How to watch three NWSL games on Wednesday, Oct. 5

Topics: Portland Thorns, NC Courage, Racing Louisville, Houston Dash, Washington Spirit, Gotham FC, Carli Lloyd, Lynn Williams

The National Women’s Soccer League is back after an action-less weekend where games were canceled amid the league’s current institutional crisis. Learn how to watch the three games on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Wednesday NWSL play will begin with a bittersweet clash between NJ/NY Gotham FC hosting the Washington Spirit at 7 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Subaru Park in Philadelphia to celebrate retiring USWNT legend Carli Lloyd in her hometown. The outcome of the game will be crucial for both teams, as they battle for a playoff spot that Washington currently holds.

As if the pressure of winning the game was not enough, the Spirit will have to do so a day after players demanded an ownership change. The players as a collective have demanded Steve Baldwin to sell his stake following extensive allegations of a toxic environment filled with abuse during the Richie Burke era. On a positive note for the players, Baldwin resigned on Tuesday.

The North Carolina Courage hosts Racing Louisville at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:30 p.m. ET. NC Courage Academy coach Sean Nahas will take over the team as the interim head coach, following the ousting of Paul Riley.

Nahas’ task is to beat Louisville and edge closer to a playoff spot. As for Louisville, playoff hopes are pretty much out of the picture. Racing would need 10 points from their last four games and hope for the Spirit, Dash and Gotham FC to lose all their matches. Last time out between these two teams, forward Lynn Williams led North Carolina with a brace in a 2-0 away win.

Finally, the Portland Thorns and Houston Dash will close-out Wednesday play at 10 p.m. ET. The Thorns have pretty much secured a playoff spot, but they will battle to secure their bye to go straight into the semifinals. As for the Dash, a win is necessary to land a playoff spot.