6 The 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season commenced with an exciting series of matches this past weekend, characterized by a mixture of thrilling results, including several 1-1 draws that illustrated both the competitive balance of the league and some early-season jitters. Notably, a few teams emerged with significant victories that set a competitive tone for the season ahead.
2025 NWSL Season Kickoff: Weekend Highlights and Standout Players
Key Match Results
- Orlando Pride dominated Chicago Stars FC with a 6-0 victory, highlighted by two goals from Barbra Banda.
- The Washington Spirit, fresh from winning the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup, edged out Houston Dash with a narrow 2-1 win on the road.
- Kansas City Current secured a 3-1 victory against Portland Thorns FC, with Temwa Chawinga scoring her first goal of the new season.
Viewing Options
Fans can catch select regular-season matches on various CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Top Performers: Best XI from Week One
Forwards
- Barbra Banda</> (Orlando Pride): With two goals and an assist, Banda was instrumental in the team’s emphatic victory, demonstrating strong ball control and a high work rate.
- Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current): Opened her scoring account just two minutes into the match and was crucial in linking the team’s offensive plays.
- Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit): Scored the decisive goal against Houston Dash while also contributing significantly in defensive efforts.
Midfielders
- Debinha (Kansas City Current): Key in attack and defense, Debinha notched an assist and scored a goal while creating numerous chances for her teammates.
- Angelina (Orlando Pride): Aiming for a repeat of her stellar 2024 season, Angelina effectively controlled the game’s pace and excelled in ball recoveries.
- Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville FC): Provided excellent defensive coverage and disrupted opposition play with her tackling skills.
Defenders
- Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit): Integral in thwarting Houston’s attacking moves, Krueger was active both defensively and offensively.
- Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC): With a strong defensive presence, Davidson led in tackles and facilitated the team’s attacking transitions.
- Rebeca Bernal (Washington Spirit): A solid debut performance in defense with crucial clearances and effective tackling.
- Jess Carter (NJ/NY Gotham FC): Contributed significantly to both defense and counterattacks with her dynamic play.
Goalkeeper
- Anna Moorehouse (Orlando Pride): The standout goalkeeper recorded a clean sheet and made vital saves, demonstrating sharp focus and resilience.