As the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season came to a close on Saturday, Gotham FC completed an improbable run from the depths of the league to the summit by defeating the OL Reign 2-1 in the championship game.



It was meant to be a sendoff for legends <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/uswnt-sends-off-megan-rapinoe-with-win-in-final-game-20230925-WST-458350.html">Megan Rapinoe</a> and Ali Krieger in the most anticipated <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL championship</a> game in the league’s short existence. 



However, the plot of the game was abruptly altered by the early injury to Rapinoe.



In the third minute of a scoreless contest, Rapinoe fell down with an injury that wasn’t caused by contact. She made a run at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/gotham-fc-tv-schedule/">Gotham</a>‘s Maitane Lopez, who was dribbling just beyond the penalty area when she abruptly fell down.



After lying on the field for almost two minutes, the 38-year-old athlete was eventually helped up by the training personnel. After that, she returned to the Reign’s bench at Snapdragon Stadium by walking along the sideline.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="409" height="471" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231112_WST_469484_image-6.webp&amp;width=409&amp;height=471" alt="" class="wp-image-469551" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-6.png 409w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-6-261x300.png 261w" sizes="(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px"></figure><figcaption>Megan Rapinoe montage after her last game</figcaption></figure>



Ali Krieger of Gotham FC and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/uswnt-tv-schedule/">U.S. Women’s National Team</a>, who is also retiring from the sport like Rapinoe, went up to give her a hug at the conclusion of the game. The veteran winger’s injury was not immediately known to be serious. In a postgame interview with CBS, the Olympic gold medalist, however, revealed that she may have ruptured her Achilles tendon in the incident.



Despite the match being promoted as a battle between legends Rapinoe and Krieger, it was the latter who ended up on top, lifting her first NWSL title in her 18-year-old career.



<h2>Gotham’s new signings overshone veterans’ efforts</h2>



Interestingly, the New Jersey club had the worst record in the whole National Women’s Soccer League a year ago, finishing at the bottom of the table. Gotham made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history thanks to some key personnel changes, a new coaching staff, and an overhauled attitude.



On Saturday in San Diego, two of the new recruits shone as unsung heroes. One of them was Lynn Williams, a two-time NWSL champion who was acquired in a trade with Kansas City on draft day.



Williams matched Kristen Hamilton for the most NWSL championships finals played when she took the field for Gotham in this, her fifth appearance. However, with the victory, she became the league’s first four-time champion, a feat that had never been accomplished before. She significantly contributed to that achievement by opening the scoring in the 24th minute.



Five minutes later, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/ol-reign-tv-schedule/">OL Reign</a> midfielder Rose Lavelle replied with a goal of her own, a beautiful left-footed effort that beat goalie Mandy Haught. Then, Esther Gonzalez scored in first-half stoppage time to give Gotham the lead for good after the Seattle opponents had tied the game.



<h2>Contest peaked in dying minutes</h2>



There was a lot of tension in the game’s closing minutes. Gotham FC almost lost control of the clash after their goalie Mandy Haught was sent out in extra time, but they were able to hang on to their advantage.



After the <a href="https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/var-101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-ever VAR review</a> in NWSL Championship history, Haught was sent off for a handball infraction and the evident missed goal-scoring chance that resulted from the play. After all of Gotham’s subs were used up, defensive back Nealy Martin suited up in goal.



Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle took the subsequent free kick, but it was blocked by a group of players before it could reach the back of the goal. A few seconds later, the referee sounded the final whistle, officially giving Gotham the win.



Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title

On Saturday, Gotham FC beat Megan Rapinoe's OL Reign 2-1, forcing her to leave her final game in her professional career with an injury.

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title - World Soccer Talk

Details surrounding the NWSL TV deal that comes into effect in the 2024 campaign are starting to emerge. Previously, news broke that there would be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsl-agrees-new-tv-deal-with-multiple-partners-says-report-20231007-WST-460941.html">four broadcasters in charge</a> of bringing the league to American TV screens. Those are CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and Scripps. Reports indicate the length of the new NWSL TV deal is four years, as it runs through the 2027 season. It is a significant change from the current exclusivity deal with CBS that expires at the end of the 2023 season.



However, NWSL will be a major beneficiary of taking on this TV rights deal. At least, that is the case financially speaking. The incoming media rights deal yields a hefty increase in the yearly revenue generated. The <a href="https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2023/10/16.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sports Business Journal</a> reports the fee those four are charging hovers in the low eight figures. In other words, it will be over $10 million per season. By comparison, the previous NWSL deal with CBS brought in $1.5 million per year. 



While it is far lower than most men’s competitions, it is exponential growth for the league in a short period of time. ESPN, Amazon, and Scripps are trying to get in on the growth of the league that CBS helped develop. According to Front Office Sports, CBS viewership of the league rose 21% by the halfway mark in 2023. That was before the Women’s World Cup may have brought further attention to the competition. Likewise, match attendance across the league climbed 48% in the first half of 2023.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Angel City vs. Portland Thorns: Extended Highlights | NWSL | CBS Sports Attacking Third" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ej28LxeqFQ8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



The playoffs for the 2023 NWSL season are just around the corner. Those could bring further attention to the league ahead of this deal, too. 



<h2>First hint at formatting details for new NWSL TV deal</h2>



In the past, CBS put all NWSL games on Paramount+, the CBS Sports Golazo Network, CBS Sports Network, or CBS. Occasionally, there would be games available on Twitch. However, the vast majority of games belonged to CBS’s channels. Therefore, you knew where to look when it came to watching the NWSL.



Now, that simplicity is gone. This does have <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/new-nwsl-tv-deal-is-it-the-right-move-20231010-WST-461296.html">benefits for the league in funding and exposure</a> to different audiences. Moreover, there are details regarding some of the locations for games on the new NWSL TV deal.



Each of the four broadcasters will have a selective package. ESPN will carry games on its television channels, and Scripps will do the same. Amazon will have a ‘game of the week,’ speculatively on Fridays, available on Twitch or Prime Video. CBS will have television coverage of the semifinals and finals of the league.



The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL TV schedule</a> will become clearer as the 2024 season nears. That starts in the spring.



PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; ZUMA Wire

New details: NWSL TV deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, Scripps

Details surrounding the NWSL TV deal that comes into effect in the 2024 campaign are starting to emerge with four different broadcasters.

The National Women’s Soccer League (<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsl-weekend-wrap-up-high-scoring-gameweek-2-20230403-WST-426432.html">NWSL</a>) fired back into action this weekend following a two-week international break. San Diego dropped its first match of the season, while Houston surprisingly held Portland at home.&nbsp;



<h5>Portland Thorns 1-1 Houston Dash</h5>



Houston held the Thorns at Providence Park, extending the Dash’s unbeaten streak to three when visiting Portland the last two seasons.&nbsp;



Crystal Dunn’s 9th-minute goal put Portland on top, and it felt like the Thorns would be in cruise-control mode for the third successive week. 



Dunn took a great ball from Sophia Smith, who had drifted into space on the left side and cleanly finished it. 



The goal culminated an early period of aggressive Thorns play, which included three clear-cut opportunities to score.&nbsp;



But the Dash shook off the poor early start and, after minute twenty, came into the match. A flurry of chances fell Houston’s way beginning in the 22nd minute culminating with a 24th-minute goal from Maria Sanchez on a well-placed left-footed shot to the near post.&nbsp;



Dunn and Smith combined again in the 28th minute, but Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell saved the right-footed shot from Smith. 



Smith had two more great chances before halftime, but one hit the crossbar, and another forced a save out of Campbell. Dunn also had a chance in minute 34 that didn’t dip and cleared the crossbar.&nbsp;



At halftime, the match was level, but it felt like a Portland victory was inevitable. But the chances went both ways in the second half, and Houston sometimes seemed more likely to snatch a winner. 



The match was stretched with counter-attacking opportunities often bypassing midfield. But in the end, neither side could snatch a winner and Portland’s winning run to start the campaign was snapped.&nbsp;



North Carolina Courage 1-2 Washington Spirit&nbsp;



Ashley Hatch’s second-half penalty gave Washington Spirit a 2-1 victory at <a href="https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/wakemed-soccer-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WakeMed Soccer Park</a>. 



Hatch converted the spot kick after being fouled by Emily Fox, who had been impressive with the USWNT during the recent international break.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The Spirit claimed the lead in minute seven after a giveaway in the defensive third left Trinity Rodman alone in space, and she buried the chance from distance, beating Case Murphy. 



The Courage responded immediately, creating multiple chances within minutes of the Rodman goal.&nbsp;



North Carolina broke through with the equalizer just before halftime when a brilliant combination play allowed Mille Gejl to get a good look from just outside the area. 



She whipped a shot that forced a handball in the box, and Kerolin Nicoli converted the ensuing penalty for her second goal in as many matches.&nbsp;



“We’re obviously a little disappointed with the results. I think not looking at the results we dominated, and we played really well. I think a lot of the things that we’re trying to do this year, you could really see in terms of like our possession and our aggressiveness to win the ball back and to keep going, going, going, whether it’s the first 10 or the 90th minute. So I think we’re really proud of that,” said Fox after the match.&nbsp;



<h5>Orlando Pride 0-2 NJ/NY Gotham FC</h5>



The Pride’s awful start to the 2023 NWSL campaign continued with a 2-0 home loss to Gotham. 



The visiting outfit used two second half stoppage time goals, including a delightful far post finish at the death by Lynn Williams, to claim the three points.&nbsp;



Williams’ goal came in the 17th minute of second half stoppage time.



 The added time was due to a combination of injury stoppages during the second half and a VAR delay to look at a handball in the area by Orlando’s Caitlin Cosme that took about five minutes. 



The resulting penalty was converted by Gotham’s Midge Purce, about seven minutes after the initial handball.&nbsp;



Despite the fireworks late in the match, this game was largely bogged down in midfield, and in terms of quality of play, perhaps the worst contest thus far of the young NWSL season.&nbsp;



Significantly this is Gotham’s second road win already this season having won in Los Angeles the opening weekend.&nbsp;



<h5>Chicago Red Stars 4-2 KC Current&nbsp;</h5>



Unlike the game in Orlando, this matchup in Bridgeview, Illinois, was delightful to watch, particularly in the second half. 



An end-to-end affair, where both sides counter-attacked with gusto and created great opportunities regularly, Chicago came out on top and earned their first three points of the season.&nbsp;



The Red Stars started the match quickly and jumped on top early with a well-placed shot into the left corner by Ella Stevens in the fourth minute. Despite several half chances afterwards, the match remained 1-0 at the half.&nbsp;



Stevens came out strong early in the second half and provided a beautiful through ball that freed Penelope Hocking for a left-footed effort that found the far corner in minute 49, doubling the Red Stars lead.&nbsp;



Chicago struck again in the 60th minute when a lightning counter-attack culminated in Chena Matthews hitting the post with such power that the ball ricocheted off current goalkeeper Adrianna Franch into the back of the net.&nbsp;



The Red Stars’ lead became 4-0 in the 67th minute when Hocking struck a right-footed shot from the left side of the area to the bottom corner of the far post on yet another counter begun with a through ball from Matthews.&nbsp;



The Current got late goals from Debinha and Mimmi Larsson to claw back two goals, demonstrating some excellent quick passing moves and build-up play. 



Nonetheless, the loss was Kansas City’s third straight to begin a season where they were expected to contend for a playoff spot.&nbsp;



Angel City FC 2-2 Racing Louisville&nbsp;



Angel City and Racing Louisville played out a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles on Saturday night. 



The match was a tale of two halves as the away side scored twice before halftime, but Angel City only rallied to tie the match in the second half but peppered the Louisville area with opportunities.&nbsp;



The homesteading team conceded a penalty in minute 2 as M.A. Vignola took down Louisville’s Savannah DeMelo. The ensuing penalty DeMelo calmly struck the dead ball right down the middle to give her team an early 1-0 lead.&nbsp;



Louisville doubled their lead in minute 32 when DeMelo found a surging Kirsten Davis outside the area. Davis then struck a worldie from outside the area with her left foot that found the top left corner of the goal.&nbsp;



Angel City almost got one back in minute 44 when Danielle Weatherholt hit the crossbar with a whipped shot from long range that was struck cleanly.&nbsp;



The second half saw one-way traffic as the home team continually created chances, culminating in two goals. The first came in minute 68 when Katie Johnson finished from close-range a cross delivered by Savannah McCaskill. 



The equalizer came in the 87th minute; after six minutes of intense pressure, McCaskill picked up a loose ball in the center of the area and found the bottom corner of the far post.&nbsp;



Alyssa Thompson almost won the match for Angel City, hitting the left post at the beginning of second half stoppage time. The match ended 2-2.&nbsp;



OL Reign 1-0 San Diego Wave



After a week of speculation about ownership and a potential relocation of OL Reign, the home-standing side put all of the noise in the background to secure a solid 1-0 win over <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsls-san-diego-breaks-record-for-largest-opening-attendance-20230326-WST-425309.html">San Diego Wave</a>. 



Olivia Van der Jagt’s spectacular finish from outside the area after a second half stoppage time corner won the match with one of the final kicks of the game.&nbsp;



The match had started with the high-flying Wave, who had begun the season with two successive wins creating two good chances in the first ten minutes before OL Reign got a foothold in the match. 



For the remainder of the first half the Reign were the better side, though the best scoring chance fell to the Wave in minute 34 when Kristen McNabb misdirected a free header just wide of the right post.&nbsp;



The second half began with a great chance for Alex Morgan to give her San Diego team the lead, but like McNabb in the first half, she snapped a header just wide, this time to the left. 



In the 49th minute, Morgan got another chance, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce saved her shot which was sneaking toward the lower left corner.&nbsp;



Given Morgan missed two chances, we often see her bury; perhaps it was at this point we should have realized it would not be the Wave’s night. Both sides generated lots of chances and half chances between minutes 50 and 75.&nbsp;



The best chance to break the deadlock before Van der Jagt’s winner was in 78th minute when OL Reign’s Bethan Balcer cleanly hit a header that was saved at the far post.&nbsp;



The attendance of 9,219, despite the off-field speculation this past week, indicated that the Seattle/Tacoma area is still a hotbed for women’s soccer and a market that NWSL should work to ensure continues to have a club in the league.



Photo credit:&nbsp;IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The NSWL was back in action this weekend San Diego dropped its first match of the season, while Houston surprisingly held Portland at home. 

NWSL weekend wrap-up: What we learned from gameweek 3 - World Soccer Talk

NWSL weekend wrap-up: What we learned from gameweek 3

San Diego Wave FC opened their 2023 NWSL campaign in <a href="https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-earns-win-against-chicago-red-stars-in-front-of-more-than-30000-fans-at-snapdragon-stadium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dramatic fashion</a> as they score an 89th penalty to secure a 3-2 win over Chicago Red Stars in front of a record 30,854 sell-out crowd at the Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday evening.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">San Diego stays smashing records 👏 The largest home opener attendance in <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWSL</a> history! <a href="https://t.co/PFYBjeU1Mp">pic.twitter.com/PFYBjeU1Mp</a>— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) <a href="https://twitter.com/sandiegowavefc/status/1639838107033022467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The hosts fell behind in the 18th minute when Red Stars midfielder Yuki Nagasato scored from close range to give the visitors the lead. Four minutes later, Amirah Ali restored parity with an instinctive header.



<h5>Young talent gives Wave the lead</h5>



San Diego Wave then took the lead in the 32nd minute following a corner from striker Jaedyn Shaw’s effort. 



The 18-year-old controlled the ball on the top of the box before taking a touch and driving her shot into the back of the net to complete the turnaround for the hosts.



Red Stars, however, were unwilling to let their heads drop and equalized deep inside the first-half stoppage time. 



Mallory Swanson stepped up to take the spot kick as both sides went into the whistle with the game finely handing in the balance at two apiece.



<h5>Dramatic finish</h5>



The visitors created several goalscoring opportunities, but <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/stvs_team/san-diego-wave/">San Diego</a> keeper Kailen Sheridan came up with an inspired performance to keep the scores level. 



With the game heading towards a draw, the hosts were given a penalty with just a minute left to play. Alex Morgan stepped up to convert the spot kick and give her side a 3-2 win in front of the packed home crowd.



The sell-out crowd now holds the record for the largest attendance in NWSL history surpassing the 23,403 attendance from April 2016 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando Pride’s inaugural match. 



Wave have now two of their two season openers with both being home games. They will be at home for their next game on April 1st as they host <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/stvs_team/north-carolina-courage/">North Carolina Courage</a> in the league.



Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

San Diego Wave FC opened their 2023 NWSL campaign in front of a record 30,854 sell-out crowd in dramatic fashion.

NWSL's San Diego breaks record for largest opening attendance - World Soccer Talk

NWSL's San Diego breaks record for largest opening attendance

The National Women’s Soccer League <a href="https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-team-rights-to-utah">announced</a> on Saturday that Utah Royals are set to return to the league next year as the latest expansion team. The Royals were a part of the NWSL from 2018 to 2020 and the return of the club to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL</a> will mark a new era of women’s soccer in the state of Utah.



Club owners David Blitzer and Ryan Smith were both delighted with the announcement claiming they were thrilled to fulfill the promise they had made to their incredible fan base.



Blitzer said, “When we acquired Real Salt Lake last year, we said it was a matter of when, not if, the NWSL would return to Utah. This has always been an integral part of our mission. We are grateful for the opportunity to use our resources and platform to take women’s soccer to the next level while inspiring future players and fans globally.”



Smith also claimed, “We are excited to expand the ‘One Utah’ family and bring the Royals back to Utah. Having professional women’s soccer back in the state has always been a top priority for David Blitzer and myself, and is very meaningful to us, the fans, our partners, and the entire state.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We are back. <a href="https://t.co/4Z9ZONritT">pic.twitter.com/4Z9ZONritT</a>— Utah Royals (@UtahRoyalsFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UtahRoyalsFC/status/1634706507802738688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h4>Royals had been a top draw in first stint</h4>



The Royals will be returning to America’s First Credit Union field for their home games which will be shared along with Real Salt Lake. In their inaugural season in 2018, the Royals had a sell-out standing-only crowd of over 19,000. During their involvement in the NWSL over the three years, the club boasted of some of the brightest talents.



FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions Kelley O’Hara, Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez, and Becky Sauerbrunn all played for the club. The club also had UEFA Women’s Championship winner Vero Boquete in their team as they averaged the second-highest attendance in the league with over 11,000 fans attending per game.



The Royals will be led by President Michelle Hyncik who had earlier worked with the MLS as a Senior Legal Counsel for five years. She has also served as Real Salt Lake’s General Counsel for the past three years.



Speaking on the latest developments, Hyncik said, “As someone who credits my entire livelihood to my home on the pitch, I will prioritize empowering our Utah Royals players, and the young girls and boys who look up to them, through providing state of the art facilities, resources, staff, engagement, and opportunities to achieve their full potential. I could not be prouder to be part of this community and the Utah Soccer family as we bring world-class women’s soccer to Utah in 2024.”



Photo Credit: Imago&nbsp;/ Icon sportswire

Utah Royals to return to NWSL as latest expansion team - World Soccer Talk

Utah Royals to return to NWSL as latest expansion team

We review the NWSL kits for 2022 season featuring the best and worst shirts for the popular women's soccer league.

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title

Leagues: NWSL

Rapinoe forced to exit early as Gotham secure first NWSL title

Amazon

New details: NWSL TV deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, Scripps

Leagues: NWSL

NWSL weekend wrap-up: What we learned from gameweek 3

Leagues: NWSL

NWSL's San Diego breaks record for largest opening attendance

Leagues: NWSL

Utah Royals to return to NWSL as latest expansion team

NWSL

NWSL kits for 2022 season from best to worst