San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield

San Diego Wave FC forward Alex Morgan (13) celebrates with teammates after the win against the Racing Louisville FC at Snapdragon Stadium. Photo by Abe Arredondo-USA TODAY Sports

MIAMI, Florida – The women’s professional leagues around Concacaf are reaching their most critical point, including in the NWSL, in which a new team lifted the Shield as the regular season champions.

In just their second season as an NWSL team, the San Diego Wave lifted the Shield on Sunday afternoon by downing 2-0 Racing Louisville FC, proclaiming themselves as the new regular season champions, becoming the fifth team in the NWSL to lift the trophy and qualifying directly to the semifinals of the Playoffs.

The first goal was a record-breaking one, as 18-year-old Jaedyn Shaw set the single season NWSL goalscoring record for teenagers with her ninth goal when she put the Wave ahead in the 26’. Captain Alex Morgan then scored a banger just outside the area in the 47’, reaching her 60th NWSL regular season goal, lifting the Shield at the end of the match.

The Portland Thorns weren’t able to get their hands on the Shield due to a 5-1 defeat against Angel City FC, who clinched a Playoff position for the first time in their history. DF Mary Alice Vignola started the scoring in the 36’ on a header before FW Scarlett Camberos doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 38’. MF Savannah McCaskill started the second half strong for Los Angeles, scoring the third one in the 47’.

A bicycle kick in the area by DF Sydney Leroux in the 51’ added to the goal count, while the last one came in the 80’ by Jun Endo. Portland managed to pull one back in the 79’ thanks to the efforts of MF Hina Sugita.

A positive note for Portland, second in the table with a direct pass to the Semifinals, was FW Sophia Smith winning her first NWSL Golden Boot with 11 goals in 17 regular season games.

NJ/NY Gotham were the last team to get a ticket to the postseason after a 2-2 draw against the Kansas City Current on Sunday afternoon. FW Midge Purce put the ball in the back of the net early on in the match, in the 6’, followed by Yazmeen Ryan in the 15’ to give Gotham a 2-0 lead. However, Kansas City made a comeback, with Alexa Spaanstra pulling one back in the 26’ and then an own goal from Jenna Nighswonger in the 36’.

With this draw, Gotham tied on points with Orlando Pride, who won their last match against the Houston Dash by a penalty kick conversión from captain Marta in the 87’, however, due to goal difference, NJ/NY Gotham was the team who clinched a Playoff position.

OL Reign, who downed the Chicago Red Stars 3-0, and the North Carolina Courage, who won 1-0 against the Washington Spirit, round out the list of 2023 NWSL Playoff teams.