The stakes are excessive, however feelings will probably be working increased because the enters rivalry weekend Friday.
The is heating up and the NWSL Defend is up for grabs as groups jockey for playoff positioning following a month-long break for worldwide play. Now, add a sprinkle of dangerous blood to the combination.
Commercial
Seven intense rivalries are on the lineup for Week 15, capped by the document forty third assembly between the Portland Thorns FC and the Seattle Reign FC, “the longest rivalry within the historical past of the league,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman instructed USA TODAY Sports activities.
“There’s been some gamers chirping this week about how a lot the gamers in Seattle hate Portland and the way a lot the gamers in Portland hate Seattle,” Berman stated. “We all know it is gonna be a fierce competitors.”
Apr 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Reign FC ahead Maddie Dahlien (5) celebrates with ahead Jordyn Huitema (9) and ahead Nerilia Mondesir (30) after scoring a purpose towards the Portland Thorns FC through the first half at Lumen Subject.
The NWSL welcomes rivalry as a result of it is essential to rising viewership and engagement in any league. Consider the brand new viewers the and rivalry delivered to the WNBA or what the decades-long battle between the and the did for the NBA.
Commercial
“Giving folks an additional purpose to look at is de facto the important thing to rising the league,” Berman instructed USA TODAY Sports activities. “Fortunately we’ve got a few of this inherent competitors that exists between these numerous completely different golf equipment. And so I believe it is actually essential to our league and I believe simply provides gamers an extra purpose to care and simply put themselves on the market.”
Berman stated the league was “positively intentional” about scheduling rivalry weekend after the second half of the season resumed as a result of the “video games matter much more.”
Listed below are the very best storylines heading into the NWSL’s rivalry weekend:
Utah Royals FC vs Kansas Metropolis Present
Location: America First Subject (Sandy, Utah)
Commercial
Ally Sentnor and the Utah Royals meet once more. Precisely one week after Sentnor blockbuster commerce from Utah to the Kansas Metropolis Present, the 2 groups are set to face off towards one another in rivalry week. Sentnor joins a red-hot Present staff that’s atop the standings with a 10-point lead within the NWSL Defend race. Present ahead Temwa Chawinga is closing in on the Golden Boot chief Esther González with 9 targets on the season after discovering internet within the Present’s 2-0 over Racing Louisville in Week 14. Chawinga was additionally nominated for the an annual award introduced to the very best participant on the earth by France Soccer. In the meantime, the Royals are on the lookout for a giant win to spark momentum. The staff has struggled with a document of 1-10-3.
Gotham FC vs Washington Spirit
Location: Sports activities Illustrated Stadium (Harrison, New Jersey)
The New York Knicks aren’t the one staff with a “celeb row.” The rivalry recreation between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit, a rematch of the 2024 NWSL semifinals that resulted in a a penalty shootout, is ready to draw A-listers like Kylie Kelce, Cierra and “another shock friends,” Berman instructed USA TODAY Sports activities. We won’t neglect in regards to the superstars on the pitch. Washington ahead Trinity Rodman returned to the sector for the primary time in almost 4 months in epic vogue with a stoppage time game-winner. Gotham additionally has Golden Boot chief Esther González (10 targets) again within the lineup. González additionally picked up a nomination. Gotham is preventing to remain in playoff rivalry and have to stake up some wins. Anticipate fireworks.
San Diego Wave FC vs. Angel Metropolis FC
Location: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
Commercial
Who’s the very best staff in California? “Each recreation is private, however this one is further private,” stated Angel Metropolis rookie ahead Riley Tiernan, who leads the staff with seven targets this season. Angel Metropolis hasn’t bought off to the very best begin and is at present outdoors the playoff image in eleventh place, however all that goes out the window on Saturday after they face their nemesis San Diego. The Wave are at present in fourth place and will probably be on the lookout for factors to shut the hole between the Present. The primary and solely matchup of the season between the San Diego Wave and Angel Metropolis resulted in a attract March. Look out for Wave ahead Delphine Cascarino is coming off a powerful efficiency in UEFA Girls’s Euro in Switzerland, the place she scored two targets for France within the match.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC
Location: Windfall Park (Portland)
The NWSL could have saved the very best rivalry for final. The Cascadia rivalry, which stems from Seattle and Portland’s shut proximity, dates again to the North American Soccer League (1968 to 1984) and stays as passionate and intense as ever. No different groups within the NWSL have performed one another greater than the Thorns and Reign (42) and their head-to-head collection is lifeless even at 16 wins and 10 attracts every. The Reign received the primary assembly of the season 1-0 in Seattle in April. Sunday’s matchup, nonetheless, will probably be held in Portland, giving the Thorns a slight benefit as they’re undefeated at dwelling this season. Portland should be careful for USWNT star and Reign ahead Lynn Biyendolo. She’s scored 13 profession targets towards the Thorns, probably the most towards the Thorns by any participant in league historical past.
The USA TODAY app will get you to the center of the information — quick. .
Commercial
