After five weeks off, the NWSL returned this past weekend to much fanfare and a very competitive slate. Four of the seven games on the weekend ended in a draw, and no game was decided by more than two goals. While they league wasn’t in action, most of the players were, either on international duty or in friendly matches to attempt to stay sharp. Even so, I wasn’t really sure what to expect after so much time away. Would the Utah Royals and Houston Dash be able to end the losing streaks they took into the break? Would San Diego and Seattle stay hot? Was an extended break the only thing that could slow down the Kansas City Current? We got the answers to all of those questions and more in the opening weekend, and those answers could set the course for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. With that in mind, here are five things we learned over the weekend.

Utah's new-look starting lineup works.

Utah Royals had six new players in their starting lineup compared to their last game, including a nearly entirely new back line. You never would have known it based on their play on the field. They did a good job being patient in possession when required but also found the space in the middle of the pitch, which led to their only goal. Utah earned just their second point on the road all season, and they did it against the defending champions. Orlando was missing Marta, Angelina and Ally Watt, but I was still impressed with how competitive Utah was coming out of the break. They will have a tough test Friday at home against the Current, but I think they will continue to be surprisingly competitive down the stretch.

I was especially impressed by rookie goalkeeper Mia Justus, who was making her first career start. She got away with a heavy touch that nearly led to a goal early in the second half, but she finished with five saves on six attempts on goal. I thought she mostly looked composed facing the Orlando attack, and did a good job commanding her area. Even the goal she allowed wasn’t really her fault. Presca Chilufya was alone in the middle of the box, and nobody was stopping that shot. If Justis continues to start I think she’ll be playable for fantasy, even if she probably won’t get many wins.

The San Diego Wave are legit.

They didn’t get the road win I predicted, though considering the odds, I still think it was a good call. San Diego still has just one loss on the road to go along with the second-best road goal differential. They need to be better at home if they’re really going to contend, but I think that could be coming. At the very least, I think they’re still somewhat underrated on the road.

The Kansas City Current put the entire league on notice.

While I’m content with my San Diego Wave call, backing Louisville at home against Kansas City looks far more foolish. The Current are on top of the table, 10 points clear of Orlando and the Washington Spirit after their 2-0 road win. Perhaps more importantly, the Current traded for Royals star All Sentnor for a record transfer fee. Any hope that the Current would show some rust and come back to the pack following the break appears to have gone out the window. Its hard to imagine any team catching them now.

Angel City’s collapse continues.

Angel City was 4-2-2 in early May but has earned just one point from six games since then. Angel City has the second-youngest average age in the league, and 15 of their 20 goals scored are by players 22 or younger. Manager Alexander Straus is still looking for his first win since taking over on June 1. He won three straight league titles with Bayern Munich, but while the break appeared to come at the perfect time for Angel City, they still couldn’t pick up a win.

I still think Straus and Angel City will turn things around, but I’m beginning to think it won’t be until next season. This team is weighted very heavily toward offense, which is why they are tied for fifth in goals scored while also allowing the third-most goals in the league. They attempted to compensate by moving midfielder Alanna Kennedy to center back. I actually thought she looked pretty comfortable in her new role, even if she was charged with the own goal for Seattle’s second score. I hope she stays in that role a little while longer. Angel City faces the Wave on the road Saturday which might be a good thing, followed by at Utah the next week. I think one of those games could get them back in the win column.

Chicago Stars FC continue to be competitive

Unfortunately, that is all we can really hope for from the teams at the bottom of the table. After losing eight of their first 10 games, Chicago has drawn three of its last four. They still don’t have any consistent attack to speak of, with only two players having scored multiple goals. Even so, six of their 11 goals scored have come in their last five games. Scoring goals was always going to be a challenge with Mallory Swanson out, but at least Chicago has been in all of these games. That might change soon. After they face Bay FC next week, five of their next seven games are against teams in the top half of the table. If they can keep those games close, they really will have shown progress.