This week was another solid round of NWSL games with four straight days of fun. There was exciting news from the Champions League Final, North Carolina secured a great partnership, the league handed the Washington Spirit a fine, and an exciting player was signed. Hereโs this weekโs womenโs soccer news.ย
High of the Week
๐๏ธ Record attendances and soaring broadcast viewership worldwide have ensured the new-look @UWCL is a winner straight from kick-off.
But it is no accident or coincidence. Here's a thread of how it's happened over a season to remember.#UWCL pic.twitter.com/fRztgcWWy0
— UEFA (@UEFA) May 20, 2022
The UEFA Womenโs Champions League Final brought in 3.6 million viewers, a massive increase from last seasonโs final. Lyon came up with a 3-1 win over Barcelona to lift the trophy for the eighth time.ย
Low of the Week
NWSL fines Washington Spirit Coach Kris Ward an undisclosed amount for comments about match officials in Portland last Wednesday. Also, the club was fined for subsequent comments via social media following Wardโs postgame remarks.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) May 24, 2022
Kris Ward and the Washington Spirit were fined for comments about referring in the league. The comments came from Ward as well as the Spirit social accounts after their match against Portland. The poor officiating has been a talking point through the Challenge Cup and the beginning of the regular season throughout the league.ย
News of the Week
[NEWS] Courage Announces Partnership with US Fertility and Shady Grove Fertility
We're so proud to work with @SGFertility to support our players, their careers and their future families!
๐ฐ: https://t.co/b9A0l5u6rx#CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/us9hMCy1lT
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) May 26, 2022
This week, the North Carolina Courage announced that they have partnered with US Fertility and Shady Grove Fertility as their official fertility partner. Itโs exciting to see more clubs provide fertility options for the players, with the Portland Thorns and Racing Louisville also having fertility partners.ย
Transfer of the Week
Kim Little has signed with OL Reign on loan from Arsenal until the start of the FAWSL season. Little makes her return to Seattle after having previously played for the then Seattle Reign from 2014-16. Sheโs been playing for Arsenal since 2017 but has struggled with injuries. Little is one of the best midfielders in the world and a Reign legend, so itโs exciting to see her back in the league!ย
Goal of the Week
โโก๏ธโญJust like it was drawn up at practice! @RoseLavelle leads her squad in the 75th minute!#BoldTogether | @OLReign pic.twitter.com/tEouWjEesl
— National Womenโs Soccer League (@NWSL) May 29, 2022
Rose Lavelle scored a terrific diving header off of a beautifully placed service from Sofia Huerta to give OL Reign the 1-0 win over the San Diego Wave.ย
Featured image via @olreign on Instagram
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