LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 26: Alyssa Thompson #21 of Angel City FC looks on during a game against the NJ/NY Gotham FC at BMO Stadium on March 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
Apr 15, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan (13) against OL Reign at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
Coming off the first mid-week matches of the season, 10 clubs have to refocus their attention on the regular season with week 4 beginning on Saturday afternoon.
With each club having to deal with Challenge Cup contests on Wednesday, lineup rotation could be something that we see utilized throughout the league in week 4. The clubs will have at least two rest days to turn around before regular season action resumes. The third week of April matches in the NWSL brings a Saturday slate of four games highlighted by the fixture in the D.C. followed by two to close out the weekend on Sunday evening.
Week 4 has some massive shoes to fill considering the intensity and drama week 3 brought to the table. This week includes the first meeting of the season between the two southern California sides in the raucous BMO Stadium and a compelling fixture between two east coast sides Saturday night. Houston Dash is back on the road against another top opponent while Kansas City hosts the battle between the two teams still without a point. Here are a few matches to schedule your weekend around as the NWSL finishes its first month of the 2023 season.
3 intriguing fixtures on the NWSL schedule this weekend:
3. San Diego Wave at Angel City FC
Date: Sunday, April 23, 8:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: Paramount+
The California clash. Those three words are all you need to know to turn on the television on Sunday night. One year ago, these two clubs came into the NWSL and completely shook it up in a good way. Both have created some of the most passionate fanbases while producing plenty of quality on the pitch.
Any match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles is bound to deliver. So far, both matches that Angel City FC has played at home have been thrillers. In both instances, a team came back down a goal to snatch a result. In front of approximately 22,000 fans last season, Freya Coombe’s side outlasted San Diego Wave on their home soil 2-1 through an 81′ goal by Scottish international Claire Emslie. No home field provides as much of an advantage as the soccer-specific stadium in Exposition Park.
Angel City battled the Wave in the 2022 campaign in two matches that were decided by just one goal. Heading into L.A, Casey Stoney’s side is seeking to rebound from a tough defeat at Lumen Field where OL Reign found the game’s only breakthrough in the fifth minute of stoppage time. For Coombe’s side, this is by far the best team they have faced so far this season. The grit of this squad has been quite evident following the comeback against Racing Louisville, but can they keep their head against a much more talented team like San Diego? Not only is this the first time this season these two California sides will meet, but it could also be the first regular season match back in the NWSL for Julie Ertz since May 16, 2021.
Prediction: San Diego Wave 1-1 Angel City FC
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Caden Charpentier