2019 National Women's Soccer League season explained
The 2019 National Women's Soccer League season was the seventh 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 thirteenth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.
The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing is provided by the Canadian Soccer Association. Both national federations pay the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations and take the financial burden of individual clubs.
Teams, stadiums, and personnel
Stadiums and locations
See also: List of National Women's Soccer League stadiums.
The Dash does not make its stadium's entire capacity available for home games, instead restricting ticket sales at a lower level. The full capacity of this venue is included in parentheses and italics.
Two stadiums were renamed during the season. First, on June 4, Exploria Resorts acquired the naming rights to Orlando City Stadium, which was accordingly renamed Exploria Stadium.[1] Then, on June 13, the U.S. arm of the Spanish multinational bank BBVA announced a rebranding of the U.S. operations from "BBVA Compass" to "BBVA". As part of the rebranding, BBVA Compass Stadium became simply BBVA Stadium.[2]
Team | Stadium | data-sort-type="number" | Capacity |
---|
Chicago Red Stars | SeatGeek Stadium | 20,000 |
Houston Dash | BBVA Stadium | 7,000 (22,039) |
North Carolina Courage | Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | 10,000 |
Orlando Pride | Exploria Stadium | 25,500 |
Portland Thorns | Providence Park | 25,218 |
Reign FC | Cheney Stadium | 6,500 |
Sky Blue FC | Yurcak Field | 5,000 |
Utah Royals FC | Rio Tinto Stadium | 20,213 |
Washington Spirit | Maryland SoccerPlex | 4,000 | |
Personnel and sponsorship
Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer.
Coaching changes
League standings
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 point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules,[11] going down the list until all teams are ranked.
- Head-to-head win–loss record between the teams (or points per game if more than two teams).
- Greater goal difference across the entire season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Greatest total number of goals scored (against all teams).
- Apply #1–3 to games played on the road.
- Apply #1–3 to games played at home.
- If teams are still equal, ranking will be determined by a coin toss.
NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tiebreaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.
Attendance
See also: National Women's Soccer League attendance.
Average home attendances
Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.
Team | | | | | |
---|
| 12 | 241,181 | 25,218 | 15,581 | 20,098 |
| 12 | 129,288 | 18,015 | 5,777 | 10,774 |
| 12 | 73,661 | 19,871 | 2,097 | 6,138 |
| 12 | 70,496 | 9,563 | 4,053 | 5,875 |
| 12 | 66,783 | 9,415 | 3,703 | 5,565 |
| 12 | 65,406 | 17,388 | 2,023 | 5,451 |
| 12 | 62,551 | 7,479 | 3,032 | 5,213 |
| 12 | 48,631 | 5,327 | 2,933 | 4,053 |
| 12 | 40,059 | 9,415 | 1,321 | 3,338 |
Total | 108 | 798,056 | 25,218 | 1,321 | 7,389 | |
---|
Updated through end of regular season on October 12, 2019.[12] Highest attendances
Regular season
Rank | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance | Date | Stadium |
---|
1 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–1 | North Carolina Courage | 25,218[13] | | Providence Park |
2 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–0 | Washington Spirit | 24,521[14] | | Providence Park |
3 | Portland Thorns FC | 5–0 | Houston Dash | 22,329[15] | | Providence Park |
4 | Portland Thorns FC | 1–0 | Houston Dash | 21,022[16] | | Providence Park |
5 | Portland Thorns FC | 3–1 | Washington Spirit | 20,895[17] | | Providence Park |
6 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Orlando Pride | 19,871[18] [19] [20] | | Audi Field |
7 | Portland Thorns FC | 3–0 | Chicago Red Stars | 19,461[21] | | Providence Park |
8 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–1 | Reign FC | 19,116[22] | | Providence Park |
9 | Portland Thorns FC | 1–1 | Sky Blue FC | 19,070[23] | | Providence Park |
10 | Portland Thorns FC | 4–3 | Orlando Pride | 18,909[24] | | Providence Park | |
Updated through end of regular season on October 12, 2019.[12] Statistical leaders
[25]
Top scorers
Top assists
Shutouts
Hat-tricks
4 Scored 4 goals
NWSL Playoffs
The top four teams from the regular season compete for the NWSL Championship. The North Carolina Courage secured the number one seed on September 21, winning their third straight NWSL Shield.
Championship
Individual awards
Monthly Awards
Month | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Ref |
---|
April | Kailen Sheridan, NJ | Casey Short, CHI Becky Sauerbrunn, UTA Abby Erceg, NC Meghan Klingenberg, POR | Christine Sinclair, POR Yuki Nagasato, CHI Crystal Dunn, NC | Christen Press, UTA Sam Kerr, CHI Tobin Heath, POR | [32] |
May | Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS | Casey Short, CHI Rachel Corsie, UTA Sam Staab, WAS Merritt Mathias, NC | Yuki Nagasato, CHI Jordan DiBiasi, WAS Vero Boquete, UTA | Sam Kerr, CHI Amy Rodriguez, UTA Ashley Hatch, WAS | [33] |
June | Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS | | | Midge Purce, POR Amy Rodriguez, UTA Ifeoma Onumonu, RFC | [34] |
July | Kailen Sheridan, NJ | | | Kristen Hamilton, NC Sam Kerr, CHI Marta, ORL | [35] |
August | Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS | Jaelene Hinkle, NC Emily Menges, POR Abby Erceg, NC Casey Short, CHI | Debinha, NC Christine Sinclair, POR Lo'eau LaBonta, UTA | Midge Purce, POR Christen Press, UTA Amy Rodriguez, UTA | [36] |
September | Alyssa Naeher, CHI | Jaelene Hinkle, NC Lauren Barnes, RFC Julie Ertz, CHI Casey Short, CHI | Beverly Yanez, RFC Debinha, NC Morgan Brian, CHI | Yuki Nagasato, CHI Sam Kerr, CHI Lynn Williams, NC | [37] | |
Weekly awards
Annual awards
See also: NWSL awards.
Notes and References
- Orlando City SC Announces Central Florida-Based Exploria Resorts as Stadium Naming Rights Partner . Orlando City SC . June 4, 2019.
- June 13, 2019 . BBVA Compass Stadium renamed BBVA Stadium with ceremonial logo unveiling . BBVA . June 14, 2019.
- News: Washington Spirit parts ways with head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra . 13 December 2018 . Washington Spirit . 21 August 2018.
- News: Balf . Celia . Spirit hire Richie Burke as head coach, name technical staff . 8 January 2019 . NWSL . 8 January 2019.
- News: Orlando Pride and Head Coach Tom Sermanni Mutually Part Ways . 13 December 2018 . Orlando City SC . 14 September 2018.
- Web site: Balf . Celia . Orlando Pride announce Marc Skinner as head coach . NWSL.com . NWSL . 14 January 2019 . 14 January 2019.
- Web site: Balf . Celia . Vera Pauw leaves the Houston Dash . NWSL.com . NWSL . 13 December 2018 . 20 September 2018.
- Web site: Purdy . Jacqueline . James Clarkson named head coach of the Houston Dash . NWSL.com . NWSL . 12 December 2018 . 11 December 2018.
- 1144607691190546432. GothamFC. Announcement: Sky Blue FC Head Coach Denise Reddy was relieved of her duties today. An external search has commenced. . 28 June 2019.
- News: Sky Blue FC Announces Coaching and Training Staff . 6 September 2019 . Sky Blue FC . 4 September 2019 . 6 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190906074818/https://skybluefc.com/2019/09/04/sky-blue-fc-announces-coaching-and-training-staff/ . dead .
- Web site: Rules & Regulations. NWSL.
- Web site: Schedule. NWSLsoccer.com. October 12, 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage . National Women's Soccer League . 11 August 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit . National Women's Soccer League . 12 October 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash . National Women's Soccer League . 24 July 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash . National Women's Soccer League . 22 September 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit . National Women's Soccer League . 12 October 2019.
- Web site: At a packed Audi Field, Spirit delivers a 2-1 win over Pride. 24 August 2019. 13 October 2019. Washington Post. Matthew. Gutierrez.
- Web site: Spirit beat Orlando for historic win at packed Audi Field. 24 August 2019. 13 October 2019. Washington Spirit. Owen. Krucoff.
- Web site: Washington Spirit hope historic sellout crowd becomes 'the norm'. ProSoccerUSA.com. 25 August 2019. 13 October 2019. Emily. Olsen. 13 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191013165423/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/washington-spirit/washington-spirit-takes-down-orlando-pride/. dead.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars . National Women's Soccer League . 17 July 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Reign FC . National Women's Soccer League . 17 July 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Sky Blue FC . National Women's Soccer League . 6 August 2019.
- Web site: Portland Thorns FC vs. Orlando Pride . National Women's Soccer League . 17 July 2019.
- Web site: NWSL Stats. NWSLsoccer.com. October 5, 2019.
- Web site: April Player of the Month: Crystal Dunn. . www.nwslsoccer.com . May 1, 2019 . May 1, 2019.
- Web site: May Player of the Month: Sam Kerr. National Women's Soccer League. 30 May 2019. 30 May 2019.
- 1146478715020480512. NWSL. 3⃣ goals in her last 3⃣ games. @ReignFC unbeaten in June. @JessFishlock was on in June and has been named the… . 3 July 2019.
- Web site: National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL. www.nwslsoccer.com.
- Web site: Levine . Matt . August Player of the Month: Christen Press . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 4 September 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . September Player of the Month: Sam Kerr . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Balf. Celia. March Team of the Month. NWSLsoccer. NWSL. May 3, 2019. May 3, 2019.
- Web site: May Team of the Month. NWSLsoccer. NWSL. May 31, 2019. May 31, 2019.
- Web site: June Team of the Month. NWSLsoccer. NWSL. July 8, 2019. July 8, 2019.
- Web site: July Team of the Month. NWSLsoccer. NWSL. August 6, 2019. August 1, 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . August Team of the Month . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 6 September 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . September Team of the Month . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Player of the Week: Tobin Heath. NWSL. 16 April 2019. 16 April 2019.
- 1118242660936851456. ThornsFC. It's her world, we're just living in it. @TobinHeath takes home Goal of the Week! #BAONPDX . 16 April 2019. 16 April 2019.
- 1118197360180387840. NWSL. The Week 1⃣ #NWSL Save of the Week goes to @Ashlyn_Harris of the @ORLPride ♀️ . 16 April 2019. 16 April 2019.
- Web site: Player of the Week: Christine Sinclari. NWSL. 23 April 2019. 23 April 2019.
- Web site: Goal of the Week: Tobin Heath. NWSL. 16 April 2019. 23 April 2019.
- Web site: Save of the Week : Kailen Sheridan. NWSL. 23 April 2019. 16 April 2019.
- Web site: Player of the Week: Yuki Nagasato. NWSL. 30 April 2019. 30 April 2019.
- 1123331187324252160. NWSL. "100% @TobinHeath Magic." The Week 3 #NWSL Goal of the Week! . 30 April 2019. 30 April 2019.
- 1123270789707456512. NWSL. Back-to-back. @Kailen_Sheridan claims another #NWSL Save of the Week. ♀️ . 30 April 2019. 30 April 2019.
- 1125807508394774532. NWSL. @AubreyBledsoe's 85th minute stop is the #NWSL Save of the Week! . May 7, 2019. May 7, 2019.
- Web site: Goal of the Week: Kealia Ohai. NWSL Twitter. May 7, 2019. May 7, 2019.
- Web site: Week 5 Player of the Week: Sam Kerr. May 14, 2019. May 14, 2019.
- Web site: Goal of the Week: Andressinha. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BxdQhKFH39Q . 2021-12-26 . registration. NWSL Instagram. May 14, 2019. May 14, 2019.
- 1128344220836622336. NWSL. Penalty kick ... Follow-up shot ... The #NWSL Save of the Week is all @hkopmeyer. . May 14, 2019. May 14, 2019.
- 1130911136679747585. NWSL. Back-to-back games with a brace. Back-to-back Player of the Week wins. @samkerr1 is the #NWSL Week 6 Player of th… . May 21, 2019. 21 May 2019.
- 1130941338738876416. NWSL. Olimpico from the rookie! @DiBiasiJordan claims the Week 6 #NWSL Goal of the Week. . May 21, 2019. 21 May 2019.
- Web site: Honorary Save of the Week. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BxsU33sH7Rg . 2021-12-26 . registration. National Women's Soccer League Instagram. 20 May 2019. 20 May 2019.
- 1130880936160112641. NWSL. ♀️♀️ The Week 6 #NWSL Save of the Week belongs to @Breck28! . May 21, 2019. May 21, 2019.
- Web site: Week 7 Player of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe. NWSL . May 29, 2019.
- 1133779989193744385. NWSL. Paige Nielsen is here. There's nothing to fear. The @WashSpirit clean sheet goes on. @Paigenielsen's goal line cle… . May 29, 2019. 29 May 2019.
- 1133840437809098754. NWSL. Perfect cross. Perfect header. Bethany Balcer of @ReignFC with the Week 7 #NWSL Goal of the Week! . 29 May 2019. 29 May 2019.
- Web site: Week 8 Player of the Week: Kristen Hamilton. NWSL . June 4, 2019.
- 1136014765552279554. NWSL. There's no place like home. @100Purcent and @SimoneCharley reopened Providence Park in style. The Week 8 #NWSL Go… . 4 June 2019. 3 June 2019.
- 1135954365208883200. NWSL. Dragonslayer. @jane_campbell1's free kick save is the Week 8 #NWSL Save of the Week! . June 4, 2019. 4 June 2019.
- 1141059781500686336. OLReign. After accepting the @NWSL Player of the Week award @JessFishlock credits her teammates. : . 18 June 2019. 18 June 2019.
- 1141089431610281984. UtahRoyalsFC. A world-class goal for the #NWSL Goal of the Week! @amyrodriguez8 . 18 June 2019. 18 June 2019.
- 1140688057688924161. NWSL. Four saves to choose from. Who has your vote for the #NWSL Save of the Week? . 17 June 2019. 17 June 2019.
- Web site: Week 10 Player of the Week: Ifeoma Onumonu. 11 July 2019. 25 June 2019.
- Web site: Jess Fishlock, Reign FC Week 10 #NWSL Goal of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Haley Kopmeyer, Orlando Pride Week 10 #NWSL Save of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Week 11 Player of the Week: Sam Kerr. 11 July 2019. 2 July 2019.
- Web site: Tyler Lussi, Portland Thorns FC Week 11 #NWSL Goal of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Haley Kopmeyer, Orlando Pride Week 11 #NWSL Save of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Kristen Hamilton, North Carolina Courage Week 12 #NWSL Player of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Marta, Orlando Pride Week 12 #NWSL Goal of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit Week 12 #NWSL Save of the Week . 11 July 2019.
- Web site: Purdy . Jacqueline . Week 13 Player of the Week: Marta, Orlando Pride . NWSLsoccer.com . 25 July 2019.
- Web site: Tyler Lussi, Portland Thorns FC Week 13 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 25 July 2019.
- Web site: Week 13 Save of the Week . NWSL twitter. 25 July 2019.
- Web site: SAM KERR, CHICAGO RED STARS WEEK 14 PLAYER OF THE WEEK. NWSL . NWSLSoccer.com . 26 July 2019.
- Web site: CHRISTEN PRESS, UTAH ROYALS FC WEEK 14 GOAL OF THE WEEK . NWSLSoccer.com . NWSL . 26 July 2019.
- Web site: ADRIANNA FRANCH, PORTLAND THORNS FC WEEK 14 SAVE OF THE WEEK . NWSL . NWSLSoccer.com . 26 July 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 15 Player of the Week: Kristen Hamilton, North Carolina Courage . NWSLSoccer.com . NWSL . 30 July 2019.
- Web site: Christen Press, Utah Royals FC Week 15 Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 30 July 2019.
- Web site: Jane Campbell, Houston Dash #NWSL Week 15 Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 30 July 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 16 Player of the Week: Sam Kerr . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 August 2019.
- Web site: Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars Week 16 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 August 2019.
- Web site: Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit Week 16 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 August 2019.
- Web site: LEVINE . MATTHEW . Week 17 Player of the Week: Christen Press, Utah Royals FC . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 16 August 2019.
- Web site: Amy Rodriguez, Utah Royals FC Week 17 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 16 August 2019.
- Web site: Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC Week 17 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 16 August 2019.
- Web site: LEVINE . MATTHEW . Week 18 Player of the Week: Paige Monaghan, Sky Blue FC . NWSL . NWSLsoccer.com . 23 August 2019.
- Web site: Christen Press, Utah Royals FC Week 18 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Kailen Sheridan, Sky Blue FC Week 18 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 19 Player of the Week: Midge Purce, Portland Thorns FC . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 13 September 2019.
- Web site: Kealia Ohai, Houston Dash Week 19 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride Week 19 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 20 Player of the Week: Crystal Thomas, Washington Spirit . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Tiffany McCarty, Washington Spirit Week 20 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Lainey Burdett, Orlando Pride Week 20 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 21 Player of the Week: Darian Jenkins, Reign FC . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 13 September 2019.
- Web site: Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC Week 21 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Nicole Barnhart, Utah Royals FC Week 21 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 22 Player of the Week: Lynn Williams, North Carolina Courage . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Heather O'Reilly, North Carolina Courage Week 22 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride Week 22 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 23 Player of the Week: Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars. NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Tobin Heath, Portland Thorns Week 23 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Red Stars Week 23 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 24 Player of the Week: Jodie Taylor . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Rose Lavelle, Washington Spirit Week 24 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride Week 24 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 9 October 2019.
- Web site: Levine . Matthew . Week 25 Player of the Week: Jessica McDonald, North Carolina Courage . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL . 17 October 2019.
- Web site: Marta, Orlando Pride Week 25 #NWSL Goal of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 17 October 2019.
- Web site: Casey Murphy, Reign FC Week 25 #NWSL Save of the Week . YouTube . NWSL . 17 October 2019.
- Web site: 2019 Golden Boot: Sam Kerr . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . October 18, 2019 . October 25, 2019.
- Web site: Reign FC's Vlatko Andonovski named 2019 National Women's Soccer League Coach of the Year . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . October 26, 2019 . October 27, 2019.
- Web site: Reign FC forward Bethany Balcer named 2019 NWSL Rookie of the Year . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . October 29, 2019 . October 29, 2019.
- Web site: Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe named 2019 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . November 1, 2019 . November 1, 2019.
- Web site: Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn named 2019 NWSL Defender of the Year . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . October 30, 2019 . October 31, 2019.
- Web site: Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr named 2019 NWSL MVP presented by Budweiser . Matthew . Levine . Nwslsoccer.com . October 25, 2019 . October 25, 2019.
- Web site: 2019 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced. Nwslsoccer.com. October 24, 2019.