2017_NWSL_season

2017 National Women's Soccer League season

2017 National Women's Soccer League season

5th season of the National Women's Soccer League

The 2017 National Women's Soccer League season was the fifth 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 was the eleventh overall season of FIFA- and USSF-sanctioned top-division women's soccer in the United States. The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body. 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.

Quick Facts Season, Dates ...

The reigning champions Western New York Flash did not play under that name; the franchise was sold, relocated to Cary, North Carolina and rebranded as the North Carolina Courage.[1]

After schedule disruptions in the previous two years caused by the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, NWSL teams in 2017 once again played 24 games, a schedule last played during the 2014 season.[2] The Courage won the NWSL Shield (the regular season), topping the Portland Thorns by two points.

The NWSL Playoff semifinals were held October 7–8, 2017, and were won by the Thorns and the Courage. The NWSL Championship Game was held on October 14, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida.[3] The Thorns won 1–0, becoming NWSL Champions, their second championship.

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

Stadiums and locations

See also: List of National Women's Soccer League stadiums

Two teams, the Dash and Reign, do not make their stadiums' entire capacity available for home games, instead restricting ticket sales at a lower level. The full capacities of their venues are included in parentheses and italics.

More information Team, Stadium ...

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All of the teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer.

More information Team, Head coach ...

Coaching changes

More information Team, Outgoing manager ...

Competition format

  • Each team played a total of 24 games, 12 home and 12 away.
  • The four teams at the end of the season with the most points qualified for the playoffs.

League standings

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

Tiebreakers

The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most 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 tie in point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules,[8] going down the list until all teams are ranked.

  1. Head-to-head win–loss record between the teams (or points-per-game if more than two teams).
  2. Greater goal difference across the entire season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
  3. Greatest total number of goals scored (against all teams).
  4. Apply #1–3 to games played on the road.
  5. Apply #1–3 to games played at home.
  6. If teams are still equal, ranking will be determined by a coin toss.

NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.

Weekly live standings

Considering each week to end on a Sunday.

More information Week →, Team ↓ ...

Washington Spirit and Boston Breakers were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 18 on August 26, 2017 after losing their respective games.[9][10] FC Kansas City and Houston Dash were both eliminated in Week 20 on September 9, after the Chicago Red Stars gained one more point in a tie against FC Kansas City.[11][12] Sky Blue FC was eliminated later that weekend after a loss against the Washington Spirit.[13] Seattle Reign was the last team to lose a playoff spot after a defeat in Week 21.[14]

In Week 19, North Carolina Courage was the first team to clinch a playoff spot.[15] Later that week, Portland Thorns clinched the second playoff spot.[16] Both Chicago Red Stars and Orlando Pride clinched the remaining two spots in Week 21.[17]

Attendance

See also: National Women's Soccer League attendance

Average home attendances

Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.

More information Team, GP ...

Updated to games played on October 1, 2017.[18]

Highest attendances

Regular season

More information Rank, Home team ...

Updated to games played on October 7, 2017.[18]

Statistical leaders

More information Rank, Player ...

NWSL Playoffs

Further information: NWSL Playoffs

The top four teams from the regular season competed for the NWSL Championship. In one semifinal, the North Carolina Courage defeated the Chicago Red Stars 1–0 on a dramatic 89th-minute goal. In the other, Portland Thorns FC defeated the Orlando Pride 4–1. One week later, in the final on October 14, Portland defeated North Carolina 1–0 to claim the NWSL Championship.

Semi-finals Championship
      
2 Portland Thorns FC 4
3 Orlando Pride 1
2 Portland Thorns FC 1
1 North Carolina Courage 0
1 North Carolina Courage 1
4 Chicago Red Stars 0

Semi-finals

More information Portland Thorns FC, 4–1 ...
Attendance: 18,193
Referee: Timothy Ford
More information North Carolina Courage, 1–0 ...
Attendance: 10,017
Referee: Ramy Touchan

Championship

More information North Carolina Courage, 0–1 ...
Attendance: 8,124
Referee: Danielle Chesky

Individual awards

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

See also: NWSL Player of the Month
More information Month, Player of the Month ...

Team of the Month

See also: NWSL Team of the Month
More information Month, Goalkeeper ...

Weekly awards

See also: NWSL Player of the Week
See also: NWSL Goal of the Week
See also: NWSL Save of the Week
More information Week, NWSL Player of the Week ...

Annual awards

More information Award, Winner ...
More information NWSL Best XI, Position ...
More information NWSL Championship Game MVP, Player ...

References

  1. [1]
    Yang, Stephanie. "Western New York Flash sold, will move to North Carolina". SB Nation. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  2. [2]
    Lineman, Meg (January 12, 2017). "The top 10 things you need to know from the NWSL Draft". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  3. [3]
    Goldberg, Jamie (April 22, 2017). "Orlando City Stadium to host 2017 NWSL championship game". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  4. [4]
    "FC Kansas City to play at Swope Soccer Village in 2015". January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  5. [5]
    "NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE ANNOUNCES PAUL RILEY AS FIRST EVER HEAD COACH". North Carolina FC. January 30, 2017. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  6. [6]
    "Houston Dash and Randy Waldrum mutually part ways". Houston Dynamo. May 29, 2017. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  7. [7]
    "CHRISTY HOLLY STEPS DOWN AS SKY BLUE FC HEAD COACH". Sky Blue FC. August 16, 2017. Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Rules & Regulations". NWSL. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  9. [9]
    "Washington Spirit's NWSL playoff hopes extinguished after 2–1 loss to Chicago Red Stars". blackandredunited.com. Black and Red United. August 27, 2017. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  10. [10]
    "Match preview: Boston Breakers vs Sky Blue FC". thebentmusket.com. The Bent Musket. August 27, 2017. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  11. [11]
    Capiro, Casey (September 8, 2017). "FC Kansas City vs Chicago Red Stars preview: Three points crucial for both sides". Vavel. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  12. [12]
    "Houston Dash vs North Carolina Courage Final Score: Dash lose 1–0, eliminated from playoff contention". Dynamo Theory. September 9, 2017. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  13. [13]
    Slater, Tom (September 11, 2017). "Sky Blue Eliminated From NWSL Playoffs". Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  14. [14]
    Cristobal, Jacob (September 24, 2017). "Reign FC lose home finale to FC Kansas City". Sounder At Heart. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  15. [15]
    "Courage clinch spot in the NWSL Playoffs; McDonald tallies brace". nwsl.com. National Women's Soccer League. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  16. [16]
    Murray, Caitlin (September 2, 2017). "Portland Thorns on the cusp of playoff berth after routing Washington Spirit". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  17. [17]
    Barker, Lauren (September 26, 2017). "NWSL Week 21 in review: Orlando and Chicago book spots in the postseason". SB Nation. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  18. [18]
    "Schedule". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  19. [19]
    "Breakers midfielder Rose Lavelle named NWSL Player of the Month". bostonbreakerssoccer.com. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  20. [20]
    "Sam Kerr named May Player of the Month". nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  21. [21]
    Balf, Celia (June 30, 2017). "Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr voted NWSL Player of the Month". Excelle Sports. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  22. [22]
    "Reign FC Forward Megan Rapinoe Named NWSL Player of the Month". Seattle Reign FC. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  23. [23]
    "August Player of the Month: Alex Morgan". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. September 1, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  24. [24]
    "September Player of the Month: Marta, Orlando Pride". October 4, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  25. [25]
    "April Team of the Month announced". NWSL. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  26. [26]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (June 1, 2017). "May Team of the Month announced". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  27. [27]
    Linehan, Meg (June 30, 2017). "June Team of the Month announced". NWSL. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  28. [28]
    Rael, Chris (August 4, 2017). "NWSL July Team of the Month". Goal Nation. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  29. [29]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (September 6, 2017). "August Team of the Month announced". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  30. [30]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 5, 2017). "September Team of the Month". NWSL. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  31. [31]
    "Jessica Fishlock Voted NWSL Player of the Week". Seattle Reign FC. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  32. [32]
    "Rachel Daly wins NWSL Goal of the Week in Week 1". HoustonDashSoccer.com. April 19, 2017. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  33. [33]
    National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 25, 2017). "Week 2 #NWSL Goal of the Week winner: @danicaevans7 of the @ORLPride!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. [34]
    National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 25, 2017). "Week 2 #NWSL Save of the Week winner: @MonicaHickmannA of the @ORLPride!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. [35]
    National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 2, 2017). "#NWSL Week 3 Player of the Week is @LeonAdriana9 of the @BostonBreakers!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. [36]
    National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 2, 2017). "Week 3 #NWSL Goal of the Week winner: Camila of the @ORLPride!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. [37]
    National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 2, 2017). "Week 3 #NWSL Save of the Week winner: @ADizzle23 of @ThornsFC!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. [38]
    Purdy, Jacqueline. "Francisca Ordega named Player of the Week". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  39. [39]
    "JESS FISHLOCK – WEEK 4 – NWSL GOAL OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  40. [40]
    "ASHLYN HARRIS – WEEK 4 – NWSL SAVE OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  41. [41]
    Purdy, Jacqueline. "Nahomi Kawasumi named Player of the Week". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  42. [42]
    "CHRISTEN PRESS – WEEK 5 – GOAL OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  43. [43]
    "ALYSSA NAEHER – WEEK 5 – SAVE OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  44. [44]
    "Abby Smith – WEEK 6 – SAVE OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  45. [45]
    "Sofia Huerta – WEEK 6 – GOAL OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  46. [46]
    "CHRISTEN PRESS – WEEK 6 – PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  47. [47]
    "Sydney Leroux named Player of the Week". NWSL. May 30, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  48. [48]
    "BECKY SAUERBRUNN – WEEK 7 – GOAL OF THE WEEK". NWSL. May 30, 2017. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  49. [49]
    "DANIELLE COLAPRICO – WEEK 7 – SAVE OF THE WEEK". NWSL. May 30, 2017. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  50. [50]
    Goldberg, Jamie (June 7, 2017). "Portland Thorns midfielder Lindsey Horan named NWSL Player of the Week". OregonLive.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  51. [51]
    "LINDSEY HORAN – WEEK 8 – GOAL OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  52. [52]
    "ADRIANNA FRANCH – WEEK 8 – SAVE OF THE WEEK WINNER". NWSL. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  53. [53]
    Linehan, Meg (June 20, 2017). "Sam Kerr named Player of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  54. [54]
    Balf, Celia (June 20, 2017). "Orlando Pride's Camila and Aubrey Bledsoe pick up NWSL's goal and save of the week". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  55. [55]
    "Aubrey Bledsoe – Save of the Week – Week 9". National Women's Soccer League. June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  56. [56]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (June 27, 2017). "Poliana named Player of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  57. [57]
    "Goal of the Week: Vanessa DiBernardo". National Women's Soccer League. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  58. [58]
    "Save of the Week: Steph Catley". National Women's Soccer League. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  59. [59]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (July 5, 2017). "Megan Rapinoe named Player of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  60. [60]
    National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 5, 2017). "Week 11 #NWSL Goal of the Week: @samkerr1 of @SkyBlueFC!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  61. [61]
    "Save of the Week: Stephanie Labbé". National Women's Soccer League. July 5, 2017. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  62. [62]
    Jackson-Gibson, Adele (July 11, 2017). "Sam Kerr, Lindsey Horan and Aubrey Bledsoe receive NWSL Week 12 honors". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  63. [63]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (July 18, 2017). "Week 13 Player of the Week: Andressinha". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  64. [64]
    "Save of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe". July 18, 2017. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  65. [65]
    "Goal of the Week: Toni Pressley". July 18, 2017. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  66. [66]
    Jackson-Gibson, Adele (July 25, 2017). "Rapinoe wins two NWSL honors, Press and Naeher earn plays of the week". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  67. [67]
    Jackson-Gibson, Adele (August 8, 2017). "Ship named Player of the Week, Franch and Huerta earn plays of the Week". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  68. [68]
    Jackson-Gibson, Adele (August 15, 2017). "Mewis is named NWSL Player of the Week, Marta and Franch earn plays of the Week". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  69. [69]
    Jackson-Gibson, Adele (August 22, 2017). "Sam Kerr earns two NWSL honors, Ashlyn Harris wins Save of the Week". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  70. [70]
    Linehan, Meg (August 29, 2017). "Thorns FC forward Hayley Raso voted Player of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  71. [71]
    "Goal of the Week: Alex Morgan". August 29, 2017. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  72. [72]
    "Save of the Week: Ashlyn Harris". August 29, 2017. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  73. [73]
    Linehan, Meg (September 5, 2017). "Shea Groom voted Player of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  74. [74]
    "Goal of the Week: Julie Ertz". September 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  75. [75]
    "Save of the Week: Jane Campbell". September 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  76. [76]
    "Player of the Week: Whitney Church, Washington Spirit". National Women's Soccer League. September 12, 2017. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  77. [77]
    "Goal of the Week: Christine Sinclair". September 12, 2017. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  78. [78]
    "Save of the Week: DiDi Haracic and Whitney Church". September 12, 2017. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  79. [79]
    Linehan, Meg (September 26, 2017). "Boston Breakers midfielder Adriana Leon voted Player of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  80. [80]
    "Goal of the Week: Rachel Daly". September 26, 2017. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  81. [81]
    "Save of the Week: Ashlyn Harris, Monica". September 26, 2017. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  82. [82]
    Linehan, Meg (October 3, 2017). "Jess Fishlock earns final Player of the Week honors for 2017". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  83. [83]
    "Goal of the Week: Alanna Kennedy". October 3, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  84. [84]
    "Save of the Week: Ashlyn Harris". October 3, 2017. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  85. [85]
    Linehan, Meg (October 2, 2017). "Sam Kerr wins 2017 Golden Boot". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  86. [86]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 16, 2017). "Paul Riley voted NWSL Coach of the Year". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  87. [87]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 17, 2017). "Rookie of the Year: Ashley Hatch, North Carolina Courage". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  88. [88]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 18, 2017). "Goalkeeper of the Year: Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  89. [89]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 19, 2017). "Defender of the Year: Abby Dahlkemper, North Carolina Courage". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  90. [90]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 20, 2017). "NWSL MVP: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  91. [91]
    Purdy, Jacqueline (October 12, 2017). "2017 Best XI announced". Nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  92. [92]
    "NWSL announces Second XI selections". Nwslsoccer.com. October 10, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
NWSL Statistics
  1. [N 1]
    "NWSL Stats". NWSL. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2017.

Official website
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2017_NWSL_season, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.