2017 National Women's Soccer League season

National Women's Soccer League
Season	2017
Dates	April 15–October 14
Champions	Portland Thorns FC
NWSL Shield	North Carolina Courage
Matches played	120
Goals scored	344 (2.87 per match)
Top goalscorer	Sam Kerr (17 goals)
Biggest home win	ORL 5–0 SKY; (Aug 12)
Biggest away win	HOU 0–4 NC; (Sep 27)
Highest scoring	SEA 5–4 SKY; (Jul 22); SKY 5–4 SEA; (Aug 19)
Longest winning run	5 games; North Carolina Courage; (Aug 5 – Aug 30); Orlando Pride; (Aug 8 – Sep 2)
Longest unbeaten run	9 games; Orlando Pride; (Aug 8 – Sep 30)
Longest winless run	10 games; Boston Breakers; (Jul 7 – Sep 10)
Longest losing run	6 games; Houston Dash; (May 6 – Jun 17)
Highest attendance	21,144; POR 3–1 CHI; (Sep 30)
Lowest attendance	428; KC 2–1 POR; (Aug 16)
Total attendance	609,957
Average attendance	5,083
	← 2016 2018 → All statistics correct as of October 1, 2017.

The 2017 National Women's Soccer League season was the fifth 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 eleventh overall season of FIFA- and USSF-sanctioned top-division women's soccer in the United States. The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing is provided by the Canadian Soccer Association; both national federations pay the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations.

The reigning champions Western New York Flash did not play under that name; the franchise was sold, relocated to Cary, North Carolina and rebranded as the North Carolina Courage.^[1]

After schedule disruptions in the previous two years caused by the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, NWSL teams in 2017 once again played 24 games, a schedule last played during the 2014 season.^[2] The Courage won the NWSL Shield (the regular season), topping the Portland Thorns by two points.

The NWSL Playoff semifinals were held October 7–8, 2017, and were won by the Thorns and the Courage. The NWSL Championship Game was held on October 14, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida.^[3] The Thorns won 1–0, becoming NWSL Champions, their second championship.

^ Yang, Stephanie. "Western New York Flash sold, will move to North Carolina". SB Nation. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
^ Lineman, Meg (January 12, 2017). "The top 10 things you need to know from the NWSL Draft". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
^ Goldberg, Jamie (April 22, 2017). "Orlando City Stadium to host 2017 NWSL championship game". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.

[1] Yang, Stephanie. "Western New York Flash sold, will move to North Carolina". SB Nation. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2017.

[2] Lineman, Meg (January 12, 2017). "The top 10 things you need to know from the NWSL Draft". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2017.

[3] Goldberg, Jamie (April 22, 2017). "Orlando City Stadium to host 2017 NWSL championship game". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.

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