2021 National Women's Soccer League season#Playoffs
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Short description|Ninth season of the National Women's Soccer League}}
{{infobox football league season
| image =
| competition = National Women's Soccer League
| winners = Washington Spirit
(1st title)
| shieldtitle = NWSL Shield
| shield = Portland Thorns FC
(2nd shield)
| continentalcup1 = Challenge Cup
| continentalcup1 qualifiers = Portland Thorns FC
(1st cup)
| matches = 120
| total goals = 278
| league topscorer = Ashley Hatch
(10 goals)
| biggest home win = POR 5–0 CHI
(May 16)
NC 5–0 LOU
(May 28)
| biggest away win = LOU 0–4 HOU
(Sept 26)
| highest scoring = RGN 5–1 HOU
(Aug 7)
| longest wins = 4 games
NC (June 19 - July 4)
POR (July 7 - Aug 26)
WAS (Oct 9 – Oct 31)
| longest unbeaten = 8 games
NJY (June 5 – Aug 7)
POR (July 3 – Aug 26)
RGN (Aug 14 - Oct 13)
NJY (Sept 4 – Oct 31)
| longest winless = 13 games
KC (May 15–Aug 15)
| longest losses = 6 games
KC (May 26–July 27)
| highest attendance = 27,278
RGN vs. POR
(August 29, 2021)
(NWSL Record)
| lowest attendance = 1,929
HOU vs. POR
(July 24, 2021)
| attendance = 592,074
| average attendance = 5,104
| prevseason = 2020
| nextseason = 2022
| updated =June 23, 2024. Attendance at 2 matches were not reported
| season = 2021
}}
The 2021 National Women's Soccer League season was the ninth 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 is the 15th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.
This season was the first in which the NWSL has been fully self-governing. After the 2020 season, the league terminated its management contract with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF or U.S. Soccer), which nonetheless continues to provide major financial support to the NWSL.{{cite news |last1=Linehan |first1=Meg |last2=Rueter |first2=Jeff |title=NWSL news galore: Sacramento is in, the USSF is out, Utah investigation buried |url=https://theathletic.com/2318328/2021/01/12/nwsl-lisa-baird-sacramento/ |access-date=February 13, 2021 |publisher=The Athletic |date=January 12, 2021}} 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 a major financial burden off of individual clubs.
On November 18, 2020, the NWSL announced new competition formats for the 2021 season.{{cite news |title=NWSL Announces Innovative 2021 Competition Framework |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-innovative-2021-competition-framework |access-date=November 18, 2020 |publisher=NWSL |date=November 18, 2020}} The Challenge Cup became a league cup competition played before the start of the regular season. The Cup was followed by the 24-match regular season, which began on May 15 and concluded on October 31. The playoffs were expanded to include the six teams, with the top two seeds receiving a first-round bye. Playoffs started on November 6 and concluded with the NWSL Championship on November 20.{{cite news |title=NWSL Challenge Cup Set to be Played in Home Markets, Kickoff Scheduled for April 9|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/2021-nwsl-challenge-cup-set-to-be-played-in-home-markets-kickoff-scheduled-for-april-9|access-date=January 27, 2021 |publisher=NWSL |date=January 27, 2021}}
In the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, Portland Thorns FC and NJ/NY Gotham FC won the West and East Divisions, respectively, earning the right to play in the final. As Portland had the better record, they hosted the final, which was played on May 8 in Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The game was a 1–1 draw after 90 minutes; Portland won the ensuing penalty shootout 6–5 to win the cup.{{Cite web|last=Donovan|first=Mike|date=2021-05-08|title=Challenge Cup Championship Recap|url=https://www.timbers.com/post/2021/05/08/challenge-cup-championship-recap-portland-thorns-fc-xxx-njny-gotham-fc-xxx|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Portland Thorns FC|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508234934/https://www.timbers.com/post/2021/05/08/challenge-cup-championship-recap-portland-thorns-fc-xxx-njny-gotham-fc-xxx}}
In the regular season, the Portland Thorns won the most points and thus earned the NWSL Shield.
In the playoffs, the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars progressed to the final, which was played on Nov. 20, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Spirit prevailed 2–1 in overtime, winning the NWSL Championship.
The season was also marked by a sexual misconduct controversy that erupted on September 30, when The Athletic published an investigation into North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley that accused him of a pattern of sexual coercion and abuse, and also alleged numerous inappropriate comments about players' physical appearance and sexuality. More than a dozen players from every team Riley had coached since 2010 spoke to the publication, and two named players went on the record with allegations against him. The Courage fired Riley that day, and U.S. Soccer immediately suspended his coaching license.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/north-carolina-courage/story/4488068/north-carolina-courage-fire-coach-paul-riley-amid-serious-allegations-of-misconduct |title=North Carolina Courage fire coach Paul Riley amid 'serious allegations of misconduct' |website=ESPN.com |date=September 30, 2021 |accessdate=October 2, 2021}} The next day, the NWSL called off all of its scheduled matches for that weekend, both FIFA and U.S. Soccer announced they were starting their own investigations into Riley, league commissioner Lisa Baird resigned, and league general counsel Lisa Levine was dismissed. Further reporting revealed systemic failure by NWSL leadership to investigate allegations against Riley, including some made in the 2021 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-nwsl/story/4488427/nwsl-postpones-weekend-matches-pending-players-association-meeting-over-misconduct-allegations |title=NWSL postpones weekend matches over misconduct allegations |website=ESPN.com |date=October 1, 2021 |accessdate=October 2, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-nwsl/story/4488556/nwsl-commish-baird-resigns-amid-misconduct-allegations-levelled-at-rileyfirst=Jeff |last=Carlisle |title=NWSL postpones weekend matches over misconduct allegations |website=ESPN.com |date=October 1, 2021 |accessdate=October 2, 2021}}
== Teams, stadiums, and personnel ==
= Team names =
Before the start of the season, Sky Blue FC rebranded as NJ/NY Gotham FC with new team insignia, jerseys, and colors.{{Cite web|last=Gastelum|first=Andrew|title=NWSL Club Sky Blue FC Rebrands as NJ/NY Gotham FC|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/04/06/nwsl-club-sky-blue-fc-rebrands-nj-ny-gotham-fc|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}
The new Kansas City team, which played the 2021 season under the placeholder name of Kansas City NWSL, announced its permanent identity of Kansas City Current at its final home game on October 30.{{cite press release|url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-reveals-name-and-crest-at-inaugural-seas |title=Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale |publisher=Kansas City Current |date=October 30, 2021}}
= 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.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{notelist|group=stad}}
{{col-2}}
{{Location map+ |United States |width=500 |float=right |caption=Locations of the National Women's Soccer League teams in 2021. |places=
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=41.778616 |long=-88.095004 |label=Red Stars |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=29.7500 |long=-95.3400 |label=Dash |position=top |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=39.124444 |long=-94.830833 |label=Kansas City |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=40.736667 |long=-74.150278 |label=Gotham |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=35.786164 |long=-78.755106 |label=Courage |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=47.238033 |long=-122.497544 |label=Reign |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=28.4158 |long=-81.2989 |label=Pride |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=45.520895 |long=-122.690941 |label=Thorns |position=bottom |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=38.257489 |long=-85.728203 |label=Racing |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=38.868333 |long=-77.012222 |label=Spirit |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}
}}
{{col-end}}
= Personnel and sponsorship =
Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer.
=Coaching changes=
{{notelist|group=coach}}
Regular season
{{2021 National Women's Soccer League season}}
= Tiebreakers =
The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings (and hence playoff qualification and seeding) is 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 are tied in points, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker criteria in the order listed:{{cite web |title=2021 Competition Rules |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/2021-competition-rules |publisher=NWSL |access-date=23 May 2021}}
- Head-to-head win–loss record, or points per game if more than two teams, between the teams tied in points.
- Greatest goal difference (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Greatest total number of goals scored (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Apply #1–3 to games played on the road.
- Apply #1–3 to games played at home.
- Coin toss or drawing of lots.
Note: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, tiebreaker determination restarts at step 1.
Attendance
{{see also|National Women's Soccer League attendance}}NWSL attendance in 2021 was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some early-season matches were closed to the public because of COVID restrictions, and when games were opened, many teams had lower average attendances than the most recent regular season in 2019. This table excludes the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.
= Average home attendances =
Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;text-align: center;" | |||||
| Team
!{{Tooltip|GP|Home games with attendance reported}} !{{Tooltip|Attendance|Home attendance}} !{{Tooltip|High|Highest season attendance}} !{{Tooltip|Low|Lowest season attendance}} !{{Tooltip|Average|Average season attendance}} | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Thorns FC | 9 | 112,992 | 17,584 | 5,819 | 12,555 |
| Racing Louisville FC | 12 | 79,042 | 8,488 | 5,843 | 6,587 |
| OL Reign | 12 | 62,885 | 27,278 | 2,104 | 5,240 |
| North Carolina Courage | 12 | 59,837 | 7,064 | 3,523 | 4,986 |
| Kansas City | 12 | 58,043 | 6,345 | 3,449 | 4,837 |
| Orlando Pride | 12 | 50,728 | 5,755 | 3,407 | 4,227 |
| Washington Spirit | 10 | 41,304 | 6,002 | 2,233 | 4,130 |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC | 12 | 45,516 | 9,532 | 1,924 | 3,793 |
| Houston Dash | 13 | 44,017 | 4,792 | 1,929 | 3,386 |
| Chicago Red Stars | 12 | 37,710 | 4,488 | 2,265 | 3,143 |
| Total || 116 || 592,074 || 27,278 || 1,924 || 5,104 |
Updated through 2021 season. Two matches were not reported, mostly resulting from the absence of fans due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Portland Thorns FC were the only club not to report matches (versus Louisville June 5 and Kansas City June 20). Two matches (September 4 Washington at Portland and September 12 OL Reign at Washington) were declared forfeits by Washington due to COVID protocol violations and not played. Due to construction delays, Washington's scheduled home opener on May 26 at Segra Field became a road game at Houston, and the home date was not made up.
Statistical leaders
{{Updated|October 31, 2021.}}{{cite web|title=NWSL Stats|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/stats|website=NWSLsoccer.com|access-date=May 16, 2021}}{{cite web |title=2021 NWSL Stats |url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/182/NWSL-Stats |website=FBref |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=19 July 2021}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Top scorers=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Goals |
|---|
| 1
|{{flagicon|USA}} Ashley Hatch !10 |
| rowspan=3|2
|{{flagicon|USA}} Bethany Balcer !rowspan=3|9 |
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Rachel Daly |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Midge Purce |
| rowspan=2|5
|{{flagicon|USA}} Sydney Leroux !rowspan=2|8 |
| {{flagicon|NGA}} Ifeoma Onumonu |
| rowspan=3|7
|{{flagicon|FRA}} Eugénie Le Sommer !rowspan=3|7 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Sophia Smith |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Lynn Williams |
| rowspan=3|10
|{{flagicon|USA}} Megan Rapinoe !rowspan=3|6 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Trinity Rodman |
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Ebony Salmon |
{{col-2}}
= Top assists =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Assists |
|---|
| rowspan=2|1
|{{flagicon|USA}} Sofia Huerta !rowspan=2|6 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Trinity Rodman |
| rowspan=2|3
|{{flagicon|USA}} Caprice Dydasco !rowspan=2|5 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Carson Pickett |
| rowspan=7|5
|{{flagicon|WAL}} Jess Fishlock !rowspan=7|4 |
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Nahomi Kawasumi |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Kristie Mewis |
| {{flagicon|NGR}} Ifeoma Onumonu |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Courtney Petersen |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Mallory Pugh |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Kealia Watt |
{{col-end}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Clean sheets =
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Clean sheets |
|---|
| 1
|{{flagicon|USA}} Casey Murphy !11 |
| rowspan=1|2
|{{flagicon|USA}} Bella Bixby !rowspan=1|9 |
| rowspan=1|3
|{{flagicon|USA}} Aubrey Bledsoe !rowspan=1|8 |
| rowspan=2|4
|{{flagicon|USA}} Adrianna Franch |2 teams !rowspan=2|7 |
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Sarah Bouhaddi |
| rowspan=1|6
|{{flagicon|CAN}} Kailen Sheridan !rowspan=1|6 |
| rowspan=1|7
|{{flagicon|USA}} Cassie Miller !rowspan=1|5 |
| rowspan=2|8
|{{flagicon|USA}} Michelle Betos !rowspan=2|4 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Jane Campbell |
| rowspan=2|10
|{{flagicon|USA}} Ashlyn Harris !rowspan=2|3 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Alyssa Naeher |
{{col-2}}
= Hat-tricks =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Player !For !Against !Score !Date |
{{col-end}}
Playoffs
{{further|NWSL Playoffs}}
Beginning this season, the top six teams from the regular season competed for the NWSL Championship, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2021 |title=NWSL Announces 2021 Playoff Schedule |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-2021-playoff-schedule |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=National Women's Soccer League}}
| RD1=First round
| RD2=Semi-finals
| RD3=Championship
| score-width=30px
| team-width=160px
| RD1-seed1 = 4
| RD1-team1 = Chicago Red Stars
| RD1-score1 = 1
| RD1-seed2 = 5
| RD1-team2 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
| RD1-score2 = 0
| RD1-seed3 = 3
| RD1-team3 = Washington Spirit {{aet}}
| RD1-score3 =1
| RD1-seed4 = 6
| RD1-team4 = North Carolina Courage
| RD1-score4 = 0
| RD2-seed1 = 1
| RD2-team1 = Portland Thorns FC
| RD2-score1 = 0
| RD2-seed2 = 4
| RD2-team2 = Chicago Red Stars
| RD2-score2 = 2
| RD2-seed3 = 2
| RD2-team3 = OL Reign
| RD2-score3 = 1
| RD2-seed4 = 3
| RD2-team4 = Washington Spirit
| RD2-score4 = 2
| RD3-seed1 = 4
| RD3-team1 = Chicago Red Stars
| RD3-score1 = 1
| RD3-seed2 = 3
| RD3-team2 = Washington Spirit {{aet}}
| RD3-score2 = 2
}}
= First round =
{{footballbox
| date = November 7, 2021
| time = 15:00 ET
| team1 = Chicago Red Stars
| score = 1–0
| report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/chicago-red-stars-vs-nj-ny-gotham-fc-2021-11-07/latest
| team2 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
| goals1 =
- Woldmoe {{yel|51}}
- Pugh {{goal|61}}
- DiBernardo {{yel|80}}
| goals2 =
| stadium = SeatGeek Stadium
| location = Bridgeview, Illinois
| attendance = 7,027
| referee = Kevin Broadley
}}
{{footballbox
| date = November 7, 2021
| time = 17:30 ET
| team1 = Washington Spirit
| score = 1–0
| aet = yes
| report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/washington-spirit-vs-north-carolina-courage-2021-11-07/latest
| team2 = North Carolina Courage
| goals1 =
- Hatch {{goal|113}}
| goals2 =
| stadium = Audi Field
| location = Washington, D.C.
| attendance = 5,379
| referee = Natalie Simon
}}
= Semi-finals =
{{footballbox
| date = November 14, 2021
| time = 15:00 ET
| team1 = OL Reign
| score = 1–2
| report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/ol-reign-vs-washington-spirit-2021-11-14/latest
| team2 = Washington Spirit
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium = Cheney Stadium
| location = Tacoma, Washington
| attendance = 5,273
| referee = Matt Franz
}}
{{footballbox
| date = November 14, 2021
| time = 17:30 ET
| team1 = Portland Thorns FC
| score = 0–2
| report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/portland-thorns-fc-vs-chicago-red-stars-2021-11-14/latest
| team2 = Chicago Red Stars
| goals1 =
- Salem {{yel|80}}
| goals2 =
| stadium = Providence Park
| location = Portland, Oregon
| attendance = 15,832
| referee = Katja Koroleva
}}
= Championship =
| date = November 20, 2021
| time = 12:00 ET
| team1 = Washington Spirit
| score = 2–1
| report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/washington-spirit-vs-chicago-red-stars-2021-11-20/latest
| team2 = Chicago Red Stars
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
- Hill {{goal|45+5}}
| aet = y
| stadium = Lynn Family Stadium
| location = Louisville, Kentucky
| attendance = 10,360
| referee = Tori Penso
}}
Championship MVP: Aubrey Bledsoe (WAS)
Challenge Cup
{{main|2021 NWSL Challenge Cup}}The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup was a tournament-style competition starting on April 9 and ending with a final played on May 8, before the start of the regular NWSL season. The tournament was organized as a group stage with two five-team, geographically chosen groups playing a round-robin, followed by a single-game final featuring the top team from each group. NJ/NY Gotham FC won the Eastern Division and the Portland Thorns won the Western one. In the final, held at Providence Park in Portland, these two teams tied 1-1 after 90 minutes and went straight to a penalty-kick shootout, with Portland prevailing 6–5 in seven rounds of penalties.
= East Division =
{{2021 NWSL Challenge Cup East Division}}
= West Division =
{{2021 NWSL Challenge Cup West Division}}
= Championship =
{{main|2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship}}
{{:2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship}}
Individual awards
{{Updated|November 20, 2021}}
= Annual awards =
{{Further|NWSL awards}}
== Teams of the Year ==
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |NWSL Championship Game MVP |
| Player
!Club |
|---|
| {{flagicon|USA}} Aubrey Bledsoe |
= Monthly Awards =
== Player of the Month ==
{{Further|NWSL Player of the Month}}
== Team of the Month ==
{{Further|NWSL Team of the Month}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Month
! Goalkeeper ! Defenders ! Midfielders ! Forwards ! Ref. |
|---|
| May
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Kailen Sheridan, NJY |{{flagicon|USA}} Caprice Dydasco, NJY | {{flagicon|BRA}} Debinha, NC | {{flagicon|USA}} Sydney Leroux, ORL |
| June
| {{flagicon|USA}} Michelle Betos, LOU |{{flagicon|USA}} Caprice Dydasco, NJY (2) | {{flagicon|USA}} Tori Huster, WAS | {{flagicon|BRA}} Marta, ORL |
| July
| {{flagicon|USA}} Bella Bixby, POR |{{flagicon|USA}} Caprice Dydasco, NJY (3) | {{flagicon|USA}} Andi Sullivan, WAS | {{flagicon|USA}} Sydney Leroux, ORL (2) |
| August
| {{flagicon|USA}} Casey Murphy, NC | {{flagicon|USA}} Caprice Dydasco, NJY (4) | {{flagicon|WAL}} Jessica Fishlock, RGN (2) | {{flagicon|DEN}} Nadia Nadim, LOU |
| September
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Kailen Sheridan, NJY (2) | {{flagicon|USA}} Tierna Davidson, CHI | {{flagicon|USA}} Morgan Gautrat, CHI (2) | {{flagicon|USA}} Bethany Balcer, RGN |
| October
| {{flagicon|USA}} Aubrey Bledsoe, WAS | {{flagicon|USA}} Caprice Dydasco, NJY (5) | {{flagicon|WAL}} Jessica Fishlock, RGN (3) | {{flagicon|USA}} Ashley Hatch, WAS (2) |
= Weekly awards =
{{Further|NWSL Player of the Week}}
{{For|weekly awards during the Challenge Cup|2021 NWSL Challenge Cup#Weekly awards}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|group=19}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://nwslsoccer.com}}
{{National Women's Soccer League}}
{{2021 NWSL season by team}}
{{2021 in American women's soccer}}
{{2020–21 in North and Central America, and Caribbean women's football (CONCACAF)}}
{{USSF D1 soccer seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Women's Soccer League 2021}}