2017 NWSL Championship
Women's soccer match in Florida, US
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The 2017 NWSL Championship was the fifth edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and took place on October 14, 2017. Portland Thorns FC won 1–0 against the NWSL Shield holders North Carolina Courage, becoming NWSL champions for the second time. The match was played at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida.[3][4][2]
(Portland Thorns FC)
| Event | NWSL Championship | ||||||
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| Date | October 14, 2017 | ||||||
| Venue | Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| Most Valuable Player | Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC) | ||||||
| Referee | Danielle Chesky[1][2] | ||||||
| Attendance | 8,124 | ||||||
Road to the final
North Carolina Courage
After winning the 2016 NWSL Championship, the Western New York were sold to Steve Malik; relocated to Cary, North Carolina; and renamed the North Carolina Courage.[5] Unshaken by the move, the Courage won the NWSL Shield in the 2017 season with the best record in the league. Returning NWSL Golden Boot winner and 2016 Most Valuable Player Lynn Williams led the team in scoring, while midfielders Sam Mewis and McCall Zerboni would join defender Abby Dahlkemper in the NWSL Best XI announced after the championship match.[6] Dahlkemper would also be named NWSL Defender of the Year in the days after the championship match.[7]
In the playoff semifinals on October 27, the Courage held off the fourth seed Chicago Red Stars 1–0, with Denise O'Sullivan scoring in the 90th minute, to reach the franchise's second consecutive final.[8]
Portland Thorns FC
After winning the NWSL Shield but losing to Western New York in the 2016 playoff semifinals, Portland Thorns FC placed second in the 2017 regular-season standings. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch led a defense that conceded the fewest goals in the league, and would be named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year days after the championship match.[9]
In the playoff semifinals, the Thorns won 4–1 over the third seed Orlando Pride, with goals scored by Amandine Henry, Emily Sonnett, Hayley Raso, and Christine Sinclair, sending the Thorns to their first final since the inaugural 2013 NWSL Championship.[8][10]
Match
Details
      North Carolina Courage
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   Portland Thorns FC
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NWSL Championship Most Valuable Player:
Assistant referees:
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Match rules
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