The NWSL season will open on a Friday night for the first time when the Houston Dash host the Washington Spirit at BBVA Compass Stadium on April 10. The league announced that match and the eight other home openers on Monday.
On Saturday, April 11 the Thorns will open Providence Park against the Boston Breakers. On Sunday the 12th, the two teams to have won the NWSL Shield as regular season champions only to lose at home in the championship match, the Reign and Flash, will get the new season underway at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.
FC Kansas City will host Sky Blue on opening weekend for the second straight year. However the date, and notably the site, of that match has been listed as TBA in the league release.
The Red Stars will sit out Week 1, also for the second year in a row. They will open April 18 against the Reign. Also playing Week 2 home openers are Sky Blue FC (vs Dash) and the Spirit (vs Kansas City), both also on the 18th. The Breakers will open home play at Harvard Stadium in Week 3 on Sunday, April 26 against the Dash. And the Flash will play their customary role as the final team to open at home when they take on the Breakers, Saturday, May 2 at Sahlen’s Stadium.
The league will announce the remainder of the 20-game regular season schedule at a later date. The schedule so far with home teams listed first.
WEEK 1
Friday, April 10
Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit (BBVA Compass Stadium)
Saturday, April 11
Portland Thorns FC vs. Boston Breakers (Providence Park)
Sunday, April 12
Seattle Reign FC vs. Western New York Flash (Memorial Stadium)
To Be Determined
FC Kansas City vs. Sky Blue FC (TBD)
WEEK 2
Saturday, April 18
Chicago Red Stars vs. Seattle Reign FC (Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex)
Sky Blue FC vs. Houston Dash (Yurcak Field)
Washington Spirit vs. FC Kansas City (Maryland SoccerPlex)
WEEK 3
Sunday, April 26
Boston Breakers vs. Houston Dash (Harvard University)
WEEK 4
Saturday, May 2
Western New York Flash vs. Boston Breakers (Sahlen’s Stadium)
