Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
An action-packed Saturday with six matches in the National Women’s Soccer League saw historic moments for expansion sides, a couple of goals from 18-year-old players and more shakeups in the standings.
Denver breaks NWSL attendance record
Although Denver Summit FC couldn’t notch a goal in its home opener at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, its 0-0 draw with the Washington Spirit represented a victory for the league at large.
The expansion side’s home opener drew a crowd of 63,004 fans to Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, breaking the attendance record for a U.S. professional women’s sporting event. Bay FC previously set the record in August 2025 when it hosted 40,091 the Spirit at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The Spirit won that match 3-2.
This time, the Summit’s defense held the visitors at bay. Washington’s best chance came in the final seconds of stoppage time when Hal Hershfelt struck from distance but went wide to the left. The midfielder was visibly frustrated.
Currently 0-1-3, the Spirit are still looking to secure their first win of the season. Following a NWSL championship final appearance in 2025, they now sit at 12th place. Denver sits at 7th place at 1-1-2.
Boston notches first goal but falls short of first points
Boston Legacy FC, the season’s second expansion team, remains at the bottom of the table following a 2-1 loss at home to the Utah Royals.
Still, the club saw its first ever goal from forward Aïssata Traoré off an assist from Amanda Gutierres in the 73rd minute, shifting attacking momentum in its favor to finish out the match.
But the Royals maintained a lead for most of the game to secure its first win of the season. Tatumn Milazzo put Utah on the board in the 34th minute off a set piece, finishing a chance from Cloé Lacasse that hit the post.
Utah drew a penalty four minutes into the second half. Lara Prašnikar’s penalty kick extended the lead and put the Royals in a comfortable position for the rest of the match.
Alex Pfeiffer shines for Bay FC
With a dominant 3-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage, Bay FC earned its first road win since April 19, 2025. Most of it was thanks to Alex Pfeiffer.
Since scoring Bay FC’s first goal of the season in her debut for the club, the 18-year-old forward has been a key generator for the offense. Pfeiffer put Bay FC on the board against North Carolina early. She also created the plays that extended the club’s lead before halftime.
Ten minutes after scoring herself, Pfeiffer fed the ball across to Cristiana Girelli just in time for Keira Barry to slide in for the goal. Heading up the same right wing four minutes later, Pfeiffer set the ball to Dorian Bailey, whose header all but sealed the game.
Despite Manaka Matsukubo scoring for the Courage in the 66th minute, North Carolina couldn’t mount a comeback.
The two teams’ possession amounts were almost equal. But the attack made the difference. Bay FC saw seven shots on target. North Carolina had just two all game.
Kansas City loses third straight
Concerns are growing for the Kansas City Current. The 2025 Shield winners lost their third straight match, failing to score against a dominant Portland Thorns roster that included Sophia Wilson making her first start of the season.
It was a matchup between two new coaches — Robert Vilahamn for Portland and Chris Armas for Kansas City. But while Vilahamn has now led Portland to three wins, Armas’ Current looks nothing like the dominant team of the previous season.
The Current managed to generate some offensive momentum in the first half, despite Portland’s dominant possession and a couple shots on goal from Wilson.
Wilson drew a penalty early in the second half that Olivia Moultrie scored with ease. The 20-year-old midfielder is now the youngest player to score 20 regular season goals, breaking a record previously set by Sam Kerr.
Portland finished the job in the 63rd minute. Jayden Perry made a long assist to Reilyn Turner, whose header sealed the team’s clear sheet and fourth win in three matches.
Kansas City, meanwhile, sits fourth-from-last in the standings.
San Diego dominates Chicago
The San Diego Wave are already riding the high of signing Catarina Macario to one of the largest contracts in history. As a bonus, the Wave recorded the second 2-0 win of the day over the Chicago Stars.
While Chicago held San Diego’s scoring off in the first half, the floodgates opened in the 56th minute with a run from Dudinha up the midfield. She sent the ball to Lia Godfrey, who slotted the ball past Alyssa Naeher.
The Wave scored its second in the 73rd minute as 18-year-old Melanie Barcenas danced through defenders near the edge of the box before striking.
With Kansas City’s recent losses, the Stars’ win over the Current on March 22 — their only victory of the season so far — looks less and less unusual than it did at first.
Maddie Mercado scores in back-to-back games for Seattle
Maddie Mercado recorded her second goal in two games for the Seattle Reign as the club recorded a 2-1 win over Racing Louisville.
Playing off a set piece, Mercado put Seattle on the board 10 minutes in as she slipped the ball past Racing goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer. Nerilia Mondesir scored Seattle’s second minutes before the halftime whistle.
Missing Emma Sears due to a back injury, Louisville only found its first shot on target in the 52nd minute. Macey Blackburn managed to put the team on the scoresheet with a header in the 94th minute.
