And We’re Off! The NWSL season opened with two new teams, a couple of red cards, a couple of surprise results and goals from some of the usual suspects.
Gotham began its title defense with a wind-whipped rivalry match on Saturday against the Boston Legacy, in one of the most intriguing games of the weekend pitting the league’s defending champions against an untested expansion club.
The game was more competitive and certainly more physical than expected. In the end, the lone goal was scored by Esther, who welcomed her first child with Estafani Cruz in January.
Esther, who had 13 goals last season, came off the bench at halftime and scored in the 55th minute.
There was a tifo that said “Our Legacy Takes Flight,” a halftime performance from New Kids on the Block and a crowd of 30,207, a record for an expansion team’s home opener. There were also eight yellow cards and a red handed to Boston’s Bianca St-Georges in the 77th.
“It took everyone on the pitch today to get the job done,” said Savannah McCaskill, who ccame to Gotham from the Wave in the offseason. “It was just really important for us find a way. Obviously Esther coming on in the second half, finding a goal. It was just a really big team performance for us to get that win and get the season started on the right foot.”
Bianca St-Georges earned the Legacy’s first red card when she was sent off in the 77th minute with her second yellow.
The Denver Summit also got a red in their NWSL debut against Bay FC and came away with a 2-1 loss. Janine Solis, notching an assist on the club’s first-ever goal by Melissa Kossler in the 20th, then getting sent off with a red card in seven minute later.
On Friday night, Olivia Moultrie scored in the Thorns rather unexpected 1-0 win at soldout Audi Field against the Washington Spirit. Moultrie’s second half goal was enough for Portland’s 1-0 victory as new coach Robert Vilahamn was on the sidelines some 24 hours after meeting the team in person for the first time.
Sophia Wilson made her first appearance in a competitive game since 2024, entering the match in the 75th minute. That gave the fans their look at two-thirds of Triple Espresso on the field at the same time.
In addition to Esther and Moultrie, the other prominent players who scored on the opening weekend included Croix Bethune and Ally Sentnor, who both scored in the Current’s 2-1 win over Utah. Ashley Sanchez had a brace in North Carolina’s 2-1 win over Raving Louisville. And Jane Campbell opened her 10th season with a monster nine saves.
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Angel City had the most dominating performance of the weekend, a 4-0 rout of the Chicago Stars. Mallory Swanson can’t get back on the pitch soon enough.
Here are the grades for each team in their opening game:
Portland Thorns: B-
Good start on the road but still looked a bit lost without Sam Coffey.
Washington Spirit: C-
Shoulda won their home opener.
Boston Legacy: B
Tougher and more physical than expected in their debut.
Gotham FC: B+
Gotham pulled off a win, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Rinse, repeat.
Denver Summit: C
Gotta avoid those reds.
Houston Dash: A
The Force is with Jane Campbell.
San Diego Wave: C
I just don’t know.
Bay FC: B
Once Claire Hutton gets settled in, watch out.
Kansas City Current: A
Hello Croix Bethune! Hello Ally Sentnor! Just wait till Temwa’s back.
North Carolina Courage: B
Ashley Sanchez off to a good start
Racing Louisville: C
Still loveable underdogs, but for how long?
Utah Royals: D
Good start, poor finish.
Seattle Reign: B
Jess Fishlock is the Energizer Bunny.
Orlando Pride: C
Banda is Back! But can’t we do something about the weather?
Angel City: A
Set the tone at home.
Chicago Stars: D
Oof.
TIFO MADNESS
LINKS
Jeff Rueter for the Guardian on how the HIP rule is already impacting the NWSL
Five NWSL rookies you should know, from The Athletic
Another good story from ESPN on how the NWSL needs its stars to shine
Phuoc Nguyen is working for the AP this season! Here’s his Saturday recap
I wrote about Savy King as part of AP’s season preview package
I also wrote about Michele Kang and her reach across women’s soccer
From the IX Soccer, I spoke to Jane Campbell
CBS looks at the NWSL’s top rookies
NWSL on Prime has Ali Riley! Yay!
Penelope Hocking heads to the Current
NWSL’s rule changes and expansion plans
Kari Anderson’s NWSL Preview for Yahoo Sports
Bella Munson’s Saturday recap for The Equalizer
The Guardian spoke to Tierna Davidson about Gotham
Bunny Shaw close to re-upping with Manchester City
The semifinals of the Women’s Asia Cup are set to Wednesday
Chelsea wins the Women’s League Cup
| Mondays: Soccer |
| By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer |
| Tuesdays: Tennis |
| By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer |
| Wednesdays: Basketball |
| By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports |
| Thursdays: Golf |
| By: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports |
| Fridays: Hockey |
| By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden |
| Saturdays: Gymnastics |
| By: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer |