USWNT players in NWSL: week 19

So the 2016 regular season comes to a close. There weren’t really any big narrative threads, like in 2015 when everyone was talking about Crystal Dunn’s magnificent scoring streak despite being left off the World Cup roster, or the Seattle Reign’s auspicious drive to the top of the table.

This year was interrupted by the Olympics and saw several clubs falter, whether through lack of cohesion or too much roster turnover. That doesn’t mean the playoff race didn’t have its moments, such as the Thorns clinching the regular season shield despite going down early against Sky Blue. And it was interesting (or heartbreaking, depending on who you support) to see last year’s championship contenders…