NEW YORK — An independent NWSL abuse investigation released on Monday showed misconduct "had become systemic" in the top-flight National Women's Soccer League and the governing body U.S. Soccer said it would move immediately to implement reforms.
The NWSL playoff picture became a little clearer Wednesday after four results brought every team to 20 matches played in the 22-game regular season. However, there's still everything to play for with the distance between first-place and sixth-place (the final playoff position) just five points.
Alex Morgan's San Diego Wave had been leading the NWSL Shield race for a majority of the season, but the Portland Thorns took pole position last night, and clinched a spot in the playoffs, after a 3-0 hammering of already eliminated Racing Louisville.
Sophia Smith called out NWSL’s continuously awful officiating on Tuesday after the referees missed a clear foul on her in the Portland Thorns’ game vs. Kansas City Current game from Sunday. In the second half of Sunday’s game Smith was taken down in the box with a dangerous tackle from behind.
No foul was called, and one Twitter user posted the highlight asking how nothing was given from the referee. Smith responded, too.
The OL Reign placed forward Tobin Heath on the season-ending injury list Friday following left knee surgery.
Heath, 34, recorded one goal in five matches after signing with the Reign in June.
In case you haven’t been paying attention for the last five years, Rose Lavelle is very good. At times, it seems the attacking midfielder and Skyline Chili stan can score whenever she damn well pleases. On Friday night, she damn well pleased and scored an all-time banger to secure a late 2-2 draw for OL Reign.
Alex Morgan is once again calling out the nonsensical boys club that exists in the NWSL. Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson is once again being called out for failing to do the right thing.
A record National Women's Soccer League crowd is expected to be on hand Sept. 17 when the San Diego Wave host Angel City FC in a battle of expansion teams.
The Wave said more than 32,000 tickets have been sold for the game, which will be the team's first at the new Snapdragon Stadium. The venue will host its first sporting event on Saturday when San Diego State's football team plays Arizona.
The NWSL attendance record of 25,218 was set in 2019 at Providence Park in Portland when the Thorns hosted the North Carolina Courage.
While play in the National Women’s Soccer League is some of the best in the world (I’d argue it’s the best league top to bottom), we have to be honest and admit one thing is clearly holding the NWSL back: officiating. The NWSL has far too many mistakes by its referees, made all the worse by the fact there is no VAR (for now).
Gotham FC was the victim of a particularly horrible piece of officiating against Angel City on Sunday, as if the New York/New Jersey club needed any more bad luck this season.
Kansas City Current forward Lo’eau LaBonta went viral over the weekend after converting a sizzling penalty kick against Angel City during Friday’s 1-1 draw. The penalty was sweet, but it was the celebration from the 29-year-old that caught the internet’s attention. This LaBonta celebration is an all-timer.
With her team trailing in the 82nd minute LaBonta fired in the equalizer from the penalty spot and wheeled away in celebration. KC fans were given a slight heart attack when their team’s top goal scorer on the season started limping and grabbed at her hamstring.
OL Reign strengthened its hold on a NWSL playoff place and entrenched Gotham FC near the bottom of the table with a commanding 4-1 win at Lumen Field on Sunday behind some inspirational play from Megan Rapinoe. The 37-year-old was heavily involved in all four Reign goals and finished two herself.
In the 15th minute, Rapinoe's quick throw-in acted as the assist for Rose Lavelle's third of the season.