Page 82 - Soccer360 Issue 104

TOP 10 ANOTHER NWSL SEASON IS IN THE BOOKS AND WITH IT ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED
SEASON OF EXCELLENT PLAY AND OF COURSE SOME VERY EXCITING STORYLINES! HERE ARE THE TOP TEN MOMENTS FROM THIS SEASON!
MOMENTS
Chloe Ricketts became the youngest goal scoerer in NWSL history on July 28th at 16 years old.
“GIRMA HAD ANOTHER STRONG PERFORMANCE IN HER SECOND PROFESSIONAL SEASON.”
Sinclair, among other legends, said goodbye this season.
Sophia Smith
has won back to back Golden Boots
#10 RICKETTS ROCKS THE NWSL
At just 16 years old, Chloe Ricketts made history over the summer becoming the youngest goalscorer in NWSL history on July 28th, passing Olivia Moultrie of the Portland Thorns. While
the goal itself was important that Ricketts is
just playing professional minutes is a major moment in women’s sports. With more players like Ricketts and Moultrie getting the chance to sign professional contracts at a young age it is a positive sign that more opportunities are available for female players to grow and develop within the game.
#9 ONE MILLION REASONS TO LOVE THE NWSL
This season saw the NWSL reach one million fans in attendance, making it two years in arow that the league had surpassed that mark. While having the league reach that mark is impressive it wasn’t just one or two teams carrying the torch. Five teams set attendance records this season (North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Kansas City Current, Racing Louisville, and NJ/NY Gotham FC) with multiple other teams setting high marks across the board.
#8 NEW MEDIA DEALS AND MORE $
Although the NWSL’s new television and streaming deals will not come into effect until next season,
it is a game-changer and one of the biggest moments in league history. In November, the league announced a four year partnership starting in 2024 worth $240 million dollars with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports. As a point of comparison, their last deal with CBS was for three years at $1.4 million. Having the additional revenue coming in along with getting more exposure through multiple media outlets will only help grow the league and the game.
#7 GIRMA HOLDS THE LINE
After a strong first NWSL season which saw her win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie
of the Year, and Best XI honors many wondered
if Naomi Girma would have a sophomore slump. The answer was emphatically no. The USWNT center-back had another strong performance in her second professional season leading the Wave to the Supporters’ Shield and a league low 22 goals conceded.
#6 GOLDEN BOOT GOES BACK TO SMITH
Much like Girma, Smith had plenty of questions as to whether she could follow up her Golden Boot efforts from last season. Much like Girma, Smith proved her doubters wrong crushing 11 goals for the Thorns and leading them back to the playoffs despite missing large portions of the season due to the World Cup.
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