NWSL returns with record-breaking attendances

MIAMI, Florida – The NWSL is back, and with full force, showing why it is one the best leagues of women's football in the world. Alongside the NWSL, the leagues in Mexico and Costa Rica are still displaying big performances.

There is no better way to come back than to break some records, and that’s exactly how the NWSL delivered its first weekend, showing how the reinforcements of the squads will be key in the road to the Playoffs.

On Saturday night, in front of 30,854 fans, breaking the NWSL opening day record, the San Diego Wave had their first victory of the season against the Chicago Red Stars, winning 3-2. The visitors struck first when Japan international Yuki Nagasato took advantage of a loose ball in the area in the 18’. The hosts recovered just a few minutes later in the 22’ when Red Stars GK Alyssa Naeher lost the ball and the always ready Amarah Ali pushed it in with her head.

In the 32’, after a corner kick, Jaedyn Shaw scored another one for San Diego from outside the area, giving them the lead for the first time in the match. Just before the first half came to an end, in the 45’+4, Mallory Swanson evened things with a penalty kick. In the second half, in the 89’ the legendary Alex Morgan gave her team the win after a penalty was called for a handball.

On Sunday night, a sold-out BMO Stadium with 22,000 fans saw Angel City open up against Gotham FC, who managed to win against the locals in a 2-1 final. The first goal of Angel City was also the first one for rookie Alyssa Thompson, who in the 11’ delivered a banger from outside the area, making a dream debut.

However, Gotham never stopped wanting the game and in the 55’ Midge Purce evened things up via the penalty spot. The winning goal then came from Lynn Williams, who received a ball in the area from Purce, beating the defensive line and sending it to the back of the net.

On Sunday afternoon, the Washington Spirit managed to down the champions of the past regular season, OL Reign, with a 1-0 victory. The winning goal came in the 54’ from the great Trinity Rodman, who drove the ball into the OL Reign side of the field and scored from outside the area.

LIGA MX FEMENIL

The Liga MX Femenil saw a weekend full of Clasicos, with all the teams facing a crucial part of the season and thoughts turning to Liguilla positions.

First up was the Clasico Nacional on Friday evening, with Club America welcoming Guadalajara in the Estadio Azteca and the Aguilas winning 2-0. The goals didn’t arrive until the second half, in the 62’, when Sabrina Enciso went past a Chivas defender and scored from outside the area. The second came from a penalty kick from Spaniard Andrea Pereira in the 68’. Guadalajara suffered their first defeat of the season and now sit in third position in the table.

The Clasico Regio was also on this week's program, with Tigres visiting Monterrey on Saturday evening and the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The first goal was for the hosts in the 38’ thanks to the services of Nigeria international Chinwendu Ihezuo, who received a pass in the area and scored. In the 47’, Maricarmen Reyes scored the equalizer for Tigres with a well-placed header.

Atletico de San Luis stayed unbeaten at home by defeating Nexaca on Sunday afternoon 1-0. The only goal of the evening came from Mariela Garcia in the 33’, when she received a ball in the area and didn't hesitate to go for it. This was a very special goal not only to secure the three points, but because it was Garcia’s first professional goal in the Liga MX Femenil.

LIGA FEMENINA COSTA RICA

The Torneo de Apertura of Costa Rica was back and after eight weeks since the tournament started, the newest member of the first división, COFUTPA USJ, picked up their first three points by defeating CS Herediano 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.

The first goal came in the 12’ from the boots of Ivonne Rodriguez. In the second half, Yoxselin Rodriguez doubled the visitors’ lead in the 75’. This is the first victory for COFUTPA USJ in the top tier of Costa Rica professional women’s football.

Sporting FC climbed positions in the table after topping LD Alajuelense 3-2 on Saturday evening. Las Albinegras struck first in the first minute on a Maria Fernanda Echeverria right-footed shot after a corner kick. In the 27’, Cristin Granados gave her team a 2-0 advantage with a strong shot. The current champions didn’t stop fighting, though, and in the 42’ Sheika Scott scored the first one for Alajuelense, followed by Natalia Mills, who just three minutes later in the 45’ evened the match at 2-2. But Sporting responded when Granados stepped up in the 84’, scoring a blazing shot from outside the area to give her team the win.

Saprissa FF remains at the top of the table after winning 2-0 versus Municipal Perez Zeledon on Sunday afternoon. The goals didn’t arrive until the 69’, when Yomira Pinzon broke the locals’ defensive line, scoring the first one for Las Moradas. In the 77’, Kenlly Villalobos then scored the insurance goal to sew up the three points. With 24 points, Saprissa FF is the leader of the Apertura 2023.