2023 National Women's Soccer League season

The 2023 National Women's Soccer League season was the eleventh 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 17th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams compete in the league.

National Women's Soccer League

Season	2023
Dates	March 25 – November 11
Champions	NJ/NY Gotham FC (1st title)
NWSL Shield	San Diego Wave FC (1st shield)
Challenge Cup	North Carolina Courage (2nd cup)
CONCACAF W Champions Cup	NJ/NY Gotham FC San Diego Wave FC Portland Thorns FC
Matches played	132
Goals scored	339 (2.57 per match)
Top goalscorer	Sophia Smith (11 goals)
Best goalkeeper	Casey Murphy (7 shutouts)
Biggest home win	5 goals ORL 5–0 CHI (Aug 20)
Biggest away win	5 goals CHI 0–5 NC (June 11)
Highest scoring	7 goals RGN 5–2 CHI (Apr 22)
Longest winning run	4 wins North Carolina Courage (Jun 10 – Jul 1)
Longest unbeaten run	7 matches Washington Spirit (Mar 26 – May 13)
Longest winless run	6 matches Racing Louisville FC (Mar 26 – May 6)
Longest losing run	4 losses Orlando Pride (Mar 26 – Apr 23) Kansas City Current (May 7 – 26)
Highest attendance	42,054 RGN 0–2 POR (Jun 5)
Lowest attendance	2,356 CHI 4–2 KC (Apr 15)
Total attendance	1,423,846
Average attendance	10,869
← 2022 2024 → All statistics correct as of October 15, 2023.

The NWSL regular season, comprising 22 games for each team, began on March 25 and ended on October 15, 2023. The playoffs followed from October 22 and ended with the championship match on November 11.^[1] For the first time, the NWSL Challenge Cup ran entirely concurrent with the regular season from April to September 9, 2023.^[1] NJ/NY Gotham FC won their first league championship by defeating OL Reign in the NWSL Championship at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.^[2]

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

Stadiums and locations

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

Team	Stadium	Capacity
Angel City FC	BMO Stadium	22,000
Chicago Red Stars	SeatGeek Stadium	20,000
Houston Dash	Shell Energy Stadium	7,000[lower-alpha 1]
Kansas City Current	Children's Mercy Park	18,467
NJ/NY Gotham FC	Red Bull Arena	25,000
North Carolina Courage	Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park	10,000
OL Reign	Lumen Field	10,000[lower-alpha 2]
Orlando Pride	Exploria Stadium	25,500
Portland Thorns FC	Providence Park	25,218
Racing Louisville FC	Lynn Family Stadium	11,700[lower-alpha 3]
San Diego Wave FC	Snapdragon Stadium	35,000
Washington Spirit	Audi Field	20,000

1. Shell Energy Stadium has a capacity of 22,039, but the maximum capacity for Dash games is restricted to 7,000.^{[citation needed]}
2. Lumen Field has a capacity of 68,740; standard configuration for Reign games seats 10,000 but can expand based on demand for individual games.^[3]
3. Seated capacity; full capacity with standing room is 15,304.^[4]

Angel City

Red Stars

Dash

Current

Gotham

Courage

Reign

Pride

Thorns

Racing

Wave

Spirit

Locations of the National Women's Soccer League teams in 2023.

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer as part of a league-wide sponsorship agreement renewed in November 2021.^[5]

Team	Head coach	Captain	Shirt sponsor
Angel City FC	Becki Tweed (interim)	Ali Riley[6]	DoorDash[7]
Chicago Red Stars	Ella Masar (interim)	Alyssa Naeher[8]	CIBC[9]
Houston Dash	Sarah Lowdon (interim)	Sophie Schmidt[10][11]	MD Anderson Cancer Center[12]
Kansas City Current	Caroline Sjöblom (interim)	Lo'eau LaBonta[13]	Saint Luke's Health System[14]
NJ/NY Gotham FC	Juan Carlos Amorós	Ali Krieger[15]	Algorand[16]
North Carolina Courage	Sean Nahas	Denise O'Sullivan[17]	Merz Aesthetics[18]
OL Reign	Laura Harvey	Lauren Barnes[19]	Black Future Co-op Fund[20]
Orlando Pride	Seb Hines	Marta[21]	Orlando Health[22]
Portland Thorns FC	Mike Norris	Christine Sinclair[23]	Providence Health & Services[24]
Racing Louisville FC	Kim Björkegren	Jaelin Howell[25]	GE Appliances[26]
San Diego Wave FC	Casey Stoney	Alex Morgan[27]	Kaiser Permanente[28]
Washington Spirit	Mark Parsons	Aubrey Kingsbury[29]	CVS Health[30]

Coaching changes

Team	Outgoing coach	Manner of departure	Date of vacancy	Position in table	Incoming coach	Date of appointment	Ref.
NJ/NY Gotham FC	Hue Menzies (interim)	End of interim period	October 2, 2022	Preseason	Juan Carlos Amorós	November 1, 2022	[31]
Orlando Pride	Seb Hines (interim)	End of interim period	October 2, 2022	Preseason	Seb Hines	November 11, 2022	[32]
Washington Spirit	Albertin Montoya (interim)	End of interim period	October 2, 2022	Preseason	Mark Parsons	November 21, 2022	[33]
Houston Dash	Juan Carlos Amorós (interim)	Resigned	October 28, 2022	Preseason	Sam Laity	December 21, 2022	[34][35]
Portland Thorns FC	Rhian Wilkinson	Resigned	December 2, 2022	Preseason	Mike Norris	January 9, 2023	[36][37]
Kansas City Current	Matt Potter	Fired	April 19, 2023	11th	Caroline Sjöblom (interim)	April 19, 2023	[38]
Angel City FC	Freya Coombe	Fired	June 15, 2023	11th	Becki Tweed (interim)	June 15, 2023	[39]
Houston Dash	Sam Laity	Fired	September 6, 2023	10th	Sarah Lowdon (interim)	September 8, 2023	[40][41]
Chicago Red Stars	Chris Petrucelli	Fired	October 10, 2023	12th	Ella Masar (interim)	October 10, 2023	[42]

Regular season

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	San Diego Wave FC (S)	22	11	4	7	31	22	+9	37	Playoff semifinals and W Champions Cup
2	Portland Thorns FC	22	10	5	7	42	32	+10	35
3	North Carolina Courage	22	9	6	7	29	22	+7	33	Playoff quarterfinals
4	OL Reign	22	9	5	8	29	24	+5	32
5	Angel City FC	22	8	7	7	31	30	+1	31
6	NJ/NY Gotham FC (C)	22	8	7	7	25	24	+1	31
7	Orlando Pride	22	10	1	11	27	28	−1	31
8	Washington Spirit	22	7	9	6	26	29	−3	30
9	Racing Louisville FC	22	6	9	7	25	24	+1	27
10	Houston Dash	22	6	8	8	16	18	−2	26
11	Kansas City Current	22	8	2	12	30	36	−6	26
12	Chicago Red Stars	22	7	3	12	28	50	−22	24

Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions; (S) NWSL Shield

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, going down the list until all teams are ranked.^[43]

1. Greater goal difference across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
2. Most total wins across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
3. Most goals scored across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
4. Head-to-head results (total points) between the tied teams.
5. Head-to-head most goals scored between the tied teams.
6. Fewest disciplinary points accumulated across the entire regular season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
7. Coin flip (if two teams are tied) or drawing of lots (if three or more teams are tied).

Results

Home \ Away	CHI	HOU	KC	LA	LOU	NC	NJY	ORL	POR	RGN	SD	WAS
Chicago Red Stars	—	1–2	4–2	2–2	1–0	0–5	1–2	1–0	2–3	0–3	1–0	1–1
Houston Dash	0–1	—	1–1	1–2	0–0	0–1[lower-alpha 1]	1–1	2–0	2–1	0–0	0–3	1–1
Kansas City Current	6–3	0–2	—	0–1	0–2	1–0	2–0	2–0	1–4	1–0	0–2	2–3
Angel City FC	1–2	0–0	3–2	—	2–2	2–1	1–2	0–1	5–1	2–1	0–2	0–1
Racing Louisville FC	3–0	0–1	2–1	1–1	—	1–2	2–0	3–2	2–1	2–2	0–0	2–2
North Carolina Courage	1–1	1–0	1–0	0–0	1–0	—	3–3	3–0	3–3	1–0	0–0	1–2
NJ/NY Gotham FC	2–1	0–2	2–2	0–0	0–0	1–0	—	0–0	2–1	0–2	0–1	2–0
Orlando Pride	5–0	1–0	1–2	1–2	1–0	2–1	0–2	—	3–1	1–0	1–2	2–1
Portland Thorns FC	4–0	1–1	0–1	3–3	2–0	2–1	1–0	4–0	—	2–0	0–2	4–2
OL Reign	5–2	2–0	2–1	4–1	2–2	1–1	1–4	1–0	0–2	—	1–0	0–0
San Diego Wave FC	3–2	1–0	1–2	1–2	2–0	3–1	2–1	1–3	1–1	1–2	—	2–2
Washington Spirit	0–3	0–0	2–1	2–1	1–1	0–1	1–1	0–3	1–1	1–0	3–1	—

Source: NWSL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:

1. Match abandoned at the 52nd minute due to severe thunderstorms in the area.^[44]

Attendance

See also: National Women's Soccer League attendance

Average home attendances

Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.

Regular season

Team	GP	Attendance	High	Low	Average
San Diego Wave FC	11	227,893	30,854	14,362	20,718
Angel City FC	11	217,313	22,000	16,682	19,756
Portland Thorns FC	11	208,094	25,218	14,972	18,918
OL Reign	11	149,704	42,054	6,132	13,609
Kansas City Current	11	124,878	15,671	9,409	11,353
Washington Spirit	11	119,748	15,479	7,073	10,886
Orlando Pride	11	69,878	8,504	4,290	6,353
NJ/NY Gotham FC	11	69,223	15,058	3,200	6,293
Racing Louisville FC	11	65,989	10,214	4,143	5,999
Houston Dash[lower-alpha 1]	10	58,569	9,175	4,536	5,857
North Carolina Courage	11	59,225	10,434	4,000	5,384
Chicago Red Stars	11	53,332	8,961	2,356	4,848
Total	131	1,423,846	42,054	2,356	10,869

Updated through 2023 Season

1. The April 28, 2023, match between HOU and NC was abandoned at the 52nd minute before attendance could be reported.^[44]

Highest attendances

Regular season^[45]

Rank	Home team	Score	Away team	Attendance	Date	Stadium
1	OL Reign	0–2	Portland Thorns FC	42,054[lower-alpha 1]	June 3, 2023 (2023-06-03)	Lumen Field
2	OL Reign	0–0	Washington Spirit	34,130	October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06)	Lumen Field
3	San Diego Wave FC	3–2	Chicago Red Stars	30,854	March 25, 2023 (2023-03-25)	Snapdragon Stadium
4	San Diego Wave FC	2–0	Racing Louisville FC	30,312	October 15, 2023 (2023-10-15)	Snapdragon Stadium
5	San Diego Wave FC	1–2	Angel City FC	25,515	June 17, 2023 (2023-06-17)	Snapdragon Stadium
6	Portland Thorns FC	2–0	OL Reign	25,218	September 16, 2023 (2023-09-16)	Providence Park
7	San Diego Wave FC	1–0	Houston Dash	24,936	September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03)	Snapdragon Stadium
8	San Diego Wave FC	1–2	OL Reign	22,682	June 24, 2023 (2023-06-24)	Snapdragon Stadium
9	Portland Thorns FC	2–1	North Carolina Courage	22,107	August 20, 2023 (2023-08-20)	Providence Park
10	Angel City FC	1–2	NJ/NY Gotham FC	22,000	March 26, 2023 (2023-03-26)	BMO Stadium

Updated through 2023 Season

1. The June 3 match between OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC was part of a doubleheader with Seattle Sounders FC. The attendance figure reflects the tickets counted for the Sounders match.^[46]

Statistical leaders

As of October 14, 2023.^[47]

Top scorers Rank Player Club Goals 1 Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC 11 2 Kerolin North Carolina Courage 10 3 Debinha Kansas City Current 9 Ashley Hatch Washington Spirit 5 Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC 7 Morgan Weaver Portland Thorns FC Lynn Williams NJ/NY Gotham FC 8 Bethany Balcer OL Reign 6 Messiah Bright Orlando Pride Cece Kizer Kansas City Current Adriana Leal da Silva Orlando Pride Tyler Lussi North Carolina Courage Jaedyn Shaw San Diego Wave FC Hina Sugita Portland Thorns FC

Top assists Rank Player Club Assists 1 Sam Coffey Portland Thorns FC 8 2 Julia Bianchi Chicago Red Stars 5 Claire Emslie Angel City FC Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC Megan Rapinoe OL Reign Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC 7 Adriana Leal da Silva Orlando Pride 4 Clarisse Le Bihan Angel City FC Alex Loera Kansas City Current Marta Orlando Pride María Sánchez Houston Dash Morgan Weaver Portland Thorns FC Christen Westphal San Diego Wave FC

Clean sheets Rank Player Club Clean sheets 1 Casey Murphy North Carolina Courage 9 Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC 3 Jane Campbell Houston Dash 8 4 Anna Moorhouse Orlando Pride 7 5 Bella Bixby Portland Thorns FC 6 Katie Lund Racing Louisville FC 7 Aubrey Kingsbury Washington Spirit 4 Cassie Miller Kansas City Current Abby Smith NJ/NY Gotham FC Phallon Tullis-Joyce OL Reign

Hat-tricks See also: List of NWSL hat-tricks Player For Against Score Date Ref. Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC at Kansas City Current 1–4 April 1, 2023 [48] Kerolin North Carolina Courage at Chicago Red Stars 0–5 June 10, 2023 [49] Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit 4–2 June 23, 2023 [50]

Playoffs

Further information: NWSL Playoffs

The top six teams from the regular season will qualify for the NWSL Championship playoffs, with the top two teams receiving a quarterfinal bye. The playoffs begin with the quarterfinals on October 20, with semifinals scheduled for November 5 and the championship finals match on November 11^[1] at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.^[51][52]

	Quarterfinals					Semifinals					Championship
						1	San Diego Wave FC	0
	4	OL Reign	1			4	OL Reign	1
	5	Angel City FC	0								4	OL Reign	1
											6	NJ/NY Gotham FC	2
						2	Portland Thorns FC	0
	3	North Carolina Courage	0			6	NJ/NY Gotham FC (a.e.t.)	1
	6	NJ/NY Gotham FC	2

Quarterfinals

OL Reign	1–0	Angel City FC
Latsko 87'	Report

October 20, 2023

19:00 PDT

Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

Attendance: 12,152

Referee: Brad Jensen

North Carolina Courage	0–2	NJ/NY Gotham FC
	Report	Sheehan 45' Ryan 90+1'

October 22, 2023

19:00 EDT

WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina

Attendance: 4,612

Referee: Katja Koroleva

Semifinals

Portland Thorns FC	0–1 (a.e.t.)	NJ/NY Gotham FC
	Report	Stengel 107'

November 5, 2023

16:00 PST

Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

Attendance: 25,218

Referee: Danielle Chesky

San Diego Wave FC	0–1	OL Reign
	Report	Latsko 47'

November 5, 2023

18:30 PST

Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California

Attendance: 32,262

Referee: Natalie Simon

Championship

OL Reign	1–2	NJ/NY Gotham FC
Lavelle 29'	Report	Williams 24' González 45+2'

November 11, 2023

17:00 PST

Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California

Attendance: 25,011

Referee: Katja Koroleva

Championship Game MVP: Midge Purce (NJNY)

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup

Individual awards

As of July 10, 2023

Annual awards

Further information: NWSL awards

Award	Winner		Nominees[53]	Ref.
Golden Boot	Sophia Smith (11 G)	Portland Thorns FC	N/A	[54]
Most Valuable Player	Kerolin	North Carolina Courage	Sam Coffey, POR Debinha, KC Naomi Girma, SD Sophia Smith, POR	[55]
Defender of the Year	Naomi Girma	San Diego Wave FC	Sarah Gorden, LA Ali Krieger, NJNY Kaleigh Kurtz, NCC Sam Staab, WAS	[56]
Goalkeeper of the Year	Jane Campbell	Houston Dash	Katie Lund, LOU Kailen Sheridan, SD	[57]
Rookie of the Year	Jenna Nighswonger	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Messiah Bright, ORL Alyssa Thompson, LA	[58]
Coach of the Year	Juan Carlos Amorós	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Casey Stoney, SD Becki Tweed, LA	[59]

Teams of the Year

Announced November 6, 2023^[60]

Best XI

POSITION	PLAYER	CLUB
Goalkeeper	Jane Campbell	Houston Dash
Defender	Naomi Girma	San Diego Wave FC
	Ali Krieger	NJ/NY Gotham FC
	Sarah Gorden	Angel City FC
	Sam Staab	Washington Spirit
Midfielder/Forward	Sam Coffey	Portland Thorns FC
	Debinha	Kansas City Current
	Jaedyn Shaw	San Diego Wave FC
	Kerolin	North Carolina Courage
	Sophia Smith	Portland Thorns FC
	Lynn Williams	NJ/NY Gotham FC

Second XI

POSITION	PLAYER	CLUB
Goalkeeper	Kailen Sheridan	San Diego Wave FC
Defender	Emily Fox	North Carolina Courage
	Kaleigh Kurtz	North Carolina Courage
	Jenna Nighswonger	NJ/NY Gotham FC
	M.A. Vignola	Angel City FC
Midfielder/Forward	Savannah DeMelo	Racing Louisville FC
	Savannah McCaskill	Angel City FC
	Denise O'Sullivan	North Carolina Courage
	Ashley Hatch	Washington Spirit
	Alex Morgan	San Diego Wave FC
	Trinity Rodman	Washington Spirit

Most selections

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

Further information: NWSL Player of the Month

Month	Player	Team	Ref.
March/April	Sophia Smith	Portland Thorns FC	[61]
May	Savannah DeMelo	Racing Louisville FC	[62]
June	Sophia Smith (2)	Portland Thorns FC	[63]
July	Savannah McCaskill	Angel City FC	[64]
August	Messiah Bright	Orlando Pride	[65]
September/October	Savannah McCaskill (2)	Angel City FC	[66]

Rookie of the Month

Further information: NWSL Rookie of the Month

Month	Player	Team	Ref.
March/April	Alyssa Thompson	Angel City FC	[67]
May	Jenna Nighswonger	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[68]
June	Paige Metayer	Washington Spirit	[69]
July	Jenna Nighswonger (2)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[70]
August	Messiah Bright	Orlando Pride	[65]
September/October	Alexa Spaanstra	Kansas City Current	[71]

Team of the Month

Further information: NWSL Team of the Month

Month	Goalkeeper	Defenders	Midfielders	Forwards	Ref.
March/April	Phallon Tullis-Joyce, RGN	Emily Fox, NC Naomi Girma, SD Becky Sauerbrunn, POR Sam Staab, WAS	Debinha, KC (3) Crystal Dunn, POR Jess Fishlock, RGN	Bethany Balcer, RGN Sophia Smith, POR Lynn Williams, NJY	[72]
May	Abby Smith, NJY	Bruninha, NJY Naomi Girma (2), SD Sam Staab (2), WAS Kylie Strom, ORL	Savannah DeMelo, LOU Crystal Dunn (2), POR Jenna Nighswonger, NJY	Veronica Latsko, RGN Megan Rapinoe, RGN Lynn Williams (2), NJY	[73]
June	Casey Murphy, NC	Abby Erceg, LOU Sofia Huerta, OL Kaleigh Kurtz, NC M.A. Vignola, LA	Sam Coffey, POR Debinha, KC (2) Savannah DeMelo, LOU (2)	Kerolin, NC Sophia Smith, POR (2) Lynn Williams, NJY (3)	[74]
July	Emily Boyd, CHI	Malia Berkely, NC Abby Erceg, LOU (2) Sarah Gorden, LA Paige Monaghan, LOU	Savannah McCaskill, LA Narumi Miura, NC Jenna Nighswonger, NJY (2)	Ashley Hatch, WAS Kristen Hamilton, KC Midge Purce, NJY	[75]
August	Adrianna Franch, KC	Abby Dahlkemper, SD Casey Krueger, CHI Jenna Nighswonger, NJY (3) Kylie Strom, ORL	Kerry Abello, ORL Sam Coffey, POR (2) Lo'eau LaBonta, KC	Messiah Bright, ORL Kristen Hamilton, KC (2) Morgan Weaver, POR	[76]
September / October	Jane Campbell, HOU	Caprice Dydasco, HOU Naomi Girma, SD (3) Sarah Gorden, LA (2) M.A. Vignola, LA	Sam Coffey, POR (3) Debinha, KC (3) Savannah McCaskill, LA (2)	Esther González, NJY Kerolin, NC (2) Jaedyn Shaw, SD	[77]

Weekly awards

Week	Player of the Week		Save of the Week		Ref.
	Player	Club	Player	Club
1	Lynn Williams	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Not awarded		[78]
2	Sophia Smith	Portland Thorns FC			[79]
3	Phallon Tullis-Joyce	OL Reign			[80]
4	Lynn Williams (2)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Abby Smith	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[81][82]
5	Debinha	Kansas City Current	Abby Smith (2)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[83][84]
6	Crystal Dunn	Portland Thorns FC	Katie Lund	Racing Louisville FC	[85][86]
7	Abby Smith	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Abby Smith (3)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[87][88]
8	Lynn Williams (3)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Alyssa Naeher	Chicago Red Stars	[89][90]
9	Bruninha	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Alyssa Naeher (2)	Chicago Red Stars	[91][92]
10	Sydney Leroux	Angel City FC	Bruninha Abby Smith (4)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[93][94]
11	Kerolin	North Carolina Courage	Phallon Tullis-Joyce	OL Reign	[95][96]
12	Tara McKeown	Washington Spirit	Phallon Tullis-Joyce (2)	OL Reign	[97][98]
13	Sophia Smith (2)	Portland Thorns FC	Phallon Tullis-Joyce (3)	OL Reign	[99][100]
14	Julie Doyle	Orlando Pride	Abby Smith (5)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[101][102]
15	Messiah Bright	Orlando Pride	Abby Smith (6)	NJ/NY Gotham FC	[103]

References

1. "NWSL Announces Full 2023 Season Schedule" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. February 8, 2023.
2. Goff, Steven (November 11, 2023). "Gotham takes NWSL title after Reign star Megan Rapinoe's farewell is cut short". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
3. Rantz, Susie (December 15, 2021). "OL Reign's move to Lumen Field, explained". Sounder At Heart.
4. Gardner, Hayes (October 14, 2021). "'A world-class city': Next month's NWSL Championship game moves to Louisville". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
5. Carp, Sam (November 22, 2021). "NWSL's Nike extension is league's 'most substantial' sponsorship deal to date". SportsPro. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
6. "Ali Riley's off-day tour of LA: Chinatown, plenty of food, but definitely no surfing". March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
7. Carp, Sam (February 19, 2021). "Angel City FC name DoorDash as inaugural shirt sponsor". SportsPro. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
8. Claire Watkins [@ScoutRipley] (March 15, 2023). "Chris Petrucelli confirms Alyssa Naeher is the new captain of the Red Stars" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
9. Jones, Rory (April 22, 2022). "Chicago Red Stars' CIBC kit partnership 'biggest in franchise's history'". SportsPro. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
10. "Sarah Lowdon, the Dash's 'bridge' in the coaching room". The Striker. March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023. 'When she [Sarah Lowdon] comes into the room, any tension or anything is just nonexistent,' Dash captain Sophie Schmidt told The Striker in May 2023.
11. Houston Dash [@houstondash] (April 26, 2023). "Captain Sophie Schmidt reporting for duty" – via Instagram.
12. Schaffer, Allison (2020). "MD Anderson becomes jersey partner of Houston Dash" (Press release). MD Anderson Cancer Center. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
13. Lauletta, Dan (April 20, 2023). "Immediate aftermath of Potter firing: KC team shocked but go on to win first game of 2023". The Equalizer. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
14. "KC NWSL lands partnership with big KC player". Kansas City Business Journal. September 29, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
15. Chandler, Joey (March 23, 2023). "NJ/NY Gotham FC star Ali Krieger to retire after 2023 season". NJ.com.
16. Cohen, Andrew (March 7, 2022). "Gotham FC Adds Algorand as Blockchain and NFT Partner". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
17. Our New Captain (Video). North Carolina Courage. February 10, 2023 – via YouTube.
18. "Courage and Merz Aesthetics expand partnership" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. January 30, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
19. "OL Reign Re-Signs Captain Lu Barnes Through 2024 Season". OL Reign. January 10, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
20. Voght, Steve (April 14, 2021). "OL Reign unveil new kits featuring Black Future Co-op Fund on front". Sounder At Heart. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
21. David, Austin (March 25, 2023). "After long road back from injury, grateful Marta excited to return to field with Orlando Pride" (Press release). Orlando City SC. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
22. "Orlando Pride Unveils 2022-23 Luna Kit Presented by Orlando Health" (Press release). Orlando City SC. April 21, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
23. "Christine Sinclair to play another season with NWSL champion Portland Thorns". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Canadian Press. November 1, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
24. "NWSL Playoffs gives brand exposure to a number of league, team partners". Sports Business Journal. October 14, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
25. "Jaelin Howell named Racing captain" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. March 24, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
26. Holton, Brooks (October 6, 2022). "Racing Louisville FC responds to allegations against Christy Holly in NWSL investigation". The Courier Journal. Yahoo! News. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
27. Velasco, Francisco (March 25, 2023). "Huge 2023 season ahead for Alex Morgan and San Diego Wave". Retrieved May 17, 2023.
28. Insixiengmay, Steph (March 15, 2022). "Wave FC unveil Kaiser Permanente as 1st health partner and sponsor". LAG Confidential. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
29. McCauley, Kim (March 30, 2023). "Why 2023 could be a big year for Aubrey Kingsbury". ESPN.
30. "Washington Spirit Unveils New Kit and Crest Colors for 2023 Season" (Press release). Washington Spirit. March 1, 2023.
31. "NJ/NY Gotham FC Names Juan Carlos Amorós Head Coach" (Press release). NJ/NY Gotham FC. November 1, 2022.
32. "Orlando Pride announces promotion of Seb Hines to Head Coach" (Press release). Orlando City SC. November 11, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
33. Pittman, Sam (November 21, 2022). "Washington Spirit Names Mark Parsons New Head Coach" (Press release).
34. Houston Dash [@HoustonDash] (October 28, 2022). "Thanks @JuanC_Amoros for his energy and passion in serving as our interim head coach since July. Juan Carlos has elected to pursue other opportunities and the team will begin the search for a new head coach immediately. https://t.co/UJOx3HTESs" (Tweet). Retrieved December 2, 2022 – via Twitter.
35. "Houston Dash name Sam Laity as head coach" (Press release). Houston Dynamo FC. December 21, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
36. "Thorns FC head coach Rhian Wilkinson to resign" (Press release). Portland Timbers. December 2, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
37. "Assistant coach Mike Norris appointed Thorns FC head coach" (Press release). Portland Timbers. January 9, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
38. Kassouf, Jeff (April 19, 2023). "Kansas City Current fire head coach Matt Potter". The Equalizer. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
39. "Angel City FC Parts Ways with Freya Coombe" (Press release). Angel City FC. June 14, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
40. FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dash part ways with head coach | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC.
41. FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dash name Sarah Lowdon interim head coach | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC.
42. Anderson, Jason. "Chicago Red Stars part ways with coach Chris Petrucelli days before NWSL season ends". USA TODAY.
43. "2023 Competition Rules & Regulations" (PDF). National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
44. "Courage defeat Dash 1-0 in weather-shortened match". NWSL. April 28, 2023.
45. "NWSL Schedule". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
46. Evans, Jayda (June 3, 2023). "OL Reign lose to Thorns for first time since 2019 to cap soccer twinbill". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
47. "NWSL Stats". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
48. "Sophia Smith's hat trick propels Portland over Kansas City" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
49. "North Carolina topples Chicago in 5-0 away thrashing" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 10, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
50. "Thorns go top with thrilling 4-2 win over Washington" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 24, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
51. "National Women's Soccer League Announces San Diego Wave FC as Host of 2023 NWSL Championship, Presented by Bud Light" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
52. "National Women's Soccer League Announces Schedule for 2023 NWSL Playoffs, Presented by Bud Light" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
53. "National Women's Soccer League Announces 2023 NWSL Award Finalists, Opens Final Voting Round". www.nwslsoccer.com. October 24, 2023.
54. "Portland Thorns FC Forward Sophia Smith Wins 2023 NWSL Golden Boot". National Women's Soccer League. October 16, 2023.
55. "North Carolina Courage Attacker Kerolin Named 2023 NWSL Most Valuable Player Presented by Bud Light". NWSL Soccer. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
56. "San Diego Wave FC Centerback Naomi Girma Named 2023 NWSL Defender of the Year". National Women's Soccer League. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
57. "Houston Dash Keeper Jane Campbell Named 2023 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year". National Women's Soccer League. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
58. "NJ/NY Gotham FC Midfielder/Defender Jenna Nighswonger Named 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Presented by Ally". www.nwslsoccer.com.
59. "NJ/NY Gotham FC's Juan Carlos Amorós Named 2023 NWSL Coach of the Year". National Women's Soccer League. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
60. "NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards". November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
61. "Portland Thorns FC Striker Sophia Smith Named March/April Player of the Month, Presented by EA SPORTS" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
62. "Racing Louisville FC Midfielder Savannah DeMelo Named May Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
63. "Portland Thorns FC Forward Sophia Smith Named June Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
64. "Angel City FC Midfielder Savannah McCaskill Named July Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
65. "Orlando Pride Forward Messiah Bright Named August Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports and August Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally Financial" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
66. "Angel City FC Midfielder Savannah McCaskill Named September/October Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
67. "Angel City FC Forward Alyssa Thompson Named March/April Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
68. "NJ/NY Gotham FC Defender/Midfielder Jenna Nighswonger Named May Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
69. "Washington Spirit Midfielder Paige Metayer Named June Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
70. "NJ/NY Gotham FC's Jenna Nighswonger Named July Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
71. "Kansas City Current Forward Alexa Spaanstra Named September/October Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
72. "National Women's Soccer League Announces March/April Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
73. "National Women's Soccer League Announces May Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
74. "National Women's Soccer League Announces June Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
75. "National Women's Soccer League Announces July Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
76. "National Women's Soccer League Announces August Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 31, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
77. "National Women's Soccer League Announces September/October Best XI of the Month, Presented by Mastercard" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
78. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (March 28, 2023). "Don't call it a comeback, she's been here for years 👏" (Tweet). Retrieved March 28, 2023 – via Twitter.
79. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 6, 2023). "The Hat Trick 👑" (Tweet). Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
80. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 19, 2023). "Tullis-Joyce is a beast" (Tweet). Retrieved April 19, 2023 – via Twitter.
81. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 25, 2023). "Time for the @budlight Player of the Week poll 🏆" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
82. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 25, 2023). "Not one, but two saves on the play *in the rain* earn @abbyys44 Save of the Week honors!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
83. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 2, 2023). "It had to be Debinha" (Tweet). Retrieved May 2, 2023 – via Twitter.
84. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 2, 2023). "It's time for Save of the Week! Let's see those votes🗳️" (Tweet). Retrieved May 3, 2023 – via Twitter.
85. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 9, 2023). "WARNING ⚠️ Do not leave Crystal Dunn unmarked in the box 😱" (Tweet). Retrieved May 13, 2023 – via Twitter.
86. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 10, 2023). "We think you dropped this Katie Lund 👑 Save of the Week Winner ✅" (Tweet). Retrieved May 13, 2023 – via Twitter.
87. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 16, 2023). "In safe hands" (Tweet). Retrieved May 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
88. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 18, 2023). "Your Save of the Week!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
89. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 23, 2023). "GOTHAM RACKING 'EM UP" (Tweet). Retrieved May 24, 2023 – via Twitter.
90. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 23, 2023). "A new @DeloitteUS Impact Save of the Week poll!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 24, 2023 – via Twitter.
91. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 31, 2023). "Vamos @bruninhaia_" (Tweet). Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Twitter.
92. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 31, 2023). "We've got some record breakers and game savers on the ballot for this week's @DeloitteUS Impact Save of the Week!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Twitter.
93. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 8, 2023). "After 311 days away from the pitch, @sydneyleroux scores in her first game back!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
94. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 7, 2023). "Unbelievable stops" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2023 – via Twitter.
95. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 14, 2023). "Kerolin gets her hat trick and @budlight Player of the Week nod 🎩🪄" (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
96. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 13, 2023). "Let's hear it for the keepers🗣️" (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
97. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 21, 2023). "Tara McKeown really DOES IT ALL!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
98. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 21, 2023). "Four amazing saves but only one can be @DeloitteUS Impact Save of the Week!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
99. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 27, 2023). "Go off, Soph!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Twitter.
100. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 29, 2023). "Can't stop thinking about this @phallon91 save 😱" (Tweet). Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Twitter.
101. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 3, 2023). "Say hello to your @budlight Player of the Week nominees 👋⤵️" (Tweet). Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Twitter.
102. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 3, 2023). "Get your votes ready!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Twitter.
103. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 12, 2023). "What are you waiting for?!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Twitter.

External links

• Official website