2016 NWSL Championship

Women's soccer match in Texas, US November 2024 November 2024 2016 NWSL Championship NWSL Championship Washington Spirit 2 Western New York Flash 2 After extra timeWestern New York wins 3–2 on penalties 2016 10 09 BBVA Compass Stadium Houston, Texas, U.S. Sabrina D'Angelo(Western New York Flash) Most Valuable Player Matthew Franz 8,255 2015 2017 The 2016 NWSL Championship was the fourth edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and took place on October 9, 2016. It was contested between the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash to decide the champion of the 2016 season. The match was played at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Both teams reached the final by winning their semifinal matches in extra time. The championship game was tied 1–1 after regulation with early goals scored by Crystal Dunn and Sam Mewis. Dunn put the Spirit ahead at the start of extra time before Lynn Williams equalized in the 120+4th minute. Western New York won 3–2 in the first penalty shootout in NWSL history, with Sabrina D'Angelo saving three penalty kicks. The following year, Western New York relocated and became the North Carolina Courage; the team reached each of the next three NWSL Championships, winning two. Washington would win their first championship in 2021. Road to the final Washington Spirit 2016 Washington Spirit season The Washington Spirit finished the NWSL's inaugural 2013 season in eighth and last place but qualified for the playoffs the following two years, both times losing to Seattle Reign FC in the semifinals.https://fbref.com/en/squads/e442aad0/history/Washington-Spirit-Stats-and-History Washington Spirit Stats and History FBref.com November 26, 2024https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/09/13/seattle-reign-defeats-washington-spirit-3-0-in-nwsl-semifinals/ Seattle Reign defeats Washington Spirit, 3-0, in NWSL semifinals September 13, 2015 Goff Steven Steven Goff The Washington Post November 26, 2024 Crystal Dunn led the NWSL in scoring in the 2015 season and was voted the league's Most Valuable Player.https://www.si.com/soccer/2015/09/23/washington-spirit-crystal-dunn-wins-nwsl-mvp Washington Spirit forward Crystal Dunn voted NWSL MVP September 23, 2015 Sports Illustrated November 26, 2024 In the 2016 season, Dunn scored only twice, but the Spirit saw a balanced attack with three or more goals scored by six different players as they finished the season in second place.https://mlsmultiplex.com/2016/11/03/washington-spirit-2016-nwsl-season-review-horrible-way-end-season/ Washington Spirit – 2016 NWSL Season Review – What a Horrible Way to End the Season Fowler Steve November 3, 2016 MLS Multiplex November 26, 2024November 2024https://fbref.com/en/squads/e442aad0/2016/c182/Washington-Spirit-Stats-NWSL 2016 Washington Spirit Stats FBref.com November 26, 2024 They had a chance to claim the NWSL Shield but lost the last two games of the season, including the final matchday against the Chicago Red Stars.https://equalizersoccer.com/2016/09/24/spirit-lose-again-hand-thorns-shot-at-shield/ Spirit lose again, hand Thorns shot at Shield September 24, 2016 The Equalizer November 26, 2024 In the first round of the playoffs, the Spirit took revenge on the Chicago Red Stars; Ali Krieger and Chicago's Christen Press traded goals in regulation before Francisca Ordega scored the 2–1 winner in extra time, sending the Spirit to the championship game.https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2016/9/30/13128848/washington-spirit-chicago-red-stars-nwsl-2016-recap-final-score Washington Spirit heading to NWSL championship after 2-1 win over Chicago Red Stars Anderson Jason September 30, 2016 Black and Red United November 26, 2024 Western New York Flash 2016 Western New York Flash season The Western New York Flash played in the NWSL's inaugural championship game in 2013, a 2–0 defeat to Portland Thorns FC in Western New York's home stadium.https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2013/08/thorns_defeat_western_new_york.html Thorns defeat Western New York 2–0 to win NWSL championship Arnold Geoffrey C. August 31, 2013 The Oregonian November 26, 2024 They finished both of the following seasons in seventh place out of nine teams, missing the playoffs; the 2015 season was one of development for the Flash's strong draft class which included first-round picks Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, and Jaelene Hinkle and third-round pick goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo. Head coach/general manager Aaran Lines arranged the new roster by trading away star midfielder Carli Lloyd ahead of the draft.https://fbref.com/en/squads/5f911568/history/Western-New-York-Flash-Stats-and-History Western New York Flash Stats and History FBref.com November 26, 2024https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/10/30/the-lowdown-north-carolina-courage-culture-nwsl-championship-analysis/ The Lowdown: The Courage culture is fully vested Lauletta Dan October 30, 2019 The Equalizer November 26, 2024 In the 2016 season, Western New York returned only seven players and brought in new head coach Paul Riley to manage the youngest roster in the league. Mewis recalled, "We were a hodgepodge group of people who, somehow, our tactic was to kick it and run. I don't think we strung more than ten passes together all season long". Nevertheless, Western New York became the league's highest-scoring team with 40 goals in 20 games and finished the regular season in fourth place. Williams, who had undergone knee surgery the previous year, put together a breakout season as the NWSL's top scorer with 11 goals and 5 assists and was voted the league's Most Valuable Player. New signing Jessica McDonald added 10 goals (third in the league) and 7 assists (second only to Tobin Heath), earning NWSL Best XI honors. Williams and Dahlkemper received their first United States national team call-ups toward the end of the season.https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/10/07/flash-forward-lynn-williams-making-her-own-name/91708956/ Flash forward Lynn Williams making her own name DiVeronica Jeff October 7, 2016 Democrat and Chronicle November 26, 2024https://mlsmultiplex.com/2016/11/10/western-new-york-flash-2016-nwsl-season-review-champions/ Western New York Flash – 2016 NWSL Season Review – We Are The Champions Fowler Steve November 10, 2016 MLS Multiplex November 26, 2024November 2024 In the first round of the playoffs, the Flash drew NWSL Shield winners Portland Thorns FC 2–2 in regulation on goals from Mewis and rookie Makenzy Doniak. Riley was sent off for arguing with the referees after Portland's first goal scored by Christine Sinclair (meaning he would be suspended for the final). Williams then scored twice in extra time, with her second and winning goal coming off a long dribble and assist by Mewis, as Western New York prevailed 4–3 to advance to the championship game.https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/blogs/daily-devo/2016/10/03/devo-reputation-restored-flash-head-title-match/91467778/ Devo: Reputation restored, Flash head to title match October 3, 2016 DiVeronica Jeff Democrat and Chronicle November 26, 2024https://justwomenssports.com/reads/lynn-williams-and-sam-mewis-on-the-2016-goal-that-started-it-all/ Lynn Williams and Sam Mewis on the 2016 Goal That Started It All April 23, 2021 Hruby Emma Just Women's Sports November 26, 2024 Venue and broadcasting The NWSL Championship game was held at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, the home stadium of the NWSL's Houston Dash and Major League Soccer (MLS)'s Houston Dynamo.https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/bbva-compass-stadium-host-2016-nwsl-championship BBVA Compass Stadium to host 2016 NWSL Championship April 16, 2016 Houston Dash November 26, 2024 The game was televised in the United States on Fox Sports 1, drawing an estimated audience of 180,000.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1066865/2019/07/08/media-circus-what-is-the-broadcast-future-for-womens-soccer-in-the-united-states/ Media Circus: What is the broadcast future for women's soccer in the United States? July 8, 2019 Deitsch Richard The Athletic subscription November 26, 2024 Play-by-play commentary was provided by Jenn Hildreth with color analysis by Kyndra de St. Aubin.https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2016/09/06/fox-sports-national-womens-soccer-league-coverage-begins-wednesday-on-fs1/ FOX Sports' National Women's Soccer League Coverage Begins Wednesday on FS1 September 6, 2016 Fox Sports November 26, 2024 Match Summary thumb|right|upright|MVP Sabrina D'Angelo saved three penalty kicks in the shootout. The Washington Spirit played in a new formation with three center backs that helped them maintain greater possession for the match.https://equalizersoccer.com/2016/10/09/three-things-about-the-flashs-2016-nwsl-championship/ Three things about the Flash's 2016 NWSL Championship Lauletta Dan October 9, 2016 The Equalizer November 26, 2024 In the 9th minute, Washington's Crystal Dunn caught a long pass from Megan Oyster at the edge of the box, which goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo came out to challenge, but Dunn got around her and placed the ball into the open net from a wide angle. Sam Mewis responded in the 14th minute after Lynn Williams passed to her, collecting the ball outside the arc and taking a hard low shot which got past goalkeeper Kelsey Wys. Spirit defender Caprice Dydasco left the match early due to a knee injury. Neither of the Flash's attacking tandem of Williams and Jessica McDonald registered a shot attempt in the first half; they created more chances in the second half but did not put them away. The Spirit had the better run of play but were kept at bay by multiple diving saves by D'Angelo and eleven offside calls. The match stood 1–1 at the end of regulation.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/09/western-new-york-flash-nwsl-champions-washington-spirit Western New York Flash win NWSL title on penalties after 124th-minute equalizer October 9, 2016 The Guardian November 26, 2024https://equalizersoccer.com/2016/10/09/wny-flash-crowned-2016-nwsl-champions/ WNY Flash crowned 2016 NWSL Champions October 9, 2016 The Equalizer November 27, 2024https://equalizersoccer.com/2016/10/12/three-reasons-the-spirit-season-ended-in-heartbreak/ Three reasons the Spirit season ended in heartbreak October 12, 2016 Bush Chelsey The Equalizer November 26, 2024https://fbref.com/en/matches/55312976/Washington-Spirit-Western-New-York-Flash-October-9-2016-NWSL Washington Spirit vs. Western New York Flash Match Report – Sunday October 9, 2016 FBref.com November 27, 2024 In just the 59th second of extra time, Dunn rocketed a shot into the goal from the middle of the box. Mewis attempted to repeat her equalizer but was saved by Wys. The Spirit looked to be on their way to the championship as the clock ticked into the fourth minute of stoppage time when Williams headed in a cross, floated in by McDonald, past Wys's challenge and into the goal. It was Western New York's seventh comeback win or draw of the season. D'Angelo was the hero of the penalty shootout (the first in the NWSLhttps://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/western-new-york-flash-win-2016-championship Western New York Flash win 2016 NWSL Championship October 9, 2016 National Women's Soccer League November 27, 2024), earning Most Valuable Player honors. She stopped the first kick by Ali Krieger and fourth by Tori Huster while McDonald was the only one of the Flash's first four penalty takers to miss her attempt, which went over the crossbar. Wys denied Mewis's chance to win the shootout before D'Angelo made her third save of the shootout against Diana Matheson as Western New York prevailed 3–2. Details 2016 10 09 4:00 CDT Washington Spirit Western New York Flash 2–2 yes Report Dunn 9 91Wys 120+2 Mewis 14Zerboni 84Williams 120+4 2–3 Krieger Nairn Stengel Huster Matheson Dahlkemper Hinkle McDonald Williams Mewis BBVA Compass Stadium Houston, Texas 8,255 Matthew Franz _upper_v_red ff0000 2E3366 ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 Washington Spiritffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 ffffff Western New York Flash GK 18USA Kelsey Wys 120+2CB 4USA Megan OysterCB 6CAN Shelina ZadorskyCB 5USA Whitney ChurchMF 3USA Caprice Dydasco 22MF 11USA Ali Krieger (c)MF 23USA Tori HusterFW 19USA Crystal DunnMF 7USA Christine NairnMF 10ARG Estefanía Banini 79FW 14NGA Francisca Ordega 113Substitutes:GK 1CAN Stephanie LabbéDF 22USA Alyssa Kleiner 22DF 24CMR Estelle JohnsonMF 8CAN Diana Matheson 79FW 12USA Katie Stengel 113FW 15USA Joanna LohmanFW 20JAM Cheyna MatthewsManager:USA Jim Gabarra GK 1CAN Sabrina D'AngeloRB 4USA Elizabeth EddyCB 13USA Abby DahlkemperCB 8AUS Alanna KennedyLB 15USA Jaelene HinkleMF 3USA Makenzy Doniak 80DM 6NZL Abby Erceg (c)MF 7USA McCall Zerboni 83 105MF 5USA Sam MewisFW 14USA Jessica McDonaldFW 9USA Lynn WilliamsSubstitutes:GK 28USA Britt EckerstromDF 20BEL Janice CaymanDF 23USA Courtney NiemiecMF 2USA Michaela HahnMF 11USA Taylor Smith 80MF 17USA Kristen Hamilton 105MF 25USA Meredith SpeckManager:USA Scott Vallow (acting; ENG Paul Riley suspended for the match) NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player: CAN Sabrina D'Angelo Assistant referees: Alicia Messer (United States) Nick Uranga (United States) Fourth official: Margaret Domka (United States)Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shootout if scores still level. Maximum of three substitutions. Post-match The Western New York Flash were sold after the 2016 season and relocated to become the North Carolina Courage. Core players from the Flash contributed to the Courage dominating the NWSL over the next three seasons, winning all three NWSL Shields and reaching all three NWSL Championships (of which they won two, in 2018 and 2019); the ten Western New York players who remained through that span were Katelyn Rowland, Sam Mewis, Abby Erceg, McCall Zerboni, Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald, Abby Dahlkemper, Jaelene Hinkle, Kristen Hamilton and Meredith Speck.https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2019/10/18/20919372/nwsl-playoffs-2019-semifinals-courage-reign-thorns-red-stars Sam Kerr's last stand, and 3 other storylines to know for the NWSL playoffs McCauley Kim October 18, 2019 SB Nation November 26, 2024https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/10/27/no-north-carolina-courage-dominance-is-not-bad-for-the-nwsl/ No, North Carolina's dominance is not bad for the NWSL Kassouf Jeff October 27, 2019 The Equalizer November 26, 2024 The Spirit would not qualify for the playoffs again until 2021, when they won their first championship.https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/11/20/washington-spirit-wins-nwsl-title-kelley-ohara-chicago-video Washington Spirit Win First NWSL Title on Kelley O'Hara's Extra-Time Goal Gastelum Andrew November 20, 2021 Sports Illustrated November 26, 2024 In 2022, Sports Illustrated ranked the 2016 championship game as the greatest game in NWSL history.https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/04/26/nwsl-10-greatest-games-league-history The 10 Greatest Games in NWSL's History Geary Molly April 26, 2022 Sports Illustrated November 27, 2024 References 2016 * Category:Washington Spirit Category:Western New York Flash Category:October 2016 sports events in the United States Category:2016 in sports in Texas Category:2016 in Houston Category:Soccer competitions in Houston