On Tuesday the NWSL announced the transfer of Kim Little from the Seattle Reign to Arsenal Ladies. To the average American soccer fan or casual fan of the US Women’s National Team, that won’t seem like an important move. However, if you’ve followed the NWSL or the women’s game globally, you will know that the league just lost a massive talent.
Little’s Journey To Seattle And European Recognition
Repetition, repetition, repetition. You always hear professional athletes talking about getting their "reps" in, as they put in countless hours behind the scenes to truly become masters at their craft. But not everyone has a personal trainer or coach giving them a training regimen to follow, and a common message from coaches to young, aspiring athletes is to spend time outside of practice honing your skills.
The 2016 NWSL season wrapped up Sunday in Houston as the Western New York Flash defeated the Washington Spirit on penalties. It was an electric match which saw the Flash level the score at 2-2 deep into extra time of the second overtime period. As the book closes on the fourth year for the league (a first for women’s soccer in the United States), we take a look back at the emerging TV deal and also speculate about NWSL expansion heading into 2017.
First Major TV Deal
Sunday’s National Women’s Soccer League final put the finishing touches on a wild 2016 NWSL playoffs in which all three playoff games went into extra time. With the matched tied 2-2 after extra time, penalty kicks where needed to decide the outcome between the Western New York Flash and the Washington Spirit.
The scoring started early on as the Washington Spirit scored their first goal in the ninth minute. Five minutes later, the WNY Flash returned the favor and scored their opening goal.
The 2016 NWSL season was full of historic events, controversy, and growth. However, as the league prepares for the final this Sunday, the 2016 NWSL awards were announced and they spread the accolades across the division.
NWSL MVP
Sunday, the Western New York Flash and the Portland Thorns looked to move to the NWSL final. From the very beginning the match was highly amusing, and worthy of the 20,086 rowdy fans at Providence Park.
Throughout the game the two teams proved women’s soccer is just as exciting and suspenseful as men’s soccer. Both sides recorded 17 shots each. The Flash took the lead in the 16th minute after a throw-in eventually led to Samantha Mewis' foot at the top of the 18.
It took more time than a normal game, but the Washington Spirit finished off the Chicago Red Stars in the 111th minute and earned a berth in the 2016 NWSL final.
Ali Krieger opened the scoring in the 36th minute.
GOAL! Ali Krieger finishes with a driving header to put the Washington Spirit ahead, 1-0. #WASvCHI #NWSL https://t.co/nJDDnMOApR