The 2024 NWSL Championship between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit on Saturday is set to be a historic clash, marking the culmination of a remarkable year. Held at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, the event celebrates a significant milestone in another year of growth for the league. The Kansas City Current’s home ground is the first stadium specifically built for an NWSL club, making it a fitting venue for the Championship game.
As NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman noted, “It was a natural choice to host the league’s marquee event in a venue that highlights the profound impact of infrastructure, investment, and community support on the continued development and success of our sport.” The 11,500-capacity stadium has sold out every game and is expected to do the same for the final.
Kansas City’s consistent attendance reflects broader league trends. Bolstered by the addition of two new clubs (Utah Royals and Bay FC) and an extended season, NWSL’s regular season attendance surpassed two million for the first time. In 2023, NWSL became the first women’s league to average 10,000 fans per game. This year, the average rose to over 11,000, with 89 regular season games drawing more than 10,000 fans (up from 55 in 2023).
On the field, numerous records were shattered. Kansas City set a regular season record with 57 goals, many scored at their new home, fueled by an electrifying crowd. Twenty of those goals were scored by the NWSL Golden Boot winner, Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga, who broke Sam Kerr’s 2019 record. Several rookies also made their mark, including Washington Spirit’s Croix Bethune, who set a record by winning back-to-back Rookie of the Month awards and tied Tobin Heath’s single-season assists record with 10.
Gotham and USWNT forward Lynn Williams became NWSL’s all-time leading scorer when she netted her 79th goal in May. Orlando Pride, once a struggling club, went on a record 24-game unbeaten streak in the regular season, earning the NWSL Shield—their first trophy.
While NWSL has always been known for its competitiveness, this year saw a few clubs rise above the rest. The top four—Orlando, Washington, Gotham, and Kansas City—were well ahead by season’s end. Orlando, in first place, and Kansas City, in fourth, were separated by five points, but there was a 16-point gap between Kansas City and fifth-place North Carolina Courage, and a 28-point gap between Orlando and the final playoff spot clinched by Chicago Red Stars.
The playoffs continued this trend, with the top four teams winning their quarter-finals and the top two teams from the regular season advancing to the semis. Orlando and Washington, neither of which made the playoffs in the previous two years, transformed themselves from the bottom to the top.
Although this year’s table lacked the parity of previous seasons, one thing remains clear: anything is possible. In 2022, Gotham, Washington, and Orlando were at the bottom; this season, they dominated at the top. Orlando’s rise is particularly noteworthy, with the 38-year-old Brazil legend Marta playing a key role. With a revitalized team around her, Marta had one of her best seasons, scoring nine regular season goals.
After scoring the game-deciding goal in the semi-final, Marta highlighted the team’s transformation: “It’s mostly about the mentality… we had a really good team in the past too, like big names. But there was some [in the] team who would miss all the time. Then this group of people who work every single day so hard. They give everything. They don’t think only about themselves. They think only about the team, to do the things together. We bring this spirit every single game, no matter what.”
Standing beside the Zambia forward Barbra Banda, the team’s top scorer and an NWSL newcomer, Marta added: “She’s a winner. She never gives up. She gives everything, even [in] training.” The team’s aura of inevitability grew as they cruised to claim the Shield.
Saturday’s final marks Orlando’s first appearance in a final, as well as Marta’s. While a storybook ending for Orlando is conceivable, Washington will pose a tough challenge. The Spirit are on their own redemption arc, returning to their first NWSL final since winning it in 2021. Under the guidance of former Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez, who took over midseason, the team aims to reclaim the trophy-winning heights of his first year. The roster is brimming with talent, including veterans Casey Kreuger and US forward Trinity Rodman, as well as rookie sensations.
As the game kicks off on Saturday, two compelling teams with captivating stories will face off in the NWSL’s final game of the year.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
