“Nothing short of a total transformation of the league will suffice”
Last Saturday, the Washington Spirit defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 in extra time to capture the championship trophy and finally bring the ninth season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to a close.
The entertaining final, which featured highlight-worthy moments by many, including veteran national team star Kelley O’Hara and teenage superstar-in-the-making Trinity Rodman, was played in front of 10,360 boisterous fans in a top-flight facility in Louisville, and broadcast live on CBS. (Like, the regular CBS, the one that’s on all the televisions!)
After a season defined by allegations of verbal and sexual abuse against multiple coaches throughout the league, the Spirit’s victory gave way to a much-needed celebration, and provided a moment for fans to exhale and remember what they love about the beleaguered league.
But the party didn’t even last 48 hours.
At about 1:00 a.m. ET on Sunday night/Monday morning, the Chicago Red Stars announced that head coach Rory Dames resigned.