feel comfortable commenting on them except to say San Diego? 😳 They're going to be a handful for everyone, especially when they add Catarina Macario.
 
Upcoming Matchweek 4 Schedule (April 3-5, 2026)

  • Fri, Apr 3: Boston vs. SD (4:00 PM, NWSL+)
  • Orlando vs. LA (5:00 PM, Prime Video)
  • Houston vs. Louisville (5:30 PM, NWSL+)
  • Utah vs. Chicago (6:00 PM, NWSL+).
  • Sat, Apr 4: Kansas City vs. Gotham FC (1:00 PM, CBS/Paramount+)
  • NC Courage vs. Portland (3:30 PM, ION)
  • Seattle vs. Denver (5:45 PM, ION).
  • Sun, Apr 5: Bay FC vs. Washington (2:00 PM, NWSL+).
 
It’s looking to be kind of a wild season early on. With two expansion franchises stepping in so soon after the last round of expansion and yet another batch of top talent leaving for Europe, the parity of the league is getting stretched a bit, which has led to some weird results early. Some teams that really looked dead in the water last year are hot to start the season, even if they didn’t make a bunch of additions, but there are so many young players in key roles that it’s hard to predict who’s going to take a huge step up and who’s going to grow more slowly.

I’m a Courage guy and I think they had a low-key strong summer, even though most local fans lost their minds when they shed a lot of veterans. The thing is, most of those vets, while beloved, were slowing down with age and it was past time for a serious roster refresh. New coach, new systems, fresh legs, and an emerging force up front in Manaka. Could be a fun year.
 
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Feel like I've let some folks down letting this thread slide. Got really busy at the end of the spring semester, then the summer one began almost immediately. Between that and the World Cup, didn't get as much viewing of matches other than Angel City FC. As a fan of that club, I'm disappointed that they still haven't figured out what they want to be. An interim head coach, more player changes than I expected. Just seem to lack cohesion. Have been pleased with Svendis Jonsdottir and Maiara Nieheus in recent weeks linking up play (and of course Gisele Thompson). But at times it feels ... uncertain? Playing with a new coach probably has much to do with it but I don't know. I guess I just expected more.

At the top, Gotham, Washington, San Diego and KC in the mix? No surprise. Utah? No way, but there they are.

Oh, and this
www.nwslsoccer.com

WASHINGTON SPIRIT FORWARD TRINITY RODMAN NAMED JULY PLAYER OF THE MONTH | News | NWSLsoccer.com

The star winger bagged five goals and added an assist across six games
www.nwslsoccer.com www.nwslsoccer.com
 
Yeah, Angel City’s leadership does seem a bit adrift. Which is weird given the level of financial investment.

For my own interests, it’s been interesting to see NC Courage attempt to remake their linkup play on the fly after selling Manaka during the season. She drove a TON of their attacking play and they looked terrible for a couple of games after she left, but they also brought in some younger players who have juiced the energy levels and gotten their scoring reignited. If nothing else, watching this version of Ashley Sanchez has been fun. I never figured she’d be a serious Golden Boot contender, but here we are.

WAFCON is killing a couple of teams though. That tournament (and the men’s tourney) is just horribly timed.
 
On the other hand, a few of the WAFCON matches I've seen have been fun to watch, especially seeing stars line Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga getting their flowers.
Chawinga's Malawi making their first ever appearance and they made the knock out stages. 😳👏👏👏👏👏
However, WAFCON decided that head-to-head-to-head goals scored was the tiebreaker for three teams on 6 points and not goal difference? So the team with the best goal difference, Zambia, didn't get through? Especially when they apparently didn't know they needed another goal vs Malawi to advance? Make the make sense! 🤷🤦
 
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So in the WAFCON finals, Cameroon was a first time winner, crushing Malawi in the finals 3-0. Both were surprise finalists so they both have to be thrilled to have qualified for WWC 27.

Biggest surprise there? 10 time champion Nigeria lost in the quarterfinals and may not make the WWC. They have to go through the Intercontinental playoffs route.
 
Getting back to the NWSL, missed most of the weekend except for a few moments here and there, but did get to watch most of Angel City's home match with the Spirit last night. Ended 1-1, which keeps ACFC 9th, for now, while the Spirit stay 6 points back of Gotham in second.

As an ACFC fan, it was good to see: 1) Ally Sentnor finally break her duck with a marvelous match-tying goal; and 2) Savy King and especially Sydney Leroux on the pitch. But in watching, it was often too apparent the gulf in class between the two sides.

Also fun: getting to see one of my friends in a crowd shot. Haven't seen much of him the last year but I reached out and we reconnected as a result.
 
Courage went on a mini tear after integrating their new players during the World Cup break. They’ve only managed to hang in the bottom of the playoff picture at 6th at the moment, but they’ve gotten their offense well and truly untracked for the first time in a LONG time. Sanchez and Ijeh are both in the Golden Boot picture and their midfield is triggering all sorts of fun stuff. The sheer amount of change has been stunning, but they’re basically in the same position they were the last three years … except now they’re fun to watch.
 
Not sure how, but Angel City on Sunday managed a 0-0 draw with Gotham FC. A draw with the leaders is always nice but getting a chance to be closer to 8th (if we'd won) is disappointing.

Looking forward to the match with the Courage shortly. ;)
 
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