10 Biggest Milestones in Women’s Soccer this Year

The 2024 year for women’s soccer saw significant international achievement. From the NWSL to the Olympics and beyond, women on and off the field impacted the game momentously. Here’s our top ten roundup of the biggest milestones in women’s soccer this year.

 

High NWSL Game Attendances for 2024

The NWSL saw record-breaking attendance numbers during matches this season. By November 2024, the league surpassed 2 million in regular season attendance. The tip of total attendance into the 2 million range was achieved from Christine Sinclair’s final match for the Portland Thorns, where 23,212 fans packed into Providence Park to watch. This match, in conjunction with historic matches throughout the year, broke NWSL records.

 

The USWNT’s Paris Olympics Run

The USWNT made an international comeback at the Paris 2024 Olympics. After a 2023 World Cup loss, the team saw a revamp, and hired head coach Emma Hayes. The team won gold during a final match against Brazil. 

 

Barbra Banda’s Record-Breaking Year

The Zambian player’s impact on the field has been seen since her signing to the Orlando Pride. At the 2024 NWSL finals this past November, Banda scored the sole goal of the match, which sealed Orlando’s title as winners of the NWSL Championship against Washington Spirit. 

Banda has broken records both in the US and internationally for Africa. Recently, she was also named to the 2024 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, an award for which 28,000 professional soccer players from 70 countries vote for their team of the year. 

 

Chelsea’s Fifth Consecutive WSL Title Win

In May 2024, Chelsea, a Women’s Super League team led by Emma Hayes, won the WSL Championship title. This win marked another year of the team’s clinching the championship, reaffirming their dominant status in the league. 

 

Orlando Pride Won the NWSL Championship

The Orlando Pride won their first NWSL Championship in a match against the Washington Spirit. The win was significant for both the team and the players individually. Internationally known Brazilian player Marta saw her first win at the NWSL championship. The soccer star proclaimed she had “waited eight years” for the moment. Barbra Banda scored the winning goal of the match in the 37th minute.

 

North Carolina Won the 2024 NCAA Championship

 

2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!! 🏆

FOR THE 23RD TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY, THE TAR HEELS HAVE WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!! pic.twitter.com/UXAXzRuqfH

— UNC Women’s Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) December 10, 2024

The team’s college championship win came in a 1-0 matchup against Wake Forest, a fellow North Carolina team. Tar Heels’ Olivia Thomas scored the winning goal off a free kick. This is the University of North Carolina soccer program’s 23rd national title and first title win in 12 years.

 

Aitiana Bonmatí Won the 2024 Ballon d’Or Feminin 

Acclaimed top woman footballer in the world, Aitana Bonmati, continued her record-breaking year by winning the Ballon d’Or Feminin award for the second year in a row. This win ties with Alexia Putellas, her Barcelona FC teammate, for wins of the Ballon d’Or Feminin award. 

 

First NWSL Signing Since College Draft Elimination

History was made as Texas Longhorns player Trinity Byars became the first college athlete to sign directly for an NWSL team. The move by the NWSL, proved to be a monumental shift in women’s sports and for the league. 

During her college career, Byars scored 52 goals for the Longhorns before signing a three year deal with the San Diego Wave.

 

Triple Espresso

The goal-scoring trio Triple Espresso emerged during the 2024 Paris Olympics. On the international level, the three players are seen as tactical and impactful in their goal-scoring progressions and cohesion. 

 

Strides Made in the Growth of Women’s Soccer

 

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Michele Kang, owner and investor of the Washington Spirit, made a historic donation to the U.S. Soccer. U.S. Soccer stated,  “The investment from Kang will scale competitive opportunities for youth players, expand and improve talent identification, and fuel professional development for female players, coaches, and referees.” 

Additional investments made in women’s soccer this year are continuing the expansion of the sport. 

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