- Courage overcome 2-1 deficit with two goals in final 4 minutes
- Kansas City suffers first loss after perfect 5-0-0 season start
- Gotham FC's Esther Gonzalez leads league with 7 goals in 4 matches
- 17-year-old Kimmi Ascanio scores first pro goal for San Diego Wave
- Bay FC edges Seattle Reign in Western Conference battle
The National Women’s Soccer League witnessed its most dramatic turnaround this season as North Carolina Courage overturned a 2-1 deficit against league leaders Kansas City Current with two stoppage-time goals. Ashley Sanchez’s 93rd-minute strike completed a remarkable comeback that saw the Courage (1-3-2) climb out of last place while ending Kansas City’s (5-1-0) perfect start.
This match marked only the third instance in NWSL history where a team scored multiple 90th-minute game-winning goals. The Courage’s victory continues the league’s trend of late drama, with 22% of all goals this season occurring after the 75th minute.
Gotham FC strengthened their championship credentials with a clinical 3-0 victory over Washington Spirit. Spanish striker Esther Gonzalez continued her scoring rampage with two goals, including a textbook header from Gabi Portilho’s corner. The 32-year-old now averages 1.75 goals per game during Gotham’s four-match winning streak.
Regional Spotlight: The East Coast rivalry between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit highlighted contrasting strategies. Gotham’s aggressive pressing forced 14 turnovers in the attacking third, while the Spirit’s reintroduction of Croix Bethune after her 9-month injury absence failed to spark their offense.
San Diego Wave’s 3-0 victory over Chicago Stars featured a milestone moment as teenage substitute Kimmi Ascanio became the youngest goalscorer in franchise history. The Wave’s defensive organization proved decisive, limiting Chicago to just 4 shots on target despite facing 12 total attempts.
Bay FC continued their strong expansion season with a 1-0 win against Seattle Reign. Zambian international Racheal Kundananji’s 32nd-minute solo effort – her first NWSL goal – demonstrated why Bay FC invested $860,000 in transfer fees to acquire her from Madrid CFF.
The NWSL’s parity was on full display this matchday, with underdogs securing 3 wins in 4 contests. League attendance records continue to climb, with Saturday’s matches drawing a combined 38,412 fans – a 17% increase over comparable 2023 fixtures.