The twelfth week of the 2026 National Women's Soccer League season unfolded with a blend of historic firsts and tight competition, as teams vied for early‑season momentum.
Milestone Moments
Gotham FC celebrated a symbolic milestone, recording their 100th regular‑season victory and becoming the final original franchise to reach the mark, underscoring the league’s growing depth.
Veteran goalkeeper Kaleigh Kurtz extended her league‑wide dominance, appearing in her 127th straight regular‑season match and logging 11,502 consecutive minutes, while teammate Kate Del Fava continued her iron‑man run, having featured in every minute of the Royals’ campaign since 2024.
Swedish forward Barbra Banda surged to the top of the Golden Boot race with twelve goals, edging ahead of Ashley Sanchez, who sits with nine, while the race promises further fireworks as the season progresses.
Racing Louisville endured a fourth consecutive loss, matching their own franchise low, while the Utah‑based Stars stretched a league‑wide winless streak to fourteen games, a mark that has persisted across back‑to‑back fixtures.
Angel City’s defensive resurgence shone as they posted back‑to‑back shutouts for the first time since June 2023, a feat highlighted by Maiara Niehues becoming the first player in club history to score in four straight appearances.
Veteran striker Esther Gonzalez’s brace not only secured a vital win but also placed her at the summit of Gotham’s all‑time scoring list, tying Sam Kerr’s club record of twenty‑eight regular‑season goals.