Reigning NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga scored in the second minute for the host Kansas City Current, who posted a 3-1 victory over the Portland Thorns in both teams’ season opener on Saturday.
Chawinga, who led NWSL with 20 goals in 2024, got behind the defense and took a chipped pass from Debinha before delivering a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner.
Michelle Cooper (23rd minute) and Debinha (36th minute) each added a goal before halftime for Kansas City, which got two saves from Lorena.
For the Thorns, Olivia Moultrie scored the game’s only second-half goal in the 49th minute to trim the deficit to 3-1. Mackenzie Arnold made three saves in the loss.
Seattle Reign 1, Gotham FC 1
Two minutes after she came in as a substitute, Emeri Adames scored in the 71st minute to help the host Reign earn a draw against Gotham in both teams’ season opener.
Adames’ left-footed shot from close range to the bottom left corner eluded Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Claudia Dickey made three saves for the Reign, who had seven shot attempts but scored on their only shot on goal.
Gabi Portilho opened the scoring early in the second half, scoring in the 47th minute following a corner kick on a right-footed shot from the center of the box. Portilho placed the shot to the bottom left corner of the net.
Racing Louisville 1, North Carolina Courage 1
Down by a goal in the second half, the visiting Courage earned a draw against Louisville as Riley Jackson scored in the 69th minute in the season opener for both clubs.
On the tying goal, the Courage’s Ryan Williams delivered a shot that Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund saved, but the rebound came right to Jackson, who evened the match. Casey Murphy notched six saves for the Courage.
Off a corner kick in the 13th minute, Louisville’s Emma Sears scored on a feed from Arin Wright to open the scoring. Lund finished with five saves.
Utah Royals FC 1, Bay FC 1
In the season opener for both clubs, the Royals and Bay FC each scored first-half goals en route to a draw in Sandy, Utah.
Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, who had four saves, delivered a pass to Bianca St-Georges, who got behind the defense to open the scoring in the 12th minute.
On a set piece in the 44th minute, Bay FC’s Kiki Pickett drilled a left-footed shot from outside the box that found the top left corner of the net, with an assist from Joelle Anderson. Jordan Silkowitz notched three saves.
–Field Level Media
