NWSL announced the home openers for all nine clubs on Friday. As previously announced the season will kick off Saturday, March 24 and will open with a juicy rematch of last October’s NWSL Championship in North Carolina. That matchup between the Courage and Portland Thorns will be the opening Lifetime Game of the Week. The published start time is 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Week 1 action will continue with the Utah Royals heading to Orlando on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. EDT and the Spirit in Seattle at 10:00 p.m. On Sunday, the Red Stars are at BBVA Compass Stadium to face the Houston Dash at 5:00 p.m. EDT. That leaves Sky Blue FC with the bye on Week 1.
Week 2 will feature home openers for the Spirit and Red Stars on March 31. The Spirit will host the Pride on Lifetime (3:30 p.m. EDT) and the Red Stars will welcome the Thorns to Toyota Park (8:15 p.m. EDT)
The final three home openers will take place April 14 and 15 after the FIFA week. April 14 on Lifetime is the inaugural home match for the Royals against the Red Stars (3:30 p.m. EDT). On April 15 it’s Sky Blue against the Reign (5:00 p.m. EDT) and the Thorns against the Pride (6:00 p.m. EDT).
The full schedule is scheduled for release next Tuesday.
The full list of home openers:
Saturday, March 24
3:30 p.m. ET – North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns FC (Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park) LIFETIME
7:30 p.m. ET – Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals FC (Orlando City Stadium)
10:00 p.m. ET – Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit (Memorial Stadium)
Sunday, March 25
5:00 p.m. ET – Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars (BBVA Compass Stadium)
Saturday, March 31
3:30 p.m. ET – Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride (Maryland SoccerPlex) LIFETIME
8:15 p.m. ET – Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC (Toyota Park)
Saturday, April 14
3:30 p.m. ET – Utah Royals FC vs. Chicago Red Stars (Rio Tinto Stadium) LIFETIME
Sunday, April 15
5:00 p.m. ET – Sky Blue FC vs. Seattle Reign FC (Yurcak Field)
6:00 p.m. ET – Portland Thorns FC vs. Orlando Pride (Providence Park)
