How to Watch: USWNT in 2026 NWSL Opening Weekend
Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit face Olivia Moultrie, Portland Thorns to open 2026 season; Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw, Emily Sonnett return to Gotham FC following SheBelieves Cup
The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season kicks off this weekend with all 16 clubs – including expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC – in action from March 13-15. Thirty U.S. Women’s National Team players that were on the rosters for the first two camps of the calendar year are set to compete on opening weekend.
The first match of the season between 2025 runner-up Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns FC on March 13 at 8 p.m. ET will feature six players from the last two USWNT camp rosters, including Spirit star Trinity Rodman, who re-signed with the Washington D.C. side for a record-breaking deal.
The 2025 NWSL champion Gotham FC will begin its quest for another title on March 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET against Boston. Gotham stars Emily Sonnett, Jaedyn Shaw and 2025 Final MVP Rose Lavelle are all fresh off a 2026 SheBelieves Cup victory.
Opening weekend concludes with three more SheBelieves Cup victors in action. Emily Sams and Gisele Thompson will compete with Angel City FC on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. ET against Jameese Joseph and Chicago Stars FC at BMO Stadium.
View the full NWSL 2026 regular season schedule here.
2026 USWNT Players in NWSL Opening Weekend:
| Player | NWSL Club | Kickoff | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Sams | Angel City FC | March 15, 7 p.m. ET vs. Chicago Stars | Victory+ |
| Gisele Thompson | Angel City FC | ||
| Jordan Silkowitz | Bay FC | March 14, 6:30 p.m. ET vs. Denver Summit | ION |
| Claire Hutton | Bay FC | ||
| Jameese Joseph | Chicago Stars FC | March 15, 7 p.m. ET vs. Angel City FC | Victory+ |
| Ayo Oke | Denver Summit FC | March 14, 6:30 p.m. ET vs. Bay FC | ION |
| Emily Sonnett | Gotham FC | March 14, 12:30 p.m. ET vs. Boston Legacy FC | ABC/ESPN App/Disney+ |
| Jaedyn Shaw | Gotham FC | ||
| Rose Lavelle | Gotham FC | ||
| Avery Patterson | Houston Dash | March 14, 8:45 p.m. ET vs. San Diego Wave FC | ION |
| Yazmeen Ryan | Houston Dash | ||
| Ally Sentnor | Kansas City Current | March 14, 4 p.m. ET vs. Utah Royals | ION |
| Croix Bethune | Kansas City Current | ||
| Izzy Rodriguez | Kansas City Current | ||
| Lo'eau LaBonta | Kansas City Current | ||
| Riley Jackson | North Carolina Courage | March 14, 7 p.m. ET vs. Racing Louisville FC | NWSL+ |
| Olivia Moultrie | Portland Thorns FC | March 13, 8 p.m. ET vs. Washington Spirit | Prime Video |
| Reilyn Turner | Portland Thorns FC | ||
| Emma Sears | Racing Louisville FC | March 14, 7 p.m. ET vs. North Carolina Courage | NWSL+ |
| Kennedy Wesley | San Diego Wave FC | March 14, 8:45 p.m. ET vs. Houston Dash | ION |
| Claudia Dickey | Seattle Reign FC | March 15, 4 p.m. ET vs. Orlando Pride | Victory+ |
| Jordyn Bugg | Seattle Reign FC | ||
| Maddie Dahlien | Seattle Reign FC | ||
| Sally Menti | Seattle Reign FC | ||
| Sam Meza | Seattle Reign FC | ||
| Mandy McGlynn | Utah Royals | March 14, 4 p.m. ET vs. Kansas City Current | ION |
| Hal Hershfelt | Washington Spirit | March 13, 8 p.m. ET vs. Portland Thorns FC | Prime Video |
| Kate Wiesner | Washington Spirit | ||
| Tara Rudd | Washington Spirit | ||
| Trinity Rodman | Washington Spirit |