NWSL Snap: Pride breaks record, Spirit makes statement as league resumes

Note: Welcome to 'NWSL Snap' – A weekly Monday morning brief whip-around of the weekend's action, talking points & nonsense from the U.S. league. Expect brief stories, quick updates, curious notes, and some standout statistics. It is included in the FREE Squad Depth subscription.

NWSL Matchday 13 Results:

Houston 0-1 Orlando || Utah 2-1 Bay
San Diego 1-2 ACFC || Gotham 2-0 Portland
Louisville 3-1 Chicago || Wash. Spirit 4-1 KCC || Seattle 1-0 NCC

Watch NWSL highlights here

Table (via FotMob):

The Snapshot

Records are made to be broken. And, this past weekend in the National Women's Soccer League a rather large one did break.

With a narrow win in Texas, top-of-the-table Orlando Pride stretched their unbeaten streak in the league to 18 matches. This dates back to the final match of the 2023 season, ironically also a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash.

The 18-match run also meant that the Florida club eclipsed previous record-holder 2024 KC Current, who had recently set the NWSL record for consecutive matches without a loss at 17 matches. Prior to that, the record was held by the 2014 Seattle Reign, who hit 16 on the spin.

Before the Olympic break, Orlando dutifully defeated the Current and took the top spot in the table with an instantly iconic 2-1 away win, assuring there was only one unbeaten team remaining in the NWSL.

Of course, being on the one of the greatest runs in the league's 12-year history will feel marvelous. But nothing has really been won yet. The record won't lay on the mantle as kindly as a trophy. And, the Pride knows it.

"Records are great. It's nice when you break them, but we want something at the end of it to show," Orlando head coach Seb Hines posited after the match. "You can see the attitude of the players. Their desire, again, a lot of hard work's been put into their craft and what they've done this year."

I was in Houston for this match. And watching the Pride's victory up close, I think the celebrations – or lack there of – at full time were telling of this mentality. The record was not the be all and end all.

We also have to remember that six weeks ago, Orlando made a bit of name for themselves when they celebrated with vigor became the first team to win in Kansas City. That same unfiltered elation was not as visible on Friday night.

This was a victory of composure, and understatement. In the hot muggy Houston night, Marta, Adriana and company were ice cool. The Orlando players embraced, high-fived, quickly relished the moment, and were quick to make the rounds to wish their opposition well. Yes, the moment was savoured but peacefully. Job done. All business.

The same energy could be used to describe Orlando during the match too. It was a performance of composure and control. Solid game management, against a Dash side that had raised their own intensity levels. It was a testament to the growth over the past 18 months under Hines, and general manager Haley Carter.

Centrebacks Emily Sams and Kylie Strom are certainly some of the best in the NWSL right now, and, after a knee injury earlier in the season, Angelina looks back to her most incisive best. Close control with a passing range the size of the Florida coast.

Spirits up

The Washington Spirit jumped up to second in the table by joining the Pride in continuing their form prior to the Olympic break. Jonatan Giraldez's team's 4-1 demolition of the KC Current – who six weeks ago were the creme de la creme – sent shockwaves around the league.

It was the biggest statement win of the weekend – a match weekend without any draws I should curiously add!

Most new coaches to the NWSL have a moment where the league's quirks get the best of them. A 'Welcome to the NWSL' moment, if you like. It's still early, but Giraldez appears to have perhaps avoided having a rude awakening.

The Spirit weren't perfect, had to withstand plenty of pressure, and had some makeshift selection choices that weren't their way – for instance Paige Metayer starting at right back for the first time and scoring a mazy run with a finish of wonder. Four goals from an xG of 0.6 suggets this was an afternoon of quality not quantity.

Crucially, in key moments Washington's technique and decisiveness showed. Whether that was as individuals, like Metayer or Trinity Rodman's deflected banger, or in the relationships of teammates, as in Croix Bethune and Ouleymata Sarr.

Speaking of, Bethune's 10th assist of the season means that she has tied Tobin Heath for the most-ever in a single NWSL season with nine matches to play. Five of those 10 have been to Sarr.  

It's been hard to know if the Spirit were ahead of schedule, when it comes to how successful they could really be in 2024. Giraldez looks to have hit the ground running, even with just a few weeks of coaching this team under his belt.

Credit must also go to head of football performance Dawn Scott, who was able to get many of the stars who played during the Olympics back and conditioned to compete. As a club, the Spirit's investment in every facet is paying off.

Elsewhere

We can't get drop the 'NWSL Snap' without a shoutout to the Seattle Reign and their official send-off/number retirement of Megan Rapinoe and her No.15.

I am sentimental. About life, about football. If we don't take a moment to appreciate all the brilliance we are witnessing and investing in, then what are we even doing?

Rapinoe was as good as they come in terms of ability and personality. A champion of the game and so many battles off the pitch. From equal pay, to LGBTQIA+ rights, to Black lives, and many many more dignifying reasons to stay loud.

The fact she played her entire NWSL career in Seattle is a rare feat that should be cherished. So more love and appreciation to the Reign and the fans that packed Lumen Field to send her off in fitting fashion.

While we're here, I'll mention that on the pitch the Reign were able to send off Rapinoe in massive fashion too. Seattle ended a 10 match (YES 10 MATCH!) streak of winless games, edging past the NC Courage in impressive fashion. A huge result and potentially season changing.

Watching this one it was clear that Seattle weren't the second-worst team in the NWSL, as the table suggests. They're often in games, but don't have enough going forward to convert chances or truly dominate.

You only have to look at their expected goal difference of -1.1 (8th in the league) to see that they are a borderline playoff team that is hard to beat but also finds it hard to win.

Perhaps the tonic for any team struggling to win at home is to face the Courage. The renowned away strugglers just cannot get it together away from North Carolina (W: 1 D:0 L:8).

NC's new signing Courtnee Vine threatened early and consistently got in behind, but the final ball was missing. Throughout 2024 the Courage have missed a presence at centre forward and those issues compiled on Sunday night.

Plenty of good build-up play, lots of the ball (55%), resulted in just four attempts and 0.3 xG. Despite starting the match promisingly, and putting the Seattle full backs under pressure, the Courage had zero shots in the first half!

And finally, some love for Emeri Adames who got the final touch to force the winning goal in the 90th-minute, with some help from goalkeeper Casey Murphy, and capped off a special night by emulating Rapinoe in her celebration.

Random stat to know: 19 passes

Thanks to Opta for making it known that Racing Louisville's opening goal against the Chicago Red Stars, scored by Uchenna Kanu, capped off a 19-pass move. The longest passing sequence goal of the 2024 NWSL season so far and the longest since 2016.

Head coach Bev Yanez has put a real emphasis on passing an build up when it comes to the make up and tactics of her team. Prior Racing teams struggled with patience and tempo, and this was a huge moment for what this squad has been working on.

Of all teams, especially away from home, Chicago well sit back and let the opposition have the ball. But being able to have the ball and being able to move the ball are two different skills. Big kudos to Louisville for this sequence.

And another cheeky stat to know:

NWSL Feels XI – Matchday 17

Sort of like a team of the week – mostly gut feels, and who brought the good vibes.