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2022 National Women's Soccer League season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

National Women's Soccer League
Season2022
DatesApril 29–October 29
ChampionsPortland Thorns FC
(3rd title)
NWSL ShieldOL Reign
(3rd shield)
Challenge CupNorth Carolina Courage
(1st cup)
Matches played132
Goals scored367 (2.78 per match)
Top goalscorerAlex Morgan
(15 goals)
Best goalkeeperBella Bixby,
Phallon Tullis-Joyce
(9 clean sheets)
Biggest home winPOR 6–0 ORL
(June 19)
Biggest away winLOU 0–4 CHI
(August 27)
HOU 0–4 POR
(June 12)
Highest scoringNC 3–4 HOU
(June 19)
NC 3–4 KC
(August 13)
WAS 4–3 SD
(September 10)
Longest winning run3 games
SD (May 1 – May 18)
KC (July 1 – July 31)
HOU (July 16 – August 12)
Longest unbeaten run13 games
KC (May 30 – Sept 14)
Longest winless run16 games
WAS (May 15 – September 10)
Longest losing run12 games
NJY (July 16 – October 1)
Highest attendance32,000
SD vs. LA
(Sept 17)
Lowest attendance1,961
WAS vs. CHI
(June 1)
Total attendance1,045,095
Average attendance7,917
2021
2023

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season was the tenth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams competed in the league, including two expansion teams, San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC.

The NWSL regular season, comprising 22 games for each team, began on April 29 and ended on October 2, 2022. OL Reign topped the standing with 40 points and thus won the NWSL Shield. The championship playoffs were held from October 16–29 and were won by Portland Thorns FC, who defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 in the final and thus became the NWSL champions. The year also included the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, which was played from March 18 to May 7 and overlapped with the start of the regular season. It was won by the North Carolina Courage, who defeated the Washington Spirit 2-1 in the final.

This season was the first in which the total attendance exceeded one million.[1]

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

[edit]

Team names

[edit]

On October 21, 2020, the Los Angeles expansion team announced its name as Angel City FC.[2]

On October 30, 2021, the NWSL franchise in Kansas City announced its new name as Kansas City Current.[3]

On November 9, 2021, the San Diego expansion team announced its name as San Diego Wave FC.[4]

Stadiums and locations

[edit]

Capacities listed here are full capacities, and do not reflect COVID-19 restrictions.

Personnel and sponsorship

[edit]

Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer as part of a league-wide sponsorship agreement renewed in November 2021.[12]

Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor
Angel City FC England Freya Coombe New Zealand Ali Riley[13] DoorDash[14]
Chicago Red Stars United States Chris Petrucelli United States Vanessa DiBernardo[15] CIBC[16]
Houston Dash Spain Juan Carlos Amorós (interim) United States Jane Campbell
United States Katie Naughton[17]
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Kansas City Current England Matt Potter United States Sam Mewis
Canada Desiree Scott[18]
Saint Luke's Health System[19]
NJ/NY Gotham FC England Hue Menzies (interim) United States McCall Zerboni Algorand[20]
North Carolina Courage United States Sean Nahas New Zealand Abby Erceg Continental AG
OL Reign England Laura Harvey United States Lauren Barnes
United States Megan Rapinoe
Black Future Co-op Fund
Orlando Pride England Seb Hines (interim) Brazil Marta[21] Orlando Health
Portland Thorns FC Canada Rhian Wilkinson Canada Christine Sinclair Providence Health & Services
Racing Louisville FC Sweden Kim Björkegren England Gemma Bonner
United States Emily Fox
United States Jessica McDonald
Denmark Nadia Nadim[22]
GE Appliances
San Diego Wave FC England Casey Stoney United States Alex Morgan[23] Kaiser Permanente[24]
Washington Spirit United States Albertin Montoya (interim) United States Tori Huster
United States Andi Sullivan
The Kennedy Center (home)[25]
CVS Health (away)[26]

Coaching changes

[edit]
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment Ref.
Washington Spirit England Richie Burke Re-assigned[a] August 10, 2021 7th in 2021 United States Kris Ward December 20, 2021 [30]
San Diego Wave FC Preseason England Casey Stoney July 14, 2021 [31]
Angel City FC Preseason England Freya Coombe August 23, 2021 [32]
Orlando Pride United States Becky Burleigh (interim) End of interim period October 30, 2021 Preseason United States Amanda Cromwell December 7, 2021 [33][34]
Racing Louisville FC United States Mario Sanchez (interim) End of interim period November 1, 2021 Preseason Sweden Kim Björkegren December 9, 2021 [35][36]
North Carolina Courage United States Sean Nahas (interim) End of interim period November 8, 2021 Preseason United States Sean Nahas December 1, 2021 [37][38]
Portland Thorns FC England Mark Parsons Resigned November 15, 2021 Preseason Canada Rhian Wilkinson November 29, 2021 [39][40]
Kansas City Current Wales Huw Williams Re-assigned November 18, 2021 Preseason England Matt Potter January 11, 2022 [41][42]
Chicago Red Stars United States Rory Dames Resigned November 22, 2021 Preseason United States Chris Petrucelli February 18, 2022 [43][44]
Houston Dash England James Clarkson Suspended April 26, 2022 Preseason England Sarah Lowdon (acting) April 29, 2022 [45][46]
Orlando Pride United States Amanda Cromwell Placed on administrative leave[b] June 7, 2022 9th England Seb Hines (interim) June 7, 2022 [48]
Houston Dash England Sarah Lowdon (acting) End of acting period July 12, 2022[c] 6th Spain Juan Carlos Amorós (interim) June 15, 2022 [50]
NJ/NY Gotham FC England Scott Parkinson Mutual separation August 11, 2022 11th United States Beverly Goebel Yanez (acting)[d] August 14, 2022 [51][52]
NJ/NY Gotham FC United States Beverly Goebel Yanez (acting) End of acting period[d] August 15, 2022 11th England Hue Menzies (interim) August 13, 2022 [54]
Washington Spirit United States Kris Ward Fired August 22, 2022 11th United States Angela Salem (acting)[e] August 27, 2022 [57]
Washington Spirit United States Angela Salem (acting) End of acting period[e] August 28, 2022 11th United States Albertin Montoya (interim) September 2, 2022 [58]
  1. ^ The Spirit initially re-assigned Burke to the front office but suspended him one day later pending an investigation by the league.[27][28] He was terminated for cause on September 28, 2021, after the league concluded its investigation.[29]
  2. ^ The league terminated Cromwell's employment on October 10, 2022, after an investigation found that she "engaged in retaliation and attempted retaliation against [certain] Pride players."[47]
  3. ^ Although the Dash appointed Amorós on June 15, 2022, Lowdon remained the acting head coach until Amorós's arrival on July 12, 2022.[49]
  4. ^ a b Although Gotham FC appointed Menzies on August 13, 2022, he did not join the team in time and Goebel Yanez acted as de facto head coach for one game on August 14, 2022.[53]
  5. ^ a b After firing Ward, the Spirit had identified an interim head coach but could not complete the appointment before their next game.[55] Therefore, Salem acted as de facto head coach for one game on August 27, 2022.[56]

Regular season

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 OL Reign 22 11 7 4 32 19 +13 40 NWSL Shield, Playoffs – semi-finals
2 Portland Thorns FC (C) 22 10 9 3 49 24 +25 39 Playoffs – semi-finals
3 San Diego Wave FC 22 10 6 6 32 21 +11 36 Playoffs – first round
4 Houston Dash 22 10 6 6 35 27 +8 36
5 Kansas City Current 22 10 6 6 29 29 0 36
6 Chicago Red Stars 22 9 6 7 34 28 +6 33
7 North Carolina Courage 22 9 5 8 46 33 +13 32
8 Angel City FC 22 8 5 9 23 27 −4 29
9 Racing Louisville FC 22 5 8 9 23 35 −12 23
10 Orlando Pride 22 5 7 10 22 45 −23 22
11 Washington Spirit 22 3 10 9 26 33 −7 19
12 NJ/NY Gotham FC 22 4 1 17 16 46 −30 13
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

Tiebreakers

[edit]

The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. If two or more teams tie in total points total when determining rank, playoff qualification, and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker criteria,[59] going down the list until all teams are ranked.

  1. Greater goal difference across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
  2. Most total wins across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
  3. Most goals scored across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
  4. Head-to-head results (total points) between the tied teams.
  5. Head-to-head most goals scored between the tied teams.
  6. Least disciplinary points accumulated across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
  7. Coin flip (if two teams are tied) or drawing of lots (if three or more teams are tied).

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away CHI HOU KC LA LOU NC NJY ORL POR RGN SD WAS
Chicago Red Stars 0–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–2 2–0 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 0–0
Houston Dash 4–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 5–0 0–4 0–2 0–1 2–2
Kansas City Current 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–0 3–2 1–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 2–2 3–0
Angel City FC 1–0 0–0 1–0 1–3 2–1 0–1 0–1 1–1 2–3 2–1 2–1
Racing Louisville FC 0–4 1–1 1–0 2–3 0–3 1–2 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–1
North Carolina Courage 4–0 3–4 3–4 1–0 5–1 3–0 1–2 3–1 1–2 0–1 3–3
NJ/NY Gotham FC 0–3 2–4 0–1 1–3 0–1 0–1 1–2 3–3 0–1 0–3 1–0
Orlando Pride 2–4 1–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–3 0–3 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2
Portland Thorns FC 3–0 0–2 3–0 3–0 3–0 3–3 5–0 6–0 0–0 0–2 1–1
OL Reign 2–2 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 4–1 3–0 2–2 1–0 0–0
San Diego Wave FC 2–1 3–1 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 4–0 0–1 2–2 1–1 2–1
Washington Spirit 1–1 1–2 0–1 0–1 2–2 2–3 2–0 0–0 1–2 2–1 4–3
Source: NWSL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Positions by week

[edit]

Considering each week to end when the NWSL releases their weekly standing tweet

Team \ Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
OL Reign 8 10 10 9 3 6 6 5 4 4 6 5 6 5 5 5 5 5 2 1
Portland Thorns FC 2 2 3 7 8 4 3 2 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 4 3 4 1 2
San Diego Wave FC 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 4 3
Houston Dash 10 5 4 4 4 2 5 4 5 6 4 3 3 2 3 2 4 2 5 4
Kansas City Current 12 12 11 11 11 11 10 10 7 7 5 6 5 4 4 3 1 3 3 5
Chicago Red Stars 4 4 5 6 7 3 2 3 2 2 3 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 7 6
North Carolina Courage 7 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 10 9 8 8 6 7
Angel City FC 3 6 2 2 2 7 4 6 6 5 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8
Racing Louisville FC 9 9 9 3 5 8 9 9 8 10 10 11 9 9 9 10 11 11 10 9
Orlando Pride 11 8 6 5 6 9 11 11 11 9 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
Washington Spirit 5 3 7 8 9 10 8 7 9 11 11 10 10 10 11 11 10 10 11 11
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 7 8 10 10 5 7 8 10 8 9 9 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12

Legend: Gold = first place; green = playoff position; Red = last place.

Attendance

[edit]

Average home attendances

[edit]

Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.

Regular season

Team GP Attendance High Low Average
Angel City FC 11 210,153 22,000 16,112 19,105
Portland Thorns FC 11 170,976 19,127 9,876 15,543
San Diego Wave FC 11 96,017 32,000 4,418 8,729
Kansas City Current 11 84,223 10,395 5,695 7,657
OL Reign 11 75,289 10,746 3,944 6,844
Washington Spirit 11 68,441 10,177 1,961 6,222
Racing Louisville FC 11 66,529 8,729 5,107 6,048
Chicago Red Stars 11 64,588 23,951 2,135 5,872
Houston Dash 11 62,085 7,798 4,637 5,644
North Carolina Courage 11 49,991 6,398 3,084 4,545
NJ/NY Gotham FC 11 48,563 7,145 2,130 4,415
Orlando Pride 11 48,240 7,573 3,015 4,385
Total 132 1,045,095 32,000 1,961 7,917

Updated through October 2, 2022

Highest attendances

[edit]

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance[60] Date Stadium
1 San Diego Wave FC 1–0 Angel City FC 32,000 September 17, 2022 (2022-09-17) Snapdragon Stadium
2 Chicago Red Stars 0–1 San Diego Wave FC 23,951 July 30, 2022 (2022-07-30) Soldier Field
3 Angel City FC 2–1 North Carolina Courage 22,000 April 29, 2022 (2022-04-29) Banc of California Stadium
Angel City FC 2–1 San Diego Wave FC 22,000 July 9, 2022 (2022-07-09) Banc of California Stadium
Angel City FC 2–3 OL Reign 22,000 July 30, 2022 (2022-07-30) Banc of California Stadium
Angel City FC 1–3 Racing Louisville FC 22,000 September 25, 2022 (2022-09-25) Banc of California Stadium
7 Angel City FC 0–1 NJ/NY Gotham FC 18,784 May 29, 2022 (2022-05-29) Banc of California Stadium
8 Portland Thorns FC 0–2 San Diego Wave FC 18,624 August 27, 2022 (2022-08-27) Providence Park
9 Angel City FC 1–0 Kansas City Current 18,514 May 21, 2022 (2022-05-21) Banc of California Stadium
10 San Diego Wave FC 0–0 North Carolina Courage 18,000 September 30, 2022 (2022-09-30) Snapdragon Stadium

Updated through October 2, 2022.

Statistical leaders

[edit]
As of October 2, 2022.[61][62]

Playoffs

[edit]

The top six teams from the regular season qualified for the NWSL Championship playoffs, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye. On August 23, 2022, the league announced that the championship match would be held on October 29, 2022, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with domestic broadcast on CBS and a prime-time kickoff at 8 p.m. EDT.[63][64]


First round Semi-finals Championship
1 OL Reign 0
4 Houston Dash 1 5 Kansas City Current 2
5 Kansas City Current 2 5 Kansas City Current 0
2 Portland Thorns FC 2
2 Portland Thorns FC 2
3 San Diego Wave FC (a.e.t.) 2 3 San Diego Wave FC 1
6 Chicago Red Stars 1

First round

[edit]
Houston Dash1–2Kansas City Current
  • Schmidt 21'
Report
Attendance: 21,284
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
San Diego Wave FC2–1 (a.e.t.)Chicago Red Stars
Report
Attendance: 26,215
Referee: Mark Allatin

Semi-finals

[edit]
Portland Thorns FC2–1San Diego Wave FC
Report
Attendance: 22,035
Referee: Kevin Broadley
OL Reign0–2Kansas City Current
Report
Attendance: 21,491
Referee: Alex Billeter

Championship

[edit]
Portland Thorns FC2–0Kansas City Current
Report
Attendance: 17,624
Referee: Natalie Simon

Championship Game MVP: Sophia Smith (POR)

Challenge Cup

[edit]

Championship

[edit]

Individual awards

[edit]
As of October 27, 2022

Annual awards

[edit]
Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith was recognized as the league's Most Valuable Player.
Award Winner Nominees Ref.
Golden Boot United States Alex Morgan (15 G) San Diego Wave FC N/A [65]
Most Valuable Player United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC Brazil Debinha, NC
United States Naomi Girma, SD
United States Alex Morgan, SD
United States Mallory Pugh, CHI
[66]
Defender of the Year United States Naomi Girma San Diego Wave FC United States Alana Cook, RGN
United States Sofia Huerta, RGN
United States Carson Pickett, NC
United States Becky Sauerbrunn, POR
[67]
Goalkeeper of the Year Canada Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC United States Adrianna Franch, KC
United States Phallon Tullis-Joyce, RGN
[68]
Rookie of the Year United States Naomi Girma San Diego Wave FC United States Sam Coffey, POR
Mexico Diana Ordóñez, NC
[67]
Coach of the Year England Casey Stoney San Diego Wave FC England Laura Harvey, RGN
England Matt Potter, KC
[69]

Teams of the Year

[edit]

Announced October 25, 2022[70]

Best XI

Position Player Club
Goalkeeper Canada Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC
Defender United States Alana Cook OL Reign
United States Naomi Girma San Diego Wave FC
United States Sofia Huerta OL Reign
United States Carson Pickett North Carolina Courage
Midfielder/Forward United States Sam Coffey Portland Thorns FC
United States Lo'eau LaBonta Kansas City Current
United States Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC
Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage
United States Mallory Pugh Chicago Red Stars
United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC

Second XI

Position Player Club
Goalkeeper United States Adrianna Franch Kansas City Current
Defender United States Kelli Hubly Portland Thorns FC
United States Hailie Mace Kansas City Current
United States Tatumn Milazzo Chicago Red Stars
United States Becky Sauerbrunn Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder/Forward Brazil Kerolin North Carolina Courage
Wales Jess Fishlock OL Reign
United States Rose Lavelle OL Reign
Mexico Diana Ordóñez North Carolina Courage
United States Megan Rapinoe OL Reign
England Ebony Salmon Houston Dash

Monthly Awards

[edit]

Player of the Month

[edit]
Month Player Club Ref.
May United States Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC [71]
June United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC [72]
July England Ebony Salmon Houston Dash [73]
August United States Megan Rapinoe OL Reign [74]
September/October Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage [75]

Rookie of the Month

[edit]
Month Player Club Ref.
May United States Naomi Girma San Diego Wave FC [76]
June United States Sam Coffey Portland Thorns FC [77]
July United States Savannah DeMelo Racing Louisville FC [78]
August Mexico Diana Ordoñez North Carolina Courage [79]
September/October United States Naomi Girma (2) San Diego Wave FC [80]

Team of the Month

[edit]
Month Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref.
May United States Phallon Tullis-Joyce, RGN United States Alana Cook, RGN
Canada Vanessa Gilles, LA
United States Naomi Girma, SD
United States Sofia Huerta, RGN
United States Savannah DeMelo, LOU
United States Taylor Kornieck, SD
United States Rose Lavelle, RGN
England Rachel Daly, HOU
United States Alex Morgan, SD
United States Mallory Pugh, CHI
[81]
June United States Bella Bixby, POR United States Naomi Girma (2), SD
Finland Natalia Kuikka, POR
United States Tatumn Milazzo, CHI
United States Carson Pickett, NC
United States Sam Coffey, POR
Brazil Debinha, NC
United States Taylor Kornieck (2), SD
United States Alex Morgan (2), SD
United States Mallory Pugh (2), CHI
United States Sophia Smith, POR
[82]
July United States Adrianna Franch, KC United States Kristen Edmonds, KC
United States Kelli Hubly, POR
United States Hailie Mace, KC
United States Carson Pickett (2), NC
Wales Jess Fishlock, RGN
United States Lo'eau LaBonta, KC
Japan Hina Sugita, POR
United States Bethany Balcer, RGN
England Ebony Salmon, HOU
United States Morgan Weaver, POR
[83]
August United States Adrianna Franch (2), KC United States Elizabeth Ball, KC
United States Naomi Girma (3), SD
United States Sofia Huerta (2), RGN
United States Carson Pickett (3), NC
United States Meggie Dougherty Howard, ORL
United States Lo'eau LaBonta (2), KC
United States Cari Roccaro, LA
Mexico Diana Ordoñez, NC
United States Megan Rapinoe, RGN
England Ebony Salmon (2), HOU
[84]
September/October United States Katie Lund, LOU United States Alana Cook (2), RGN
United States Naomi Girma (4), SD
United States Hailie Mace (2), KC
United States Carson Pickett (4), NC
United States Sam Coffey (2), POR
United States Vanessa DiBernardo, CHI
United States Rose Lavelle (2), RGN
Brazil Debinha (2), NC
United States Megan Rapinoe (2), RGN
United States Sophia Smith (2), POR
[85]

Weekly awards

[edit]
Week Player of the Week Save of the Week Ref.
Player Club Player Club
1 Japan Jun Endo Angel City FC Bosnia and Herzegovina DiDi Haračić Angel City FC [86][87]
2 United States Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC United States Phallon Tullis-Joyce OL Reign [88][89]
3 United States Christen Press Angel City FC United States Phallon Tullis-Joyce (2) OL Reign [90][91]
4 United States Mallory Pugh Chicago Red Stars Bosnia and Herzegovina DiDi Haračić (2) Angel City FC [92][93]
5 United States Sofia Huerta OL Reign United States Ashlyn Harris NJ/NY Gotham FC [94][95]
6 Canada Nichelle Prince Houston Dash Bosnia and Herzegovina DiDi Haračić (3) Angel City FC [96][97]
7 United States Taylor Kornieck San Diego Wave FC United States Jane Campbell Houston Dash [98][99]
8 United States Alex Morgan (2) San Diego Wave FC United States Bella Bixby Portland Thorns FC [100][101]
9 Wales Jess Fishlock OL Reign United States Shelby Hogan Portland Thorns FC [102][103]
10 United States Adrianna Franch Kansas City Current United States Adrianna Franch Kansas City Current [104][105]
11 England Ebony Salmon Houston Dash United States Adrianna Franch (2) Kansas City Current [106][107]
12 United States Sofia Huerta (2) OL Reign Canada Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC [108][109]
13 United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC United States Katie Lund Racing Louisville FC [110][111]
14 France Claire Lavogez Kansas City Current United States Michelle Betos NJ/NY Gotham FC [112][113]
15 United States Makenzy Doniak San Diego Wave FC United States Michelle Betos (2) NJ/NY Gotham FC [114][115]
16 United States Megan Rapinoe OL Reign United States Abby Smith Portland Thorns FC [116][117]
17 United States Amber Brooks Washington Spirit United States Paige Monaghan NJ/NY Gotham FC [118][119]
18 Canada Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC Canada Kailen Sheridan (2) San Diego Wave FC [120][121]
19 Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage United States Bella Bixby (2) Portland Thorns FC [122][123]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ @NWSL (September 30, 2022). "1,000,000 FANS‼️ A record-breaking season" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  3. ^ "Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale – Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. October 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "San Diego Wave FC: NWSL team reveals its name ahead of 2022 debut". www.theathletic.com. November 9, 2021.
  5. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. February 7, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  6. ^ "Kansas City NWSL to Play 2022 Home Matches at Children's Mercy Park" (Press release). Kansas City Current. September 22, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "OL Reign Returns Home to Seattle". OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD.
  8. ^ Rantz, Susie (December 15, 2021). "OL Reign's move to Lumen Field, explained". Sounder At Heart.
  9. ^ Gardner, Hayes (October 14, 2021). "'A world-class city': Next month's NWSL Championship game moves to Louisville". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  10. ^ "San Diego Wave FC Unveils Official Team Crest and Colors" (Press release). San Diego Wave FC. December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2022. In addition to unveiling its club crest, Wave FC announced today that Snapdragon Stadium will serve as its permanent home after the scheduled opening in September 2022.
  11. ^ Goff, Steven (May 23, 2021). "Spirit moves home opener to Houston after construction delays, friction with D.C. United". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Carp, Sam (November 22, 2021). "NWSL's Nike extension is league's 'most substantial' sponsorship deal to date". SportsPro. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  13. ^ Yang, Steph (May 12, 2022). "'I have waited for a moment like this for 12 years': Ali Riley is at home with Angel City". The Athletic. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  14. ^ Carp, Sam (March 19, 2021). "Angel City FC complete shirt sponsorship hattrick with Sprouts deal". SportsPro. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Chicago Red Stars Captain, Midfielder, Vanessa DiBernardo, Named to NWSL Best XI". Chicago Red Stars. Chicago Red Stars.
  16. ^ "Chicago Red Stars Announce CIBC as Front-of-Jersey Partner" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars. April 21, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  17. ^ "Houston Dash defender Katie Naughton signs three-year contract extension | Houston Dynamo". houstondynamofc.
  18. ^ @thekccurrent (March 18, 2022). "Champions. Captains.@sammymewy 👊 @MsDScott11" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Kansas City NWSL Partners with Saint Luke's Health System". kcwoso.com. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  20. ^ "Gotham FC brings in blockchain company Algorand as primary jersey sponsor". SportBusiness. March 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "2022 Orlando Pride Captain Announcement | Orlando City". orlandocitysc.
  22. ^ "McDonald: 'It's been really cool to see the different personalities' of captains" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. March 14, 2022.
  23. ^ "San Diego's Naomi Girma shines in first outing in captain's armband".
  24. ^ "Wave FC Names Kaiser Permanente as First Health Partner and Team Physicians". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (Press release). March 15, 2022.
  25. ^ "Washington Spirit and Kennedy Center Announce Groundbreaking Partnership". Washington Spirit – NWSL (Press release). April 29, 2022.
  26. ^ Washington Spirit [@WashSpirit] (July 3, 2022). "This year's front-of-jersey official partner for our AWAY kit is CVSHealth" (Tweet). Retrieved July 9, 2022 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Richie Burke re-assigned to Spirit Front Office" (Press release). Washington Spirit. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  28. ^ "Statement From Steve Baldwin" (Press release). Washington Spirit. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  29. ^ "NWSL Announces Update in Washington Spirit Investigation" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 28, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  30. ^ Small, Jordan (December 20, 2021). "Washington Spirit Name Kris Ward Permanent Head Coach" (Press release). Washington Spirit.
  31. ^ Brennan, Clare (July 14, 2021). "Casey Stoney named head coach of San Diego NWSL team". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  32. ^ Baxter, Kevin (August 22, 2021). "Angel City names Freya Coombe as new coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  33. ^ "Update on Orlando Pride Head Coach Vacancy" (Press release). Orlando City SC. October 27, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
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