The Wait Is Over

We Are The Champions

At the sound of the full-time whistle, Steph Labbe dropped to her knees in a heap. At the age of 36, she had just won her first title at any level of soccer (college, pro, or international) despite two other chances in the past two years to do so (2020 Olympics, 2021 NWSL final). Allysha Chapman was the first player to reach her, followed by Megan Oyster and Julie King. The bench players charged the Breakers' penalty area to join in the celebration ahead of the rest of the starters. Sam Mewis went to the sideline and pulled out two Breakers flags she had hidden behind the team's bench area. Once retrieved, she handed one to Abby and they went on a light jog around the perimeter of the field with the flags on their backs, displaying a special message to the crowd and the viewers at home. After a few minutes of celebrating, the Breakers moved toward the center of the field to congratulate the Red Stars on their fine season and to console a number of players to whom they were close. Julie King and Alyssa Naeher embraced, followed by Julie whispering a naughty thought or two into Alyssa's ear. Jessie Fleming went over to Sarah Stratigakis and Gabrielle Carle and was squished by the pair of Canadians. Sarah yelled to no one in particular, "MVP! MVP!" while Gabby pointed at their diminutive national team teammate. Steph and Kristie caught up with Sam and Abby and, having brought their MOH gifts to their bench area at halftime and changed into them following the match, trotted along with them while displaying their new titles on their backs. Following a return from commercial, Kate Markgraf interviewed John Herdman.

Kate Markgraf: John, when you took over before the start of the 2021 season, you said that this team could win a title in short order given the talent you were inheriting. Your team ran circles around the league this year, finishing it off with a clinical performance over the only team you hadn't put to the sword to date in a match that wasn't as close as the score would indicate. Describe how today's victory sums up a fifteen-year climb from leading New Zealand to the Women's World Cup for the first time in 2007 to today's championship with the Breakers.

John Herdman: I have always believed that my approach to the game and to player management would eventually bear fruit somewhere. Two straight World Cups with New Zealand, then winning medals in three straight Olympic games with Canada, and now an NWSL championship in Boston. I really don't know what else is left for me other than for this club to repeat next year.

Kate: Over to Jordan Angeli who's with Lisa Cole.

Jordan Angeli: Lisa, you had managed over two matches against Boston to limit their ability to make things happen through their midfield, but today their three-headed attack force ran your team ragged, surprising a lot of us who were expecting a closer contest. What happened to put your team on its heels from the get-go?

Lisa Cole: Give full credit to John for throwing a wrinkle into their starting lineup that we hadn't planned for, the playing of Jessie Fleming on the left. When we adjusted to it around the 10-minute mark, they had already given our central core a couple of things to think about with their movement. Fleming and Andrews made that criss-cross run along the left which opened space for Lavelle to come into the middle to hit Fleming on a darting run down the touchline. Andrews' excursion into the penalty area got our center backs off their natural marks, leaving Troccoli to knock home the Canadian's cross. As every team in the league learned this year, chasing the game against Boston usually leads to a multi-goal loss. They were the best team this year and are worthy champions. I hope we can keep the bulk of this squad together for another run in 2023.

Jordan: Karina Leblanc has a very special guest with her.

Karina Leblanc: GIRL! You had been on-fire all season, but today you took that heat and brought it up another level for a 13th shutout in 19 league matches, including the playoffs. Your professional career has spanned 14 years, but this is your first title despite being close twice in the last two years. How does it feel to have your record-setting MVP season wrap up with a championship?