{
  "id": 2719147,
  "title": "NWSL Availability Report (Matchweek 18 – Sunday): Chicago Stars vs Racing Louisville, Washington Spirit vs Orlando Pride, Bay FC vs Houston Dash, Angel City FC vs Gotham FC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/nwsl-availability-report-matchweek-18-sunday-chicago-stars-vs-racing",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T04:49:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nwsl-availability-report-matchweek-18-044906843.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Matchweek 18 of the NWSL concluded with four matches, several of which carry potential playoff implications. The Chicago Stars announced Ryan Connaughton will miss the next game due to a knee injury, Jordan Huitema is questionable due to a knee issue, Natalia Kuikka is sidelined with knee concerns, and Brianna Pinto is out with a lower leg injury.\n\nRacing Louisville's Savannah DeMelo will be unavailable due to illness, Marisa DiGrande is on maternity leave, and Natalie Mitchell is dealing with a knee injury. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.\n\nWashington Spirit will be without Mélissa Bethi for an excused absence, Lucia Di Guglielmo due to a lower leg issue, Aubrey Kingsbury is out for maternity leave, Casey Krueger is also on maternity leave, Monique Ngock is excused from the game due to an undisclosed reason, and Leicy Santos is dealing with a hip injury. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.\n\nOrlando Pride will miss Kerry Abello due to a thigh injury, Marta will be excused from the match, Kylie Nadaner is on maternity leave, Viviana Villacorta is dealing with a knee issue, and Solai Washington is out due to a head injury. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.\n\nBay FC will be without Anouk Denton due to a lower leg injury, Caprice Dydasco is on maternity leave, Alyssa Malonson is dealing with a knee issue, and Emily Menges is on maternity leave. Aldana Cometti is questionable due to a lower leg injury, and Racheal Kundananji is questionable due to a knee concern. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.\n\nHouston Dash will be without Malia Berkely for an excused absence, Evelina Duljan for an excused absence, Sarah Puntigam on parental leave, Makenzy Robbe with a knee issue, and Sophie Schmidt with an ankle injury. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.\n\nAngel City FC will miss Jun Endo due to a knee issue, Sveindis Jonsdottir due to an ankle injury, Maiara Niehues due to a lower leg injury, Hannah Seabert due to a hand injury, and Hina Sugita for a knee issue. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.\n\nGotham FC will be without Kayla Duran due to a knee issue, Denise O’Sullivan due to a knee injury, and Emily Sonnett due to a knee issue. No international duty has been assigned to any of the players affected.",
  "summary": "NWSL’s latest availability report includes major absences including: Lucia Di Guglielmo (Lower Leg), Leicy Santos (Hip), Kerry Abello (Thigh), Marta (Excused Absence), Solai Washington (Head), Malia Berkely (Excused Absence), Evelina Duljan (Excused Absence), Sarah Puntigam (parental leave), QUESTIONABLE: Aldana Cometti (Lower Leg), Racheal Kundananji (Knee)",
  "key_points": [
    "Chicago Stars' Ryan Connaughton out with knee injury",
    "Racing Louisville's Savannah DeMelo unavailable due to illness",
    "Washington Spirit without Mélissa Bethi for excused absence"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Several key players across the NWSL will be sidelined for upcoming matches, including stars like Marta, Aubrey Kingsbury, and Emily Sonnett, due to injuries, maternity leave, or excused absences.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}