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2013 National Women's Soccer League season

1st season of the National Women's Soccer League

1st season of the National Women's Soccer League

FieldValue
competitionNational Women's Soccer League
season2013
winnersPortland Thorns FC
shieldtitleNWSL Shield
shieldWestern New York Flash
league topscorerLauren Holiday (12 goals)
biggest home winNJ 5–1 BOS (June 1)
WNY 4–0 DC (June 28)
biggest away winSEA 0–3 SBFC (May 19)
highest scoring7 goals:
DC 2–5 BOS (July 27)
POR 4-3 KC (June 6)
matches88
total goals238
longest wins5 games Sky Blue FC
(May 11 – June 1)
longest unbeaten10 games FC Kansas City
(June 23 – August 4)
longest losses9 games Seattle Reign FC
(April 16 – June 21)
highest attendance17,619 POR v FCKC (August 4)
lowest attendance688 NJ v CHI (May 8)
attendance375,763
average attendance4,270
nextseason[2014](2014-national-women-s-soccer-league-season)

WNY 4–0 DC (June 28) DC 2–5 BOS (July 27) POR 4-3 KC (June 6) NOTE: As of August 18 (reg. season end)

(May 11 – June 1) (June 23 – August 4) (April 16 – June 21)

The 2013 National Women's Soccer League season was the inaugural 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), this was the seventh overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league was (and is) operated by the United States Soccer Federation and received major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing was provided by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation. All three national federations paid the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations.

The league started on April 13 with FC Kansas City hosting Portland Thorns FC. The last regular season matches were played on August 18, with the Western New York Flash topping the standings to win the NWSL Shield. This was followed by postseason playoffs, which culminated in a final on August 31. In the final, Portland Thorns FC defeated the Western New York Flash 2–0 to win the inaugural NWSL Championship.{{cite news | access-date=September 1, 2013 |access-date = September 2, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130904015115/http://nwslsoccer.com/home/751983.html |archive-date = September 4, 2013 |url-status = dead

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

Stadiums and locations

Main article: List of National Women's Soccer League stadiums

TeamStadiumCapacity
Boston BreakersDilboy Stadium3,500
Chicago Red StarsVillage Sports Complex3,600
FC Kansas CityShawnee Mission District Stadium6,150
Portland Thorns FCJeld-Wen Field20,438
Seattle Reign FCMemorial Stadium6,000
Sky Blue FCYurcak Field5,000
Washington SpiritMaryland SoccerPlex5,126
Western New York FlashSahlen's Stadium13,768

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams used Nike as kit manufacturer.

TeamHead coachCaptainShirt sponsor
Boston BreakersUSA (until August 2)USAOcean Spray
USA (after August 2)
Chicago Red StarsUSAUSAJimmyBars
FC Kansas CityMKDUSATitle Boxing Club
Portland ThornsUSACANProvidence Health & Services
Seattle Reign FCENGUSAModa Health
Sky Blue FCUSAUSA[2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline](2ndfloor-youth-helpline)
Washington SpiritUSA Mike Jorden (until June 30)USAProChain Solutions, Inc.
ENG (after June 30)
Western New York FlashNZUSASahlen's

Player Acquisition

Players were acquired through the 2013 Allocation of national team players announced on January 11, the 2013 NWSL College Draft on January 18, and the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft on February 7, along with free agency, trading and loans.

The Portland Thorns received an allocation with a notably strong offensive record including Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, the 2012 U.S. and Canadian Players of the Year and leading scorers for their national teams respectively, as well as a U.S. allocation (Morgan, Tobin Heath, and Rachel Buehler) that accounted for 1/3 of their national team's assists in 2012.

Competition format

The regular season began on April 13 and ended on August 18. Each team played a total of 22 games: 11 at home and 11 away. Each team played

  • three other teams (based on an east/west geographical split) four times each: twice at home and twice away
  • two other teams twice each: once at home and once away
  • and the remaining two teams three times each: one twice at home and once away, the other vice versa

The four teams at the end of the season with the most points qualified for the playoffs. Two semifinal games were played on August 24, with the winners advancing to the league final to be played on August 31.

Results table

Abbreviation and Color Key:
Boston Breakers – BOS • Chicago Red Stars – CHI • FC Kansas City – KC • Portland Thorns FC – POR
Seattle Reign FC – SEA • Sky Blue FC – NJ • Washington Spirit – WAS • Western New York Flash – WNY
Win Loss Tie Home GameClubMatch12345678910111213141516171819202122
Boston BreakersWASWNYCHIWASKCWASNJWNYCHINJSEANJSEAPORNJPORKCWASWNYPORKCWNY
1–11–24–11–12–03–05–12–21–02–31–23–21–10–20–01–23–02–52–22–11–02-1
Chicago Red StarsSEAPORBOSNJPORWNYPORBOSKCKCWNYSEAWNYWASKCWASSEAPORSEAWASNJKC
1–10–24-11–10–22-10–21–00–21–32–23–11–00–23–31–04–13–33–11-03–31–2
FC Kansas CityPORSEASEAWNYBOSNJPORSEACHICHIWASNJPORWASWNYCHISEABOSNJPORBOSCHI
1–12–00–12–12–00–14–30–10–21–32–02–22–01–10–03–32–03–00–12–31-01–2
Portland Thorns FCKCSEACHIWASCHINJWASSEACHIKCSEANJKCBOSWNYBOSCHINJKCBOSWNYSEA
1–12–10–21–20–20–12–00–10–24–32–00–02–00–21–11–23–33–12–32-10–01–2
Seattle Reign FCCHIPORKCKCNJWASNJPORKCPORWNYBOSCHIBOSWNYWASKCCHICHIWNYWASPOR
1–12–12–00–12–02–40–30–10–12–01–11–23–11–13–22–12–04–13–11-01-01–2
Sky Blue FCWNYWASWNYCHISEAPORSEAKCBOSWNYBOSPORKCBOSWASBOSWNYKCPORWASCHIWAS
1–01–22–11–12–00–10–30–15–10–32–30–02–23–21–00–03–00–13–11–03–31–1
Washington SpiritBOSWNYNJPORBOSSEAPORBOSWNYKCWNYKCNJCHISEACHIBOSWNYNJCHISEANJ
1–11–11–21–21–12–42–03–00–22–04–01–11–00–22–11–02–53–01–01–01–01–1
Western New York FlashNJWASBOSNJKCCHIBOSNJWASCHISEAWASCHIKCSEAPORNJWASBOSSEAPORBOS
1–01–11–22–12–12–12–20–30–22–21–14–01–00–03–21–13–03–02–21–00–02–1

Scores listed as home-away

League standings

NWSL Championship

The top four teams from the regular season qualified for the championship playoffs. In the semifinals, the regular season winner hosted the fourth-placed team and the regular season runner-up hosted the third-placed team. The highest-seeded semifinal winner then hosted the championship final. All match-ups were one-game series (as opposed to home-and-away series).

| score-width=30px | team-width=160px | RD1-seed1= 1 | RD1-team1= Western New York Flash | RD1-score1= 2 | RD1-seed2= 4 | RD1-team2= Sky Blue FC | RD1-score2= 0 | RD1-seed3= 2 | RD1-team3= FC Kansas City | RD1-score3= 2 | RD1-seed4= 3 | RD1-team4= Portland Thorns FC (AET) | RD1-score4= 3 | RD2-seed1= 1 | RD2-team1= Western New York Flash | RD2-score1= 0 | RD2-seed2= 3 | RD2-team2= Portland Thorns FC | RD2-score2= 2

Semi-finals

Report Henderson
Scott
Buczkowski Dougherty
Long
Weimer Report Huffman Adams

Championship

Report Martin Williamson Long Ellertson Sinclair

Attendance

Average home attendances

TeamAverage Attendance
Boston Breakers2,427
Chicago Red Stars1,713
FC Kansas City4,626
Portland Thorns FC13,320
Seattle Reign FC2,306
Sky Blue FC1,677
Washington Spirit3,626
Western New York Flash4,485

Highest Attendance: 17,619 (August 4, Kansas City at Portland)

Lowest Attendance: 688 (May 8, Chicago at Sky Blue)

Total Attendance: 375,846 (88 games total)

League Average: 4,271

Playoff attendance

Semifinal 1, Portland at FC Kansas City: 4,016

Semifinal 2, Sky Blue at Western New York: 7,316

Championship, Portland at Western New York: 9,129

Statistical leaders

Top scorers

RankPlayerNationClubGoals124910
Lauren HolidayUSAFC Kansas City12
Sydney LerouxUSABoston Breakers11
Abby WambachUSAWestern New York Flash11
Carli LloydUSAWestern New York Flash8
Diana MathesonCANWashington Spirit8
Alex MorganUSAPortland Thorns FC8
Mónica OcampoMEXSky Blue FC8
Christine SinclairCANPortland Thorns FC8
Sophie SchmidtCANSky Blue FC7
Erika TymrakUSAFC Kansas City6

Source:

Top assists

RankPlayerNationClubAssists1234610
Lauren HolidayUSAFC Kansas City9
Abby WambachUSAWestern New York Flash8
Lianne SandersonENGBoston Breakers7
Katy FreelsUSASky Blue FC6
Heather O'ReillyUSABoston Breakers6
Leigh Ann RobinsonUSAFC Kansas City5
Christine NairnUSASeattle Reign FC5
Alex MorganUSAPortland Thorns5
Samantha KerrAUSWestern New York Flash5
Lori ChalupnyUSAChicago Red Stars4
Julianne SitchUSAChicago Red Stars4
Erika TymrakUSAFC Kansas City4

Source:

Goalkeeping

(Minimum of 540 Minutes Played)

RankGoalkeeperClubGPMINSSOGSVSGAGAAW-L-TSHO
1USA Adrianna FranchWestern New York Flash2219781199820**0.909**10–4–87
2USA Brittany CameronSky Blue FC181619836517**0.945**9–4–58
3USA Nicole BarnhartFC Kansas City201800866719**0.950**10–5–510
4CAN Karina LeBlancPortland Thorns FC2118901149223**1.095**11–5–57
5USA Alyssa NaeherBoston Breakers9765473611**1.222**4–2–22
6USA Taylor VancilChicago Red Stars654031238**1.334**3–2–11
7USA Hope SoloSeattle Reign FC1412601018119**1.357**5–6–20
8CAN Erin McLeodChicago Red Stars161430926428**1.750**5–6–54
9USA Ashley PhillipsBoston Breakers11945513220**1.818**2–5–41
10USA Ashlyn HarrisWashington Spirit1816201188533**1.882**2–11–41
11USA Michelle BetosSeattle Reign FC7630493414**2.000**0–6–10

Source:

Individual awards

Monthly awards

Weekly awards

WeekPlayer of the WeekClubWeek's Statline
Week 1USABrittany CameronSky Blue FC
Week 2WALJessica FishlockSeattle Reign FC
Week 3USAHeather O'ReillyBoston Breakers
Week 4USASydney LerouxBoston Breakers
Week 5USAAbby WambachWestern New York Flash
Week 6USAChristie RamponeSky Blue FC
Week 7ENGLianne SandersonBoston Breakers
Week 8AUSLisa De VannaSky Blue FC
Week 9USAAbby WambachWestern New York Flash
Week 10USALori ChalupnyChicago Red Stars
Week 11CANKarina LeBlancPortland Thorns FC
Week 12USACarli LloydWestern New York Flash
Week 13USASydney LerouxBoston Breakers
Week 14CANKarina LeBlancPortland Thorns FC
Week 15USAErika TymrakFC Kansas City
Week 16USAMegan RapinoeSeattle Reign FC
Week 17USALauren HolidayFC Kansas City
Week 18CANDiana MathesonWashington Spirit
Week 19USAJen HoyChicago Red Stars

Annual awards

AwardWinnerRunner-upThird placeGolden BootRookie of the YearGoalkeeper of the YearDefender of the YearCoach of the YearMost Valuable Player
**USA Lauren Holiday****FC Kansas City****12 Goals**USA Abby WambachWestern New York FlashUSA Sydney LerouxBoston Breakers
**USA Erika Tymrak****6 Goals, 4 Assists**USA Adrianna FranchWestern New York FlashUSA Sydney LerouxBoston Breakers
**USA Nicole Barnhart****10 Shutouts**USA Adrianna FranchWestern New York FlashCAN Karina LeBlancPortland Thorns
**USA Becky Sauerbrunn****1710min, 1.00 GAA**USA Christie RamponeSky Blue FCUSA Leigh Ann RobinsonFC Kansas City
**MKD Vlatko Andonovski****11–6–5, 2nd reg. season**USA Jim GabarraSky Blue FCNZL Aaran LinesWestern New York Flash
**USA Lauren Holiday****1st in G and A, 4th in S and SOG**USA Abby WambachWestern New York FlashUSA Lori ChalupnyChicago Red Stars
NWSL Best XIPositionFirst teamSecond team
GoalkeeperUSA **Nicole Barnhart**FC Kansas City10 shutouts
DefenseUSA **Christie Rampone**Sky Blue FC1.20 GAA
DefenseUSA **Leigh Ann Robinson**FC Kansas City5 assists
DefenseUSA **Becky Sauerbrunn**FC Kansas City1.0 GAA
DefenseUSA **Brittany Taylor**Western New York Flash3 goals, 4 assists
MidfieldUSA **Lori Chalupny**Chicago Red Stars5 goals, 4 assists
MidfieldWAL **Jess Fishlock**Seattle Reign FC4 goals
MidfieldUSA **Lauren Holiday**FC Kansas City12 goals, 9 assists
MF // FWCAN **Diana Matheson**Washington Spirit8 goals, 3 assists
ForwardUSA **Sydney Leroux**Boston Breakers11 goals, 2 assists
ForwardUSA **Abby Wambach**Western New York Flash11 goals, 8 assists
NWSL Championship Game MVPPlayerClubRecord
USA Tobin HeathPortland Thorns FCScored game-winning goal in first league Championship Game

Statistics

Scoring

  • First goal of the season: Renae Cuellar for FC Kansas City against Portland Thorns FC, 3rd minute (April 13)
  • Earliest goal in a match: 2 minutes
    • CoCo Goodson for Sky Blue FC against Washington Spirit (April 27)
  • Latest goal in a match: 90+6 minutes
    • Lori Chalupny for Chicago Red Stars against FC Kansas City (July 14)
  • Widest winning margin: 4 goals
    • Sky Blue 5–1 Boston Breakers (June 1)
    • Western New York Flash 4–0 Washington Spirit (May 4)
  • Most goals scored in a match: 7
    • Washington Spirit 2–5 Boston Breakers (July 27)
    • Portland Thorns 4-3 FC Kansas City (June 6)
  • First Own Goal: McCall Zerboni of Western New York Flash for Sky Blue FC (April 14)
  • Average goals per match: 2.705

Hat-tricks

PlayerForAgainstResultDate
USA {{sortnameSydneyLerouxLeroux, Sydney }}Boston BreakersChicago Red Stars4–1
USA {{sortnameCarliLloydLloyd, Carli}}Western New York FlashWashington Spirit4–0

Discipline

  • First yellow card: Kristie Mewis for FC Kansas City against Portland Thorns FC, 43rd minute (April 13)
  • Most yellow cards in a match: 6
    • Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Seattle Reign FC – 3 for Portland (Allie Long, Angie Kerr, & Nikki Washington) and 3 for Seattle (Elli Reed, Christine Nairn, & Jessica Fishlock) (April 21)

Streaks

  • Longest winning streak: 5 games
    • Sky Blue FC, games 5–9
  • Longest unbeaten streak: 10 games
    • FC Kansas City, games 11–20
  • Longest winless streak: 13 games
    • Washington Spirit, games 7–19
  • Longest losing streak: 9 games
    • Seattle Reign FC, games 2–10
  • Longest shutout: 435 minutes by Brittany Cameron for Sky Blue FC
  • Longest drought: 541 minutes for Washington Spirit

Other firsts

  • First player to score twice in a match: Heather O'Reilly for Boston Breakers against Western New York Flash (April 27)
  • First come-from-behind victory: Boston Breakers 2–1 Western New York Flash (April 27)

Home team record

(Regular season only)

  • 8 wins, 8 losses, 6 ties – 1.364 PPG
  • 28 goals for, 26 goals against – +2 GD

References

References

  1. Jorstad, Keith. (May 13, 2013). "NWSL Attendance Watch: Week 5". The Equalizer.
  2. (February 12, 2013). "NWSL Announces Inaugural Regular Season Schedule". NWSL.
  3. Stars, Red. (February 12, 2013). "Red Stars Unveil 2013 NWSL Schedule, Venue". Chicago Red Stars.
  4. (April 8, 2013). "NWSL opening day rosters announced". The Equalizer.
  5. (August 2, 2013). "Breakers fire Cole, Whitehill named interim coach". The Equalizer.
  6. Kassouf, Jeff. (June 30, 2013). "Official: Last-place Spirit fire coach Mike Jorden". The Equalizer.
  7. Bird, Liviu. (January 11, 2013). "Portland Thorns FC nabs cream of the crop in NWSL allocation". The Equalizer.
  8. (December 3, 2012). "Alex Morgan Named 2012 Female Athlete of the Year". U.S. Soccer.
  9. (December 11, 2012). "Sinclair is female selection for 2012 BMO Canadian Players of the Year award". Canada Soccer.
  10. "National Women's Soccer League 2013 Schedule". National Women's Soccer League.
  11. (August 17, 2013). "National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  12. Jorstad, Keith. (August 20, 2013). "NWSL Attendance Watch Week 19". The Equalizer.
  13. DiVeronica, Jeff. (February 7, 2014). "Flash to face Portland in home opener". Democrat and Chronicle.
  14. Goff, Steven. (August 18, 2013). "Washington Spirit finishes losing first season in NWSL with many gains". The Washington Post.
  15. (August 4, 2013). "FC KANSAS CITY EARN PLAYOFF BERTH WITH 3-2 WIN OVER THORNS FC". nwslsoccer.com.
  16. (August 24, 2013). "PORTLAND DEFEATS KANSAS CITY 3-2 IN OVERTIME". nwslsoccer.com.
  17. (August 24, 2013). "FLASH SHUT OUT SKY BLUE FC 2-0 IN SEMIFINAL". nwslsoccer.com.
  18. (August 31, 2013). "NWSL CHAMPIONS: PORTLAND THORNS FC". nwslsoccer.com.
  19. (August 10, 2013). "Top Ten Listing – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  20. "BRITTANY CAMERON VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  21. "JESSICA FISHLOCK VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  22. "BREAKERS' HEATHER O'REILLY VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  23. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: SYDNEY LEROUX – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  24. "FLASH'S WAMBACH VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  25. "CHRISTIE RAMPONE VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK". Nwslsoccer.com.
  26. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LIANNE SANDERSON – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  27. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LISA DE VANNA – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  28. "Player of the Week: Abby Wambach – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  29. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LORI CHALUPNY – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  30. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: KARINA LEBLANC – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  31. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CARLI LLOYD – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  32. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: SYDNEY LEROUX – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  33. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: KARINA LEBLANC – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  34. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: ERIKA TYMRAK – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  35. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: MEGAN RAPINOE – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  36. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LAUREN HOLIDAY – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  37. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DIANA MATHESON – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  38. "PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JEN HOY – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  39. (August 19, 2013). "LAUREN HOLIDAY WINS NWSL GOLDEN BOOT – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  40. (August 20, 2013). "NWSL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: ERIKA TYMRAK – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  41. (August 21, 2013). "NWSL GK OF THE YEAR: NICOLE BARNHART – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  42. (August 22, 2013). "NWSL Defender of the Year: Becky Sauerbrunn – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  43. (August 26, 2013). "NWSL COACH OF THE YEAR: VLATKO ANDONOVSKI – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  44. (August 27, 2013). "NWSL MVP: LAUREN HOLIDAY – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  45. "NWSL BEST XI - National Women's Soccer League".
  46. (April 13, 2013). "KANSAS CITY AND PORTLAND DRAW IN FIRST NWSL GAME". NWSL.
  47. (April 27, 2013). "SKY BLUE FC EARN 2–1 WIN OVER SPIRIT". NWSL.
  48. "Chicago Red Stars vs FC Kansas City - July 14, 2013 - Chicago Red Stars".
  49. (April 14, 2013). "SKY BLUE FC DEFEAT WNY FLASH 1–0". NWSL.
  50. "BREAKERS DEFEAT RED STARS 4–1 – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  51. "FLASH GO ON THE OFFENSIVE IN 4–0 WIN OVER SPIRIT – National Women's Soccer League". Nwslsoccer.com.
  52. (April 13, 2013). "Christine Sinclair penalty kick leads Thorns FC to 1–1 draw against FC Kansas City". Portland Thorns FC Communications.
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