The Memorial Day long weekend produced some important results and a bit of history as goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher became the NWSL’s all-time leader in saves with six saves in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday night. Naeher, who has played in every NWSL season since the league’s inception in 2013, made her 150th regular-season start – also a league record for a goaltender – and in the 49th minute she recorded and surpassed the 519th save of her NWSL regular-season career. the previous record of 518 held by her former USWNT teammate Ashlyn Harris.
WATCH: NAEHER SETS ANOTHER NWSL RECORD
Naeher finished the night with six stops, pushing her career saves to 520 while picking up her first goal of the season for the Chicago Red Stars. The defensive performance helped Chicago secure its second win of the season as the Red Stars scored the game’s only goal in the 22nd minute after a cross from defender Casey Krueger was headed in by former Japan international Yuki Nagasato.
At the top of the table, NJ/NY Gotham FC extended their unbeaten streak to four in a row and remain in first place with a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit on Sunday afternoon. Gotham took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal from Brazilian international Bruninha, but Andinn equalized in the 69th minute after a corner kick by Ashley Hatch. It was the first assist of the season for Hatch, who is tied for the NWSL scoring lead this season with four goals.
While Gotham leads the league with 17 points from nine games, the competition is close behind with four teams – Portland Thorns FC, OL Reign, San Diego Wave FC and Washington Spirit – all with 16 points.
The Thorns and Wave played to a 1-1 tie Friday night in San Diego in front of 18,130 at Snagdragon Stadium. In the West Coast matchup, both goals came in the final five minutes of regulation, with San Diego taking the lead in the 86th minute before Portland equalized on a Sam Coffey corner kick in the 90th to earn a point.
OL Reign got back into the win column with a 4-1 win over Angel City FC on Saturday at Lumen Stadium. The visitors from Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute, but the Reign responded with four unanswered goals – three of which were assisted by Megan Rapinoe – to secure the victory at home. Rapinoe’s three assists are the most by any player in a single regular season game since 2019 and move her into fifth in NWSL history with 25 career assists.
WATCH: RAPINOE DISHES OUT ASSIST IN STATE VICTORY
The North Carolina Courage extended their unbeaten streak to five games – the longest active streak in the NWSL – with a 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville on Saturday. In a hard-fought contest, all three goals came in the second half, with the Courage scoring in the 53rd and 60th minutes before Louisville pulled one back in the 88th minute.
The weekend ended with the Houston Dash beating the Kansas City Current, 2-0, on the road Friday night, marking the Dash’s second win in three games.
Broadcast information for upcoming games featuring the US Women’s National Team can be found below. All times listed are ET.
Wednesday, May 31 NWSL Challenge Cup: Chicago Red Stars vs. Racing Louisville FC 8:00 PM Paramount+ NWSL Challenge Cup: San Diego Wave FC vs. OL Reign 10:00 PM Paramount+ NWSL Challenge Cup: Portland Thorns FC vs. Angel City FC 10:30 PM Paramount+ Saturday, June 3 NWSL: OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns FC 20:00 CBS Sports Network NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. Racing Louisville FC 8pm Paramount+ NWSL: Houston Dash vs Orlando Pride 8:30pm Paramount+ NWSL: Kansas City Current vs North Carolina Courage 8:30pm Paramount+ Sunday June 4 NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs San Diego Wave FC 6pm: 00 Paramount+ Monday June 5 NWSL: Angel City FC vs. Chicago Red Stars 10pm Paramount+