2022 National Women's Soccer League season

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season will be the tenth 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 will be the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

National Women's Soccer League
Season2022
DatesApril 29 – October 29
Matches played6
Goals scored16 (2.67 per match)
Top goalscorer16 tied with 1
← 2021
2023 →
All statistics correct as of May 1, 2022.

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

Team names

On October 21, 2020, the Los Angeles expansion team announced their name as Angel City FC.[1]

On October 30, 2021, the NWSL franchise in Kansas City announced their new name as Kansas City Current.[2]

On November 9, 2021, the San Diego expansion team announced their name as San Diego Wave FC.[3]

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

Capacities listed here are full capacities, and do not reflect COVID-19 restrictions.

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer.

Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor
Angel City FC Freya Coombe Ali Riley[9] DoorDash[10]
Chicago Red Stars Chris Petrucelli CIBC[11]
Houston Dash Jane Campbell
Rachel Daly		 MD Anderson Cancer Center
Kansas City Current Matt Potter Sam Mewis
Desiree Scott[12]		 Saint Luke's Health System[13]
NJ/NY Gotham FC Scott Parkinson McCall Zerboni Algorand[14]
North Carolina Courage Sean Nahas Abby Erceg Continental AG
OL Reign Laura Harvey Lauren Barnes
Megan Rapinoe		 Black Future Co-op Fund
Orlando Pride Amanda Cromwell Marta[15] Orlando Health
Portland Thorns FC Rhian Wilkinson Christine Sinclair Providence Health & Services
Racing Louisville FC Kim Björkegren Gemma Bonner
Emily Fox
Jessica McDonald
Nadia Nadim[16]		 GE Appliances
San Diego Wave FC Casey Stoney
Washington Spirit Kris Ward Tori Huster
Andi Sullivan		 The Kennedy Center[17]

Coaching changes
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment Ref.
Washington Spirit Richie Burke Re-assigned[lower-alpha 1] August 10, 2021 7th in 2021 Kris Ward December 20, 2021 [20][21]
San Diego Wave FC Preseason Casey Stoney July 14, 2021 [22]
Angel City FC Preseason Freya Coombe August 23, 2021 [23]
Orlando Pride Becky Burleigh (interim) End of interim period October 30, 2021 Preseason Amanda Cromwell December 7, 2021 [24] [25]
Racing Louisville FC Mario Sanchez (interim) End of interim period November 1, 2021 Preseason Kim Björkegren December 9, 2021 [26][27]
North Carolina Courage Sean Nahas (interim) End of interim period November 8, 2021 Preseason Sean Nahas December 1, 2021 [28][29]
Portland Thorns FC Mark Parsons Resigned November 15, 2021 Preseason Rhian Wilkinson November 29, 2021 [30][31]
Kansas City Current Huw Williams Re-assigned November 18, 2021 Preseason Matt Potter January 11, 2022 [32][33]
Chicago Red Stars Rory Dames Resigned November 22, 2021 Preseason Chris Petrucelli February 18, 2022 [34][35]
Houston Dash James Clarkson Suspended April 26, 2022 Preseason [36]
  1. The Spirit initially re-assigned Burke to the front office but suspended him one day later pending an investigation by the league.[18] He was terminated for cause on September 28, 2021, after the league concluded its investigation.[19]

Regular season
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3 NWSL Shield
2 Portland Thorns FC 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3 Playoffs – Semi-Finals
3 Chicago Red Stars 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3 Playoffs – First Round
4 Washington Spirit 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
5 Angel City FC 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
6 San Diego Wave FC 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
7 North Carolina Courage 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
8 OL Reign 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
9 Racing Louisville FC 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
10 Houston Dash 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
11 Orlando Pride 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0
12 Kansas City Current 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0
Updated to match(es) played on May 1, 2022. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

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 total points total when determining rank, playoff qualification, and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker criteria,[37] going down the list until all teams are ranked. Coin tosses or drawing of lots will be used if this criteria below fail.

  1. Head-to-head win–loss record between the teams tied in points (or points per game if more than two teams).
  2. Greater goal difference across the entire regular 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.

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

Attendance
See also: National Women's Soccer League attendance

Average home attendances

Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.

Regular season

Team GP Attendance High Low Average
Angel City FC122,00022,00022,00022,000
Portland Thorns FC113,67213,67213,67213,672
Washington Spirit110,17710,17710,17710,177
Houston Dash17,7227,7227,7227,722
Orlando Pride14,3044,3044,3044,304
Chicago Red Stars13,0283,0283,0283,028
Total660,90322,0003,02810,151

Updated through May 1, 2022.

Highest attendances

Regular season

Statistical leaders
As of May 1, 2022.[38][39]

Playoffs
Further information: NWSL Playoffs

Challenge Cup
Main article: 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

East Division
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NC WAS NJY ORL
1 North Carolina Courage 6 3 3 0 12 7 +5 12 Advance to knockout stage — 2–2 2–0 1–0
2 Washington Spirit 6 2 4 0 12 7 +5 10 Advance to knockout stage based on ranking 2–2 — 1–1 4–1
3 NJ/NY Gotham FC 6 1 3 2 5 8 −3 6 1–1 1–3 — 1–1
4 Orlando Pride 6 0 2 4 4 11 −7 2 2–4 0–0 0–1 —
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Central Division
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KC CHI LOU HOU
1 Kansas City Current 6 4 1 1 10 7 +3 13 Advance to knockout stage — 2–1 0–3 2–1
2 Chicago Red Stars 6 2 2 2 8 6 +2 8 1–2 — 0–0 2–0
3 Racing Louisville FC 6 1 3 2 8 7 +1 6 1–1 1–1 — 2–3
4 Houston Dash 6 2 0 4 7 13 −6 6 0–3 1–3 2–1 —
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

West Division
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification RGN POR SD LA
1 OL Reign 6 4 2 0 11 5 +6 14 Advance to knockout stage — 1–1 3–1 2–1
2 Portland Thorns FC 6 3 1 2 8 5 +3 10 0–1 — 3–2 3–0
3 San Diego Wave FC 6 1 2 3 9 11 −2 5 1–1 0–1 — 4–2
4 Angel City FC 6 1 1 4 6 13 −7 4 1–3 1–0 1–1 —
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Individual awards
As of July 29, 2021

Annual awards
Further information: NWSL awards

Player of the Month
Further information: NWSL Player of the Month

Team of the Month
Further information: NWSL Team of the Month

References
  1. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  2. "Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale - Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. October 30, 2021.
  3. "San Diego Wave FC: NWSL team reveals its name ahead of 2022 debut". www.theathletic.com. November 9, 2021.
  4. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  5. "Kansas City NWSL to Play 2022 Home Matches at Children's Mercy Park - KC NWSL". www.kcwoso.com. September 22, 2021.
  6. "OL Reign Returns Home to Seattle". OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD.
  7. Rantz, Susie (December 15, 2021). "OL Reign's move to Lumen Field, explained". Sounder At Heart.
  8. "San Diego Wave FC Unveils Official Team Crest and Colors" (Press release). San Diego Wave FC. December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2022. In addition to unveiling its club crest, Wave FC announced today that Snapdragon Stadium will serve as its permanent home after the scheduled opening in September 2022.
  9. Angel City FC [@weareangelcity] (April 30, 2022). "We love you, cap!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. Carp, Sam (March 19, 2021). "Angel City FC complete shirt sponsorship hattrick with Sprouts deal". SportsPro. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  11. Stars, Chicago Red (April 21, 2022). "Chicago Red Stars Announce CIBC as Front-of-Jersey Partner". Chicago Red Stars.
  12. https://twitter.com/thekccurrent/status/1504945724169019394
  13. "Kansas City NWSL Partners with Saint Luke's Health System". kcwoso.com. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  14. "Gotham FC brings in blockchain company Algorand as primary jersey sponsor". SportBusiness. March 2, 2022.
  15. "2022 Orlando Pride Captain Announcement | Orlando City". orlandocitysc.
  16. Communications, Racing Louisville FC (March 14, 2022). "McDonald: 'It's been really cool to see the different personalities' of captains". Racing Louisville Football Club - NWSL.
  17. "Washington Spirit and Kennedy Center Announce Groundbreaking Partnership". Washington Spirit - NWSL. April 29, 2022.
  18. "Statement From Steve Baldwin". Washington Spirit. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  19. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  20. "Richie Burke re-assigned to Spirit Front Office". Washington Spirit. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  21. Small, Jordan (December 20, 2021). "Washington Spirit Name Kris Ward Permanent Head Coach » Washington Spirit".
  22. Brennan, Clare (July 14, 2021). "CASEY STONEY NAMED HEAD COACH OF SAN DIEGO NWSL TEAM". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  23. Baxter, Kevin (August 22, 2021). "Angel City names Freya Coombe as new coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  24. "Update on Orlando Pride Head Coach Vacancy | Orlando City". orlandocitysc.
  25. "Orlando Pride Hires Amanda Cromwell as Head Coach". orlandocitysc.
  26. "HOLLY'S CONTRACT TERMINATED; SANCHEZ APPOINTED INTERIM COACH". Racing Louisville FC. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  27. "RACING LOUISVILLE FC HIRES BJÖRKEGREN AS HEAD COACH". Racing Louisville FC. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  28. @TheNCCourage (September 30, 2021). "Official statement from the players, staff and principal owner the North Carolina Courage" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. "SEAN NAHAS NAMED HEAD COACH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE". North Carolina Courage.
  30. "Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons to depart club at conclusion of 2021 NWSL season". Portland Timbers. May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  31. Timbers, Portland. "Rhian Wilkinson named Thorns FC head coach | PTFC". Portland Timbers.
  32. "KC Current searching for new coach after moving Huw Williams into technical-staff role". Kansas City Star. November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  33. "Kansas City Current Appoints Former USWNT Assistant Coach and U-23 Women's Coach Matt Potter as Head Coach". Kansas City Current. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  34. Salazar, Emmanuel (November 22, 2021). "Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames Steps Down". Chicago Red Stars.
  35. "Chris Petrucelli Named as New Chicago Red Stars Head Coach". Chicago Red Stars. February 18, 2022.
  36. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  37. "2021 Competition Rules". NWSL. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  38. "NWSL Stats". NWSLsoccer.com. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  39. "2021 NWSL Stats". FBref. Sports Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
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