NWSL announces season openers, first Lifetime game

The National Women’s Soccer League announced the schedule for its opening weekend, including the first game broadcast on Lifetime as part of the league’s new partnership with A+E Networks.

The Portland Thorns, who have the league’s best average attendance, will host the Orlando Pride on April 15 for Lifetime’s first Game of the Week.

The league’s teams will play a 24-game schedule evenly divided between home and away matches. Training camps will open March 13.

The North Carolina Courage, which moved this season after winning the NWSL championship as the Western New York Flash, will visit the Washington Spirit in a rematch of the title game on April 15. Other matches that day will include Sky Blue FC at the Seattle Reign and the Chicago Red Stars at the Houston Dash.

The Boston Breakers visit FC Kansas City on April 16.