2019 National Women's Soccer League season

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National Women's Soccer League
Season2019
ChampionsNorth Carolina Courage
NWSL ShieldNorth Carolina Courage
Matches played108
Goals scored282 (2.61 per match)
Top goalscorerSam Kerr (18)
(NWSL Record)
Biggest home winNCC 5–0 ORL
(April 17)
POR 5–0 HOU
(July 24)
Biggest away winPOR 0–6 NCC
(September 11)
Highest scoringCHI 4–4 POR
(April 20)
Longest winning run5 games
Chicago Red Stars
(July 13 – August 10)
Longest unbeaten run7 games
Washington Spirit
(May 4 – July 6)
Longest winless run9 games
Orlando Pride
(April 14 – June 15)
Sky Blue FC
(April 13 – July 6)
Longest losing run5 games
Orlando Pride
(April 27 – June 1)
Sky Blue FC
(May 11 – July 6)
Highest attendance25,218
POR 2–1 NCC
(August 11)
Lowest attendance1,321
SKY 2–2 POR
(April 28)
Total attendance798,056
Average attendance7,389
← 2018
2020 →
All statistics correct as of October 12, 2019.

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]

Personnel and sponsorship[]

Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer.

Team Head coach Shirt sponsor
Chicago Red Stars United States Rory Dames —
Houston Dash England James Clarkson —
North Carolina Courage England Paul Riley Continental AG
Orlando Pride England Marc Skinner Orlando Health
Portland Thorns England Mark Parsons Providence Health & Services
Reign FC North Macedonia Vlatko Andonovski Zulily
Sky Blue FC England Freya Coombe (interim) Meridian Health
Utah Royals FC England Laura Harvey Conservice
Washington Spirit England Richie Burke GEICO

Coaching changes[]

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Incoming manager Date of appointment Ref.
Washington Spirit United States End of interim period September 2, 2018 England Richie Burke January 8, 2019 [3][4]
Orlando Pride Scotland Tom Sermanni Mutual separation September 14, 2018 England Marc Skinner January 14, 2019 [5][6]
Houston Dash Netherlands Vera Pauw Mutual separation September 20, 2018 England James Clarkson December 11, 2018 [7][8]
Sky Blue FC United States Denise Reddy Fired June 28, 2019 England Freya Coombe (interim) September 4, 2019 [9][10]

League standings[]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 North Carolina Courage (C) 24 15 4 5 54 23 +31 49 NWSL Shield
2 Chicago Red Stars 24 14 2 8 41 28 +13 44 NWSL Playoffs
3 Portland Thorns FC 24 11 7 6 40 31 +9 40
4 Reign FC 24 10 8 6 27 27 0 38
5 Washington Spirit 24 9 7 8 30 25 +5 34
6 Utah Royals FC 24 10 4 10 25 25 0 34
7 Houston Dash 24 7 5 12 21 36 −15 26
8 Sky Blue FC 24 5 5 14 20 34 −14 20
9 Orlando Pride 24 4 4 16 24 53 −29 16
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champion

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.

  1. Head-to-head win/loss record between the teams (or points per game if more than two teams).
  2. Greater goal difference across the entire season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
  3. Greatest total number of goals scored (against all teams).
  4. Apply #1–3 to games played on the road.
  5. Apply #1–3 to games played at home.
  6. 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 GP Attendance High Low Average
Portland Thorns FC 12 241,181 25,218 15,581 20,098
Utah Royals FC 12 129,288 18,015 5,777 10,774
Washington Spirit 12 73,661 19,871 2,097 6,138
North Carolina Courage 12 70,496 9,563 4,053 5,875
Orlando Pride 12 66,783 9,415 3,703 5,565
Chicago Red Stars 12 65,406 17,388 2,023 5,451
Reign FC 12 62,551 7,479 3,032 5,213
Houston Dash 12 48,631 5,327 2,933 4,053
Sky Blue FC 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] August 11, 2019 (2019-08-11) Providence Park
2 Portland Thorns FC 0–0 Washington Spirit 24,521[14] October 12, 2019 (2019-10-12) Providence Park
3 Portland Thorns FC 5–0 Houston Dash 22,329[15] July 24, 2019 (2019-07-24) Providence Park
4 Portland Thorns FC 1–0 Houston Dash 21,022[16] September 21, 2019 (2019-09-21) Providence Park
5 Portland Thorns FC 3–1 Washington Spirit 20,895[17] August 17, 2019 (2019-08-17) Providence Park
6 Washington Spirit 2–1 Orlando Pride 19,871[18][19][20] August 24, 2019 (2019-08-24) Audi Field
7 Portland Thorns FC 3–0 Chicago Red Stars 19,461[21] June 2, 2019 (2019-06-02) Providence Park
8 Portland Thorns FC 0–1 Reign FC 19,116[22] July 5, 2019 (2019-07-05) Providence Park
9 Portland Thorns FC 1–1 Sky Blue FC 19,070[23] August 3, 2019 (2019-08-03) Providence Park
10 Portland Thorns FC 4–3 Orlando Pride 18,909[24] July 14, 2019 (2019-07-14) Providence Park

Updated through end of regular season on October 12, 2019.[12]

Statistical leaders[]

As of October 12, 2019[25]

NWSL Playoffs[]

Further information: 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.

Semi-finals Championship
      
1 North Carolina Courage 4
4 Reign FC 1
1 North Carolina Courage 4
2 Chicago Red Stars 0
2 Chicago Red Stars 1
3 Portland Thorns FC 0

Semi-finals[]

North Carolina Courage4–1 (a.e.t.)Reign FC
 Report
Attendance: 7,422
Referee: Tori Penso
Chicago Red Stars1–0Portland Thorns FC
 Report
Attendance: 9,218
Referee: Danielle Chesky

Championship[]

North Carolina Courage4–0Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 10,227
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

Individual awards[]

As of October 16, 2019

Monthly Awards[]

Player of the Month[]

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
April United States Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage 4 Goals in three games, 2 Assists and 3 chances created.[26]
May Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars 4 Goals in three games.[27]
June Wales Jess Fishlock Reign FC 3 Goals in three games. 1 Assist, 8 shots, and 7 chances created.[28]
July United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage 4 goals in a single match. 5 goals and 2 assists in July.[29]
August United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC 3 Goals, 13 shots on goal, 12 chances created.[30]
September Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars 5 Goals, 14 shots on goal, 3 assists.[31]

Team of the Month[]

Month Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref
April Canada Kailen Sheridan, NJ United States Casey Short, CHI
United States Becky Sauerbrunn, UTA
New Zealand Abby Erceg, NC
United States Meghan Klingenberg, POR 		Canada Christine Sinclair, POR
Japan Yuki Nagasato, CHI
United States Crystal Dunn, NC 		United States Christen Press, UTA
Australia Sam Kerr, CHI
United States Tobin Heath, POR 		[32]
May United States Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS United States Casey Short, CHI
Scotland Rachel Corsie, UTA
United States Sam Staab, WAS
United States Merritt Mathias, NC 		Japan Yuki Nagasato, CHI
United States Jordan DiBiasi, WAS
Spain Vero Boquete, UTA 		Australia Sam Kerr, CHI
United States Amy Rodriguez, UTA
United States Ashley Hatch, WAS 		[33]
June United States Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS United States Casey Short, CHI
United States Sam Staab, WAS
United States Megan Oyster, RFC
United States Katherine Reynolds, POR 		United States Andi Sullivan, WAS
Wales Jess Fishlock, RFC
United States Kristen Hamilton, NC 		United States Midge Purce, POR
United States Amy Rodriguez, UTA
United States Ifeoma Onumonu, RFC 		[34]
July Canada Kailen Sheridan, NJ United States Casey Short, CHI
United States Sarah Gorden, CHI
New Zealand Abby Erceg, NC
United States Merritt Mathias, NC 		United States Vanessa DiBernardo, CHI
Brazil Debinha, NC
United States Gabby Seiler, POR 		United States Kristen Hamilton, NC
Australia Sam Kerr, CHI
Brazil Marta, ORL 		[35]
August United States Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS United States Jaelene Hinkle, NC
United States Emily Menges, POR
New Zealand Abby Erceg, NC
United States Casey Short, CHI
Brazil Debinha, NC
Canada Christine Sinclair, POR
United States Lo'eau LaBonta, UTA 		United States Midge Purce, POR
United States Christen Press, UTA
United States Amy Rodriguez, UTA 		[36]
September United States Alyssa Naeher, CHI United States Jaelene Hinkle, NC
United States Lauren Barnes, RFC
United States Julie Ertz, CHI
United States Casey Short, CHI 		United States Beverly Yanez, RFC
Brazil Debinha, NC
United States Morgan Brian, CHI 		Japan Yuki Nagasato, CHI
Australia Sam Kerr, CHI
United States Lynn Williams, NC 		[37]

Weekly awards[]

Week Player of the Week Goal of the Week Save of the Week Reference
Player Club Player Club Player Club
1 United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC United States Ashlyn Harris Orlando Pride [38][39][40]
2 Canada Christine Sinclair Portland Thorns FC Australia Alanna Kennedy Orlando Pride Canada Kailen Sheridan Sky Blue FC [41][42][43]
3 Japan Yuki Nagasato Chicago Red Stars United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC Canada Kailen Sheridan Sky Blue FC [44][45][46]
4 United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit United States Kealia Ohai Houston Dash United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit [47][48]
5 Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars Brazil Andressinha Portland Thorns United States Haley Kopmeyer Orlando Pride [49][50][51]
6 Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars United States Jordan DiBiasi Washington Spirit Honorary
United States Morgan Andrews
Winner
United States Britt Eckerstrom
Reign FC

Portland Thorns 		[52][53][54][55]
7 United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit United States Bethany Balcer Reign FC United States Paige Nielsen Washington Spirit [56][57][58]
8 United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage United States Margaret Purce Portland Thorns United States Jane Campbell Houston Dash [59][60][61]
9 Wales Jess Fishlock Reign FC United States Amy Rodriguez Utah Royals FC United States Haley Kopmeyer Orlando Pride [62][63][64]
10 United States Ifeoma Onumonu Reign FC Wales Jess Fishlock Reign FC United States Haley Kopmeyer Orlando Pride [65][66][67]
11 Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars United States Tyler Lussi Portland Thorns United States Haley Kopmeyer Orlando Pride [68][69][70]
12 United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage Brazil Marta Orlando Pride United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit [71][72][73]
13 Brazil Marta Orlando Pride United States Tyler Lussi Portland Thorns United States Haley Kopmeyer Orlando Pride [74][75][76]
14 Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC United States Adrianna Franch Portland Thorns FC [77][78][79]
15 United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC United States Jane Campbell Houston Dash [80][81][82]
16 Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit [83][84][85]
17 United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC United States Amy Rodriguez Utah Royals FC United States Adrianna Franch Portland Thorns FC [86][87][88]
18 United States Paige Monaghan Sky Blue FC United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC Canada Kailen Sheridan Sky Blue FC [89][90][91]
19 United States Midge Purce Portland Thorns FC United States Kealia Ohai Houston Dash United States Ashlyn Harris Orlando Pride [92][93][94]
20 United States Crystal Thomas Washington Spirit United States Tiffany McCarty Washington Spirit United States Lainey Burdett Orlando Pride [95][96][97]
21 United States Darian Jenkins Reign FC United States Becky Sauerbrunn Utah Royals FC United States Nicole Barnhart Utah Royals FC [98][99][100]
22 United States Lynn Williams North Carolina Courage United States Heather O'Reilly North Carolina Courage United States Ashlyn Harris Orlando Pride [101][102][103]
23 Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC United States Alyssa Naeher Chicago Red Stars [104][105][106]
24 England Jodie Taylor Reign FC United States Rose Lavelle Washington Spirit United States Ashlyn Harris Orlando Pride [107][108][109]
25 United States Jessica McDonald North Carolina Courage Brazil Marta Orlando Pride United States Casey Murphy Reign FC [110][111][112]

Annual awards[]

See also: NWSL awards
Award Winner
Golden Boot[113] Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars 18 goals (NWSL Record)
Coach of the Year[114] North Macedonia Vlatko Andonovski Reign FC First head coach to win award for two different teams
Rookie of the Year[115] United States Bethany Balcer Reign FC 6 Goals; 2 Assists
Goalkeeper of the Year[116] United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit 86 Saves; 9 Shutouts
Defender of the Year[117] United States Becky Sauerbrunn Utah Royals FC 87.6% PassIng accuracy (1st in league)
Most Valuable Player[118] Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars 18 goals; Player of the Month twice; Player of the Week six times
NWSL Team of the Season[119]
Position Best XI Second XI
Goalkeeper United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit United States Alyssa Naeher Chicago Red Stars
Defender United States Ali Krieger Orlando Pride United States Lauren Barnes Reign FC
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn Utah Royals FC New Zealand Abby Erceg North Carolina Courage
Defender United States Abby Dahlkemper North Carolina Courage United States Kelley O'Hara Utah Royals FC
Defender United States Casey Short Chicago Red Stars United States Emily Sonnett Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder United States Lindsey Horan Portland Thorns FC United States Bethany Balcer Reign FC
Midfielder United States Julie Ertz Chicago Red Stars United States Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage
Midfielder United States Rose Lavelle Washington Spirit Japan Yuki Nagasato Chicago Red Stars
Forward United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage
Forward Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars United States Carli Lloyd Sky Blue FC
Forward United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC United States Megan Rapinoe Reign FC
NWSL Championship Game MVP
Player Club Record
Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage Scored opening goal

References[]

  1. ^ "Orlando City SC Announces Central Florida-Based Exploria Resorts as Stadium Naming Rights Partner" (Press release). Orlando City SC. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  2. ^ "BBVA Compass Stadium renamed BBVA Stadium with ceremonial logo unveiling" (Press release). BBVA. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Washington Spirit parts ways with head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra". Washington Spirit. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  4. ^ Balf, Celia (8 January 2019). "Spirit hire Richie Burke as head coach, name technical staff". NWSL. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Orlando Pride and Head Coach Tom Sermanni Mutually Part Ways". Orlando City SC. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  6. ^ Balf, Celia (14 January 2019). "Orlando Pride announce Marc Skinner as head coach". NWSL.com. NWSL. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  7. ^ Balf, Celia (20 September 2018). "Vera Pauw leaves the Houston Dash". NWSL.com. NWSL. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  8. ^ Purdy, Jacqueline (11 December 2018). "James Clarkson named head coach of the Houston Dash". NWSL.com. NWSL. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  9. ^ @GothamFC (28 June 2019). "Announcement: Sky Blue FC Head Coach Denise Reddy was relieved of her duties today. An external search has commenced" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Sky Blue FC Announces Coaching and Training Staff". Sky Blue FC. 4 September 2019. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Rules & Regulations". NWSL.
  12. ^ a b "Schedule". NWSLsoccer.com. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  13. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  14. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  15. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  16. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  18. ^ Gutierrez, Matthew (24 August 2019). "At a packed Audi Field, Spirit delivers a 2-1 win over Pride". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  19. ^ Krucoff, Owen (24 August 2019). "Spirit beat Orlando for historic win at packed Audi Field". Washington Spirit. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  20. ^ Olsen, Emily (25 August 2019). "Washington Spirit hope historic sellout crowd becomes 'the norm'". ProSoccerUSA.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  21. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  22. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Reign FC". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  23. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Sky Blue FC". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  24. ^ "Portland Thorns FC vs. Orlando Pride". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  25. ^ "NWSL Stats". NWSLsoccer.com. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  26. ^ "April Player of the Month: Crystal Dunn". www.nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  27. ^ "May Player of the Month: Sam Kerr". National Women's Soccer League. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  28. ^ @NWSL (3 July 2019). "3⃣ goals in her last 3⃣ games. @ReignFC unbeaten in June. @JessFishlock was on