2013 National Women's Soccer League season


The 2013 National Women's Soccer League season was the inaugural 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 and the Women's United Soccer Association, this was the seventh 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 receives 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.
The league started on April 13 with FC Kansas City hosting Portland Thorns FC. The last regular season matches were played on August 18, followed by postseason playoffs which culminated with a one-game final on August 31. In the final, Portland Thorns FC defeated the Western New York Flash 2–0 to win the inaugural NWSL Championship.

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

Stadiums and locations

TeamStadiumCapacity
Boston BreakersDilboy Stadium3,500
Chicago Red StarsVillage Sports Complex3,600
FC Kansas CityShawnee Mission District Stadium6,150
Portland Thorns FCJeld-Wen Field20,438
Seattle Reign FCMemorial Stadium6,000
Sky Blue FCYurcak Field5,000
Washington SpiritMaryland SoccerPlex5,126
Western New York FlashSahlen's Stadium13,768

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams used Nike as kit manufacturer.
TeamHead coachCaptainShirt sponsor
Boston Breakers Ocean Spray
Boston Breakers Ocean Spray
Chicago Red Stars JimmyBars
FC Kansas City Title Boxing Club
Portland Thorns Providence Health & Services
Seattle Reign FC Moda Health
Sky Blue FC 2NDFLOOR® Youth Helpline
Washington Spirit Mike Jorden ProChain Solutions, Inc.
Washington Spirit ProChain Solutions, Inc.
Western New York Flash Sahlen's

Player Acquisition

Players were acquired through the 2013 Allocation of national team players announced on January 11, the 2013 NWSL College Draft on January 18, and the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft on February 7, along with free agency, trading and loans.
The Portland Thorns received an allocation with a notably strong offensive record including Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, the 2012 U.S. and Canadian Players of the Year and leading scorers for their national teams respectively, as well as a U.S. allocation that accounted for 1/3 of their national team's assists in 2012.

Competition format

The regular season began on April 13 and ended on August 18. Each team played a total of 22 games: 11 at home and 11 away. Each team played
The four teams at the end of the season with the most points qualified for the playoffs. Two semifinal games were played on August 24, with the winners advancing to the league final to be played on August 31.

Results table

Scores listed as home-away

League standings

NWSL Championship

The top four teams from the regular season qualified for the championship playoffs. In the semifinals, the regular season winner hosted the fourth-placed team and the regular season runner-up hosted the third-placed team. The highest-seeded semifinal winner then hosted the championship final. All match-ups were one-game series.

Semi-finals

Championship

Attendance

Average home attendances

TeamAverage Attendance
Boston Breakers2,427
Chicago Red Stars1,713
FC Kansas City4,626
Portland Thorns FC13,320
Seattle Reign FC2,306
Sky Blue FC1,677
Washington Spirit3,626
Western New York Flash4,485

Highest Attendance: 17,619
Lowest Attendance: 688
Total Attendance: 375,846
League Average: 4,271

Playoff attendance

Semifinal 1, Portland at FC Kansas City: 4,016
Semifinal 2, Sky Blue at Western New York: 7,316
Championship, Portland at Western New York: 9,129

Statistical leaders

Top scorers

RankPlayerNationClubGoals
1Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City12
2Sydney LerouxBoston Breakers11
2Abby WambachWestern New York Flash11
4Carli LloydWestern New York Flash8
4Diana MathesonWashington Spirit8
4Alex MorganPortland Thorns FC8
4Mónica OcampoSky Blue FC8
4Christine SinclairPortland Thorns FC8
9Sophie SchmidtSky Blue FC7
10Erika TymrakFC Kansas City6

Source:

Top assists

RankPlayerNationClubAssists
1Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City9
2Abby WambachWestern New York Flash8
3Lianne SandersonBoston Breakers7
4Katy FreelsSky Blue FC6
4Heather O'ReillyBoston Breakers6
6Leigh Ann RobinsonFC Kansas City5
6Christine NairnSeattle Reign FC5
6Alex MorganPortland Thorns5
6Samantha KerrWestern New York Flash5
10Lori ChalupnyChicago Red Stars4
10Julianne SitchChicago Red Stars4
10Erika TymrakFC Kansas City4

Source:

Goalkeeping

RankGoalkeeperClubGPMINSSOGSVSGAGAAW-L-TSHO
1 Adrianna FranchWestern New York Flash22197811998200.90910–4–87
2 Brittany CameronSky Blue FC1816198365170.9459–4–58
3 Nicole BarnhartFC Kansas City2018008667190.95010–5–510
4 Karina LeBlancPortland Thorns FC21189011492231.09511–5–57
5 Alyssa NaeherBoston Breakers97654736111.2224–2–22
6 Taylor VancilChicago Red Stars6540312381.3343–2–11
7 Hope SoloSeattle Reign FC14126010181191.3575–6–20
8 Erin McLeodChicago Red Stars1614309264281.7505–6–54
9 Ashley PhillipsBoston Breakers119455132201.8182–5–41
10 Ashlyn HarrisWashington Spirit18162011885331.8822–11–41
11 Michelle BetosSeattle Reign FC76304934142.0000–6–10

Source:

Individual awards

Monthly awards

Weekly awards

Annual awards

Statistics

Scoring

PlayerForAgainstResultDate
Boston BreakersChicago Red Stars4–1
Western New York FlashWashington Spirit4–0

Discipline