Even with the internationals away on duty ahead of the World Cup, the NWSL continues on with the second to last week of the regular season before an extended hiatus.
NWSL schedule: 2022 NWSL Championship rematch Part 2
Kansas City Current at Portland Thorns
Date: Saturday, July 1, 10:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
The last two teams standing in the NWSL last season are in completely different positions heading into the 14th week of the season. In week two, these sides faced off in Kansas City. Behind a Sophia Smith hat trick and an offensive onslaught by the Thorns, Portland walloped the Current 4-1. That was then. Now, KC has a new interim manager, and both teams must cope with life without their stars.
The Thorns are coming off of a UKG Challenge Cup defeat to OL Reign at home where that consistent offensive firepower was absent. It was only the second time in 2023 that the Thorns have been shut out in any competition. Morgan Weaver had the night off, most likely to keep her fresh for the last two regular season fixtures before the break. Without Smith, and veteran Christine Sinclair among others, Weaver is going to be the No. 1 option in the Portland attack. Her finishing is going to be critical because no team in the top eight has conceded more goals than the Thorns.
If Mike Norris' team wants to maintain their place at the top of the next two weeks, they are going to have to display much more quality in the attacking third compared to the mid-week. Kansas City, who aren't as hurt by the World Cup as many others took down Orlando 2-1 last week on the road. Even with Debinha out of the lineup, this Current side is littered with talent. A depleted Oregon side opens the door for Caroline Sjöblom's side to snatch some vital points in order to make up ground on the 10 teams above them.
Prediction: Kansas City Current 2-1 Portland Thorns
NWSL schedule: Surging Angel City travel east to Jersey
Angel City FC at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Date: Sunday, July 2, 5:30 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
The tide is beginning to shift in Los Angeles. Ali Riley said after their UKG Challenge Cup win over the San Diego Wave that they truly believe they can turn this season around. With Becki Tweed at the helm, Angel City is unbeaten in its last two regular season fixtures including a triumph over Casey Stoney's Wave at Snapdragon Stadium. Players like Scarlett Camberos, and Jasmyne Spencer are reasons to believe that this side has a chance to rise even higher up the table in the coming weeks. The travel does not help ACFC, having to fly across the country during a week with shorten preparation time.
For Gotham FC, Margaret Purce's arrival back into the team from injury could not have come at a more opportune time. Nine of the club's 15 total regular season goals have come via two of its international stars. Purce found the back of the net already against ACFC earlier this season back in March when her penalty equalized the match at one apiece.
Young players like Jenna Nighswonger along with Yazmeen Ryan and Purce will be key in accomplishing the task to keep this New Jersey side in the postseason picture at the end of the day on July 9. Juan Carlos Amorós' team was one Allie Long free-kick away from being winless in its last five contests. Life without each team's most dangerous threat going forward is going to take some time to get used to. If Purce is her creative self, and Abby Smith is able to hold firm between the sticks, the home side should be in good position for the points. That is easier said than done considering the confidence that was displayed throughout the entire ACFC team on Wednesday night.
Prediction Angel City FC 1-1 NJ/NY Gotham FC
NWSL schedule: Courage test three-game league winning streak against Dash
Houston Dash at North Carolina Courage
Date: Saturday, July 1, 7:30 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
On Saturday night in Cary, North Carolina, Sean Nahas' North Carolina Courage encounter a Houston Dash team that has not lost a regular season match since May 20. Sam Laity's Dash have drawn their last two contests 0-0, failing to challenge the Angel City goalkeeper once last weekend.
Points are points, and while Houston has not been picking up the maximum, three points in three weeks is better than coming up with nothing. With the Mexican national team missing the cut for the World Cup, Maria Sanchez, and Diana Ordóñez will still be around. Though it has been rough sledding when it comes to finding the back of the net for them this season, at some point it has to improve.
The Courage's possession-style football has worked wonders in recent weeks, scoring 11 goals over their last four matches across all competitions. Now, they just have to do it without MVP candidate Kerolin in driving at the opposition's backline. North Carolina's roster is loaded with youthful talent including rookies Olivia Wingate, and Haley Hopkins. With Tyler Lussi also playing a part in the attack, the Courage are more than equipped to be able to handle the loss of many of its players.
Prediction: Houston Dash 0-1 North Carolina Courage
NWSL schedule: Two struggling sides aim to get back on track in Chicago
San Diego Wave at Chicago Red Stars
Date: Saturday, July 1, 8:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
Every NWSL season is about those ebbs and flows. Right now, these two sides are swinging in the wrong direction. Neither the San Diego Wave or the Chicago Red Stars have won a match over the last three weeks of the regular season. Both clubs have lost by a one-goal margin in two successive weeks. Head coach Casey Stoney took all the blame post-game for her side's first-half performance on the road during the mid-week. She believed that she did not put her team in the best position to win the match. The Wave have not lost three regular-season games in a row in franchise history under Stoney. They lost two consecutively earlier in the campaign. Their 2-0 win over the Current not only ended the losing streak but began a run of five unbeaten in the league.
Chris Petrucelli's Red Stars have been competitive in their last two fixtures, but were not able to take a single point from either contest. Chicago has scored more goals than any team in the bottom half of the table. The only issue is their porous defense. 14 goals in four matches. That is not going to get the job done. Danielle Colaprico, in her return to the Windy City is going to have a field day picking passes out if this Red Stars team does not find any sort of stability defensively. Having no Alyssa Naeher does not help, making this a match one which Stoney should feel they need to take all the points.
Prediction: San Diego Wave 2-1 Chicago Red Stars