FootyPop: Portland Thorns Secure the NWSL Shield And Championship Kickoff Time Is Changed
Ahh, another seriously chaotic week in the NWSL. At least this time, it was mostly because of all of the shifting and calculations to figure out the standings. Honestly, it’s giving me a headache to figure it out. Nonetheless, it was an exciting week in the NWSL and for women’s soccer fans. So here is this week’s women’s soccer news.
High of the Weekend
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The NWSL and the NWSL Players Association decided to move the Championship game from Portland to Louisville amidst all of the scandals in the league. Before, the kickoff was scheduled for 9 AM PT… yes 9 in the morning for a professional women’s soccer championship game… when all of their games have previously been in the afternoon. It was pretty ridiculous. We’re thankful that the kickoff in Louisville is now at 12:00 PM ET for the players. Same time slot, different time zone, so at least the players will have the warm-up and pre-game preparation that they need.
News of the Weekend
Division II on the field, number one in your heart🧡#StepUp pic.twitter.com/2UmOcWgs8Q
— USL Super League (@USLSuperLeague) October 15, 2021
The new USL Super League was announced! This league aims to complete the pyramid of women’s soccer in the United States, as it’s a Division II professional women’s soccer league. It’ll sit below the NWSL and above the USL W League. The league, beginning in 2021, already looks super promising because it is doubling the number of pro women’s teams, hiring an excellent president in Amanda Vandevort, and announcing competitive wages.
Win of the Weekend
Who else but @LindseyHoran with the goal that locks up the @NWSL Shield for the @ThornsFC 👏🌹pic.twitter.com/h4YqiAmI4i
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 18, 2021
The Portland Thorns secured the NWSL Shield with their 1-0 win over Houston Sunday night. Who else but Lindsey Horan to score the goal that would win the Shield for the Thorns. They were the favorite going into this season, but with so many twists and turns, it is still an incredible accomplishment to have won this the second year in a row. They won the Challenge Cup, the Women’s International Champions Cup, the Shield, and now they’ll be looking to become the NWSL Fall 2021 Series Champions.
Player of the Weekend
Here's one of our favourite moments of the week: Tobin Heath's first goal for @ArsenalWFC 🔴
Which was yours?
You can watch all the #UWCL highlights here if you haven't decided yet👉 https://t.co/nJufOwakhK pic.twitter.com/xYJTaoMky7
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 15, 2021
Tobin Heath’s first goal for Arsenal, in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She had her debut with her first start in the match against Hoffenheim. Arsenal won 4-0.
Upset of the Weekend
Us trying to figure out playoff scenarios like… pic.twitter.com/qCXvSoVfew
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) October 17, 2021
Well, look who’s in upset of the week again… Houston. Except for this time, it’s the other way around. The Dash just beat North Carolina 4-1 and Portland 3-2, but this past week, Kansas City shut them out 3-0. Yes, the game was at Kansas City, and yes, Kansas City did trample all over them. Houston is the biggest wild card going into the next two weeks of matches. All credit to KC; their goals were well earned.
#4 Duke ✔️
#3 UNC ✔️First time in program history we've beaten two top five teams in the same season, and the first time we've beaten both teams in the same year.#GoPackBaby pic.twitter.com/EEi1UZOaQ8
— NC State Women's Soccer ⚽️ (@PackWSoccer) October 17, 2021
In NCAA news, NC State upset UNC big time. NC State, unranked, shut out UNC, ranked third, 1-0 this past week. This was huge for NC State as this was their second time this season beating a team ranked in the top five. They beat Duke 2-1 earlier this season.
Goal of the Weekend
Sheesh, @darian_jenks 🥶🥶🥶#KCvHOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Fw33n5lG5g
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 14, 2021
Darian Jenkins’ goal in Kansas City’s win over Houston. Starting the game off with this banger of a goal really signaled KC’s dominance throughout the rest of the match. This was her third goal of the season.
Save of the Weekend
The hustle here from @JessFishlock 🤯#RGNvWAS | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DHg8Oh13Uw
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 17, 2021
Save of the weekend… or should I say save of the season… or save of the century!? Wow, the hustle from Jess Fishlock here was incredible. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I fully thought that would be another goal for the Spirit. But nope, Jess Fishlock slid in at the last second to save the ball from going to the back of the net.
What to Look Forward To
NCAA: Wednesday, October 20: Pepperdine vs. Santa Clara
- Number four ranked Pepperdine takes on the 2020 College Cup champs, Santa Clara
Thursday, October 21: Florida State vs. North Carolina at 8:00 PM ET
- Number one ranked Florida State takes on number three ranked North Carolina
NWSL: Friday, October 22: Kansas City vs. NY/NJ Gotham FC at 8:00 PM ET on Twitch
Fav Social Media Post
When you're running out of playoff tiebreakers 🤣 pic.twitter.com/kIrzBnEAaR
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 12, 2021
Most of us (at least those who binge-watched Squid Game) can relate as the NWSL is racing towards the end of its regular season. This is the most chaotic and unpredictable season that the league has ever had. But honestly, we love it.
Featured image via @ThornsFC on Twitter
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