The 2023 NWSL season officially kicked off with opening weekend matches on Saturday and Sunday. In typical NWSL fashion, there was a lot of excitement during these games, including stunning goals, attendance records, and the league’s first VAR controversy.
Welcoming VAR into the NWSL
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is a tool that officials use to review incidents like goals, direct red cards, and penalties. Fans have mixed feelings about it due to past controversial calls and the length of time it takes to review the replays, but for better or for worse, VAR is officially part of the NWSL. It only took one weekend for controversy to arise over a VAR decision. In the match between Angel City FC and Gotham FC, Jun Endō scored an incredible goal that was overturned due to a foul committed in the buildup.
Everybody got crazy with this goal!
— L. M. (@l_arissamotta) March 27, 2023
Watch the Endo extraordinary goal VAR overturn here: #AngelCityFC #NWSL pic.twitter.com/i1eV4wbQKn
Later on in the match, VAR awarded Gotham FC a penalty, which Midge Purce scored. Gotham won the match 2-1.
Goals of the week
Welcome to the NWSL, Alyssa Thompson! The 2023 first-overall pick gave Angel City FC fans something to cheer about when she scored this beauty against Gotham FC.
ALYSSA THOMPSON ARE YOU KIDDING? pic.twitter.com/wT0Tg0J6Pt
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 27, 2023
Jaedyn Shaw‘s stunning strike from outside the box helped the San Diego Wave regain the lead against the Chicago Red Stars.
🤯 @JaedynShaw11 WHAT A STRIKE pic.twitter.com/nGfwAXf69P
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 26, 2023
Smashing attendance records
Commissioner Jessica Berman told Yahoo! Sports that the average attendance for opening weekend matches was just over 15,000—last year, the opening weekend averaged just over 10,000 fans per match. The Washington Spirit also broke an attendance record, as 11,281 fans attended their match against OL Reign—their largest crowd ever for a home opener at Audi Field. The California teams continued to show strong attendance, as San Diego attracted 32,000 fans and Angel City brought in 22,000.
Other quick news bits:
The Portland Thorns became the first NWSL team to win 100 games after their opening weekend victory against Orlando.
NWSL and USWNT star Ali Krieger announced that she will retire after this season.
Sophia Smith became the first NWSL player to score in three straight season openers.
Katie Johnson (Angel City) and Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit) each reached 100 caps this weekend.
What was your favorite part of the NWSL opening weekend? Let me know in the comments below. Tune into Paramount+ for the 2023 NWSL season. Follow me on Twitter and check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more sporting news.
