On Saturday, November 23rd, the 2024 postseason of the National Women’s Soccer League concludes with the NWSL Championship match between the Orlando Pride, who won the 2024 NWSL Shield as the team with the best overall record in the league, and the Washington Spirit, who finished second in the table.
In the United States, the 2024 NWSL Championship will be nationally televised by CBS, with pre-match broadcast coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. Kick-off is slated for 8:14 p.m. ET. Additional pre-match and post-match coverage will be on the free CBS Sports Golazo Network streaming channel.
Alyssa Nichols will have the whistle for the Championship. She has refereed NWSL matches since 2020 and earned her FIFA badge in 2023.
The match will be played in Kansas City, Missouri, at CPKC Stadium, which is the home of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current.
On-Air Talent
The 2024 NWSL Championship will feature play-by-play announcer Jacqui Oatley (Wikipedia bio) and retired USWNT defender Lori Lindsey (Wikipedia bio), providing analysis, in the broadcast booth. Emily Proud, who played NCAA Division I soccer at Belmont (player profile, Belmont press release) will be the on-field reporter, while rules analyst Christina Unkel will provide commentary on referee decisions.
Studio coverage will feature Poppy Miller as host. Providing analysis will be Lisa Carlin, who played collegiate soccer at Marquette (player profile), retired NWSL player Darian Jenkins (Wikipedia bio), and current Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey (Wikipedia bio).
Broadcast Schedule (TV/Streaming)
In addition to the match and primary coverage airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ (“with Showtime” plan required), extended pre-match coverage will be on the free CBS Sports Golazo Network streaming channel, which can be viewed in a web browser (link) as well as by using the CBS Sports app and Paramount+ app. (See this CBSSports.com page for full details.)
SCHEDULE:
- Pre-Match (Streaming): 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Golazo Network
- Pre-Match (Broadcast): 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+
- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Kick-Off: 8:14 p.m. ET (per Steve Goff)
- Trophy Presentation: After the match on CBS
- Post-Match Coverage: 10:30 p.m. ET* on CBS Sports Golazo Network
*may be delayed if match goes to extra time
During the primary broadcast, the National Anthem is scheduled to be performed by singer/songwriter/musician Melissa Etheridge.
Also, the 2024 NWSL Skills Challenge will be televised tape-delayed on Sunday, November 24th on CBS and Paramount+ (“with Showtime” plan required) at 5:00 p.m. ET. See below for more details.
For additional broadcast details, see this CBS Sports press release: “CBS heads to Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium to present multiplatform coverage of 2024 NWSL Championship…”.
Referee Assignments
On Thursday, November 21st, the crew of referees for the 2024 NWSL Championship was announced by the Professional Referee Organization (yes, that is its actual name).
2024 NWSL Championship Refereeing Crew
- (Center) Referee: Alyssa Nichols
- Assistant Referee #1: Tiffini Turpin
- Assistant Referee #2: Brian Marshall
- Fourth Official: Brad Jensen
- Video Assistant Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee: John Krill
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Seth Barton
Source: “2024 NWSL Championship crew confirmed” (proreferees.com)
Nichols is the youngest African-American woman to earn a FIFA badge. The Guardian has a good profile on her from August 2023. Two other referees on the crew also have FIFA badges: Assistant referee Tiffini Turpin and video assistant referee Ekaterina Koroleva, who has had a FIFA badge as a regular referee since 2014 but also earned a FIFA badge as a VAR in 2023. (U.S. Soccer)
2024 NWSL Skills Challenge
For the second year in a row, a Skills Challenge will take place ahead of the NWSL Championship match. Ten players have been announced as the competitors for the Skills Challenge (NWSL).
Announced Participants:
- Michelle Alozie (forward, Houston Dash)
- Kate del Fava (defender, Utah Royals)
- Savannah DeMelo (midfielder, Racing Louisville)
- Jaelin Howell (midfielder, Seattle Reign)
- Jameese Joseph (midfielder, Chicago Red Stars)
- Savy King (defender, Bay FC)
- Casey Murphy (goalkeeper, North Carolina Courage)
- Kailen Sheridan (goalkeeper, San Diego Wave)
- Morgan Weaver (forward, Portland Thorns)
- Lynn Williams (forward Gotham FC)
The above players will be split into two teams of five. The NWSL Skills Challenge will take place on Friday, November 22nd, but will not be televised until Sunday, November 24th, on CBS at 5:00 p.m. ET.
(Note: The original press release stated that the Skills Challenge would either air at 3:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. ET and to check one’s local listings. According to TitanTV.com, the Skills Challenge will air at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT, after a nationally televised NFL match.)
For a list and explanations of the specific skill events, see this NWSL press release from November 14th.
Women's Soccer Express 