2023 NWSL Championship crew confirmed
The crew for the 2023 NWSL Championship on Saturday, November 11, has been announced. The showpiece game between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham FC will kick off at 8PM ET at Snapdragon Stadium.
OL Reign vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
Snapdragon Stadium (8PM ET)
REF: Ekaterina Koroleva
AR1: Jennifer Garner
AR2: Katarzyna Wasiak
4TH: Anya Voigt
VAR: Kevin Broadley
AVAR: Maggie Short
RAR: Tiffini Turpin
Meet the crew:
Ekaterina Koroleva
This will be Koroleva’s second NWSL Championship final as referee after overseeing FC Kansas City win against Seattle Reign in 2015, a year after being the fourth official for the final. She has also twice refereed the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020 and 2022. Refereed three games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and has split her time domestically between the NWSL and USL Championship this year.
Jennifer Garner
Returning for a third NWSL Championship final, Garner will add to the 2015 and 2019 finals, as well as the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, when she steps out at Snapdragon Stadium. Has officiated in NWSL, USL Championship and MLS NEXT Pro in 2023.
Katarzyna Wasiak
Was AR for the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup between North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit, a year she also worked the NWSL Playoffs semifinal between this year’s losing semifinalists, Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave.
Anya Voigt
Was fourth official for the semifinal between Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave last year before refereeing Kansas City Current and North Carolina Courage in this year’s NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals.
Kevin Broadley
Fourth official in the 2019 final, Broadley returns as VAR after an NWSL season that has seen him work 10 games in that role while also refereeing in the USL Championship and the NWSL. Was the referee for the USL League One final in 2021.
Maggie Short
Also part of the crew for the 2019 final with Broadley and Garner – as reserve assistant referee. Worked 20 regular-season games in NWSL and MLS as AVAR, as well as the 2023 Challenge Cup semifinal between OL Reign and Racing Louisville.
Tiffini Turpin
Was AR for the final two years ago as well as the first NWSL Challenge Cup final in 2020 and again this season. Officiated 20 regular-season games across NWSL, USL Championship and MLS NEXT Pro in 2023.