NWSL By the Numbers: 2016 Rio Olympics
With quarterfinal matches in the books for the 2016 Summer Olympics, we take a look at the numbers behind those representing the NWSL in Rio. 38 players from the most competitive women’s professional soccer league take the summer by storm as they represent their countries on the world’s biggest stage.
Personally, I love this info-based, stat oriented stuff – and who knew all these fun facts?
NWSL Soccer News: Following the conclusion of the quarterfinal matches of the 2016 Olympic Games, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) provides an inside look at the important numbers from NWSL players that are participating in the tournament.
Below is a unique look into the NWSL by the Numbers – Olympics:
1 – Portland Thorns FC forward Lindsey Horan became the first player at a senior FIFA tournament to come on as the fourth substitute for her team. FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) made the decision in March to begin a two-year experiment to enable teams to use a fourth substitution in extra time of select competitions starting with the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2 – The number of countries to make the semifinals at the Summer Games with an NWSL player on their roster – Canada with nine players from the league and Brazil with three players. NWSL players will feature in both semifinal matches Tuesday with Canada going up against Germany and Brazil facing Sweden.
4 – The number of NWSL players who have featured every minute so far at the tournament in Brazil (Western New York Flash defender Alanna Kennedy, Orlando Pride defender Monica, Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Hope Solo, FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn). Of those players, only Brazil international Monica remains at the Olympics as the competition progresses to the semifinals.
6 – The number of NWSL clubs with a player remaining at the Summer Games. (Clubs with players still at the Olympics: Houston Dash 4, Washington Spirit 3, Orlando Pride 2, FC Kansas City 1, Portland Thorns FC 1, Western New York Flash 1)
7 – The number of NWSL clubs with an Olympic goal-scorer so far at the Summer Games. The Houston Dash lead the way with five goals at the tournament (Canada international Janine Beckie 3, U.S. international Carli Lloyd 2) followed by the Orlando Pride (U.S. international Alex Morgan 2, Brazil international Monica) with three goals and Portland Thorns FC (Canada international Christine Sinclair 2) with two goals. Sky Blue FC (Australia international Samantha Kerr), Washington Spirit (U.S. international Crystal Dunn), Western New York Flash (Australia international Alanna Kennedy) and the Boston Breakers (Australia international Kyah Simon) also boast Olympic goal-scorers.
9 – Attempts by NWSL players in two separate penalty shootouts at the Summer Games. Players from the league converted on six of those attempts (Portland Thorns FC forward Lindsey Horan, Houston Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd, Houston Dash midfielder Morgan Brian, Houston Dash midfielder Andressa, Orlando Pride defender Monica, Orlando Pride defender Laura Alleway). Three NWSL players did not convert their spot kick (Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan, Chicago Red Stars forward Christen Press, Western New York Flash defender Alanna Kennedy). The shootouts were the first two penalty shootouts in the history of women’s Olympic soccer.
12 – The number of NWSL players remaining at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
14 – Goals scored by nine different NWSL players at the Olympics (Houston Dash forward Janine Beckie 3, Houston Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd 2, Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair 2, Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan 2, Orlando Pride defender Monica, Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr, Washington Spirit forward Crystal Dunn, Western New York Flash defender Alanna Kennedy, Boston Breakers forward Kyah Simon). The 14 tallies represent 24 percent of the 58 goals scored so far at the Summer Games.
17 – The number of matches (out of 22) at the 2016 Olympics that have featured at least one NWSL player.
26 – Appearances by Houston Dash players at the Rio Games – five more than the 21 by Portland Thorns FC players for the most by an NWSL club at the tournament. (Games by club: Houston Dash 26, Portland Thorns FC 21, Orlando Pride 17, Washington Spirit 16, FC Kansas City 10, Western New York Flash 8, Sky Blue FC 7, Boston Breakers 6, Seattle Reign FC 6, Chicago Red Stars 6)
33 – Saves by NWSL goalkeepers at the tournament – 18 by Houston Dash goalkeeper Lydia Williams, eight by Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Hope Solo, seven by Washington Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé and none in a start for Western New York Flash goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
75 – The average number of minutes played per appearance by NWSL players at the 2016 Olympics.
123 – Appearances by NWSL players at the 2016 Rio Olympics (98 starts, 25 substitutes). Of the contingent of NWSL Olympians at the tournament, 37 out of the 38 have featured for their national team – including all 33 outfield players. The only player from the league not to make an appearance at the Summer Game was Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
1,774 – Minutes played by Houston Dash players at the tournament in Brazil – the most of any NWSL club. (Minutes by club: Houston Dash 1,774, Portland Thorns 1,611, Orlando Pride 1,407, Washington Spirit 1,060, FC Kansas City 831, Western New York Flash 748, Sky Blue FC 575, Seattle Reign FC 450, Boston Breakers 439, Chicago Red Stars 331)
9,226 – Minutes played by NWSL players at the 2016 Rio Olympics (20.6 percent of the possible 44,880 minutes so far at the tournament).
Source/Photo Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
