Fansided

NWSL schedule: 3 biggest matches to watch in week 2

By Caden Charpentier

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 29: Sophia Smith #9 of the Portland Thorns dribbles during NWSL Cup Final game between Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field on October 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 29: Sophia Smith #9 of the Portland Thorns dribbles during NWSL Cup Final game between Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field on October 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 5: Allie Long #16 of NJ/NY Gotham FC under pressure from Bethany Balcer #24 of the OL Reign during a game between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham City FC at Red Bull Arena on June 5, 2021 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 5: Allie Long #16 of NJ/NY Gotham FC under pressure from Bethany Balcer #24 of the OL Reign during a game between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham City FC at Red Bull Arena on June 5, 2021 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

2. OL Reign at NJ/NY Gotham FC,

Date: Saturday, April 1, 7:30 pm EST
How to watch: Paramount+

On the second game of OL Reign’s road trip, Laura Harvey hopes her team has much more composure in front of the net. These are two clubs that are projected to finish with one of the six postseason spots. This is a potential Challenge Cup semifinal, or potential a match we might see in the NWSL postseason come the fall. One club has sustained nearly all of its Shield-winning roster while the other is seeking to reinvent itself into a powerhouse. It is a unique clash and one that could potentially produce the most attacking action of the weekend.

Juan Carlos Amoros began his career with Gotham on a positive note, walking into one of the toughest places to play and coming back to defeat Angel City in the season opener. Lynn Williams and Margaret Purce were dynamic going forward for Gotham as a new one-two punch. Williams and Purce are two players that have something to prove, and as the season unfolds are bound to create a formidable frontline for the NJ/NY side.

Harvey’s side struggled to beat an in-form Audrey Kingsbury in week one. Kingsbury was a defensive rock for the Washington Spirit, coming up with critical saves when the Reign had broken through the Washington backline. It was the story of Harvey’s team last season. If this team can finish the chances it creates, there is practically no team in this league that could contend with them.

Prediction: OL Reign 2-1 NJ/NY Gotham FC

Home/NWSL