The 2022 NWSL Championship was the ninth edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and took place on October 29, 2022. Portland Thorns FC won 2–0 against the Kansas City Current, becoming NWSL champions for a record third time. The match was played at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Road to the final Portland Thorns FC
After winning the NWSL Shield the previous year, Portland Thorns FC placed second in the 2022 regular-season standings. They were led by NWSL Most Valuable Player Sophia Smith, the league's second-highest scorer, and NWSL Best XI midfielder Sam Coffey. The Thorns entered the playoffs in the semifinals against the third seed and expansion team San Diego Wave FC. In the game, Portland's Rocky Rodríguez cancelled out Alex Morgan's early goal before new mother Crystal Dunn scored the 2–1 stoppage-time game winner, sending the Thorns to their fourth NWSL final.
Kansas City Current
After a bottom-of-the-table finish in their expansion year, the Kansas City Current rose to fifth place in the 2022 regular season. In the first round of the playoffs, NWSL Best XI midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta converted an early penalty for the Current before Kate Del Fava scored the 2–1 stoppage-time winner against the fourth seed Houston Dash, the playoff debut for both teams. In the semifinals, Alex Loera and Kristen Hamilton each scored as Kansas City won 2–0 over the NWSL Shield champion OL Reign, advancing the Current to their first NWSL final.
Match
Details
GK 1 Bella BixbyLB 25 Meghan KlingenbergCB 4 Becky SauerbrunnCB 20 Kelli HublyLB 14 Natalia KuikkaLM 11 Rocky Rodríguez CM 17 Sam CoffeyRM 12 Christine Sinclair (c) LW 17 Morgan Weaver FW 9 Sophia SmithRW 23 Yazmeen Ryan Substitutes:GK 35 Abby SmithDF 5 Emily MengesMF 8 Hina Sugita RW 13 Olivia Moultrie FW 16 Janine Beckie MF 19 Crystal Dunn DF 29 Tegan McGradyDF 39 Meaghan NallyMF 46 Taylor PorterManager: Rhian Wilkinson GK 21 Adrianna FranchCB 3 Kristen EdmondsCB 7 Elizabeth BallCB 26 Addisyn Merrick LM 4 Hailie MaceCM 11 Desiree Scott (c) CM 22 Alex LoeraRM 8 Kate Del FavaLW 25 Kristen HamiltonFW 10 Lo'eau LaBontaRW 5 Cece KizerSubstitutes:GK 31 Sydney SchneiderGK 38 Cassie MillerMF 14 Chardonnay CurranDF 18 Izzy Rodriguez DF 19 Jenna WinebrennerFW 23 Elyse Bennett DF 24 Taylor LeachMF 28 Addie McCainMF 66 Chloe LogarzoManager: Paul Riley
Most Valuable Player: Sophia Smith
Assistant referees: Kali Smith (United States) Alicia Messer (United States) Fourth official: Danielle Chesky (United States)Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shootout if scores still level. Maximum of five substitutions.
References