As the 2024 NWSL regular season wrapped up, teams fought fiercely to secure playoff positions, set records, and end on a high note. The week’s action saw Portland Thorns secure a playoff position for the tenth time in club history. Meanwhile, Bay FC made history as the second expansion team to reach the playoffs in their debut season. With the postseason field now set, teams look ahead to the playoff battles and a chance at the championship.
Friday, November 1st
Utah Royals FC 1, NJ/NY Gotham FC 4
NJ/NY Gotham FC ended their 2024 regular season with a commanding 4-1 win over Utah Royals FC on Friday, showcasing both defensive strength and offensive precision. Yazmeen Ryan opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Mandy Freeman quickly followed with her first NWSL goal, a stunning strike from outside the box. Although Utah cut the lead in the second half, Esther responded with two goals, securing her second brace of the season and raising her season total to nine. With the win, Gotham secured a high seed for their first-ever home playoff match on November 10.
Portland Thorns 3, Angel City FC 0
The Portland Thorns celebrated Christine Sinclair’s final regular-season home game and her 200th NWSL appearance with a decisive 3-0 win over Angel City FC, clinching a playoff spot on Friday night. Sinclair opened the scoring in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a blocked shot to calmly chip the ball into the net. Sophia Smith extended the lead ten minutes later with a swift counterattack, followed by Morgan Weaver’s header just before halftime from a Hina Sugita cross. Portland maintained control throughout, with Shelby Hogan securing her ninth clean sheet of the season. Sinclair received a standing ovation as she exited in the 83rd minute, marking the end of an era as the Thorns turn their focus to the playoffs, their tenth in club history.
Saturday, November 2nd
Orlando Pride 3, Seattle Reign 2
The Orlando Pride wrapped up a historic regular season with a 3-2 win over Seattle Reign FC, setting a new NWSL record for the most wins (18) and points (60) in a season, surpassing the 2018 North Carolina Courage. Ally Watt opened the scoring for Orlando in the 9th minute, with Kerry Abello and Marta adding goals to maintain the lead. Marta’s 57th-minute strike, her ninth of the season and 40th career goal, proved the game-winner, extending her club record for game-winning goals. Despite a late goal by Seattle’s Maddie Mercado, Orlando secured the victory and completed an unbeaten home season at Inter&Co Stadium. With home-field advantage through the semifinals, the No. 1-ranked Pride will host their first-ever playoff match on Nov. 8.
North Carolina Courage 0, Washington Spirit 1
The Washington Spirit closed out their regular season with a 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage, securing the No. 2 seed in the NWSL Playoffs and matching the league record of 18 wins set earlier in the day by Orlando. Trinity Rodman returned to the starting lineup for the first time since September and created early chances, while Ashley Hatch scored the decisive goal in the 37th minute—her seventh of the season and 53rd career goal, just one shy of the fifth-most in league history. The Spirit held the Courage to no shots in the first half and ultimately broke North Carolina’s 21-game home unbeaten streak. Tara McKeown also marked a milestone, completing her first Iron Woman season. With home-field advantage through the semifinals, the Spirit will only leave Audi Field if they advance to the NWSL Championship in Kansas City.
Bay FC clinched a playoff spot in their debut season with a 3-2 road victory over the Houston Dash, powered by the first brace in club history from Racheal Kundananji. This win, their 11th of the season, also set a new NWSL record for most wins by an expansion team in a debut season, previously set by San Diego Wave in 2022. By weekend's end, with Chicago's loss to Kansas City, Bay FC locked in the seventh seed, setting up a showdown with the Washington Spirit in D.C. next weekend.
Sunday, November 3rd
Chicago Red Stars 1, Kansas City Current 3
The Kansas City Current concluded their regular season with a 3-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars, securing the No. 4 seed in the NWSL Playoffs. The victory was highlighted by Kansas City’s record-breaking 57th goal of the season, surpassing the previous league high set by the 2019 North Carolina Courage. Michelle Cooper, Debinha, and Nichelle Prince each found the net in a dominant first half, but Chicago forward Ally Schlegel found the back of the net in the second half to get her team on the board. The Current will now host their first-ever home playoff game at CPKC Stadium against the No. 5 seed North Carolina Courage on Saturday, Nov. 9.
San Diego Wave FC 3, Racing Louisville FC 1
Racing Louisville FC wrapped up their season with a 3-1 loss to San Diego Wave FC at Lynn Family Stadium. San Diego struck early with a Jaedyn Shaw goal in the third minute, followed by a precise Maria Sanchez free kick to extend their lead–the club’s first-ever direct free kick goal. Racing’s Bethany Balcer responded in the 68th minute, scoring after Kayla Fischer’s shot hit the post, but Savannah McCaskill’s header in the 76th minute sealed the win for San Diego.
2024 NWSL Playoffs: Official Schedule
The 2024 NWSL Playoffs quarterfinals are scheduled for November 8-10, 2024. The matchups and broadcast details are as follows:
Friday, November 8:
Orlando Pride (1) vs. Chicago Red Stars (8)
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Inter&Co Stadium
- Broadcast: Prime Video
Saturday, November 9:
Kansas City Current (4) vs. North Carolina Courage (5)
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: CPKC Stadium
- Broadcast: CBS (also streaming on Paramount+)
Sunday, November 10:
Washington Spirit (2) vs. Bay FC (7)
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
- Broadcast: ABC
NJ/NY Gotham FC (3) vs. Portland Thorns FC (6)
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Broadcast: ABC