NWSL schedule: 3 must-watch matches on tap in week 9

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - MAY 14: Lynn Williams #10 of NJ/NY Gotham FC looks for the pass in the second half of the National Women's Soccer League match against Orlando Pride at Red Bull Arena on May 14, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /

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HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – MAY 14: Abby Smith #4 of the NJ/NY Gotham FC clears the ball in the second half at Red Bull Arena on May 14, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. The Orlando Pride and the NJ/JY Gotham FC tied at 0-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. NJ/NY Gotham FC at Washington Spirit

Date: Sunday, May 28, 2023, 5:00 pm EST

How to watch: Paramount+

These two sides met earlier in the campaign in the Challenge Cup at Red Bull Arena. A Lynn Williams goal in the 56′ proved to be enough for Gotham FC to secure three points to open up their Challenge Cup campaign. For the first time in the league this season, the two teams that once made up the bottom two of the NWSL table in 2022 meet in what is now a matchup between two top-four sides. The New York side are unbeaten in their last four across competitions, coming off of a statement triumph over OL Reign at Lumen Field. No team has scored more goals away from home than Gotham, netting 10 across five contests away from Red Bull Arena. The Washington Spirit on the other hand have given up just one goal at home in the league.

The Spirit may be coming off of a loss in Orlando, but back in the confines of Audi Field, Mark Parsons’ side will have all the confidence in the world they can rebound. Trinity Rodman vs Williams is the duel that everyone wants to see. If you had to rank the top-three MVP candidates currently, those two have to be on the list.

Williams just cannot stop scoring, netting four goals in her last six games. Rookie Jenna Nighswonger has been a surprise X-factor recently, finding the back of the net in back-to-back starts. When opportunities have presented themselves, the No. 4 overall selection in January has taken full advantage. After finishing last in 2023, Gotham has looked like it has a chip on its shoulder since the season opened. This matchup not only could be the most free-flowing but has the potential to be the talk of the weekend considering where both these clubs sit in the table heading into week 9.

Prediction: NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-1 Washington Spirit

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