NWSL

Soccer fans have a different circadian rhythm than others. They're up early to see what's going on in Europe, they're in bed late to follow along with MLS and Liga MX, they reach an emotional peak on Wednesday afternoons and frequently block off entire month-long periods in the summer for international festivals of footie. It's a delicate balance, but the 2023 soccer tournaments calendar is packed with both a Women's World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup to look forward to.

The Portland Thorns defeated the KC Current 2-0 in front of 17,624 fans at Audi Field in the nation’s capital on Saturday to win the club’s third NWSL Championship. Sophia Smith, the National Women’s Soccer League MVP, led her team to victory scoring the first and being involved in the second.

It was a momentous game for the league as the Championship game was CBS showed the game on national television during primetime for the first time in history.

2022 is the year of Sophia Smith.

Portland Thorns striker Sophia Smith was named the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) Most Valuable Player on Thursday, becoming the youngest to earn the regular-season honor days before their championship match against Kansas City.

The 22-year-old scored a club record 14 goals in 18 appearances, the second highest tally this season behind San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan (16), and three assists to help the Thorns to a second consecutive postseason appearance.

The Portland Thorns clinched a spot in next Saturday's NWSL Championship by eliminating the San Diego Wave 2-1 in today's semifinal at Providence Park with sensational goals from Rocky Rodríguez and Crystal Dunn overcoming Taylor Kornieck's opener.  

The expansion Wave took the lead in the eighth-minute when Golden Boot winner Alex Morgan turned provider with Kornieck finishing from close range.  

The first round of the 2022 NWSL playoffs came to a close Sunday night after Kansas City Current upset Houston Dash earlier in the day before San Diego Wave held off Chicago Red Stars in the late match to advance to the semifinals.

At PNC Stadium in Houston, TX, Lo'eau LaBonta gave Kansas City the lead from the spot in the fifth-minute before another trademark Current celebration.  

Merritt Paulson, the CEO of the Portland Thorns and their Major League Soccer counterparts, the Timbers, said he was removing himself effective immediately, following a report that detailed abuse in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Statement From Merritt Paulson

The United States women’s national team and England’s national team shared a moment before Friday’s friendly to show support for all the victims of the NWSL’s abuse scandal. An independent investigation from Sally Q. Yates and King & Spalding LLP revealed the top women’s soccer league in the U.S. had a systemic misconduct and abuse problems.

England and the United States will come together to show their support for the victims of the abuse scandal that has rocked the U.S. National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) when the countries meet in a friendly on Friday, Lionesses forward Beth Mead said.

An independent investigation this week showed abuse and misconduct "had become systemic" in the American top-flight and that the league, teams and governing body U.S. Soccer failed to adequately protect players.

NEW YORK — An independent NWSL abuse investigation released on Monday showed misconduct "had become systemic" in the top-flight National Women's Soccer League and the governing body U.S. Soccer said it would move immediately to implement reforms.

The NWSL playoff picture became a little clearer Wednesday after four results brought every team to 20 matches played in the 22-game regular season. However, there's still everything to play for with the distance between first-place and sixth-place (the final playoff position) just five points.

Alex Morgan's San Diego Wave had been leading the NWSL Shield race for a majority of the season, but the Portland Thorns took pole position last night, and clinched a spot in the playoffs, after a 3-0 hammering of already eliminated Racing Louisville.