After nearly an exhaustive eight-week search, the Liberty have found their next head coach. 

Given these teams’ history with one another, expect Saturday’s championship match to be a dogfight carrying a little added emotional weight.

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman was peppered with salary cap-related questions during her hourlong press conference. She said the league’s salary cap had “almost quadrupled” over the past four seasons as the league’s popularity and revenue streams grew. 

Reale beat out the two other finalists, Seattle Reign winger Maddie Dahlien and Angel City forward Riley Tiernan, who each boasted impressive rookie campaigns worthy of the award.