WASHINGTON – To end a tumultuous season gone by dark cloud of an abuse scandalthe Portland Thorns beat Kansas City Current to win the National Women’s Soccer League title Saturday night, demonstrating resilience as a brand that has been seen a lot – and has surpassed a lot.
On a clear, cold night at Audi Field in front of more than 17,000 fans, the Thorns won 2-0 to claim their third NWSL title in the league’s 10th season. , dominated the match from the start. Striker Sophia Smith scored the Thorns’ first goal just four minutes later. Portland’s win ended the championship hopes of Now, an expansion team that is having an extraordinary year after finishing 2021 in last place.
Throughout the years, the Thorns – one of the original teams of the league – have been there to watch the tournament grow in popularity and popularity. This year’s playoffs saw record attendance, and Saturday’s championship game was the first to be shown on primetime television.
However, the league still struggles with sponsorship. So much so that federation officials used the halftime break to pitch on the pitch on the broadcast for more support, forcing the NWSL to work its way through an abuse scandal to pursue sports. growing women’s sport.
“We know there is a lot more work to be done to have a safe and sustainable tournament,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “As we celebrate this historic moment, we will make our league a better place for the players.”
Meghann Burke, chief executive of the NWSL players association, added: “We need sponsors and supporters to help change happen.”
Amid the constant chaos in the league, the Thorns are in some ways an example of what women’s football can become, with crowded games and loyal fans, only to become loyal. heart of The scandal has shaken all levels of the female game. Their former coach’s sexual misconduct helped spark a league-wide investigation into the systematic abuse.
The investigation found that girls and women are accustomed to being yelled at, demeaned and sexually abused at some point in their careers and are often silent for fear of being fired or fired. from a team. That includes women playing at the highest levels of the game, and also young players.
Amidst it all, the Thorns players brought Portland another NWSL championship, jumping on each other with screams and hugs as the game ended.
The team’s owner, Merritt Paulson, wasn’t around to celebrate with them. Even if he were on the field, he wouldn’t be invited to join them. After reporting sexual abuse, he resigned as CEO of Thorns, and the players asked him to sell the team.
