USWNT REWIND: Naeher Sets All-Time Saves Mark, NWSL Memorial Day Weekend Action Continues

Memorial Day long weekend produced several important results and a bit of history as goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher became the NWSL’s all-time saves leader, recording six saves in a 1-0 victory for the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday evening. Naeher, who has played in every season of NWSL since the league’s inception in 2013, made her 150^th regular season start – also a league record for a goalkeeper – and in the 49^th minute, recorded the 519^th save of her NWSL regular season career, surpassing the previous record of 518 held by her former USWNT teammate Ashlyn Harris.

WATCH: NAEHER SETS NWSL SAVES RECORD

Naeher ended the night with six stops, pushing her career save total to 520 while recording the first clean sheet of the season for the Chicago Red Stars. The defensive performance helped secure Chicago’s second victory of the season as the Red Stars scored the game’s only goal in the 22^nd minute following a cross from defender Casey Krueger that was headed in by former Japanese international Yuki Nagasato.

At the top of the table, NJ/NY Gotham FC extended its unbeaten streak to four in a row and remains in first place with a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit on Sunday afternoon. Gotham took the lead in the 23^rd minute with a goal from Brazilian international Bruninha but the Spirit tied the match in the 69^th off a corner kick served in by Ashley Hatch. It was the first assist of the season for Hatch, who is tied for the NWSL scoring lead this season with four goals.

While Gotham leads the league with 17 points from nine matches, the competition is close on its heels with four teams – Portland Thorns FC, OL Reign, San Diego Wave FC and the Washington Spirit – all on 16 points.

The Thorns and Wave played to a  1-1 draw Friday night in San Diego in front of crowd of 18,130 at Snagdragon Stadium. The West Coast clash saw both goals scored in the final five minutes of regulation, with San Diego taking the lead in the 86^th minute before Portland equalized off a corner served in by Sam Coffey in the 90^th to earn a point.

OL Reign got back in the win column with a commanding 4-1 victory over Angel City FC on Saturday at Lumen Field. The visitors from Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the 27^th minute, but the Reign responded with four unanswered goals – three of which were assisted by Megan Rapinoe – to secure the win at home. Rapinoe’s three assists mark the most by any player in a single regular season game since 2019 and move her into fifth in NWSL history with 25 career assist.

WATCH: RAPINOE DISHES OUT ASSISTS IN REIGN VICTORY

The North Carolina Courage extended their unbeaten streak to five games – the longest active streak in the NWSL – with a 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville on Saturday. The tightly contested affair saw all three goals scored in the second half, with the Courage striking in the 53^rd and 60^th minutes before Louisville pulled one back in the 88^th. 

Rounding out the weekend action, the Houston Dash downed the Kansas City Current, 2-0, on the road on Friday evening, marking the second victory in three games for the Dash.

Broadcast information on upcoming matches featuring U.S. Women’s National Team players can be found below. All times listed are ET.

Wednesday, May 31
NWSL Challenge Cup: Chicago Red Stars vs. Racing Louisville FC	8:00 p.m.	Paramount+
NWSL Challenge Cup: San Diego Wave FC vs. OL Reign	10:00 p.m.	Paramount+
NWSL Challenge Cup: Portland Thorns FC vs. Angel City FC	10:30 p.m.	Paramount+
Saturday, June 3
NWSL: OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns FC	8:00 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. Racing Louisville FC	8:00 p.m.	Paramount+
NWSL: Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride	8:30 p.m.	Paramount+
NWSL: Kansas City Current vs. North Carolina Courage	8:30 p.m.	Paramount+
Sunday, June 4
NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. San Diego Wave FC	6:00 p.m.	Paramount+
Monday, June 5
NWSL: Angel City FC vs. Chicago Red Stars	10:00 p.m.	Paramount+