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The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that ESPN will telecast six NWSL Games of the Week on ESPNEWS throughout the remainder of the season replacing the previously scheduled games on Lifetime. All six nationally televised games will be slated for evening kickoffs.
The Washington Spirit will host the Portland Thorns FC in the first ever women’s professional soccer game at Audi Field – D.C. United’s brand new state-of-the-art stadium in downtown Washington, D.C. – on Saturday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS. Furthermore, Lifetime will broadcast a NWSL Game of the Week for the first-time ever on a Friday night as the Thorns FC take on the Seattle Reign FC in a Cascadia clash on September 7 at 10 p.m. ET at Providence Park.
Jenn Hildreth and Aly Wagner will continue in the broadcast booth for the NWSL Game of the Week on ESPNEWS and Lifetime – while sideline reporter Dalen Cuff will host the pregame show. In addition, former U.S. International Kate Markgraf (6/16-30 and 7/14) will be filling in as the analyst for four games while fellow U.S. international Angela Hucles (7/7) will step in for one game as Aly Wagner looks to make history during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by becoming the first woman to call a Men’s World Cup game in English in the U.S.
Prior to all the games on ESPNews and the September 7 game on Lifetime, the NWSL will host a 20-minute pregame show highlighting coverage of all the latest news and analysis live on the league’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.
NWSL fans will also be able to stream the games live via the ESPN App, with authentication required in the U.S., while international fans will be able to watch games on the NWSL app and NWSLsoccer.com.
Previously, ESPN aired nine NWSL games during the league’s second season in 2014 featuring three regular-season games, the semifinals and the championship.
Updated 2018 NWSL Game of the Week Schedule: (All Times ET)
| Date | Pregame | Kickoff | Home Team | Visiting Team | TV |
| June 16 | 8:00 p.m. | 8:08 p.m. | Chicago Red Stars | Portland Thorns FC | ESPNEWS |
| June 23 | 7:00 p.m. | 7:08 p.m. | Washington Spirit | Orlando Pride | ESPNEWS |
| June 30 | 3:30 p.m. | 3:50 p.m. | Orlando Pride | North Carolina Courage | Lifetime |
| July 7 | 7:30 p.m. | 7:38 p.m. | Orlando Pride | Washington Spirit | ESPNEWS |
| July 14 | 7:00 p.m. | 7:08 p.m. | Utah Royals FC | Orlando Pride | ESPNEWS |
| July 21 | 3:30 p.m. | 3:50 p.m. | Orlando Pride | Seattle Reign FC | Lifetime |
| August 11 | 3:30 p.m. | 3:50 p.m. | Utah Royals FC | Seattle Reign FC | Lifetime |
| August 18 | 10:30 p.m. | 10:38 p.m. | Portland Thorns FC | Chicago Red Stars | ESPNEWS |
| August 25 | 7:30 p.m. | 7:38 p.m. | Washington Spirit | Portland Thorns FC | ESPNEWS |
| September 7 | 10:00 p.m. | 10:04 p.m. | Portland Thorns FC | Seattle Reign FC | Lifetime |
The 2018 regular season will then culminate on September 8 with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs – that will feature two semifinal matches September 14-16 on Lifetime. The 2018 NWSL Championship will be held at Providence Park
on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT on Lifetime. Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 7, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Fans will be able to purchase tickets by calling (888) 736-6849 or online at www.thornsfc.com.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a nine-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring national team players from around the world. Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by Canada Soccer and U.S. Soccer. For more information about the NWSL, log on to the league’s official website at NWSLsoccer.com.
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