2022 National Women's Soccer League season
Season | 2022 |
---|---|
Dates | April 29–October 29 |
Champions | Portland Thorns FC (3rd title) |
NWSL Shield | OL Reign (3rd shield) |
Challenge Cup | North Carolina Courage (1st cup) |
Matches played | 132 |
Goals scored | 367 (2.78 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Alex Morgan (15 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | Bella Bixby, Phallon Tullis-Joyce (9 clean sheets) |
Biggest home win | POR 6–0 ORL (June 19) |
Biggest away win | LOU 0–4 CHI (August 27) HOU 0–4 POR (June 12) |
Highest scoring | NC 3–4 HOU (June 19) NC 3–4 KC (August 13) WAS 4–3 SD (September 10) |
Longest winning run | 3 games SD (May 1 – May 18) KC (July 1 – July 31) HOU (July 16 – August 12) |
Longest unbeaten run | 13 games KC (May 30 – Sept 14) |
Longest winless run | 16 games WAS (May 15 – September 10) |
Longest losing run | 12 games NJY (July 16 – October 1) |
Highest attendance | 32,000 SD vs. LA (Sept 17) |
Lowest attendance | 1,961 WAS vs. CHI (June 1) |
Total attendance | 1,045,095 |
Average attendance | 7,917 |
← 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
Team names
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
Capacities listed here are full capacities, and do not reflect COVID-19 restrictions.
|
|
Personnel and sponsorship
Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer as part of a league-wide sponsorship agreement renewed in November 2021.[12]
Coaching changes
Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington Spirit | Richie Burke | Re-assigned[a] | August 10, 2021 | 7th in 2021 | Kris Ward | December 20, 2021 | [30] |
San Diego Wave FC | Preseason | Casey Stoney | July 14, 2021 | [31] | |||
Angel City FC | Preseason | Freya Coombe | August 23, 2021 | [32] | |||
Orlando Pride | Becky Burleigh (interim) | End of interim period | October 30, 2021 | Preseason | Amanda Cromwell | December 7, 2021 | [33][34] |
Racing Louisville FC | Mario Sanchez (interim) | End of interim period | November 1, 2021 | Preseason | Kim Björkegren | December 9, 2021 | [35][36] |
North Carolina Courage | Sean Nahas (interim) | End of interim period | November 8, 2021 | Preseason | Sean Nahas | December 1, 2021 | [37][38] |
Portland Thorns FC | Mark Parsons | Resigned | November 15, 2021 | Preseason | Rhian Wilkinson | November 29, 2021 | [39][40] |
Kansas City Current | Huw Williams | Re-assigned | November 18, 2021 | Preseason | Matt Potter | January 11, 2022 | [41][42] |
Chicago Red Stars | Rory Dames | Resigned | November 22, 2021 | Preseason | Chris Petrucelli | February 18, 2022 | [43][44] |
Houston Dash | James Clarkson | Suspended | April 26, 2022 | Preseason | Sarah Lowdon (acting) | April 29, 2022 | [45][46] |
Orlando Pride | Amanda Cromwell | Placed on administrative leave[b] | June 7, 2022 | 9th | Seb Hines (interim) | June 7, 2022 | [48] |
Houston Dash | Sarah Lowdon (acting) | End of acting period | July 12, 2022[c] | 6th | Juan Carlos Amorós (interim) | June 15, 2022 | [50] |
NJ/NY Gotham FC | Scott Parkinson | Mutual separation | August 11, 2022 | 11th | Beverly Goebel Yanez (acting)[d] | August 14, 2022 | [51][52] |
NJ/NY Gotham FC | Beverly Goebel Yanez (acting) | End of acting period[d] | August 15, 2022 | 11th | Hue Menzies (interim) | August 13, 2022 | [54] |
Washington Spirit | Kris Ward | Fired | August 22, 2022 | 11th | Angela Salem (acting)[e] | August 27, 2022 | [57] |
Washington Spirit | Angela Salem (acting) | End of acting period[e] | August 28, 2022 | 11th | Albertin Montoya (interim) | September 2, 2022 | [58] |
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]
- ^ Although the Dash appointed Amorós on June 15, 2022, Lowdon remained the acting head coach until Amorós's arrival on July 12, 2022.[49]
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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
Standings
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 |
Tiebreakers
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.
- Greater goal difference across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Most total wins across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Most goals scored across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Head-to-head results (total points) between the tied teams.
- Head-to-head most goals scored between the tied teams.
- Least disciplinary points accumulated across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Coin flip (if two teams are tied) or drawing of lots (if three or more teams are tied).
Results
Positions by week
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
Average home attendances
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
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 | Snapdragon Stadium |
2 | Chicago Red Stars | 0–1 | San Diego Wave FC | 23,951 | July 30, 2022 | Soldier Field |
3 | Angel City FC | 2–1 | North Carolina Courage | 22,000 | April 29, 2022 | Banc of California Stadium |
Angel City FC | 2–1 | San Diego Wave FC | 22,000 | July 9, 2022 | Banc of California Stadium | |
Angel City FC | 2–3 | OL Reign | 22,000 | July 30, 2022 | Banc of California Stadium | |
Angel City FC | 1–3 | Racing Louisville FC | 22,000 | September 25, 2022 | Banc of California Stadium | |
7 | Angel City FC | 0–1 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 18,784 | May 29, 2022 | Banc of California Stadium |
8 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–2 | San Diego Wave FC | 18,624 | August 27, 2022 | Providence Park |
9 | Angel City FC | 1–0 | Kansas City Current | 18,514 | May 21, 2022 | Banc of California Stadium |
10 | San Diego Wave FC | 0–0 | North Carolina Courage | 18,000 | September 30, 2022 | Snapdragon Stadium |
Updated through October 2, 2022.
Statistical leaders
Clean sheets
|
Hat-tricks
4 Player scored 4 goals |
Playoffs
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
San Diego Wave FC | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Chicago Red Stars |
---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Semi-finals
Championship
Championship Game MVP: Sophia Smith (POR)
Challenge Cup
Championship
Individual awards
- As of October 27, 2022
Annual awards
Award | Winner | Nominees | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Golden Boot | Alex Morgan (15 G) | San Diego Wave FC | N/A | [65] |
Most Valuable Player | Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC | Debinha, NC Naomi Girma, SD Alex Morgan, SD Mallory Pugh, CHI |
[66] |
Defender of the Year | Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | Alana Cook, RGN Sofia Huerta, RGN Carson Pickett, NC Becky Sauerbrunn, POR |
[67] |
Goalkeeper of the Year | Kailen Sheridan | San Diego Wave FC | Adrianna Franch, KC Phallon Tullis-Joyce, RGN |
[68] |
Rookie of the Year | Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | Sam Coffey, POR Diana Ordóñez, NC |
[67] |
Coach of the Year | Casey Stoney | San Diego Wave FC | Laura Harvey, RGN Matt Potter, KC |
[69] |
Teams of the Year
Announced October 25, 2022[70]
Best XI
Position | Player | Club |
---|---|---|
Goalkeeper | Kailen Sheridan | San Diego Wave FC |
Defender | Alana Cook | OL Reign |
Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | |
Sofia Huerta | OL Reign | |
Carson Pickett | North Carolina Courage | |
Midfielder/Forward | Sam Coffey | Portland Thorns FC |
Lo'eau LaBonta | Kansas City Current | |
Alex Morgan | San Diego Wave FC | |
Debinha | North Carolina Courage | |
Mallory Pugh | Chicago Red Stars | |
Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC |
Second XI
Position | Player | Club |
---|---|---|
Goalkeeper | Adrianna Franch | Kansas City Current |
Defender | Kelli Hubly | Portland Thorns FC |
Hailie Mace | Kansas City Current | |
Tatumn Milazzo | Chicago Red Stars | |
Becky Sauerbrunn | Portland Thorns FC | |
Midfielder/Forward | Kerolin | North Carolina Courage |
Jess Fishlock | OL Reign | |
Rose Lavelle | OL Reign | |
Diana Ordóñez | North Carolina Courage | |
Megan Rapinoe | OL Reign | |
Ebony Salmon | Houston Dash |
Monthly Awards
Player of the Month
Month | Player | Club | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
May | Alex Morgan | San Diego Wave FC | [71] |
June | Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC | [72] |
July | Ebony Salmon | Houston Dash | [73] |
August | Megan Rapinoe | OL Reign | [74] |
September/October | Debinha | North Carolina Courage | [75] |
Rookie of the Month
Month | Player | Club | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
May | Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | [76] |
June | Sam Coffey | Portland Thorns FC | [77] |
July | Savannah DeMelo | Racing Louisville FC | [78] |
August | Diana Ordoñez | North Carolina Courage | [79] |
September/October | Naomi Girma (2) | San Diego Wave FC | [80] |
Team of the Month
Month | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May | Phallon Tullis-Joyce, RGN | Alana Cook, RGN Vanessa Gilles, LA Naomi Girma, SD Sofia Huerta, RGN |
Savannah DeMelo, LOU Taylor Kornieck, SD Rose Lavelle, RGN |
Rachel Daly, HOU Alex Morgan, SD Mallory Pugh, CHI |
[81] |
June | Bella Bixby, POR | Naomi Girma (2), SD Natalia Kuikka, POR Tatumn Milazzo, CHI Carson Pickett, NC |
Sam Coffey, POR Debinha, NC Taylor Kornieck (2), SD |
Alex Morgan (2), SD Mallory Pugh (2), CHI Sophia Smith, POR |
[82] |
July | Adrianna Franch, KC | Kristen Edmonds, KC Kelli Hubly, POR Hailie Mace, KC Carson Pickett (2), NC |
Jess Fishlock, RGN Lo'eau LaBonta, KC Hina Sugita, POR |
Bethany Balcer, RGN Ebony Salmon, HOU Morgan Weaver, POR |
[83] |
August | Adrianna Franch (2), KC | Elizabeth Ball, KC Naomi Girma (3), SD Sofia Huerta (2), RGN Carson Pickett (3), NC |
Meggie Dougherty Howard, ORL Lo'eau LaBonta (2), KC Cari Roccaro, LA |
Diana Ordoñez, NC Megan Rapinoe, RGN Ebony Salmon (2), HOU |
[84] |
September/October | Katie Lund, LOU | Alana Cook (2), RGN Naomi Girma (4), SD Hailie Mace (2), KC Carson Pickett (4), NC |
Sam Coffey (2), POR Vanessa DiBernardo, CHI Rose Lavelle (2), RGN |
Debinha (2), NC Megan Rapinoe (2), RGN Sophia Smith (2), POR |
[85] |
Weekly awards
Week | Player of the Week | Save of the Week | Ref. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Club | Player | Club | ||
1 | Jun Endo | Angel City FC | DiDi Haračić | Angel City FC | [86][87] |
2 | Alex Morgan | San Diego Wave FC | Phallon Tullis-Joyce | OL Reign | [88][89] |
3 | Christen Press | Angel City FC | Phallon Tullis-Joyce (2) | OL Reign | [90][91] |
4 | Mallory Pugh | Chicago Red Stars | DiDi Haračić (2) | Angel City FC | [92][93] |
5 | Sofia Huerta | OL Reign | Ashlyn Harris | NJ/NY Gotham FC | [94][95] |
6 | Nichelle Prince | Houston Dash | DiDi Haračić (3) | Angel City FC | [96][97] |
7 | Taylor Kornieck | San Diego Wave FC | Jane Campbell | Houston Dash | [98][99] |
8 | Alex Morgan (2) | San Diego Wave FC | Bella Bixby | Portland Thorns FC | [100][101] |
9 | Jess Fishlock | OL Reign | Shelby Hogan | Portland Thorns FC | [102][103] |
10 | Adrianna Franch | Kansas City Current | Adrianna Franch | Kansas City Current | [104][105] |
11 | Ebony Salmon | Houston Dash | Adrianna Franch (2) | Kansas City Current | [106][107] |
12 | Sofia Huerta (2) | OL Reign | Kailen Sheridan | San Diego Wave FC | [108][109] |
13 | Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC | Katie Lund | Racing Louisville FC | [110][111] |
14 | Claire Lavogez | Kansas City Current | Michelle Betos | NJ/NY Gotham FC | [112][113] |
15 | Makenzy Doniak | San Diego Wave FC | Michelle Betos (2) | NJ/NY Gotham FC | [114][115] |
16 | Megan Rapinoe | OL Reign | Abby Smith | Portland Thorns FC | [116][117] |
17 | Amber Brooks | Washington Spirit | Paige Monaghan | NJ/NY Gotham FC | [118][119] |
18 | Kailen Sheridan | San Diego Wave FC | Kailen Sheridan (2) | San Diego Wave FC | [120][121] |
19 | Debinha | North Carolina Courage | Bella Bixby (2) | Portland Thorns FC | [122][123] |
References
- ^ @NWSL (September 30, 2022). "1,000,000 FANS‼️ A record-breaking season" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
- ^ "Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale – Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. October 30, 2021.
- ^ "San Diego Wave FC: NWSL team reveals its name ahead of 2022 debut". www.theathletic.com. November 9, 2021.
- ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. February 7, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "OL Reign Returns Home to Seattle". OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD.
- ^ Rantz, Susie (December 15, 2021). "OL Reign's move to Lumen Field, explained". Sounder At Heart.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Carp, Sam (November 22, 2021). "NWSL's Nike extension is league's 'most substantial' sponsorship deal to date". SportsPro. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Carp, Sam (March 19, 2021). "Angel City FC complete shirt sponsorship hattrick with Sprouts deal". SportsPro. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago Red Stars Captain, Midfielder, Vanessa DiBernardo, Named to NWSL Best XI". Chicago Red Stars. Chicago Red Stars.
- ^ "Chicago Red Stars Announce CIBC as Front-of-Jersey Partner" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars. April 21, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Dash defender Katie Naughton signs three-year contract extension | Houston Dynamo". houstondynamofc.
- ^ @thekccurrent (March 18, 2022). "Champions. Captains.@sammymewy 👊 @MsDScott11" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Kansas City NWSL Partners with Saint Luke's Health System". kcwoso.com. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Gotham FC brings in blockchain company Algorand as primary jersey sponsor". SportBusiness. March 2, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Orlando Pride Captain Announcement | Orlando City". orlandocitysc.
- ^ "McDonald: 'It's been really cool to see the different personalities' of captains" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. March 14, 2022.
- ^ "San Diego's Naomi Girma shines in first outing in captain's armband".
- ^ "Wave FC Names Kaiser Permanente as First Health Partner and Team Physicians". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (Press release). March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Washington Spirit and Kennedy Center Announce Groundbreaking Partnership". Washington Spirit – NWSL (Press release). April 29, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Statement From Steve Baldwin" (Press release). Washington Spirit. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "NWSL Announces Update in Washington Spirit Investigation" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 28, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Small, Jordan (December 20, 2021). "Washington Spirit Name Kris Ward Permanent Head Coach" (Press release). Washington Spirit.
- ^ Brennan, Clare (July 14, 2021). "Casey Stoney named head coach of San Diego NWSL team". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Baxter, Kevin (August 22, 2021). "Angel City names Freya Coombe as new coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Update on Orlando Pride Head Coach Vacancy" (Press release). Orlando City SC. October 27, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Orlando Pride Hires Amanda Cromwell as Head Coach". Orlando City SC. December 7, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Holly's contract terminated; Sanchez appointed interim coach" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Racing Louisville FC hires Björkegren as head coach" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ North Carolina Courage [@TheNCCourage] (September 30, 2021). "Official statement from the players, staff and principal owner the North Carolina Courage" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Sean Nahas named head coach of the North Carolina Courage" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. December 1, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons to depart club at conclusion of 2021 NWSL season" (Press release). Portland Timbers. May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Rhian Wilkinson named Thorns FC head coach" (Press release). Portland Timbers. November 29, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Goodwin, Shaun (November 18, 2021). "KC Current searching for new coach after moving Huw Williams into technical-staff role". Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Kansas City Current Appoints Former USWNT Assistant Coach and U-23 Women's Coach Matt Potter as Head Coach" (Press release). Kansas City Current. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ Salazar, Emmanuel (November 22, 2021). "Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames Steps Down" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars.
- ^ "Chris Petrucelli Named as New Chicago Red Stars Head Coach" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars. February 18, 2022.
- ^ "NWSL and NWSLPA Joint Investigation Update" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. April 26, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Dash name Sarah Lowdon acting head coach" (Press release). Houston Dynamo FC. April 29, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "National Women's Soccer League Announces Results of Orlando Pride Investigation" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 10, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Linehan, Meg (June 6, 2022). "Orlando Pride head coach, assistant placed on administrative leave". The Athletic. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
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