Five months ago I predicted a record high attendance for the NWSL championship, played October 14 in Orlando. The 8,124 who bought tickets, watching the Portland Thorns defeat the North Carolina Courage, resoundingly tanked that prediction. They posted a lower attendance than last year’s championship in Houston.
Only 8,255 trickled in for the 2016 match at BBVA Compass Stadium. That seat count shocked those who witnessed the 13,264 high mark set for the 2015 championship. The shock lasted at least until they counted the championship tickets last weekend.
The local Orlando Pride team has set regular-season attendance records several times.