2022 NWSL Championship crew announced

Natalie Simon will take charge of the 2022 NWSL Championship which will be held on Saturday, October 29 between Portland Thorns and Kansas City Current at Audi Field (8PM ET).

She will be joined in the officiating crew by assistant referees Kali Smith and Alicia Messer, and Danielle Chesky who will be the fourth official. Stephen McGonagle is the reserve assistant referee.

Simon refereed the NWSL Challenge Cup Final in May 2021 and was fourth official for last season’s NWSL Championship. This year she has officiated in NWSL and USL Championship, as well as being a fourth official in MLS.

Assistant referee Smith is also selected for a consecutive NWSL Championship game, having worked alongside Simon when Washington Spirit won the title after extra time in 2021.

Since then, Smith has done four MLS games in 2022 in addition to NWSL and USL Championship duties, and she was the reserve assistant referee in this year’s NWSL Challenge Cup Final. FIFA official Messer is an experienced NWSL AR and was the reserve assistant referee for the 2018 NWSL Championship.

Chesky, who refereed the 2017 NWSL Championship game, has worked across all five leagues assigned by PRO this season.

Portland Thorns secured their place in the final with a dramatic 2-1 over San Diego Wave at Providence Park on Sunday thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Crystal Dunn. A goal in each half ensured Kansas City Current were 2-0 winners at OL Reign, who had pipped Thorns to the regular-season NWSL Shield title by one point.

PRO wishes all the officials a successful and enjoyable final. This important assignment recognizes their excellent work throughout the season.

10/29/22

Portland Thorns vs Kansas City Current
Audi Field (8PM ET)
REF: Natalie Simon
AR1: Kali Smith
AR2: Alicia Messer
4TH: Danielle Chesky
RAR: Stephen McGonagle