SINGLE TABLE:
Teams will be aligned into a single table:
Boston Breakers
Chicago Red Stars
FC Kansas City
Portland Thorns FC
Seattle Reign FC
Sky Blue FC
Washington Spirit
Western New York Flash
REGULAR SEASON:
Each of the eight (8) NWSL clubs will play 22 games, 11 at home and 11 away.
POINT SYSTEM:
Teams will receive three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss.
REFEREES:
All referees in NWSL are either USSF (United States Soccer Federation) or CSA (Canadian Soccer Association) National Referees. Referees for all NWSL games will be trained, assigned and evaluated by PRO (Professional Referee Organization).
GAME CLOCK:
The official game time for all National Women’s Soccer League games will be managed on the field by the referee. If necessary, the referee may also allot extra time (a.k.a. "stoppage time”) at the end of each period (first half, second half, and if applicable, first overtime period and second overtime period during playoff matches) to allow for injuries, time-wasting or other disturbances.
The stadium clock will display the time from 0:00 to 45:00 and from 45:00 to 90:00. For statistical purposes, the minutes for goals, substitutions, yellow cards, etc., will be listed from the first minute until the 90th minute. A goal scored at 15 minutes 10 seconds will be listed as having been scored in the 16th minute. Events occurring during stoppage time will follow the international norm by being demarcated with a "+" sign and the extra minutes. For example, a goal scored three minutes into first half stoppage time will be officially identified as happening at "48+".
GAME DAY ROSTERS:
Each team can nominate 18 players for a game day roster. Teams are allowed three substitutions per game.
CAUTIONS AND SUSPENSIONS:
A Player will be suspended for one game upon receiving her fifth yellow card -regardless of the nature of the infraction which resulted in her being awarded the yellow card. A second suspension of one game would result after the awarding of an additional three cards as would a third suspension after the awarding of card number eleven.
NWSL Playoffs:
Format
WHO QUALIFIES:
Four clubs, the top four in points from the League standings at the end of the regular season, qualify for the 2013 NWSL Playoffs.
The two Semifinals will be decided by a single knockout game, the winner of which will advances to the Championship Game. If the aggregate score is tied after 90 minutes of play, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety, followed by penalty kicks, if necessary.
The NWSL Championship will be a single championship match hosted by the finalist with the most regular season points. If the two finalists have the same number of regular season points, the tiebreakers for playoff qualification will be applied to determine the host team.
If the score is tied after 90 minutes of play, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety, followed by kicks from the penalty mark, if necessary.
Team-Standings Tie-Breaking Procedures
The team awarded the highest position in the NWSL standings will be the team with the greatest number of points (three points for a win, one point for a tie, zero points for a loss). In the event that two teams finish the regular season with an equal number of points, the following system will be used to break the tie:
When two or more teams are tied in the standings on points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), the following tiebreakers will be used in the sequence below, until one team ranks ahead of the other(s):
1) The highest position shall be awarded to the team with the better win/loss record in current Regular Season games against all other teams equal in points. (head-to-head competition)
2) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference against all other teams during the Regular Season. (goal differential)
3) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team scoring the greatest number of total goals against all other teams during the Regular Season. (total goals)
4) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the procedures described in this section shall be applied only to games played on the road by each team against all other teams during the Regular Season. (road 1-3)
5) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the procedures described in this section shall be applied only to games played at home by each team against all other teams during the regular season. (home 1-3)
If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position in the standings shall be determined by the toss of a coin.
The first tiebreaker in a three-way tie is also head-to-head, but it is determined via points-per-game versus the other two teams. If two teams are tied in points-per-game head-to-head, the next tie breaker is goal difference.
NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.