The race to the NWSL playoffs is down to six teams competing for two spots, teasing a decisive weekend of action ahead.
Six teams have already clinched a spot in the postseason, with all four hosts of the quarterfinals – the Orlando Pride, the Washington Spirit, NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current – booked. Two teams, meanwhile, could join them with a game to spare this weekend, while four teams will compete to keep their playoff hopes alive for the final weekend of the regular season.
Ahead of this weekend’s NWSL action, here’s a look at the playoff scenarios.
NWSL table
|
Orlando Pride* |
17 |
1 |
6 |
42 |
15 |
+27 |
57 |
|
Washington Spirit* |
16 |
6 |
2 |
48 |
28 |
+20 |
50 |
|
NJ/NY Gotham FC* |
15 |
4 |
5 |
34 |
18 |
+16 |
50 |
|
Kansas City Current* |
14 |
2 |
7 |
50 |
29 |
+21 |
49 |
|
North Carolina Courage* |
12 |
9 |
3 |
34 |
26 |
+8 |
39 |
|
Chicago Red Stars* |
10 |
12 |
2 |
30 |
33 |
-3 |
32 |
|
Portland Thorns |
9 |
11 |
4 |
34 |
34 |
0 |
31 |
|
Bay FC |
9 |
14 |
1 |
27 |
39 |
-12 |
28 |
|
Racing Louisville |
6 |
11 |
7 |
31 |
36 |
-5 |
25 |
|
Utah Royals |
7 |
14 |
3 |
20 |
35 |
-15 |
24 |
|
Angel City |
7 |
12 |
5 |
28 |
38 |
-10 |
23 |
|
San Diego Wave |
5 |
12 |
7 |
20 |
30 |
-10 |
22 |
|
Seattle Reign** |
5 |
14 |
5 |
23 |
40 |
-17 |
20 |
|
Houston Dash** |
5 |
14 |
5 |
17 |
37 |
-20 |
20 |
*qualified for the playoffs
**eliminated from playoff contention
Playoff qualification scenarios
Portland Thorns (31 points, 9-11-4)
Can clinch a playoff berth with
- Win or draw against Racing Louisville
Bay FC (28 points, 9-14-1)
Can clinch a playoff berth with
- Win over North Carolina Courage AND Racing Louisville draw or loss to Portland Thorns OR
- Draw with North Carolina Courage AND Racing Louisville loss to Portland Thorns AND Angel City draw with Utah Royals
Playoff elimination scenarios
Racing Louisville (25 points, 6-11-7)
Will be eliminated from playoff contention with
- Loss to Portland Thorns AND Bay FC win or draw with North Carolina Courage OR
- Draw with Portland Thorns AND Bay FC win over North Carolina Courage
Utah Royals (25 points, 7-14-3)
Will be eliminated from playoff contention with
- Loss to Angel City OR
- Bay FC win over North Carolina Courage OR
- Draw with Angel City AND Bay FC draw with North Carolina Courage
Angel City (23 points, 7-12-5)
Will be eliminated from playoff contention with
- Draw or loss to Utah Royals OR
- Bay FC win over North Carolina Courage
San Diego Wave (22 points, 5-12-7)
Will be eliminated from playoff contention with
- Draw or loss to Kansas City Current OR
- Bay FC win or draw with North Carolina Courage
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