With the 2016 NWSL clearly in the rearview mirror, the league has turned its focus toward a fifth season for the young competition. Last season was all about being the first US professional women’s soccer league to make it to a fourth year. This upcoming needs to be about stabilization and building for smart growth in the years to come.
If Hillary Clinton was elected president, we all know she would have helped America move closer to women’s rights and equality. But Donald Trump won the election instead. So, what does this mean for women’s soccer? Will Trump continue to insult and treat women poorly? Will his presidency create a bigger gap between the two genders? Will we move further away from equal pay? It hasn’t even been 48 hours and we already have so many questions…
Female athletes have to deal with the physical side of becoming a parent. Male athletes do not have to worry or stress about their bodies changing over time, they are able to fully focus on their careers. Men don’t breastfeed, these female soccer players make a living with their bodies, which makes it even more impressive for them to return to the game they love after giving birth.
Christie Rampone, Amy Rodriguez and Shannon Boxx were able to find a balance between World Cups and motherhood. “If you love what you do, you’ll stay true.”
On Tuesday the NWSL announced the transfer of Kim Little from the Seattle Reign to Arsenal Ladies. To the average American soccer fan or casual fan of the US Women’s National Team, that won’t seem like an important move. However, if you’ve followed the NWSL or the women’s game globally, you will know that the league just lost a massive talent.
Little’s Journey To Seattle And European Recognition
The 2016 NWSL season wrapped up Sunday in Houston as the Western New York Flash defeated the Washington Spirit on penalties. It was an electric match which saw the Flash level the score at 2-2 deep into extra time of the second overtime period. As the book closes on the fourth year for the league (a first for women’s soccer in the United States), we take a look back at the emerging TV deal and also speculate about NWSL expansion heading into 2017.
First Major TV Deal
Sunday’s National Women’s Soccer League final put the finishing touches on a wild 2016 NWSL playoffs in which all three playoff games went into extra time. With the matched tied 2-2 after extra time, penalty kicks where needed to decide the outcome between the Western New York Flash and the Washington Spirit.
The scoring started early on as the Washington Spirit scored their first goal in the ninth minute. Five minutes later, the WNY Flash returned the favor and scored their opening goal.
The 2016 NWSL season was full of historic events, controversy, and growth. However, as the league prepares for the final this Sunday, the 2016 NWSL awards were announced and they spread the accolades across the division.
NWSL MVP
Sunday, the Western New York Flash and the Portland Thorns looked to move to the NWSL final. From the very beginning the match was highly amusing, and worthy of the 20,086 rowdy fans at Providence Park.
Throughout the game the two teams proved women’s soccer is just as exciting and suspenseful as men’s soccer. Both sides recorded 17 shots each. The Flash took the lead in the 16th minute after a throw-in eventually led to Samantha Mewis' foot at the top of the 18.
We've reached 2016 NWSL postseason, and we already know a new champion will be crowned. Before the playoffs kick-off this weekend it is important to remember that no professional women’s league has survived past a third season. So, as the NWSL gets ready to celebrate this year’s best teams, there is an overarching sense of pride closing out year four.