2021 NWSL Championship

2021 NWSL Championship
EventNWSL Championship
Washington Spirit Chicago Red Stars
2 1
DateNovember 20, 2021 (2021-11-20)
VenueLynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Most Valuable PlayerAubrey Bledsoe
(Washington Spirit)
RefereeTori Penso
Attendance10,360

The 2021 NWSL Championship was the eighth edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and took place on November 20, 2021. The Washington Spirit won 2–1 against the Chicago Red Stars in extra time, becoming NWSL champions for the first time. The match was played at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.[1][2][3]

Road to the final

Washington Spirit

After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 season (during which they came second in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup round robin phase), the Washington Spirit placed third in the 2021 regular-season standings.[4] They were led by NWSL Golden Boot winner Ashley Hatch, NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year winner Aubrey Kingsbury, and NWSL Rookie of the Year winner Trinity Rodman.[5] Head coach Richie Burke was fired during the season for anti-harassment policy violations.[6] They also forfeited two games due to COVID-19 policy violations.[6] Despite that, they returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.[4] In the first round of the playoffs, Hatch scored a 1–0 stoppage-time winner against her former team, the defending double champion and sixth seed North Carolina Courage.[5] In the semifinals, goals scored by Rodman and Ashley Sanchez gave Washington a 2–1 win over the two seed OL Reign, sending the Spirit to their second NWSL final.[6]

Chicago Red Stars

After the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season (during which they reached the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup final), the Chicago Red Stars placed fourth in the 2021 regular-season standings.[5] In the first round of the playoffs, Mallory Pugh scored the only goal of the 1–0 win over fifth seed Gotham FC.[5] In the semifinals, which they played without Pugh due to COVID-19 protocols, the Red Stars won 2–0 over NWSL Shield holders Portland Thorns FC, with goals from Katie Johnson and Sarah Woldmoe, to reach their second consecutive NWSL final after the 2019 NWSL Championship.[6]

Match

Details

Washington Spirit2–1 (a.e.t.)Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 10,360
Referee: Tori Penso
Washington Spirit
Chicago Red Stars
GK1United States Aubrey Bledsoe
LB9United States Tegan McGradydownward-facing red arrow 46'
CB3United States Sam Staab
CB6United States Emily Sonnett
RB5United States Kelley O'Hara
DM19United States Dorian Baileydownward-facing red arrow 119'
DM12United States Andi Sullivan (c)
AM10United States Ashley Sanchezdownward-facing red arrow 88'
LW27United States Tara McKeowndownward-facing red arrow 74'
FW33United States Ashley Hatchdownward-facing red arrow 116'
RW2United States Trinity Rodman
Substitutes:
GK18Canada Devon Kerr
FW7Japan Saori Takaradaupward-facing green arrow 116'
DF14United States Paige Nielsenupward-facing green arrow 119'
DF16Sweden Julia RoddarYellow card 101'upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW17Japan Kumi Yokoyama
FW20Venezuela Mariana Speckmaier
DF21United States Anna Heilfertyupward-facing green arrow 74'
MF26United States Taylor Aylmerupward-facing green arrow 88'
DF30United States Camryn Biegalski
Manager:
United States Kris Ward
GK38United States Cassie Miller
LB3United States Arin Wright
CB26United States Tierna Davidson
CB11United States Sarah Gorden
RB23United States Tatumn Milazzodownward-facing red arrow 91'
DM16United States Sarah Woldmoe
DM13United States Morgan Gautrat
AM10United States Vanessa DiBernardo (c)downward-facing red arrow 13'
LW9United States Mallory Pughdownward-facing red arrow 46'
FW33Mexico Katie Johnson
RW5United States Rachel Hilldownward-facing red arrow 79'
Substitutes:
GK21United States Emily Boyd
FW4United States Alyssa Mautzupward-facing green arrow 79'
MF7United States Nikki Stantonupward-facing green arrow 116'
DF14United States Zoe Morse
FW15United States Makenzy Doniakupward-facing green arrow 15'
DF22Canada Bianca St-Georgesupward-facing green arrow 91' downward-facing red arrow 116'
MF24United States Danielle Colapricoupward-facing green arrow 46'
DF28United States Kayla Sharples
DF32United States Zoey Goralski
Manager:
England Rory Dames

Most Valuable Player:
United States Aubrey Bledsoe

Assistant referees:
Tiffini Turpin (United States)
Kali Smith (United States)
Fourth official:
Natalie Simon (United States)

Match rules

References

  1. ↑ "Washington Spirit wins NWSL Championship over Chicago Red Stars in extra-time thriller". ESPN. May 17, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  2. ↑ Murray, Caitlin (November 20, 2021). "NWSL final: Washington Spirit a fitting champion after overcoming year of turmoil". ESPN. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  3. ↑ Musarurwa, Kudzi (November 22, 2021). "The Washington Spirit win the 2021 NWSL Championship". All for XI. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Washington Spirit Stats and History". FBref.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "2021 NWSL Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Washington Spirit beat OL Reign, Chicago Red Stars down Portland Thorns to set up NWSL final". ESPN. November 14, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
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