By Meg Linehan, Elias Burke, Steph Yang, Emily Olsen, Melanie Anzidei and Jeff Rueter
NWSL’s final day of the 2023 regular season did not disappoint in drama or chaos — especially with all six matches kicking off at the same time. The San Diego Wave built on its impressive first season by winning the NWSL Shield in its second, thanks to a 2-0 win over Louisville. Megan Rapinoe scored a brace and helped secure a playoff spot for OL Reign. Sydney Leroux put a massive exclamation point on Angel City’s first-ever playoff berth by scoring via a bicycle kick — at the expense of the Portland Thorns, who had to settle for second place on the final day for the second year in a row.
.@SYDNEYLEROUX ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!
Leroux makes it 4-0 for @weareangelcity after an incredible bicycle kick goal. 😱 pic.twitter.com/cTEeJ7iYOv
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
Sunday ended with 17 goals, multiple goal-line clearances, a handful of VAR checks and a straight red card (for Trinity Rodman, who exited the field clearly full of emotions).
And in the end, it all leads to some tasty quarterfinal match-ups next weekend. OL Reign hosts Angel City on Friday, Oct. 20, while Gotham FC survived via a 2-2 draw to head to North Carolina to face the Courage on Sunday,…
