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

By Caden Charpentier

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)
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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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 6: Jaedyn Shaw #11 of the San Diego Wave FC takes a corner kick during a game between San Diego Wave FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on May 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 6: Jaedyn Shaw #11 of the San Diego Wave FC takes a corner kick during a game between San Diego Wave FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on May 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

1. Portland Thorns at San Diego Wave

Date: Friday, May 26, 2023, 10:00 pm EST

How to watch: Paramount+

Mike Norris’ Portland Thorns dropped their first match of the campaign in week 7 at PNC Stadium. How did they respond? Well, the defending champions scored four goals while pitching a shutout against the Chicago Red Stars at Providence Park. The San Diego Wave overcame their own adversity, bouncing back from two consecutive defeats with two multi-goal wins away from Snapdragon Stadium.

It is a rematch of the October 23 playoff semifinal in which the home side came out on top behind a stoppage-time goal by Crystal Dunn to advance to the championship game. Who knows if Casey Stoney’s club will have that on their minds, but after three weeks outside of southern California, there is no question these players will be glad to be home. Losing 3-1 to the Orlando Pride ahead of the road trip has to leave a sour taste in everyone’s mouths.

San Diego has allowed six goals in three matches at Snapdragon through eight weeks. That is not a recipe for success, especially against a club with as many goal-scoring threats as Portland. While it is early, both these sides sit knotted at 15 points. They met once before in 2023 in the Challenge Cup with the Wave using a second-half own goal to take all three points. This is a game that is going to be one of the highest-scoring of the weekend. While both teams are coming off convincing results, Portland may have too much firepower for the home side to be able to handle. If you want to see World Cup talent, this is the match to tune into. Alex Morgan vs Sophia Smith under the lights in a packed stadium. That is what NWSL soccer is all about.

Prediction: Portland Thorns 3-1 San Diego Wave 

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