NWSL Week 12 Recap: Fortress in Rose City

On Friday night, the San Diego Wave FC continued their impressive away form with a 3-2 victory over the Houston Dash. Kenza Dali kicked things off with a beautiful half-volley goal in the 17th minute, followed by Adriana Leon doubling the lead on her 100th NWSL appearance. María Sánchez sealed the deal with a header early in the second half, securing the Wave’s win despite late goals from Bárbara Olivieri and Yazmeen Ryan for the Dash.

In Utah, Gotham FC emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over the Utah Royals. Esther González scored a brace, putting her in the lead for the Golden Boot race with nine goals so far this season. Jaelin Howell also found the back of the net for her first NWSL goal, while Ann-Katrin Berger kept a clean sheet for Gotham. However, two Gotham players received red cards and will be suspended for the upcoming match after the July break.

Orlando Pride maintained their unbeaten record against Bay FC with a 1-0 win on Saturday. Barbra Banda’s eighth goal of the season secured the victory for the Pride, who are now just five points behind league leaders KC Current. The win also keeps them ahead of San Diego in the standings, while Bay FC sits just outside a playoff spot.

Over in Chicago, the Seattle Reign FC staged a comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Stars FC. Ludmila scored a quick brace early in the match for the Stars, but the Reign fought back with goals from Lynn Biyendolo and Jordyn Bugg in the final minutes to salvage a point on the road.

In Kansas City, the Current notched their 10th win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Racing Louisville FC. Michelle Cooper, Bia Zaneratto, and Temwa Chawinga all found the back of the net for KC, while Racing Louisville’s Janine Sonis and Uchenna Kanu scored to keep things interesting.

North Carolina Courage secured a 2-1 win over Angel City, with Cortnee Vine and Brianna Pinto scoring the goals. Vine’s early goal set the tone for the Courage, while Pinto sealed the deal in stoppage time with a dramatic winner.

Lastly, the Portland Thorns continued their strong home form with a 2-0 win over the Washington Spirit. Reilyn Turner and Pietra Tordin were the goal-scorers for the Thorns, with Olivia Moultrie and Jessie Fleming providing the assists. The win extended Portland’s unbeaten home run to eight matches, denying Washington the chance to set a new league record for road wins.

With Week 12 action wrapped up, teams are gearing up for the final matchweek before the July break. Stay tuned for more exciting matchups and standout performances as we head towards the mid-season reset!