| Season | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Western New York Flash |
| NWSL Shield | Portland Thorns FC |
| Matches played | 100 |
| Goals scored | 263 (2.63 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Kealia Ohai Lynn Williams (11 goals) |
| Biggest home win | 6 goals: WNY 7–1 BOS (Jun 24) |
| Biggest away win | 4 goals: BOS 0–4 WNY (Sep 24) |
| Highest scoring | 8 goals: WNY 7–1 BOS (Jun 24) |
| Longest winning run | 4 games: Portland Thorns FC (June 17 – July 2) (Sept 4 – Sept 25) |
| Longest unbeaten run | 12 games: Portland Thorns FC (Apr 17 – July 2) |
| Longest winless run | 8 games: Orlando Pride (July 16 – Sept 24) |
| Longest losing run | 6 games: Houston Dash (May 14 – Jul 10) |
| Highest attendance | 23,403 ORL 3–1 HOU (Apr 23) |
| Lowest attendance | 1,252 NJ 1–2 WNY (May 7) |
| Total attendance | 555,775 |
| Average attendance | 5,558 |
← 2015 2017 →
All statistics correct as of September 25, 2016[1]. | |
The 2016 National Women's Soccer League season was the fourth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the tenth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league was operated by the United States Soccer Federation and received significant financial backing from that body. Further financial backing was provided by the Canadian Soccer Association. Both national federations paid the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations.
To accommodate the 2016 Olympics, the league suspended play for most of the month of August. In addition, the league did not schedule games during FIFA windows, leaving the 20-game, 19-week regular season ending in late September for the second year in a row.[2]
In the regular season, the Portland Thorns topped the standings and thus won the NWSL Shield. In the playoffs, the Washington Spirit and Western New York Flash won their opening matches to set up a meeting in the final. They tied 2-2 after extra time, with the Flash winning 3-2 on penalties to take the NWSL Championship.