2015 National Women's Soccer League season explained
The 2015 National Women's Soccer League season was the third season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the ninth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league was operated by the United States Soccer Federation and received major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing was provided by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation. All three national federations paid the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations.
In January, Jeff Plush was named NWSL commissioner,[2] replacing Cheryl Bailey.
To accommodate the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the league announced it would take a two-week break from June 7–19, reduce the season to 20 games, and extend the playing calendar into September.[3]
For the second straight season, FC Kansas City defeated the NWSL Shield winners Seattle Reign FC 1–0 to win the NWSL championship.[4]
Teams, stadiums, and personnel
Stadiums and locations
See also: List of National Women's Soccer League stadiums.
Two teams, the Dash and Reign, do not make their stadiums' entire capacity available for home games, instead restricting ticket sales at a lower level. The full capacities of their venues are included in parentheses and italics.
Team | Stadium | data-sort-type="number" | Capacity |
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Boston Breakers | Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium | 4,500 |
Chicago Red Stars | Village Sports Complex | 3,600 |
Houston Dash | BBVA Compass Stadium | 7,000 (22,039) |
FC Kansas City | Swope Soccer Village[5] | 4,000 |
Portland Thorns | Providence Park | 20,438 |
Seattle Reign FC | Memorial Stadium | 6,000 (12,000) |
Sky Blue FC | Yurcak Field | 5,000 |
Washington Spirit | Maryland SoccerPlex | 5,126 |
Western New York Flash | Sahlen's Stadium | 13,768 | |
Personnel and sponsorship
Note: All of the teams use Nike as their kit manufacturer.
Player acquisition
Players were acquired through the 2015 Allocation of national team players on January 14[6] and the 2015 NWSL College Draft on January 16,[7] as well as free agency and trades.
Notable acquisitions and losses
- Carli Lloyd, the scoring and assist leader for the US women's national team in 2014,[8] was traded from the Western New York Flash to the Houston Dash on October 16, 2014.[9]
- Heather O'Reilly, the scoring and assist leader for the Boston Breakers in 2014,[10] was traded from Boston to FC Kansas City on October 27, 2014.[11]
- Samantha Kerr, the leading scorer for the Western New York Flash in 2014,[10] was traded from Western New York to Sky Blue FC on November 24, 2014.[12]
- Sophie Schmidt, a veteran Allocated Player for the Canadian women's national team, announced in January 2015 she would not play for either Sky Blue FC or the NWSL in order to focus on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Morgan Brian, the two-time Hermann Trophy winner, was chosen No. 1 overall by the Houston Dash in the College Draft on January 16, 2015.
- Jessica McDonald, the leading scorer for the Portland Thorns in 2014,[10] was traded from Portland to the Houston Dash during the draft on January 16, 2015.[13]
- Jodie Taylor, the leading scorer for the Washington Spirit in 2014,[10] was traded from Washington to the Portland Thorns during the draft on January 16, 2015.[14]
- Abby Wambach, the scoring and assist leader for the Western New York Flash in 2013,[15] announced on March 18, 2015, she would not play for either Western New York or the NWSL in order to focus on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[16] Her rights were subsequently traded to the Seattle Reign in exchange for Sydney Leroux.
Competition format
- Each team will play a total of 20 games, 10 home and 10 away.
- Each team will play all opponents twice, once home and once away, plus four opponents an extra time, split two opponents at home and two away.
- The four teams at the end of the season with the most points will qualify for the playoffs.
Results table
[17]
Abbreviation and Color Key: Boston Breakers – BOS • Chicago Red Stars – CHI • Houston Dash – HOU • FC Kansas City – KC • Portland Thorns FC – POR Seattle Reign FC – SEA • Sky Blue FC – NJ • Washington Spirit – WAS • Western New York Flash – WNY Win Loss Tie Home Game |
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Club | Match |
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20< | -- Win: bgcolor=#DFE7FF | scoreLoss: bgcolor=#FFDFDF | scoreTie: bgcolor=#FFFDD0 | scorepost scores as home-awayhome bg color: style="background:silver;" | TEAM --> |
---|
| POR | HOU | WNY | CHI | POR | NJ | KC | WAS | SEA | WNY | KC | CHI | CHI | NJ | SEA | POR | WAS | KC | SEA | HOU |
4–1 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 5–2 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 0–1 |
| SEA | POR | NJ | BOS | HOU | KC | SEA | WNY | NJ | HOU | BOS | BOS | WAS | KC | POR | NJ | WAS | WNY | WNY | HOU |
3–2 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 |
| WAS | NJ | BOS | KC | CHI | POR | NJ | POR | WNY | WAS | CHI | KC | WNY | KC | WAS | NJ | SEA | SEA | BOS | CHI |
2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 1–0 | 1–1 |
| NJ | WAS | SEA | HOU | WNY | WNY | CHI | BOS | POR | SEA | WAS | BOS | HOU | HOU | CHI | WNY | POR | BOS | WAS | NJ |
0–1 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 0–0 | 2–3 |
| BOS | WNY | CHI | WAS | BOS | HOU | WAS | HOU | KC | NJ | NJ | SEA | SEA | WNY | BOS | CHI | KC | NJ | WAS | WNY |
4–1 | 1–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 5–2 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 3–3 | 2–3 |
| WNY | CHI | KC | WAS | NJ | CHI | NJ | BOS | KC | WNY | WNY | WAS | POR | POR | BOS | HOU | HOU | BOS | NJ | WAS |
5–1 | 3–2 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 3–0 | 2–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 3–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| KC | HOU | WAS | CHI | SEA | WAS | BOS | HOU | SEA | CHI | POR | POR | WNY | BOS | WNY | HOU | CHI | POR | SEA | KC |
0–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 |
| HOU | KC | NJ | SEA | POR | NJ | WNY | POR | BOS | HOU | KC | SEA | CHI | HOU | BOS | WNY | CHI | KC | POR | SEA |
2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 3–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 3–3 | 1–2 |
| SEA | POR | BOS | KC | KC | WAS | CHI | HOU | BOS | SEA | SEA | NJ | HOU | POR | NJ | KC | WAS | CHI | CHI | POR |
5–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 0–2 | 3–2 | |
Scores listed as home-away
League standings
Tiebreakers
The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. If two or more teams tie in point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules, going down the list until all teams are ranked.
If two teams tie:
- Head-to-head win–loss record between the two teams.
- Greater goal difference across the entire season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
- Greatest total number of goals scored (against all teams).
- Apply #1–3 to games played on the road.
- Apply #1–3 to games played at home.
- If teams are still equal, ranking will be determined by a coin toss.
If three or more teams tie, the following rules apply until only two teams remain tied, at which point the two-team tiebreakers listed above are used:
- Points per game against all other tied teams (total all points earned in games against tied teams and divide by games played against tied teams).
- Greater goal difference across the entire season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
Weekly live standings
Considering each week to end on a Sunday
Statistical leaders
Top scorers
Top assists
Goalkeeping
(Minimum of 900 minutes played)
NWSL Playoffs
The top four teams from the regular season will compete for the NWSL Championship.
Championship
Individual awards
Monthly awards
See also: NWSL Player of the Month.
Weekly awards
See also: NWSL Player of the Week.
See also: NWSL Goal of the Week.
Annual awards
NWSL Best XI [45] |
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Position | First team | Second team |
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Goalkeeper | Michelle Betos | | 45 saves | | | 8 shutouts |
Defender | Lauren Barnes | | 1,800 minutes | | Seattle Reign FC | 1,800 minutes |
Defender | Julie Johnston | | 1.10 team GAA | | Seattle Reign FC | 2 goals, 2 assists |
Defender | Amy LePeilbet | FC Kansas City | 1,800 minutes | | Chicago Red Stars | 1.10 team GAA |
Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 1.00 team GAA | | FC Kansas City | 1,800 minutes |
Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | 8 goals, 2 assists | | Chicago Red Stars | 1,776 minutes |
Midfielder | Kim Little | Seattle Reign FC | 10 goals, 7 assists | | FC Kansas City | 2 goals, 2 assists |
Midfielder | Allie Long | Portland Thorns FC | 10 goals, 4 assists | | | 4 goals |
FW // MF | Crystal Dunn | | 15 goals, 3 assists | | Seattle Reign FC | 1,654 minutes |
Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars | 10 goals, 2 assists | | Chicago Red Stars | 6 goals, 3 assists |
Forward | Beverly Yanez | Seattle Reign FC | 9 goals | | Seattle Reign FC | 5 goals, 5 assists | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Archived copy . ussoccer.app.box.com . 6 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150913190747/https://ussoccer.app.box.com/9-10-15-NWSL-Stats . 13 September 2015 . dead.
- Web site: Jeff Plush is new commissioner of women's soccer league. January 6, 2015. January 14, 2017. June 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180626054614/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/jeff-plush-commissioner-womens-soccer-league-222616094--mls.html. dead.
- Web site: Kassouf. Jeff. NWSL to play 20-game schedule, break for World Cup; national team players to miss 7–8 games. August 27, 2014. August 27, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141216085138/http://womens.soccerly.com/2014/08/27/nwsl-to-play-20-game-schedule-break-for-world-cup-national-team-players-to-miss-7-8-games/. December 16, 2014. dead.
- News: FCKC CROWNED 2015 NWSL CHAMPIONS IN 1–0 WIN OVER SEATTLE. October 1, 2015. October 2, 2015. NWSL. https://web.archive.org/web/20151006233858/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/896018.html. October 6, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
- Web site: FC Kansas City to play at Swope Soccer Village in 2015. January 13, 2015. January 13, 2015. September 28, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150928133809/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2015/01/fc-kansas-city-play-swope-soccer-village-2015. dead.
- Web site: Kassouf . Jeff . NWSL announces list of 42 subsidized players . The Equalizer . January 14, 2015 . January 16, 2015.
- Web site: Dash select Brian No. 1 overall in 2015 NWSL Draft . The Equalizer . January 16, 2015 . January 16, 2015.
- Web site: 2014 Statistics . U.S. Soccer . December 31, 2014 . January 16, 2015.
- Web site: de Jesus Ortiz . Jose . Dash trade 2 players, draft pick for Lloyd. Houston Chronicle . October 16, 2014 . March 18, 2015.
- Web site: 2014 Player Statistics . NWSL . December 31, 2014 . January 16, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150107064658/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/Stats/index_E.html . January 7, 2015 .
- Web site: Gier . Kathleen . FC Kansas City acquires national team member Heather O'Reilly in trade. The Kansas City Star. October 27, 2014 . March 18, 2015.
- Web site: DiVeronica . Jeff . Trade it again, Sam: WNY Flash deal Kerr . Democrat and Chronicle . November 24, 2014 . January 16, 2015.
- Web site: Jamie . Goldberg . Portland Thorns trade Jessica McDonald to the Houston Dash . The Oregonian . January 16, 2015 . January 16, 2015.
- Web site: Jamie . Goldberg . Portland Thorns acquire forward Jodie Taylor through a series of trades . The Oregonian . January 16, 2015 . January 16, 2015.
- Web site: 2013 Player Statistics . NWSL . March 18, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903083814/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/Stats/2013/index_E.html . September 3, 2014 .
- Web site: Molly. Geary. USWNT's Abby Wambach will not play in 2015 NWSL season. Sports Illustrated. March 18, 2015. March 15, 2015.
- Web site: National Women's Soccer League . Nwslsoccer.com . April 21, 2015.
- Web site: REIGN FC'S MEGAN RAPINOE VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . April 15, 2015 . April 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150420040735/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/871996.html . April 20, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: RED STARS' CHRISTEN PRESS VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . April 21, 2015 . April 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710051859/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/873151.html . July 10, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: SPIRIT CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . April 28, 2015 . April 29, 2015.
- Web site: FLASH'S BECKY EDWARDS VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . May 5, 2015 . May 6, 2015.
- Web site: RED STARS' HUERTA VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . May 12, 2015 . May 12, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710062609/http://nwslsoccer.com/home/876735.html . July 10, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: RED STARS' HUERTA VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . May 19, 2015 . May 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710052640/http://nwslsoccer.com/home/878062.html . July 10, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: DASH'S BIANCA HENNINGER VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . May 27, 2015 . May 27, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710062159/http://nwslsoccer.com/home/879423.html . July 10, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: SPIRIT'S CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . June 2, 2015 . June 21, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150607213313/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/880516.html . June 7, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: SEATTLE REIGN FC FISHLOCK VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . June 9, 2015 . June 21, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150622052055/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/881596.html . June 22, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: PORTLAND'S MICHELLE BETOS VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . June 23, 2015 . June 29, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150717031841/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/883452.html . July 17, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: SPIRIT CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . July 1, 2015 . July 14, 2015.
- Web site: THORNS FC SINEAD FARRELLY VOTED PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . July 7, 2015 . July 14, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150717031841/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/883452.html . July 17, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: FC KANSAS CITY SHEA GROOM VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . July 14, 2015 . July 14, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150715102707/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/886159.html . July 15, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: WNY FLASH MICHELLE HEYMAN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . July 21, 2015 . July 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723221149/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/886992.html . July 23, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: REIGN FC BEVERLY YANEZ VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . July 28, 2015 . July 28, 2015 .
- Web site: SPIRIT'S CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . August 4, 2015 . August 4, 2015.
- Web site: BREAKERS ALYSSA NAEHER VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . August 11, 2015 . August 15, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150814010355/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/889335.html . August 14, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: SPIRIT CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . August 18, 2015 . August 19, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150822000807/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/890185.html . August 22, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: REIGN FC KIM LITTLE VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . August 25, 2015 . August 25, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150827032251/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/891102.html . August 27, 2015 .
- Web site: SPIRIT'S CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . September 1, 2015 . September 1, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905053233/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/892170.html . September 5, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: RED STARS' KARINA LEBLANC VOTED PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Nwslsoccer.com . September 10, 2015 . September 10, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151006233808/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/893289.html . October 6, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: SPIRIT FORWARD CRYSTAL DUNN WINS 2015 GOLDEN BOOT . Nwslsoccer.com . September 7, 2015 . September 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925113022/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/892855.html . September 25, 2015 .
- Web site: DANIELLE COLAPRICO VOTED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR . Nwslsoccer.com . September 14, 2015 . September 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925101713/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/893728.html . September 25, 2015 .
- Web site: THORNS FC'S MICHELLE BETOS VOTED GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR . September 16, 2015 . September 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150922114726/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/894202.html . September 22, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: FCKC'S BECKY SAUERBRUNN VOTED DEFENDER OF THE YEAR . September 21, 2015 . September 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022332/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/894750.html . September 24, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: SEATTLE REIGN FC'S LAURA HARVEY VOTED COACH OF THE YEAR . September 18, 2015 . September 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150922135750/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/894545.html . September 22, 2015 . mdy-all .
- Web site: SPIRIT FORWARD CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL MVP . September 23, 2015 . September 23, 2015 . https://archive.today/20151007223028/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/895038.html . October 7, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
- Web site: NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2015 BEST XI – National Women's Soccer League. nwslsoccer.com. September 26, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150925115939/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/895237.html. September 25, 2015. dead. mdy-all.