2018 Portland Thorns FC season

Last updated

Portland Thorns FC
2018 season
President Merritt Paulson
Head coach Mark Parsons
Stadium Providence Park
Portland, Oregon
(Capacity: 21,144)
National Women's Soccer League 2nd
NWSL PlayoffsFinal (eliminated by North Carolina Courage)
Top goalscorer Lindsey Horan (13 goals)
Highest home attendance21,144
(Sept. 7 vs. Seattle reign FC)
Lowest home attendance14,485
(Apr. 20 vs. Washington Spirit)
Average home league attendance16,959
Biggest win4–0
(Jul. 6 vs. Utah Royals FC)
Biggest defeat1–4
(May 30 vs. North Carolina Courage)
  2017
2019  

The 2018 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's sixth season of existence. The Thorns played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The Thorns entered the season as defending NWSL Champions.

Contents

Season review

Off-season

On September 21, 2017, Raso signed a loan with Brisbane Roar for the 2017–18 W-League season. [1]

on September 24, 2017, the club announced that midfielder Amandine Henry and forward Nadia Nadim will not be returning to the Portland Thorns in 2018 season. The moves were made for financial reasons, NWSL has a strict salary cap of $315,000 for each team and the Thorns could not compete with the offers made by Lyon and Manchester City. [2]

In October 2017, Boureille was loaned to Brisbane Roar for the 2017–18 W-League season. [3]

On October 24, 2017, it was announced that Sonnett signed a loan with Sydney FC for the 2017–18 W-League season. [4]

On January 11, 2018, the club acquired the rights to Australian forward Caitlin Foord and a 2020 conditional natural second-round draft pick from the Seattle Reign in exchange for Allie Long. [5]

On January 12, 2018 Portland acquired Brazilian midfielder Andressinha from the Houston Dash in exchange for forward Savannah Jordan. [6]

On January 17, 2018, Portland Thorns FC selected midfielders Sandra Yu and Gabby Seiler and goalkeeper Bella Geist from the 2018 NWSL College Draft. [7]

On February 15, 2018, Ashleigh Sykes announced her retirement from professional soccer. [8]

Competitions

  Win  Tie  Loss

Preseason

Thorns Spring Invitational presented by Tillamook Yogurt

Mar 11, Sun1 Portland Thorns FC 0–1 Chicago Red Stars Portland, Oregon
5 PM PT Report Gilliland Soccerball shade.svg62' (Nagasato)Stadium: Merlo Field
Attendance: 3,822
Mar 14, Wed2 Portland Thorns FC 2–2 U.S. U-23s WNT Portland, Oregon
7:30 PM PT Onumonu Soccerball shade.svg19' (Horan)
Weber Soccerball shade.svg34' (Klingenberg)
Report Macario Soccerball shade.svg58', 90' (Weaver)Stadium: Merlo Field
Attendance: 2,217
Mar 17, Sat3 Portland Thorns FC 0–0 Houston Dash Portland, Oregon
7:30 PM PT Report Stadium: Merlo Field
Attendance: 3,119

Regular season

Mar 24, Sat1 North Carolina Courage 1–0 Portland Thorns FC Cary, North Carolina
12:30 (PST) Hinkle Yellow card.svg 51'
Debinha Soccerball shade.svg70' (O'Sullivan)
Report Sonnett Yellow card.svg 33'
Horan Yellow card.svg 35'
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 4,210
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Note: Televised on Lifetime.
Mar 31, Sat2 Chicago Red Stars 2–3 Portland Thorns FC Bridgeview, Illinois
17:15 (PST) Mautz Soccerball shade.svg31' (Huerta), 67' (Huerta)
Colaprico Yellow card.svg 64'
Report Horan Soccerball shade.svg9'
Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg40', 65' (PK)
Boureille Yellow card.svg 58'
Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 13,678
Referee: Greg Dopka
Apr 15, Sun3 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Orlando Pride Portland, Oregon
15:00 (PST) Horan Soccerball shade.svg28' (Sinclair)
Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg39' (Horan)
Report Ubogagu Soccerball shade.svg20' (Nairn)
Pressley Yellow card.svg 85'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,466
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
Apr 20, Fri4 Portland Thorns FC 1–1 Washington Spirit Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Sonnett Yellow card.svg 39'
Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg45+2' (PK)
Horan Yellow card.svg 88'
Report Ordega Soccerball shade.svg37'
Bledsoe Yellow card.svg 86'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 14,485
Referee: Matt Franz
Apr 28, Sat5 Utah Royals FC 1–1 Portland Thorns FC Sandy, Utah
18:00 (PST) Rodriguez Soccerball shade.svg53'
Jónsdóttir Yellow card.svg 49'
Scott Yellow card.svg 85'
Report Purce Yellow card.svg 36'
Heath Soccerball shade.svg67' (Sinclair)
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 8,446
Referee: Katja Koroleva
May 5, Sat6 Portland Thorns FC 2–3 Seattle Reign FC Portland, Oregon
12:30 (PST) Sonnett Soccerball shade.svg61'
Horan Soccerball shade.svg70' (Klingenberg)
Report Long Yellow card.svg 31'
Yanez Soccerball shade.svg36' (Kawasumi)
Taylor Soccerball shade.svg64' (PK)
Utsugi Soccerball shade.svg75' (Catley)
Kleiner Yellow card.svg 87'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,054
Referee: Karen Abt
Note: Televised on Lifetime.
May 9, Wed7 Houston Dash 1–1 Portland Thorns FC Houston, Texas
17:00 (PST) Simon Soccerball shade.svg57' (Latsko)
Van Wyk Yellow card.svg 90+1'
Report Crnogorčević Soccerball shade.svg25' (Sinclair)Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Attendance: 2,668
Referee: Luis Guardia
May 12, Sat8 Portland Thorns FC 1–2 Orlando Pride Portland Oregon
12:30 (PST) Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg23' (Heath)Yellow card.svg 76'
Andressinha Yellow card.svg 65'
Report Morgan Soccerball shade.svg11'
Nairn Soccerball shade.svg21'
Pickett Yellow card.svg 64'
Watherholt Yellow card.svg 83'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 17,115
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Note: Televised on Lifetime.
May 19, Sat9 Washington Spirit 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Boyds, Maryland
16:00 (PST) Report Carpenter Soccerball shade.svg68' (Crnogorčević)
Horan Yellow card.svg 84'
Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,284
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
May 25, Fri10 Portland Thorns FC 2–0 Utah Royals FC Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg18' (Heath)
Horan Soccerball shade.svg39' (Klingenberg)Yellow card.svg 67'
Report Corsie Yellow card.svg 69'
Jónsdóttir Yellow card.svg 83'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 15,113
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
May 30, Wed11 Portland Thorns FC 1–4 North Carolina Courage Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Sinclair Yellow card.svg 38'
Klingenberg Yellow card.svg 70'
Reynolds Soccerball shade.svg89'
Report Williams Soccerball shade.svg31' (PK), 62' (Mewis)
Debinha Soccerball shade.svg58' (Dunn)
Mewis Soccerball shade.svg64' (Zerboni)
Mathias Yellow card.svg 79'
Hamilton Yellow card.svg 88'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 15,018
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Jun 16, Sat12 Chicago Red Stars 1–1 Portland Thorns FC Bridgeview, Illinois
17:00 (PST) Nagasato Soccerball shade.svg43'
Stanton Yellow card.svg 62'
Report Hubly Yellow card.svg 42'
Horan Soccerball shade.svg48'Yellow card.svg 54'
Lussi Yellow card.svg 71'
Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 4,093
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Note: Televised on ESPNews.
Jun 22, Fri13 Houston Dash 1–3 Portland Thorns FC Houston, Texas
17:30 (PST) Huerta Soccerball shade.svg12'
Simon Yellow card.svg 85'
Report Heath Soccerball shade.svg9' (Sinclair)
Crnogorčević Soccerball shade.svg33'
Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg83' (Lussi)
Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Attendance: 3,480
Referee: Jasmine Peralta
Jun 27, Wed14 Portland Thorns FC 1–1 Sky Blue FC Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Horan Soccerball shade.svg45' (Sinclair)
Salem Yellow card.svg 90+2'
Report Beckie Yellow card.svg 41'
Lloyd Soccerball shade.svg77' (PK)
Freeman Yellow card.svg 90+3'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,237
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Jun 30, Sat15 Seattle Reign FC 1–0 Portland Thorns FC Seattle, Washington
19:00 (PST) Barnes Yellow card.svg 35'
Taylor Soccerball shade.svg89'
Report Klingenberg Yellow card.svg 14'Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 4,781
Referee: Christina Unkel
Jul 6, Fri16 Portland Thorns FC 4–0 Utah Royals FC Portland, Oregon
20:00 (PST) Heath Soccerball shade.svg2' (Crnogorčević)
Horan Soccerball shade.svg32' (Heath)
Crnogorčević Soccerball shade.svg34'
Lussi Soccerball shade.svg62' (Horan)
Report Johnson Yellow card.svg 31'
Matheson Yellow card.svg 45'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 17,930
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
Jul 15, Sun17 Portland Thorns FC 3–1 Houston Dash Portland, Oregon
20:00 (PST) Horan Soccerball shade.svg16' (Sonnett)Soccerball shade.svg31'
Crnogorčević Soccerball shade.svg48' (Raso)
Report Ohai Soccerball shade.svg37'Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 15,327
Referee: Eric Tattersall
Jul 21, Sat18 Sky Blue FC 1–2 Portland Thorns FC Piscataway, New Jersey
16:00 (PST) Dorsey Soccerball shade.svg27' (McCaskill) Report Raso Soccerball shade.svg4' (Sinclair)
Crnogorčević Soccerball shade.svg7'
Sinclair Yellow card.svg 80'
Stadium: Yurcak Field
Attendance: 2,338
Referee: Reyna Fonseca
Aug 5, Sun19 North Carolina Courage 2–1 Portland Thorns FC Cary, North Carolina
15:00 (PST) Williams Soccerball shade.svg37' (McDonald)Soccerball shade.svg45' Report Sonett Yellow card.svg 45+3'
Horan Soccerball shade.svg49' (Heath)
Foord Yellow card.svg 85'
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 5,379
Referee: Michael Radchuk
Aug 11, Sat20 Orlando Pride 0–2 Portland Thorns FC Orlando, Florida
16:30 (PST) Marta Yellow card.svg 73' Report Sinclair Yellow card.svg 27'
Horan Soccerball shade.svg47' (Heath)
Raso Soccerball shade.svg53' (Crnogorčević)
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 6,102
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Aug 18, Sat21 Portland Thorns FC 2–2 Chicago Red Stars Portland, Oregon
19:30 (PST) Heath Soccerball shade.svg60'
Sonnett Yellow card.svg 67'
Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg69' (Heath)
Report Kerr Soccerball shade.svg44' (Nagasato), 49' (DiBernardo)
White Yellow card.svg 81'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,631
Referee: Guido Gonzales
Note: Televised on ESPNews.
Aug 22, Wed22 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Sky Blue FC Portland, Oregon
20:00 (PST) Sinclair Soccerball shade.svg13' (pen.)
Heath Soccerball shade.svg54'
Report Tiernan Yellow card.svg 41'
McCaskill Yellow card.svg 67'
Johnson Yellow card.svg 75'
Killion Soccerball shade.svg85'
Hoy Yellow card.svg 88'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 17,986
Referee: Mark Allatin
Aug 25, Sat23 Washington Spirit 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Washington, D.C.
17:00 (PST) Church Yellow card.svg 40' Report Heath Soccerball shade.svg15' (Raso)Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 7,976
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Note: Televised on ESPNews.
Sep 7, Fri24 Portland Thorns FC 3–1 Seattle Reign FC Portland, Oregon
19:00 (PST) Horan Soccerball shade.svg30'Soccerball shade.svg82' (Heath)
Heath Soccerball shade.svg49'
Sonnett Yellow card.svg 60'
Report Fishlock Soccerball shade.svg4' (Addo)
Addo Yellow card.svg 62'
Catley Yellow card.svg 87'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 21,144
Referee: Tim Ford
Note: Televised on Lifetime.

Postseason

Sep 15, SatSemifinal Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Seattle Reign FC Portland, Oregon
12:00 (PST) Sonnett Yellow card.svg 27'
Heath Soccerball shade.svg43' (Horan)
Menges Yellow card.svg 50'
Horan Soccerball shade.svg77' (Sinclair)
Report Spencer Soccerball shade.svg29'
Fishlock Yellow card.svg 40'
Rapinoe Yellow card.svg 54'
Long Yellow card.svg 60'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 14,179
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Note: Televised on Lifetime.
Sep 22, SatFinal North Carolina Courage 3–0 Portland Thorns FC Portland, Oregon
13:30 (PST) Debinha Soccerball shade.svg13'
McDonald Soccerball shade.svg40' (Hinkle), 64' (Mathias)Yellow card.svg 65'
O'Sullivan Yellow card.svg 42'
Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 21,144
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Assistant referees: Brooke Mayo, Adrienne McDonald
Fourth official: Karen Abt
Note: Televised on Lifetime.

Regular-season standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1 North Carolina Courage (C)2417615317+3657 NWSL Shield
2 Portland Thorns FC 2412664028+1242 NWSL Playoffs
3 Seattle Reign FC 2411852719+841
4 Chicago Red Stars 2491053828+1037
5 Utah Royals FC 249872223135
6 Houston Dash 2495103539432
7 Orlando Pride 2486103037730
8 Washington Spirit 24251712352311
9 Sky Blue FC 2416172152319
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champion

Results by round

Matchday123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Stadium A A H H A H A H A HH A A H A HH A A A HH A H
ResultLWWDDLDLWWLDWDLWWWLWDWWW
Position [lower-alpha 1] 943334453445446553433332
Updated to match(es) played on September 7, 2018. Source: Schedule
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Club

Executive staff

Owner and Chief Executive Officer Merritt Paulson
President of BusinessMike Golub
GM/President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson

Updated to match played August 3, 2018
Source:  Portland Timbers

Coaching staff

PositionStaff
Head Coach Mark Parsons
Assistant CoachRich Gunney
Assistant Coach/Equipment ManagerSophie Clough
Assistant Coach/Community Youth Development CoachCarly Copplestone
Goalkeeping Coach Nadine Angerer
Fitness CoachGarga Caserta
Athletic TrainerBailey Torrez
Team PhysicianBreanne Brown

Last updated: August 3, 2018
Source: Portland Timbers

Squad information

First team squad

Last updated: March 27, 2018 [9]

No.NameNationalityPositionsDate of birth (age)Signed fromYear with club (year signed)
Goalkeepers
24 Adrianna Franch Flag of the United States.svg GK November 12, 1990 (age 32) Flag of Norway.svg Avaldsnes IL 3 (2016)
33 Britt Eckerstrom Flag of the United States.svg GK May 28, 1993 (age 30) Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Courage 2 (2017)
Defenders
2 Katherine Reynolds Flag of the United States.svg RB/CB September 14, 1987 (age 35) Flag of the United States.svg Washington Spirit 3 (2016)
4 Emily Menges Flag of the United States.svg CB July 28, 1992 (age 30) 2014 NWSL College Draft 5 (2014)
16 Emily Sonnett (FP) Flag of the United States.svg CB November 25, 1993 (age 29) 2016 NWSL College Draft 3 (2016)
25 Meghan Klingenberg Flag of the United States.svg LB/LMAugust 2, 1988 (age 34) Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dash 3 (2016)
32 Meg Morris Flag of the United States.svg LB / FW May 11, 1992 (age 31) Flag of the United States.svg Sky Blue FC 3 (2016)
27 Elizabeth Ball Flag of the United States.svg CB/RB October 20, 1995 (age 27)1 (2018)
15 Ellie Carpenter Flag of Australia (converted).svg CB April 28, 2000 (age 23) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Canberra United 1 (2018)
20 Kelli Hubly Flag of the United States.svg CB August 9, 1994 (age 28)2 (2017)
Midfielders
10 Lindsey Horan (FP) Flag of the United States.svg CM May 26, 1994 (age 29) Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain 3 (2016)
8 Andressa Cavalari Flag of Brazil.svg CAM May 1, 1995 (age 28) Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dash 1 (2018)
17 Tobin Heath (FP) Flag of the United States.svg LW May 29, 1988 (age 35) Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain 6 (2013)
30 Celeste Boureille Flag of the United States.svg MF April 20, 1994 (age 29) Flag of Iceland.svg UMF Selfoss 3 (2016)
36 Angela Salem Flag of the United States.svg MF July 24, 1988 (age 34) Flag of the United States.svg Boston Breakers 1 (2018)
Forwards
9 Caitlin Foord Flag of Australia (converted).svg CF / LW November 11, 1994 (age 28) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney FC 1 (2018)
12 Christine Sinclair Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CF/CAM June 12, 1983 (age 40) Flag of the United States.svg Western New York Flash 6 (2013)
22 Ifeoma Onumonu Flag of the United States.svg FW February 25, 1994 (age 29) Flag of the United States.svg Boston Breakers 1 (2018)
21 Hayley Raso Flag of Australia (converted).svg FW/ RW / RMSeptember 5, 1994 (age 28) Flag of the United States.svg Washington Spirit 3 (2016)
26 Mallory Weber Flag of the United States.svg FW / RW April 4, 1994 (age 29) 2016 NWSL College Draft 3 (2016)
34 Tyler Lussi Flag of the United States.svg FW January 26, 1995 (age 28) 2017 NWSL College Draft 2 (2017)
23 Margaret Purce Flag of the United States.svg FW/RMSeptember 18, 1995 (age 27) Flag of the United States.svg Boston Breakers 1 (2018)
7 Ana-Maria Crnogorčević Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg FW October 3, 1990 (age 32) Flag of Germany.svg FFC Frankfurt 1 (2018)

Honors and awards

NWSL Season Awards

NWSL Team of the Month

MonthGoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwardsRef.
March Flag of the United States.svg Emily Sonnett Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [12]
April Flag of the United States.svg Emily Sonnett [13]
May Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Christine Sinclair [14]
June Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Christine Sinclair [15]
July Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [16]
August Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan Flag of the United States.svg Tobin Heath [17]

NWSL Player of the Month

MonthResultPlayerRef.
JulyWon Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [18]

NWSL Weekly Awards

NWSL Player of the Week

WeekResultPlayerRef
14Won Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [19]
20Won Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [20]
24Won Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [21]

NWSL Goal of the Week

WeekResultPlayerRef.
2Won Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [22]
3Won Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [23]
5Won Flag of the United States.svg Tobin Heath [24]
8Nominated Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ellie Carpenter [25]
9Nominated Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Christine Sinclair [26]
10Won Flag of the United States.svg Katherine Reynolds [27]
11/12Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [28]
13Nominated Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Christine Sinclair [29]
15Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Tobin Heath [30]
16Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [31]
17Nominated Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hayley Raso [32]
19Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [33]
20Won Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hayley Raso [34]
21Nominated Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Christine Sinclair [35]
22Won Flag of the United States.svg Tobin Heath [36]
24Won Flag of the United States.svg Lindsey Horan [37]

NWSL Save of the Week

WeekResultPlayerRef.
1Won Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [38]
2Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [39]
9Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Meghan Klingenberg [40]
11/12Won Flag of the United States.svg Britt Eckerstrom [41]
13Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [42]
14Won Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [43]
15Won Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [44]
17Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Britt Eckerstrom [45]
19Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [46]
20Won Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [47]
21Nominated Flag of the United States.svg Adrianna Franch [48]

See also

Notes

  1. POR's position at the end of the matchweek, not their match.

Related Research Articles

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) presents six annual awards to individual players. The Golden Boot award is presented to the top scorer at the end of the regular season, while the Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards are voted on by various league constituents. As of 2021, these awards are voted upon in two rounds: in the first round, players (50%), owners/general managers/coaches (25%), and media (25%) vote to determine the nominees; in the second round, players (50%), owners/general managers/coaches (20%), media (20%), and fans (10%) vote among the nominees to determine the winners.

The National Women's Soccer League Player of the Month is a monthly women's soccer award given to individual players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The honor is awarded to the player deemed to have put in the best performances over the past month by a panel selected by the league.

The National Women's Soccer League Player of the Week is a weekly soccer award given to individual players in the National Women's Soccer League. The honor is awarded to the player deemed to have put in the best performances over the past week by a panel of journalists who regularly cover the league.

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The 2017 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's and the league's fifth season of existence. The Thorns played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The Thorns had finished in first place in the 2016 season, but failed to advance from the semifinals in the 2016 NWSL playoffs. With a slogan of "Unfinished Business", they qualified for the NWSL playoffs as the 2nd ranked team in the 2017 regular season. In the playoffs, they defeated the Orlando Pride and then the North Carolina Courage to become 2017 NWSL Champions. It was their second championship, following the first in 2013.

The 2018 Seattle Reign FC season was the club's sixth season of play and their sixth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. After finishing fifth in the league for two consecutive seasons, the Reign finished third to return to the playoffs, where they lost to Portland Thorns FC in the semi-final.

The 2018 Chicago Red Stars season was the team's tenth season and sixth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. For the fourth consecutive season, the team qualified for the post-season playoffs and lost in the semi-final, as they were defeated by the North Carolina Courage 2–0.

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The 2018 Houston Dash season was the team's fifth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League. Before the start of the 2018 season Vera Pauw was appointed as head coach.

The 2018 National Women's Soccer League season was the sixth 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 twelfth 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 and take the financial burden off individual clubs.

The 2018 North Carolina Courage season was the team's second season as a professional women's soccer team. North Carolina Courage played in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. On August 5, the Courage clinched the 2018 NWSL Shield for the second consecutive season after a 2–1 win over Portland. The Courage finished the 2018 regular season with only 1 loss and broke the record for most wins in a season (17), most points (57) and most goals (53).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Orlando Pride season</span> Orlando Pride 2018 soccer season

The 2018 season was Orlando Pride's third season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The team played its home games at Orlando City Stadium.

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The 2019 Utah Royals FC season marks the team's second year of existence and its second season in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of the American soccer pyramid.

The 2019 National Women's Soccer League season was the seventh 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 thirteenth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

The 2019 North Carolina Courage season was the team's third season as a professional women's soccer team. North Carolina Courage plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Portland Thorns FC season</span> Portland Thorns FC 2019 football season

The 2019 Portland Thorns FC season was the team's and the league's seventh season of existence. The Thorns play in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Due to construction at Providence Park, the Thorns would start the season with six consecutive away matches.

The National Women's Soccer League Goal of the Week was a weekly soccer award given to individual players in the National Women's Soccer League from 2016 to 2019. The honor was awarded by popular social media vote to the player deemed to have scored the best goal over the past week.

The National Women's Soccer League Save of the Week is a weekly soccer award given to individual players in the National Women's Soccer League since 2016. The honor is awarded by popular social media vote to the player deemed to have scored the best save over the past week.

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References

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