Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns Kick Off 2026 NWSL Season

The two playoff teams from 2025 face off in the first match of the new campaign

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:05pm

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The 2026 NWSL season kicks off tonight with a matchup between the Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Both teams had strong 2025 campaigns, with the Spirit finishing second in the league table and the Thorns third. The Spirit reached the NWSL Final last season after defeating the Thorns 2-0 in the semifinals.

Why it matters

This early-season clash between two of the NWSL's top teams from 2025 will set the tone for the new season and provide an early indication of which squad has the edge heading into the year. The Spirit and Thorns have developed a rivalry in recent seasons, making this an anticipated matchup for fans of the league.

The details

The Washington Spirit will host the Portland Thorns at Audi Field, the site of their 2025 semifinal matchup. The Spirit won that game 2-0 thanks to goals from Gift Monday and Croix Bethune. Both teams are bringing back strong rosters, with the Spirit led by forwards Trinity Rodman and Gift Monday, and the Thorns featuring midfielders Olivia Moultrie and Jessie Fleming.

  • The match will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on March 13, 2026.
  • The Spirit and Thorns last met in the 2025 NWSL semifinals on November 15, 2025.

The players

Aubrey Kingsbury

The Washington Spirit's starting goalkeeper.

Olivia Moultrie

A talented young midfielder for the Portland Thorns.

Trinity Rodman

A rising star forward for the Washington Spirit.

Jessie Fleming

An experienced Canadian international midfielder for the Portland Thorns.

Gift Monday

A key forward for the Washington Spirit who scored in their 2025 semifinal win over the Thorns.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get the new season started against a familiar foe in Portland. Both teams have high expectations after strong 2025 campaigns, so this will be an important early-season clash.”

— Aubrey Kingsbury, Washington Spirit Goalkeeper (Washington Post)

“The Thorns-Spirit rivalry has really grown in recent years, and we know we'll be in for a tough battle on the road. But we're confident in our ability to go into Audi Field and get a result to start the season off right.”

— Jessie Fleming, Portland Thorns Midfielder (The Oregonian)

What’s next

The winner of this match will take an early lead in the NWSL standings and establish momentum heading into the rest of the season. The losing team will look to bounce back quickly in their next match.

The takeaway

This season-opening clash between two of the NWSL's top teams from 2025 should provide an exciting start to the new campaign and set the stage for what could be another thrilling year of women's professional soccer in the United States.