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
We recently found out that soccer has caused Carli Lloyd a lot of family drama and strained relationships over the years, but now she might be ready to put soccer aside and focus on her family.
Sparta Prague found themselves in the headlines for all the wrong reasons last weekend. Following a match between Sparta and Zbrojovka Brno, a match Sparta lost in acrimonious circumstances, two players for the Prague based club responded by making sexist comments towards assistant referee Lucie Ratajova.
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.
Hope Solo no longer has to worry about her shoulder issues. The goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National team is currently on a six-month suspension from the team, which gave her time to have much-needed shoulder surgery, which took place this past Tuesday.
“For the first time in years, I can raise my right arm above my head,” Solo said in a post on Instagram. “I’m filled with excitement knowing how life-changing this is and I look forward to coming back healthier and stronger than ever.”
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
We've reached 2016 NWSL postseason, and we already know a new champion will be crowned. Before the playoffs kick-off this weekend it is important to remember that no professional women’s league has survived past a third season. So, as the NWSL gets ready to celebrate this year’s best teams, there is an overarching sense of pride closing out year four.
A Chelsea own-goal and a Toni Duggan penalty were enough to lift Manchester City, 2-0, over the defending WSL champions Saturday in a match that cemented the WSL crown for the Citizens.
Manchester City are one of the few clubs in England actually putting significant resources toward their women's team, and it paid off with the title.
The only match Manchester City lost this season was, fittingly, to Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final, and now sweet revenge is theirs.
On Friday, Arizona high school Faith Christian refused to play Foothills Academy College Prep unless Foothills agreed to bench female players Alyssa and Colette Hocking.
The Hocking sisters play on the boys' team because Foothills lacks enough players for a girls' team.
From the Arizona Republic:
When one wants something more than anything in the world, one has to make sacrifices. This is especially the case for professional athletes.