🔬 The Debrief on Sunday's NWSL action

OneFootball

Emily Wilson·13 May 2024

🔬 The Debrief on Sunday's NWSL action

More National Women’s Soccer League action took place on Sunday with four games scheduled across the United States.

Here is what went down.

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What Happened?

A handful of goals in Chicago helped the Red Stars see off Utah Royals 3-1 with Mallory Swanson’s penalty the game winner.

Elsewhere, Debinha finally scored her first of the season to help KC Current scrape past North Carolina Courage 1-0.

12 - Debinha is the 12th different @thekccurrent player to score a goal this season, just two away from the single-season #NWSL record of 14 different goalscorers in a single regular season. Endless.
– Sunday, 12 May 2024

Later on the west coast, San Diego Wave fought back to split the points 1-1 with Gotham FC as goalkeepers Kailen Sheridan and Ann-Katrin Berger put on a show.

Finally, Houston Dash broke Angel City FC hearts when former player Paige Nielsen struck in the 98th minute to claim all three points with a 1-0 win.

90'+8 - There have been six match-winning goals scored at 90'+8 or later in #NWSL regular-season history. Two of them have been scored by the @HoustonDash this season. Cardiac.
– Monday, 13 May 2024

Moment of the day

The drama show at BMO Stadium kept us on our seats but something else was eye-catching on Sunday.

Utah still sit bottom of the table after their seventh loss of the season in Chicago, but Cameron Tucker can walk away smiling after scoring this banger. Simply brilliant!

Definition of top bins 🤩 Cameron Tucker gets one back for @UtahRoyalsFC!
– Sunday, 12 May 2024

Player of the day

Mallory Swanson was again the guiding light for the Red Stars recording a goal and an assist in the same game for a sixth time since joining the club in 2021.

According to Opta, no other NWSL player has done so as many times in the span. Talk about a leader!

Instructions for scoring beautiful penalties like Mal: Step up, breathe, bury it, CELEBRATE 🥳 #WithTheStars https://t.co/6mfcS2gU2u
– Sunday, 12 May 2024

We’d also like to give an honourable mention to everyone celebrating Mother’s Day!

What this means

The race to remain undefeated continues as KC Current kept pace with Orlando Pride. Both teams sit top of the table with 21 points from nine games thus far.

Meanwhile, Chicago’s win sees them move to fifth in the table level with fourth-place Portland Thorns.

21 - Both @ORLPride and @thekccurrent have 21 points through their first 9 matches this season, a mark only three teams reached at this stage of the first 10 #NWSL seasons. Soaring.
– Monday, 13 May 2024

Further down the table is North Carolina who now have three straight losses and sit sixth. Gotham are then behind them tied on points.

The Wave sit eighth after their comeback and Angel City are one point behind them.

Just a masterclass by both keepers. This time Kailen Sheridan with the huge save!
– Monday, 13 May 2024

Houston, however, picked up three vital points for just the second time this season and sit 10th following the late drama.

Utah Royals remain bottom of the table.

What comes next

Looking ahead to Matchday 10, there are three games slated for Friday as North Carolina host Utah, Houston welcome Portland to town and Bay FC face San Diego.

On Saturday, Angel City make the trip to Washington and the Current host Racing Louisville.

Sunday sees Gotham and Chicago go head-to-head before Seattle Reign and Orlando Pride wrap up all the action. Buckle up!