The NWSL is back in action this weekend, with Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit highlighting the East Coast lineup, while Portland Thorns and Angel City face off in the West Coast’s marquee match.

Three Storylines To Watch

Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit continue their rivalry

Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit will reignite their rivalry Saturday, facing off at Red Bull Arena for their first regular-season matchup and third game of 2022.

There is no love lost between these two clubs after a Twitter feud erupted between Gotham and Spirit players following their Challenge Cup contest in March. The dispute started with Gotham goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris publicly criticizing Segra Field after the Spirit posted a video of Ashley Sanchez putting Ali Krieger on skates.

The social media call-out led to a back-and-forth between Harris and Washington star Trinity Rodman. The veteran goalie wrote, “Oh my bad… one camp in and she’s feeling confident hunny,” in reference to the USWNT rookie.

Rodman responded on the pitch, notching a brace in the Washington Spirit’s 3-1 win over the NJ/NY club in their second Challenge Cup battle.

Gotham FC will look to log their first win over Washington, capitalizing on home-field advantage while hosting a fatigued Spirit side. The Spirit have been dealt a grueling start to their regular-season schedule, but they should be a worthy opponent for Gotham, who have yet to deploy a consistent attack.

Oh my bad… one camp in and she’s feeling confident hunny. 😙 https://t.co/oWNVC3OxUe

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) March 26, 2022

Can OL Reign maintain their run of clean sheets?

Solid defense doesn’t always elicit excitement, but this matchup between the Chicago Red Stars and OL Reign is one to watch, with both squads boasting stalwart defensive lineups.

USWNT star goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has been stellar for Chicago, while Phallon Tullis-Joyce shines for OL Reign. With 24 saves in six games, Tullis-Joyce has allowed just four goals in the back of her net.

OL Reign enters Saturday’s game with four straight clean sheets and will look to continue their tidy defensive record against Chicago. Alana Cook anchors the Seattle backline, providing a sturdy presence in the center back position. Sofia Huerta has been critical for the club as well, contributing defensively while dominating the wings, recording two assists on the season.

Both sides’ defenses will be tested Saturday, as Mal Pugh is expected to get more minutes for Chicago and Rose Lavelle is coming into form for OL Reign.

Another day, another big save by Phallon Tullis-Joyce 🧤 pic.twitter.com/XCzyi2upkB

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 14, 2022

NWSL turns focus to gun violence

The NWSL is turning orange Friday in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. To honor of the recent lives lost to gun violence and to call for change to address the crisis, the league is participating in the #WearOrange campaign.

The Portland Thorns will be encouraging fans to take action on gun violence during their home match against Angel City on Friday, a match that will also serve as a celebration of Pride month.

“While we celebrate Pride tomorrow, we grieve those who are unable to be here and have lost their lives to gun violence,” the club wrote in a statement, urging supporters to visit Everytown.org.

The Houston Dash and Orlando Pride both posted support of the Wear Orange movement ahead of their matchup, putting the issue of gun violence at the forefront.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day comes after a series of mass shootings, including the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, the shooting at a Buffalo grocery store and the shooting at a Tulsa medical center.

Today we are recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We #WearOrange to honor the more than 40K lives that are taken by gun violence each year, and the countless lives that are forever changed by this preventable crisis.

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 3, 2022

Week 6 Schedule

• Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride, Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+
• Portland Thorns vs. Angel City, Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+
• Chicago Red Stars vs. OL Reign, Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET on Twitch
• Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit, Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Twitch
• Racing Louisville vs. North Carolina Courage, Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+
• Kansas City vs. San Diego Wave FC, Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+

The WNBA is back in action on Tuesday night, as the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm headline a series of games that could make or break the current trajectories of several 2025 title contenders.

Seeking an especially strong Tuesday performance is the Fever, as Indiana tries to snap a two-game losing streak against the increasingly confident Storm.

"There are going to be stretches that are really good and there's going to be stretches that aren't as good," Fever guard Caitlin Clark said on Sunday, addressing her recent shooting slump.

While the Indiana and Seattle clash will lead the Tuesday charge, the night will also see young squads sizing up WNBA juggernauts as bottom-table teams look for a leg up:

• No. 8 Indiana Fever vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, 10 PM ET (NBA TV): The Fever need a win against a Storm side that can't seem to lose, as both teams eye the postseason.

• No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 9 Washington Mystics, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The up-and-coming Mystics will attempt to hand the Lynx a second season loss, as Minnesota star Napheesa Collier remains day-to-day with lower back stiffness.

• No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 12 Dallas Wings, 8 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Dream are on a tear, surging up the standings as the struggling Wings attempt to take flight.

• No. 10 LA Sparks vs. No. 11 Chicago Sky, 8 PM ET (NBA TV): The Sparks have cooled after a hot start while the Sky has yet to rev up, with both teams aiming to end a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night.

Teams across the league are hoping to make the most of every minute while also managing injury concerns and absences as the WNBA All-Star break looms.

The WNBA Class of 2025 is already making its mark on the league, with first-year players stepping up and showing out while the Rookie of the Year race — and betting odds — heat up.

No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers has been just as good as advertised, with the Dallas Wings guard leading her class in both minutes played and points per game while also charting league-wide in assists per game, steals per game, and mid-range shots made.

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DraftKings currently has Bueckers as the clear WNBA Rookie of the Year race frontrunner at -1,000, though the dynamic DC duo of guard Sonia Citron (+1,500) and forward Kiki Iriafen (+1,000) are quickly gaining traction.

Iriafen won May's WNBA Rookie of the Month award after a series of career-opening double-doubles, while her Washington Mystics teammate Citron has continued to execute in the clutch — most recently posting a career-high double-double performance of 27 points and 11 rebounds in last Sunday's 91-88 overtime win over Dallas.

"Not only is [Iriafen] holding her own, she's excelling," Citron told JWS earlier this month. "And seeing that is just incredible."

"Soni just does all the little things," Iriafen added. "She doesn't shortcut anything, she's doing the fundamentals, she doesn't cheat the game at all."

Though the NWSL hit the pause button this week, players worldwide are still on the move, as both European and US soccer teams use the midseason break to sharpen their lineups with international signings.

The NWSL has already seen one major departure, with the San Diego Wave announcing Monday that forward María Sánchez will return to her former Liga MX club UANL Tigres after nearly five years in the NWSL, with the Wave set to receive an undisclosed transfer fee in return.

"When the opportunity came to return to Tigres, I had to do a lot of inner searching, and I ultimately decided that returning to Liga MX Femenil and Tigres specifically was the best course of action for my career," the 29-year-old dual citizen and Mexico international player said in the Wave's release.

NWSL clubs are also setting their sights on European free agents, with the Washington Spirit bringing in Juventus forward Sofia Cantore last week — the first Italian signing in league history.

Also hopping aboard the player transaction carousel is new WSL side London City, with the top-flight debutantes inking OL Lyonnes midfielder and Dutch international Daniëlle van de Donk on Friday.

Meanwhile, van de Donk's wife and club teammate Ellie Carpenter is also potentially WSL-bound, with the defender reportedly nearing a deal that would see the Australian join Chelsea FC in return for the Blues sending Canadian international Ashley Lawrence to OL Lyonnes.

For their part, OL Lyonnes picked up defender Ingrid Engen from Barcelona as a free agent last week, adding the Norwegian international after snagging French forward and PSG's all-time leading scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier this month.

With the most recent NWSL CBA abolishing traditional trade windows, expect even more international signings and roster reshufflings before the league resumes play on August 1st.

San Diego is paying tribute to one of their own, with the Wave announcing plans to retire the No. 13 jersey of NWSL and USWNT legend Alex Morgan on September 7th.

Still topping the team's all-time scoring leaderboard with 23 goals in just over two seasons with San Diego, the retired club captain will be the first-ever Wave player to receive the prestigious honor.

Morgan also led San Diego to the 2023 NWSL Shield as well as postseason appearances in the 2022 expansion club's first two seasons.

"Alex's legacy goes far beyond goals and accolades. She helped lay the foundation for this club and elevated the standard for what women's soccer is today," said Wave FC governor Lauren Leichtman in the team's Tuesday announcement.

"She made this city her home, inspired our fans and community, and helped define who we are," Leichtman continued. "Her impact will be felt for generations, and it's only fitting that her number becomes a permanent part of Wave FC history." 

Morgan joined the Southern California squad's ownership group just last month, saying "San Diego is where I've built my home, where I am raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career."

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How to attend the San Diego jersey retirement of Alex Morgan

San Diego will officially retire Morgan's No. 13 jersey during their home match against the Houston Dash at 8 PM ET on September 7th.

Tickets to the game will go on sale to the general public online at 6 PM ET on Tuesday.