The 2013 NWSL Championship was the inaugural edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and took place on August 31, 2013. It was contested between Portland Thorns FC and the Western New York Flash to determine the champion of the inaugural 2013 season. Portland won the match 2–0 at Western New York's home Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, New York.
Road to the final
Western New York Flash
The Western New York Flash, led by NWSL Golden Boot runner-up Abby Wambach, won the inaugural NWSL Shield by topping the 2013 regular-season standings on goal difference. They entered the playoffs in the semifinals as the top seed. In the semifinals, Carli Lloyd scored two goals to lead the Flash to a 2–0 win over the fourth seed Sky Blue FC.
Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC were predicted to perform well in the 2013 season on the strength of their attacking pair of Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair. The internationals indeed led the Thorns to finish third in the standings—tied with the top on points—and set up a semifinal meeting with the second place FC Kansas City. In the semifinals, goals from Tobin Heath and Tiffany Weimer erased Kansas City's early 2–0 lead before Allie Long scored the 3–2 winner in extra time.
Match
Details
GK 24 Adrianna FranchDF 13 Brittany TaylorDF 16 Katherine ReynoldsDF 12 Estelle Johnson DF 22 Amy Barczuk MF 6 Angela SalemMF 10 Carli LloydMF 14 Sarah Huffman FW 20 Abby WambachFW 8 Adriana FW 4 Sam Kerr Substitutes:GK 1 Pamela TajonarMF 7 McCall Zerboni MF 9 Ingrid WellsMF 23 Jodi-Ann Robinson MF 17 Verónica PérezMF 11 Laura HeyboerFW 15 Vicki DiMartino Manager: Aaran Lines GK 1 Karina LeBlancDF 5 Kat Williamson DF 7 Nikki MarshallDF 2 Marian DoughertyDF 16 Rachel BuehlerMF 6 Meleana ShimMF 10 Allie Long MF 8 Angie Kerr MF 17 Tobin Heath FW 12 Christine SinclairFW 9 Danielle Foxhoven Substitutes:GK 23 Adelaide GayDF 20 Courtney Wetzel DF 15 Casey RamirezDF 24 Tina Ellertson MF 4 Emilee O'NeilFW 19 Tiffany WeimerFW 13 Alex Morgan Manager: Mark Parsons
Most Valuable Player: Tobin Heath
Assistant referees: Veronica Perez (United States) Kyle Atkins (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.
References