2021 NWSL Championship
| Event | NWSL Championship | ||||||
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| Date | November 20, 2021 | ||||||
| Venue | Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | ||||||
| Most Valuable Player | Aubrey Bledsoe (Washington Spirit) | ||||||
| Referee | Tori Penso | ||||||
| Attendance | 10,360 | ||||||
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 Spirit | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Chicago Red Stars |
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| Report |
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        Washington Spirit
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 Chicago Red Stars
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Most Valuable Player:
Assistant referees:
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Match rules
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References
- ^ "Washington Spirit wins NWSL Championship over Chicago Red Stars in extra-time thriller". ESPN. May 17, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Caitlin (November 20, 2021). "NWSL final: Washington Spirit a fitting champion after overcoming year of turmoil". ESPN. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ Musarurwa, Kudzi (November 22, 2021). "The Washington Spirit win the 2021 NWSL Championship". All for XI. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Washington Spirit Stats and History". FBref.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "2021 NWSL Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Washington Spirit beat OL Reign, Chicago Red Stars down Portland Thorns to set up NWSL final". ESPN. November 14, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2025.