Page 91 - Soccer360 Issue 107

DID YOU KNOW?
Only one team has won back- to-back NWSL Championships- Should NJ/
NY Gotham FC win it all again in 2024 they
will become
the second- ever team to win back-to- back NWSL Championships. The NC Courage in 2018 and 2019 claimed consecutive
top honors defeating the Portland Thorns and the Chicago Red Stars.
‘THE MOST
DOMINANT STRIKER IN THE NWSL THIS SEASON HAS BEEN THE ORLANDO PRIDE’S BARBRA BANDA’
4. SWANSON’S BACK
After missing most of last season due to a devastating ACL injury, Mallory Swanson has come back swinging for the Chicago Red Stars leading the team in goals.
The USWNT Gold Medal winner has led
a rejuvenated Chicago group alongside Tierna Davidson and Alyssa Naerher right into the thick of the NWSL playoff race.
3. WHO WILL CLAIM THE SHIELD?
It is a four-way race between the Pride, Current, Spirit, and Gotham for the Supporter’s Shield which is given to the team that finishes with the best regular season record. After the Olympic break the four teams are separated by seven points with the quartet having to face one another multiple times down the stretch.
ABOVE:
Talented striker Barbra Banda
RIGHT:
The Current are in a spot to win it all this year
LEFT:
Mallory Swanson has come back swinging for the Chicago Red Stars leading the team in goals.
2. GOTHAM’S TITLE DEFENSE
Although it hasn’t always been the easiest of title defenses NJ/NY Gotham FC have found themselves with the chance to repeat as NWSL Champions. If they have any hopes of repeating they are going to need to score more goals. Heading out of the Olympic break, Gotham have yet to score more than two goals in a game which hasn’t hurt them yet but could prove problematic if they go down a goal in the playoffs.
1. BANDA’S BREAKOUT SEASON
The most dominant striker in the NWSL this season has been the Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda who has thunderous strikes has helped push the Pride to the top of the league. The Zambian international capped off a strong first half in July with the game- winner against the Current, a 2-1 result. The Pride are entering uncharted territory- the side has never made an NWSL playoff appearance and Banda has them thinking beyond just a token appearance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lauren Barnes Holds The Record For Most Regular Season Appearances- Reign FC’s Lauren Barnes is the NWSL’s Iron Women making 211 appearances for Seattle. Her consistency since 2013 has provided Seattle with a marked level of stability in the defense, making her a fan-favorite throughout the years.
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