The Orlando Pride will look to beat the NWSL single-game attendance record, which it set with last season’s home opener attendance of 23,403 fans on April 23rd at the Citrus Bowl.
While fans will have to wait a little while longer for the full 2017 schedule, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has released the schedule of 2017 season home openers. The list of home openers includes matches over the first three weeks as Sky Blue does not play at home until April 30.
The 2017 season kicks off on Saturday, April 15 with four matches being played over the course of the day. One such match is the rematch of the 2016 NWSL Final, which will be played between the Washington Spirit and the North Carolina Courage (formerly the Western New York Flash) at Maryland Soccerplex.
The Houston Dash, Portland Thorns and Seattle Reign will all open their 2017 seasons they same way they did the 2016 season: with home matches against the Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride and Sky Blue FC, respectively. Last season the Dash and Thorns won their first home matches, while the Reign suffered their first ever loss at Memorial Stadium.
FC Kansas City finish out week one with their home opener at Swope Soccer Village on Sunday, April 16 when they take on the Boston Breakers.
The second week of play kicks off on Saturday, April 22 and features two big home openers. The first is the first home match for the the North Carolina Courage, newest team in the league, who will play host to the Thorns at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Orlando Pride will then look to top their record-setting 2016 season opener attendance of 23,403 fans when they open their 2017 home season at the newly-constructed Orlando City Stadium against the Washington Spirit on the 22nd.
The Chicago Red Stars will also host FCKC on April 22, while the Boston Breakers will close out week two with their home opener against Sky Blue on Sunday, April 23.
After being the opponent for two other teams’ home openers, Sky Blue FC will finally play its home opener, an April 30 contest against FC Kansas City.
All times below are Eastern time.
Full Schedule of Home Openers
WEEK ONE
Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars (BBVA Compass Stadium): Saturday, April 15 at 8:30 p.m.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Orlando Pride (Providence Park): Saturday, April 15 at 4 p.m.
Seattle Reign FC vs. Sky Blue FC (Memorial Stadium): Saturday, April 15 at 11 p.m.
Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage (Maryland Soccerplex): Saturday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
FC Kansas City vs. Boston Breakers (Swope Soccer Village): Sunday, April 16 at 6 p.m.
WEEK TWO
Chicago Red Stars vs. FC Kansas City (Toyota Park): Saturday, April 22 (TBD)
North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns FC (WakeMed Soccer Park): Saturday, April 22 (TBD)
Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit (Orlando City Stadium): Saturday, April 22 at 4 p.m.
Boston Breakers vs. Sky Blue FC (Jordan Field): Sunday, April 23 at 6 p.m.
WEEK THREE
Sky Blue FC vs. FC Kansas City (Yurcak Field): Sunday, April 30 at 6 p.m.
