The 2015 NWSL schedule has been released. (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
The National Women’s Soccer League will play a 20-game schedule between April 10 and Sept. 27, the league confirmed on Thursday with the announcement of the complete schedule.
The complete schedule can be viewed here.
All teams will be off from June 7-18 for a Women’s World Cup break during the group stage of the tournament. The World Cup begins June 6, with the final set for July 5. The NWSL will play four games on June 6, the opening day of the World Cup.
The NWSL regular season ends on Sept. 6 and the semifinals will take place on Sept. 12 and 13. The two teams vying for the championship will have the following week off, in respect of FIFA international dates.
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National team players from the United States and Canada are expected to participate in the first three or four matches of the season before departing for World Cup preparations. Mexico players are not expected until at least July, if at all, and some countries such as Australia could also see their players held out of the NWSL until after the World Cup. Plans for Brazil, which has recently seen a number of its player sign with NWSL teams, remain unclear.
Second-year club Houston Dash will host the first match of the NWSL season on Friday, April 10 against the Washington Spirit at BBVA Compass Stadium. Portland Thors FC hosts the Boston Breakers the following day, and opening weekend wraps up on April 12 when Seattle Reign FC hosts the Western New York Flash, and defending champion FC Kansas City kicks off the season at Sporting Park against Sky Blue FC.
FC Kansas City and the Chicago Red Stars have the longest homestands of the season at four games. Chicago’s takes place in April and May to open the season, with their May 9 game against Boston being a doubleheader with the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. Kansas City’s homestand takes place in August.
The Western New York Flash will endure the longest road trip of the season for any team, heading away for four straight matches in August.
Pacific Northwest rivals Portland and Seattle will play twice in four days, on July 22 in Portland and on July 26 in Seattle.
