NWSL releases 2018 home openers schedule

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has released the 2018 home openers schedule ahead of its sixth season. The regular season officially kicks off on March 24, with eight of the nine clubs playing that opening weekend.

Sky Blue FC fans will have to wait to see the New Jersey-based team take the field, both home and away, as they are the one team that does not play opening weekend. Instead, Sky Blue will open its season the following weekend.

Sky Blue also won’t play their home opener at Yurcak Field until Sunday, April 15, when they will host Seattle Reign FC.

However, they’re not the only team to open their home schedule so late, as the reigning NWSL Champions, the Portland Thorns FC, also play at Providence Park for the first time on the 15th because of offseason construction.

The regular NWSL season runs from March 24 to September 9, with the semifinals taking between September 14-16. The 2018 NWSL Championship will then be held on Saturday, September 22 at a location to be announced later.

The earlier season end date is because of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship being held from October 4-17. That tournament serves as the World Cup qualifiers for the United States, Canada and other CONCACAF teams.

The full schedule of 2018 NWSL home openers is below.

2018 NWSL Home Openers:

Saturday, March 24

3:30 p.m. ET – North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns FC (Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park) LIFETIME

7:30 p.m. ET – Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals FC (Orlando City Stadium)

10:00 p.m. ET – Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit (Memorial Stadium)

Sunday, March 25

5:00 p.m. ET – Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars (BBVA Compass Stadium)

Saturday, March 31

3:30 p.m. ET – Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride (Maryland SoccerPlex) LIFETIME

8:15 p.m. ET – Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC (Toyota Park)

Saturday, April 14

3:30 p.m. ET – Utah Royals FC vs. Chicago Red Stars (Rio Tinto Stadium) LIFETIME

Sunday, April 15

5:00 p.m. ET – Sky Blue FC vs. Seattle Reign FC (Yurcak Field)

6:00 p.m. ET – Portland Thorns FC vs. Orlando Pride (Providence Park)