Recapping the NWSL’s opening weekend

The GIST: NWSL opening weekend was a downright party — and not just the birthday kind. From the two expansion squads making their heart-pumping debuts to our favorite golazo of the season thus far, here are the headlines to know with Matchweek one in the books.

🟥😱 Boston Legacy FC, Denver Summit both draw red cards, lose by one in debuts: The vibes were sky-high for both expansion teams on Saturday, particularly in Boston, where 30K+ fans set an inaugural home opener attendance record at Gillette Stadium. But victory evaded the debutants: Legacy lost 1–0 to defending champs Gotham FC, while Denver fell 2–1 to Bay FC.

• Boston and Denver both played down in their defeats. Legacy defender Bianca St-Georges was sent off in the 78th minute after receiving two yellow cards, while Summit captain Janine Sonis was booted for a dangerous tackle minutes after assisting the club’s first goal.

💪 Midfielder Croix Bethune leads Kansas City Current comeback: New team, same 2024 Rookie of the Year Bethune, who sparked a dramatic 2–1 come-from-behind win by scoring KC’s first goal of the season in her debut with the club. Talk about a great first impression.