Page 83 - Soccer360 Issue 104

#5 MICHELLE COOPER=THE FLASH
Think about what you can do in 22 seconds. If scoring a goal in a professional soccer match is
on that list then congratulations you might have a chance at outpacing KC Current’s Michelle Cooper. Cooper, who was drafted as the second overall pick in last year’s NWSL Draft, broke the league’s fastest goal record in their June match against
the Washington Spirit. Next challenge for Cooper: Usain Bolt.
#4 RIDING THE WAVE TO THE SHIELD
The NWSL Supporters Shield might not have
the panache of its European counterparts but make no mistake about it: it is not an easy title
to win. Considering that the NWSL schedule runs alongside international tournaments and that teams are often playing multiple games a week it was a dogfight to finish first in the NWSL regular season. But the San Diego Wave, in just their second season showed that they were up for the task overcoming the odds by finishing with a 11-7-4 record on 37 points.
San Dieo players celebrate
#3 CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Anytime you allow just five goals in a tournament you are going to give yourself a good chance to win some hardware. The North Carolina Courage put in the work defensively at this year’s NWSL Challenge Cup, limiting opponents to just five goals in winning the midseason title. Defender Malia Berkely led the charge making multiple key stops en route to the club winning their eighth major title.
This season saw three of the league’s biggest names in Ali Krieger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Julie Ertz (Angel City FC), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns), and Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign) all hanging up their boots for both their countries and their club teams. Across all competitions the four have changed the way the world looks at women’s football and have pushed the NWSL from the backpages of the game to the front page. Think of it this way- when all four started playing there was no television deal, no NWSL, and Canada had still yet to win a major title. What they have done for the women’s game cannot be put into words and that Krieger and Rapinoe were squaring off in the finals is perhaps the most apt way to end it.
#1 GOTHAM ARE CROWNED CHAMPIONS
Worst to first. A club that was just a few years back playing on a college field and facing multiple issues off of the field. There are plenty of reasons why
the NY/NY Gotham FC story is so captivating but perhaps the best reason is: they flat out earned it. After just making it into the playoffs they unseated the Portland Thorns and
Cooper, who was drafted as the second overall pick in last year’s NWSL Draft, broke the league’s fastest goal record
NC Courage only to grind it out against OL Regin FC in Megan Rapinoe’s final match. Goals from Lynn Williams and Spanish World Cup hero Esther Gonzalez sealed
a defensive master- piece from Jenna Nighswonger
and Ali Krieg-
er, giving Gotham their first title.
Rapinoe calls it a career - a great career at that.
#2 KRIEGER, ERTZ, SINCLAIR, AND RAPINOE
SAY ADIEU
“SAN DIEGO WON THEIR FIRST SUPPORTERS SHIELD IN JUST THEIR 2ND SEASON”
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