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Portland, June 15: If you tried tuning in to Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit this past Sunday and couldn’t figure out where to watch—it’s not just you. The NWSL’s broadcast game plan can be a little confusing, especially when the match airs on a major network like CBS.
Here’s exactly how it went down on Today’s, so next time, you’ll know where to look without scrolling Reddit in a panic.
Where to Watch: The Breakdown
CBS carried the game live in the U.S., with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. EDT / 1:00 p.m. PDT. Some fans in Portland might’ve seen a listed time of 4:30 p.m. local, but the nationwide feed started at the top of the hour—no delay. That’s in line with CBS’s typical Sunday NWSL coverage.
If you were looking for it on CBS Sports Network or even Paramount+’s NWSL section, you probably came up empty. That’s because this wasn’t a regular streaming fixture—it was a CBS exclusive, meaning you had to catch it live through the network’s broadcast or stream it properly.
Paramount+ Was an Option—But Only With the Right Plan
For fans who don’t have cable, Paramount+ came in clutch—but only if you’re subscribed to the ad-free tier that includes live TV access. And here’s the kicker: the match didn’t show up under the NWSL category like you’d expect. Instead, you had to scroll to the “Live TV” tab, where it streamed as part of the CBS feed. Miss that step, and you missed the game.
NWSL+ Didn’t Have This One—But Still Useful
NWSL+, the league’s new free streaming platform, is a solid backup for many games. But since CBS had full rights to this one, it wasn’t available live on NWSL+. You might catch a replay there later, though, so it’s worth checking.
Also, don’t bother refreshing Prime Video—that platform carries select Friday night games, and this Sunday matchup wasn’t one of them.
For Viewers in Canada
Our neighbors up north had a smoother ride. TSN and TSN+ aired the game live at 4:00 p.m. ET, with no apparent streaming hiccups. Canadian fans got a clean viewing experience through one of their top sports networks.
What Viewers Were Saying
Some fans, especially those relying on local CBS affiliates, reported getting bumped for other programming—mostly college events or region-specific shows. If that happens again, best bet is to stream CBS directly from the app or find your affiliate’s livestream.
There was also confusion about the game’s placement on Paramount+. Multiple users on Reddit pointed out that it was almost hidden unless you knew where to look. This kind of inconsistency is something the league and streamers still need to iron out.
Quick Recap: How to Watch NWSL on CBS Days
| Platform | What You Needed |
|---|---|
| CBS | Standard U.S. broadcast at 4 p.m. EDT |
| Paramount+ | Must be ad-free plan with Live TV; not in NWSL tab |
| NWSL+ | Not available for CBS-exclusive matches |
| TSN/TSN+ | Canada’s live feed at 4 p.m. ET |
Bottom Line? Watch CBS—Or Be Ready to Dig
If you’re in the U.S. and want to catch NWSL’s marquee matchups, your best move is still CBS or a Live TV plan on Paramount+. Otherwise, you’ll spend more time searching than watching. When CBS has the rights, NWSL+ takes a backseat.
And remember—if it’s not in the “NWSL” tab, it might be hiding in plain sight under “Live TV.” Click around before giving up.
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