2022 National Women's Soccer League season

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National Women's Soccer League
Season2022
DatesApril 29 – October 29
← 2021
→

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season will be 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 will be the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

Teams, stadiums, and personnel[]

Team names[]

On October 21, 2020, the Los Angeles expansion team announced their name as Angel City FC.[1]

On October 30, 2021, the NWSL franchise in Kansas City announced their new name as Kansas City Current.[2]

On November 9, 2021, the San Diego expansion team announced their name as San Diego Wave FC[3]

Stadiums and locations[]

See also: List of National Women's Soccer League stadiums

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.

Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor
Angel City FC England Freya Coombe DoorDash[9]
Chicago Red Stars United States Chris Petrucelli
Houston Dash England James Clarkson United States Jane Campbell
England Rachel Daly 		MD Anderson Cancer Center
Kansas City Current England Matt Potter United States Sam Mewis
Canada Desiree Scott[10] 		Saint Luke's Health System[11]
NJ/NY Gotham FC England Scott Parkinson United States McCall Zerboni Algorand[12]
North Carolina Courage United States Sean Nahas New Zealand Abby Erceg Continental AG
OL Reign England Laura Harvey United States Lauren Barnes
United States Megan Rapinoe 		Black Future Co-op Fund
Orlando Pride United States Amanda Cromwell Brazil Marta[13] Orlando Health
Portland Thorns FC Canada Rhian Wilkinson Canada Christine Sinclair Providence Health & Services
Racing Louisville FC Sweden Kim Björkegren England Gemma Bonner
United States Emily Fox
United States Jessica McDonald
Denmark Nadia Nadim[14] 		GE Appliances
San Diego Wave FC England Casey Stoney
Washington Spirit United States Kris Ward United States Tori Huster
United States Andi Sullivan

Coaching changes[]

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment Ref.
Washington Spirit England Richie Burke Re-assigned[a] August 10, 2021 7th in 2021 United States Kris Ward December 20, 2021 [17][18]
San Diego Wave FC Preseason England Casey Stoney July 14, 2021 [19]
Angel City FC Preseason England Freya Coombe August 23, 2021 [20]
Orlando Pride United States Becky Burleigh (interim) End of interim period October 30, 2021 Preseason United States Amanda Cromwell December 7, 2021 [21] [22]
Racing Louisville FC United States Mario Sanchez (interim) End of interim period November 1, 2021 Preseason Sweden Kim Björkegren December 9, 2021 [23][24]
North Carolina Courage United States Sean Nahas (interim) End of interim period November 8, 2021 Preseason United States Sean Nahas December 1, 2021 [25][26]
Portland Thorns FC England Mark Parsons Resigned November 15, 2021 Preseason Canada Rhian Wilkinson November 29, 2021 [27][28]
Kansas City Current Wales Huw Williams Re-assigned November 18, 2021 Preseason England Matt Potter January 11, 2022 [29][30]
Chicago Red Stars United States Rory Dames Resigned November 22, 2021 Preseason United States Chris Petrucelli February 18, 2022 [31][32]
  1. ^ The Spirit initially re-assigned Burke to the front office but suspended him one day later pending an investigation by the league.[15] He was terminated for cause on September 28, 2021, after the league concluded its investigation.[16]

Regular season[]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Angel City FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NWSL Shield
2 Chicago Red Stars 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Playoffs – Semi-Finals
3 Houston Dash 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Playoffs – First Round
4 Kansas City Current 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 NJ/NY Gotham FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 North Carolina Courage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 OL Reign 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Orlando Pride 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Racing Louisville FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 San Diego Wave FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Washington Spirit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on April 29, 2022. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

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,[33] going down the list until all teams are ranked. Coin tosses or drawing of lots will be used if this criteria below fail.

  1. Head-to-head win–loss record between the teams tied in points (or points per game if more than two teams).
  2. Greater goal difference across the entire regular 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.

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.

Highest attendances[]

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Stadium

Statistical leaders[]

As of August 1, 2021.[34][35]

Playoffs[]

Further information: NWSL Playoffs

Challenge Cup[]

Main article: 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

East Division[]

Pos Team
  • v
 Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NCC WAS ORL NJY
1 North Carolina Courage 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 Advance to knockout stage — 2–0
2 Washington Spirit 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Possible knockout stage based on ranking —
3 Orlando Pride 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0–0 —
4 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0 —
Updated to match(es) played on March 19, 2022. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Central Division[]

Pos Team
  • v
 Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification CHI LOU KCC HOU
1 Chicago Red Stars 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3 Advance to knockout stage —
2 Racing Louisville FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Possible knockout stage based on ranking — 1–1
3 Kansas City Current 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 —
4 Houston Dash 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0 1–3 —
Updated to match(es) played on March 20, 2022. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

West Division[]

Pos Team
  • v
 Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification AC POR SDW RGN
1 Angel City FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Advance to knockout stage — 1–1
2 Portland Thorns FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 Possible knockout stage based on ranking —
3 San Diego Wave FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 —
4 OL Reign 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on March 19, 2022. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Championship[]

Main article:

Individual awards[]

As of July 29, 2021

Annual awards[]

Further information: NWSL awards

Monthly Awards[]

Player of the Month[]

Further information: NWSL Player of the Month

Team of the Month[]

Further information: NWSL Team of the Month

Weekly awards[]

References[]

  1. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  2. ^ "Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale - Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. October 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "San Diego Wave FC: NWSL team reveals its name ahead of 2022 debut". www.theathletic.com. November 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  5. ^ "Kansas City NWSL to Play 2022 Home Matches at Children's Mercy Park - KC NWSL". www.kcwoso.com. September 22, 2021.
  6. ^ "OL Reign Returns Home to Seattle". OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD.
  7. ^ Rantz, Susie (December 15, 2021). "OL Reign's move to Lumen Field, explained". Sounder At Heart.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ Carp, Sam (March 19, 2021). "Angel City FC complete shirt sponsorship hattrick with Sprouts deal". SportsPro. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  10. ^ https://twitter.com/thekccurrent/status/1504945724169019394
  11. ^ "Kansas City NWSL Partners with Saint Luke's Health System". kcwoso.com. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "Gotham FC brings in blockchain company Algorand as primary jersey sponsor". SportBusiness. March 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "2022 Orlando Pride Captain Announcement | Orlando City". orlandocitysc.
  14. ^ Communications, Racing Louisville FC (March 14, 2022). "McDonald: 'It's been really cool to see the different personalities' of captains". Racing Louisville Football Club - NWSL.
  15. ^ "Statement From Steve Baldwin". Washington Spirit. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  16. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  17. ^ "Richie Burke re-assigned to Spirit Front Office". Washington Spirit. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  18. ^ Small, Jordan (December 20, 2021). "Washington Spirit Name Kris Ward Permanent Head Coach » Washington Spirit".
  19. ^ Brennan, Clare (July 14, 2021). "CASEY STONEY NAMED HEAD COACH OF SAN DIEGO NWSL TEAM". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  20. ^ Baxter, Kevin (August 22, 2021). "Angel City names Freya Coombe as new coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  21. ^ "Update on Orlando Pride Head Coach Vacancy | Orlando City". orlandocitysc.
  22. ^ "Orlando Pride Hires Amanda Cromwell as Head Coach". orlandocitysc.
  23. ^ "HOLLY'S CONTRACT TERMINATED; SANCHEZ APPOINTED INTERIM COACH". Racing Louisville FC. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  24. ^ "RACING LOUISVILLE FC HIRES BJÖRKEGREN AS HEAD COACH". Racing Louisville FC. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  25. ^ @TheNCCourage (September 30, 2021). "Official statement from the players, staff and principal owner the North Carolina Courage" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "SEAN NAHAS NAMED HEAD COACH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE". North Carolina Courage.
  27. ^ "Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons to depart club at conclusion of 2021 NWSL season". Portland Timbers. May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  28. ^ Timbers, Portland. "Rhian Wilkinson named Thorns FC head coach | PTFC". Portland Timbers.
  29. ^ "KC Current searching for new coach after moving Huw Williams into technical-staff role". Kansas City Star. November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  30. ^ "Kansas City Current Appoints Former USWNT Assistant Coach and U-23 Women's Coach Matt Potter as Head Coach". Kansas City Current. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  31. ^ Salazar, Emmanuel (November 22, 2021). "Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames Steps Down". Chicago Red Stars.
  32. ^ "Chris Petrucelli Named as New Chicago Red Stars Head Coach". Chicago Red Stars. February 18, 2022.
  33. ^ "2021 Competition Rules". NWSL. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  34. ^ "NWSL Stats". NWSLsoccer.com. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  35. ^ "2021 NWSL Stats". FBref. Sports Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2021.

External links[]

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