NWSL schedule: Thorns eye bounce back, Angel City encounter leaders, Week 15 preview

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JULY 2: DiDi Haracic #13 of Angel City FC gives instruction to her teammates in the second half of the National Women's Soccer League Women's Empowerment Match at against the NJ/NY Gotham FC Red Bull Arena on July 2, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JULY 2: DiDi Haracic #13 of Angel City FC gives instruction to her teammates in the second half of the National Women's Soccer League Women's Empowerment Match at against the NJ/NY Gotham FC Red Bull Arena on July 2, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 3: Sam Stabb #3 of the Washington Spirit dribbles during a game between Racing Louisville FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on June 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 3: Sam Stabb #3 of the Washington Spirit dribbles during a game between Racing Louisville FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on June 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images).

NWSL schedule: Angel City FC meet league leaders North Carolina Courage to cap off the weekend

North Carolina Courage at Angel City FC

Date: Sunday, July 9, 8:00 pm EST

How to watch: Paramount+

Sean Nahas’ Courage began the campaign with one victory from their first five matches in all competitions. They have had some bumps in the road along with some luck, but this youthful team has turned their season completely on its head. Even without Kerolin, Casey Murphy, and Emily Fox, North Carolina’s depth is remarkable.

Led now by Tyler Lussi in addition to youngsters like Olivia Wingate, and Haley Hopkins to go along with Katelyn Rowland between the sticks, NC is simply a well-constructed roster. After a three-game home stand, Nahas’ crew heads west for a meeting with Becki Tweed’s Angel City FC. Even with their scoreless draw in New Jersey last week, the Los Angeles side is still unbeaten since the departure of Freya Coombe.

If it was not for Abby Smith’s incredible reflexes, ACFC would have three triumphs in their last four games. Finding that goal in week 15 is going to be even more challenging. The Courage have not conceded a goal in their last four league fixtures. The stability of the backline combined with the confidence in the double pivot of their midfield has caused all sorts of issues for teams attempting to disrupt Nahas’ crew. The home team is going to need a special game from Sydney Leroux, or Scarlett Camberos among others in the forward line in order to convert a chance against this in-form North Carolina team.

Prediction: North Carolina Courage 2-0 Angel City FC 

NWSL schedule: Two out of form top-six sides battle at Snapdragon Stadium in a Saturday NWSL After Dark meeting

Washington Spirit at San Diego Wave

Date: Saturday, July 8, 10:00 pm EST

How to watch: Paramount+

No team in the top eight of the NWSL table has more losses than Casey Stoney’s San Diego Wave. With 15 shots on the road against the league’s worst team record-wise, a side as talented as the Wave have to unearth a way to earn a result. Shae Yanez has been a standout in between the sticks as the club’s backup, but against the team that has conceded the most goals so far, San Diego has to be better.

There were times when Stoney’s team was unlucky, sticking the post within the first 17 minutes, but at the end of the day, this side has led for just 12 minutes out of their last 450 minutes of soccer. If Houston defeats Chicago on Friday night, the Wave will fall out of the playoff picture.

The positive for San Diego is its week 15 matchup is against a club who are also out of form. The Washington Spirit head to southern California following a brutal 3-0 defeat at Audi Field to Seb Hines’ Orlando Pride. Just two shots out of Washington’s nine were on frame. The key is going to be getting out to a much better start than it did last week. Mark Parson’s team allowed two goals within the first 16 minutes at home to the Pride.

The Spirit have to be much better a tracking runs into the box, and clearing the ball away from danger when the opportunity presents itself. Ashley Hatch has five shots last weekend, and could very well be the difference in week 15. Without the stars on each side, it is tough to predict the kind of performance either team is going to put out. One would think being at home would help San Diego, but the Wave have not won a match at Snapdragon Stadium in the league since April.

Prediction: Washington Spirit 0-0 San Diego Wave