NWSL By the Numbers: In The Olympics
With Day 1 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 opening matches in the Group Stage of the 2016 Olympic Games, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) provides an inside look at the important numbers from the 38 NWSL players that are participating in the tournament.
Below is a unique look into the NWSL by the Numbers – In the Olympics:
1 – Penalty saved so far by NWSL goalkeepers – by Houston Dash and Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who stopped a spot attempt by club teammate and Canada forward Janine Beckie on Match Day 1.
2 – Shutouts by NWSL goalkeepers at the Olympics after Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Hope Solo kept a clean sheet for the U.S. Women’s National Team against New Zealand and Washington Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe kept Australia off the scoreboard on Match Day 1.
The pair is among four players tied for the league lead with five shutouts in the NWSL this season.
3 – The number of consecutive Olympic goals Houston Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd scored for the U.S. Women’s National Team. The U.S. co-captain netted her country’s two goals in the gold medal match at the 2012 London Games and the team’s first goal of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
4 – The number of matches (out of six) at the 2016 Olympics that have featured at least one NWSL player.
5 – Goals by NWSL players at the Olympics (Orlando Pride defender Monica, Houston Dash midfielder Lloyd, Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan, Houston Dash forward Janine Beckie, Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair). The five tallies represent more than a quarter (26.3 percent) of all goals scored so far at the tournament.
7 – Appearances by Houston Dash players at the Rio Games – one more than the six by Portland Thorns FC players for the most by an NWSL club at the tournament. All seven of Houston’s Olympians featured on Match Day 1.
10 – All 10 NWSL clubs have had at least one player make an appearance at the 2016 Olympics.
19 – The number of seconds into the game it took for Houston Dash forward Beckie to score for Canada against Australia – the fastest goal in Olympic soccer history. The previous record was held by Mexico men’s player Oribe Peralta, who scored 30 seconds into the final against Brazil at the 2012 London Games.
32 – Appearances at the 2016 Rio Olympics (24 starts, eight substitutes). Of the contingent of NWSL Olympians at the tournament, 32 out of the 38 have featured for their country – including 29 of 33 outfield players.
68 – The average number of minutes played per game by NWSL players at the Summer Games. Western New York Flash players are averaging 90 minutes per match after Australia international Alanna Kennedy and New Zealand international Abby Erceg played the entire game in their respective contests on Match Day 1. The lone Seattle Reign FC player to make an appearance so far (Hope Solo) also featured for all 90 minutes.
71 – The number of minutes Canada spent with 10 players against Australia in their 2-0 victory over the Matildas after Washington Spirit defender Shelina Zadorsky was shown a straight red card in the 19th minute.
163 – International goals scored for Canada by Portland Thorns FC forward Sinclair after she netted the second tally of her country’s 2-0 victory over Australia on Match Day 1.
200 – The number of international appearances Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Hope Solo will have when she earns her next cap for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
476 – Minutes played by Portland Thorns FC players at the tournament in Brazil – the most by any NWSL club and 60 more than the 416 played by members of the Houston Dash. Boston Breakers players have played the fewest number of minutes at the Olympics with Australia forward Kyah Simon’s 19 minutes making up the club’s entire total so far.
2,178 – Minutes played by NWSL players at the 2016 Rio Olympics (36.7 percent of all possible minutes played so far at the tournament).
Source/Photo Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
