NWSL Week 22: Gotham clinches playoff spot, Angel City wins twice as Taylor Suarez sets record | OneFootball

Denver is knocking on the door of the playoffs thanks to a vital win over Seattle, and Washington kept pace with Gotham by blanking Chicago. San Diego’s fourth win in five has moved them to third, while Portland handled Orlando.

Bay took their match against Racing Louisville as a shooting drill, sending their hosts to a fifth straight defeat. Jordynn Dudley had a brace for Gotham, while Sophia Wilson tallied three goal involvements for Portland.

Taylor Suarez’s lightning fast goal for Angel City set a record, and propelled her side to a huge win. NWSL Week 22 saw movement in the table that changed the playoff picture around.

Huff’s injury-time tally gives Bay draw at Denver

Denver was looking to gain some ground on Seattle and Angel City for the eighth and final playoff spot. Bay was looking to stop a three-match slide and play spoiler. When the final whistle blew, Bay had achieved their aims thanks to a very late Taylor Huff goal.

This match was a very evenly played contest, with both sides having periods of control and fielding strong attacks. Denver had the best early chance, sending a header over the bar. Bay answered back later, hitting both posts. The ice was finally broken in the 42nd minute. Natalie Means sent the ball across the box for the Summit. Melissa Kössler let it go, and Lindsey Heaps was wide open to tap home. Denver kept the pressure on from there on, and went into the half with momentum.

The home side came out on fire, and only two amazing saves from Bay’s Jordan Silkowitz kept the score from blowing up. The Summit would continue to press, and were rewarded in the 57th minute. Yazmeen Ryan drove to the goal line and sent the ball across. A diving Janine Sonis put it in on a spectacular play. Sonis is having a career year, and should certainly be considered for the League’s Best XI and MVP come awards season.

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Denver looked as though they would make up three points on the sides above them, but Bay had other thoughts. 15 minutes after Sonis’ goal, Claire Hutton put on amazing display of grit and tenacity. She worked the ball into the box, dropped off to Huff and kept running. Huff sent it back to Hutton, and she scored near post while falling down. Huff would then bring Bay all the way back in the 95th minute.

With time running down, Bay moved forward, and the ball came to Cristiana Girelli. She sent a through ball ahead that Huff took away from Yuzuki Yamamoto. Huff opened her hips and slid the ball between Abby Smith’s legs for the equalizer. Denver is kicking themselves for letting those two points go, while Bay is happy to get off the schneid.

Angel City closes on last playoff spot with convincing win over Seattle

With the playoff season looming, Angel City sat four points behind Seattle for the final spot in the post-season. An excellently executed match that Angel City controlled from the opening closed that gap to one point.

The home side came out strong and pressed Seattle from the onset. After several attacking forays, Angel City earned a corner in the 18th minute. The ball remained in the box, and Maira Niehues sent a shot toward goal. The Reign defense blocked, but unfortunately, with a handball. The referee pointed to the spot, and Ally Sentnor stepped up. She went right while Claudia Dickey went left, and Angel City led.

Five minutes later, Jess Fishlock nearly equalized, striking the inside of the post. The ball stayed out, and the home side cleared. They would double their lead five minutes before the half. From another corner, Evelyn Shores sent her service into the box. Ary Borges read and played the ball perfectly, turning in a quick header that Dickey could do nothing about.

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The second half was a bit more quiet, until the 81st minute, and the best substitution of the NWSL season. Angel City’s Taylor Suarez came on for Sveindís Jónsdóttir at 80:04. As soon as play restarted, Shores fed Suarez on the left side. She drove in, and put a terrific shot into the far netting. Elapsed time from Suarez’ subbing on to her goal was 21 seconds, an NWSL record for fastest goal ever scored by a sub. The Reign got a consolation goal through Sofia Huerta with but one minute remaining in stoppage time. Her rocket from outside the box was unstoppable, but time ran out for the visitors.

The win makes that race for the last spot delicious. As stated, just one point separates the sides, with six matches left in the regular season. Both sides also have to look over the shoulders at debutantes Denver Summit, sitting right behind them and playing terrific.

San Diego makes most of their chances, blanks Kansas City

The Wave came in hoping to supplant Utah and Washington for second in the table, while Kansas City is nervously watching Seattle, Angel City and Denver close on them. In a match that was filled with chances and offensive zone possession, it was San Diego that made their shots count for the win.

The first half was filled with action, and both keepers had their numbers called. The Wave came at Lorena consistently, but the home side could not solve the Brazilian international. On the other side of the field, Kansas City missed a glorious chance late in the half. Sandra Paños made a great stop on Debinha’s initial shot, and the rebound came to Haley Hopkins. Her second chance sailed high and wide, and that would come back to haunt the visitors.

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Just five minutes into the second half, San Diego got the game-winner on a bit of bad luck for Kansas City. The Wave’s Mel Barcenas had the ball outside the box and sent a cross in. Current defender Laney Rouse was marking her charge well, but the ball bounced off of her leg into the Kansas City net for an own goal. The sides traded chances with no results, until an injury time goal settled the affair. With Rouse sent off in the 89th minute for her second yellow, San Diego earned a free kick just outside the box. Kenza Dali sent a hard shot in, and Kennedy Wesley just tipped it with a great header to put it past Lorena.

With the win, San Diego moved temporarily into second in the table. Kansas City held on to seventh slot, and had to monitor the out of town scoreboard to see how that would change throughout the week.

Portland shoots often, scores often in Orlando

While the Thorns are playing for playoff seeding, the Pride is desperately trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. Those hopes took a severe hit as visiting Portland found the back of the net with regularity in a convincing win.

Portland started this one quickly, netting their first just three minutes in. Sophia Wilson came down the left side, cut toward the box, and laid back to the top. Nina Nijstad stepped right into it and sent it far side for the lead. Both sides came at each other after that, the Thorns sending seven shots on frame to the Pride’s five. Two of those 12 shots were winners in quick succession halfway through the frame.

Portland doubled their lead 28 minutes in after Caiya Hanks was taken down in the box and her side was awarded a penalty. Wilson stepped to the spot, and sent it top bins past Cosette Morché. Orlando answered just two minutes later. Solai Washington mad a great run across the box and dropped off to Ally Lemos. She sent a shot far post beyond the outstretched arm of Mackenzie Arnold, and the lead was halved. The Pride kept pressing for the rest of the half, but could not get the equalizer.

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Portland continued the attack in the second, while Orlando’s accuracy fell off. Morché held the Thorns at bay for a while, but the visitors were relentless. Portland’s third goal was a wonderful sight to see, as it was the first tally for a Thorn’s mainstay after a long injury absence. Cassandra Borgere sent the ball ahead to Morgan Weaver, who took a quick touch and let fly from well outside the box.

Her shot was pure power and went into the netting for Weaver’s first goal since November of 2024. The Thorns finished the scoring in the 88th minute, when Wilson sprung Renee Lyles with a great lead pass. She tucked home, and Portland cements their grip on the postseason.

The loss is very costly for the Pride, as they now sit seven points out with just five matches to play. Portland looked strong throughout, now need to shore up their defense.

Dudley scores early and late to give Gotham the win at North Carolina

With the regular season nearing it’s end, Gotham is pushing to win their first NWSL Shield. They came into the match five points clear, facing a North Carolina side trying to solidify their playoff position. The Bats used their mighty defense to stymie the Courage, and maintained their lead at the top.

Gotham started the match early through their young star, Jordynn Dudley. In the 8th minute, Sam Kerr drew the Kansas City defense to her outside the box. She sent the ball to Dudley, who maneuvered skillfully through the defense and then put it past Kailen Sheridan. The Courage answered six minutes later, but Evelyn Ijeh’s goal came from an offside position. The sides held each other off the rest of the half, with Ashley Sanchez menacing the Gotham goal throughout.

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Early in the second, Sanchez looked to have the equalizer, but again, the goal was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR review. The Courage would finally get a goal that would stand in the 68th minute. Vilde Bøe Risa sent a corner into the box that was not cleared. It came to Felicitas Rauch, who saw her hard shot stopped by Ann-Katrin Berger. The rebound came to center-back Natalia Staude, and she calmly put it in to set the sides level.

The match went into extra time, and that is where Dudley played the hero for Gotham. In the first added minute, Bruninha sent the ball into the box for Gotham. Kerr headed across goal where Rose Lavelle headed it down toward the goal line. Dudley was right there and finished the play, getting her brace and the winner in one fell swoop. With the win, Gotham becomes the first side to clinch a playoff berth, and still hold their lead atop the table. Carolina stays seventh, but the battle for the last three playoff spots is a tight contest among the Courage and four other teams.

Denver bolsters playoff push with important win over Seattle

The Summit’s impressive debut season continues, as they are pushing hard for the playoffs. The side took a huge leap forward by controlling the match against the Reign and moving within three points of the final spot in the postseason.

Denver came out challenging from the first whistle. Claudia Dickey made three quality saves for Seattle in the first 30 minutes, while the Reign offense only sent one shot at Abby Smith. After the continued pressure, Denver finally scored on the infamous ‘crot’. Is it a cross? Is it a shot? If it goes in, it matters not. Delanie Sheehan had the ball at the top of the box and sent a floater to the far post. Dickey could not get over, and the ball bounced in off the post for the lead, just before half.

Denver scored early in the second to double their lead, and they would need that goal. Five minutes into the frame, Janine Sonis was conducting business as usual, coming down the left side. She passed forward to Tash Flint, who roofed a shot past Dickey. Seattle answered quickly, drawing one back just five minutes later. Maddie Dahlien took a shot from the wing that Smith stopped. The rebound fell to the front, and Brittany Ratcliffe was there to pounce on it.

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Following the goal, Denver took control of the match and had the best chances. Flint was all over the attacking end and caused havoc inside the Seattle box. The Summit took the win, and are knocking on the playoff door. Seattle falls out of the last spot, but are only two points behind.

Bright scores late winner for Houston over Boston

Slumping Houston came in on a four match slide, but still with a glimmer of hope for the postseason. Boston was on a two match win streak, and is having a very strong rookie season. On this night, the visiting Dash came out on top thanks to Messiah Bright’s winner.

The two sides played a very even first half, each testing the other’s defense. Jane Campbell stood tall for Houston, literally, in popping Sarah Schupansky’s long-range rocket over the bar. Neither side could break through until the final minute of the half, when Houston earned a corner. Lisa Boattin sent a service in that fell right in front of goal. The ball was loose for a moment, then Dani Colaprico stepped up and fired it in.

Colaprico’s marker would hold up until 15 minutes into the second half. Boston’s Nicolette Hernández came down the left side and sent a perfect ball into the middle. Aissata, the Legacy’s leading scorer, made a wonderful diving slide and tipped past Campbell. The two sides would remain square until late in the match.

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In the 85th minute, Casey Murphy made a big stop for Boston, and the ball was cleared to midfield. The Dash came right back, and Khyah Harper sent a cross in. Bright rose highest and headed it onto the bottom of the crossbar. The ball came down and looked to have crossed the line, but Bright made no mistake and followed up to push it fully in.

Houston still has an outside chance to make the playoffs, but a lot of things have to happen. Boston looked good again, and their inaugural season has been a decided success.

Washington keeps pace at top with clean sheet against Chicago

In a match between one of the league’s top teams and the league’s bottom team, one would think that the top team would win easily. And, one would be correct. Washington scored very early, kept Chicago off the board, then added two more for a convincing win.

On a rainy day in Illinois, the visitors struck in the seventh minute through their leading scorer. Hal Hershfelt had the ball at midfield and sent a pass ahead to a streaking Trinity Rodman. She outraced her defender and buried a shot behind Alyssa Naeher.

The Spirit would get their second on a penalty 30 minutes later. Esme Morgan sent a corner into the box where Lucia Di Gugliemo headed it towards goal. Chicago’s Bea Franklin parried it away, but after a very long VAR review, it was determined that she had played the ball with her arm. Captain Andi Sullivan stepped to the spot and put her shot low for a 2-0 lead.

The action was slower for most of the second half. Sandy MacIver made a great save for the Spirit on a Sam Staab free kick in the 75th minute to preserve the clean sheet. Washington would finish the scoring ten minutes later, when Tamara Bolt scored her first NWSL goal. Rodman sent the ball into the center of the box, and Bolt came soaring through the air to get her head on it.

The win keeps Washington solidly in second behind Gotham. For Chicago, the side had been eliminated from postseason contention after last week’s league results. The Stars will have a lot of soul-searching to do during the off-season, as their defense this season has been the worst in NWSL history. The side is hoping the hiring of former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski will start those changes.

Bay scores two in quick succession in second half, shuts out Racing Louisville

Bay threw everything but the kitchen sink at Racing in this match, peppering Louisville keeper Jordyn Bloomer with nine shots on target. Meanwhile, the visitors could only put two shots at Bay’s Jordan Silkowitz, and the Bay offense proved to be enough.

Louisville’s Emma Sears nearly gave her side the early lead with a strong low shot in the second minute. Silkowitz was equal to the task, and Racing would not have another shot on target until late in the second half. Meanwhile, Bay was in a shooting gallery. Bloomer turned aside five shots, her defense blocked two more, and Bay hit the woodwork twice. An exhausted Racing side was grateful to be scoreless at the halftime whistle.

But Bay did not let up in the second frame. The home side kept the press on, and finally broke through in the 50th minute. Racing was coming out of their own end when Rachel Kundananji picked Ellie Jean’s pocket and fed the ball to Alex Pfeiffer out front. She fired straight in, and the home side had the lead. Bay would double up just six minute later. Kundananji sent the ball across again, and Racing defender Courtney Petersen tried to clear. Her attempt bounced off of Bloomer and straight back to Petersen. She tried again, but this time, Bay’s Karlie Lema had moved up and turned the ball in.

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Louisville would only have the one attempt on goal, but Silkowitz was able to steer Petersen’s free kick over the bar. Both sides remain near the bottom of the table, but played well in the match. The bigger worry for Racing right now is their organization. The side is lagging in investment, attendance, and outside support. There is talk of possible relocation in the future, which would be devastating to a community that has backed the team consistently.

Angel City moves up against nine-woman Utah

Angel City is on a tear of late, moving steadily up the table. Utah was hoping to move into third position with a win at home. Two early red cards for the Royals doomed their chances, and Angel City grabbed their fourth win in five matches.

The match got off to a rocky start for Utah, as they lost their captain in the 11th minute. Prisca Chilufya was making a strong charge down the right side for Angel City. Paige Cronin came over to challenge and took Chilufya down. After an initial yellow, the VAR review determined that Cronin had denied an obvious scoring chance, and it was upgraded to a red.

Things went from bad to worse for the Royals in the 24th minute. Angel City sent a ball into the box, and while defending against Ary Borges, Utah’s Ana Tejada pulled Borges down by her hair. The NWSL has been very consistent on this call all season, and Tejada was sent off.

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Since the play happened in the box, Angel City was awarded a penalty, and their PK maestra Ally Sentnor stepped up. She fired to Mandy McGlynn’s right for her third straight match with a penalty scored. From that point on, the numbers game was firmly against Utah, and the home side could mount almost no offense. McGlynn’s heroics kept the scoreline 1-0 until half, but being down two was bound to catch up.

And catch up it did, almost immediately after the start of the second. Just two minutes into the half, Giselle Thompson came down the right side and sent the ball into the box for Taylor Suarez. She made a beautiful one-touch finish, and the lead for the visitors was two. Angel City spent the rest of the match in Utah’s end, and finished the scoring in the 67th minute. Trying to clear the zone, an obviously gassed Tatumn Milazzo lost the ball to Angel City’s Sveindís Jónsdóttir. She walked in on McGlynn and put the ball far side to seal the deal.

Angel City moves up to sixth in the table with their recent strong run, while Utah slips to fifth. Both sides are fine tuning for the playoff run, and Utah will be looking to get back to winning ways with a full side next week.

NWSL Week 22 results in full

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