We’re headed into Week 23 of the NWSL season and after the North Carolina Courage grabbed a playoff spot last weekend, the race for the final 3 spots is more intense than ever. This weekend, four teams could very well clinch the final three top-4 seeds, which would mean quarterfinal hosting. Meanwhile, four others are on the verge of elimination. Every match carries playoff implications, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Washington Spirit can clinch a top-4 seed and a quarterfinal home match with:
- A win or draw OR
- A North Carolina draw or loss
NJ/NY Gotham FC secures a top-4 seed and a quarterfinal home match with:
- A win or draw OR
- A North Carolina draw or loss
Kansas City Current clinches a top-4 seed and a quarterfinal home match with:
- A win OR
- A North Carolina draw or loss
Chicago Red Stars can clinch a playoff spot with:
- A win OR
- Racing Louisville loss OR
- A draw AND Portland draw or loss OR
- A draw AND Louisville draw OR
- Portland loss AND Louisville draw
ELIMINATION SCENARIOS
Several teams are fighting for their playoff lives, with four facing possible elimination this weekend.
Seattle Reign FC will be eliminated with:
- A loss or draw OR
- A Portland win AND Bay FC win OR
- A Portland draw AND Bay FC win AND Louisville win
Utah Royals will be eliminated with:
- A loss OR
- A Portland win AND Bay FC win OR
- A draw AND Portland win or draw AND Bay FC win/draw OR
- A draw AND Louisville win or draw AND Bay FC win/draw
Angel City FC will be eliminated with:
- A loss AND Portland win or draw AND Bay FC win or draw OR
- A loss AND Louisville win or draw AND Bay FC win or draw OR
- A draw AND Portland win AND Bay FC win OR
- A draw AND Portland draw AND Bay FC win AND Louisville win
San Diego Wave will be eliminated with:
- A loss AND Portland win or draw AND Bay FC win or draw OR
- A loss AND Louisville win or draw AND Bay FC win or draw OR
- A draw AND Portland win AND Bay FC win OR
- A draw AND Portland draw AND Bay FC win AND Louisville win
WHAT'S BEEN CLINCHED
- Orlando Pride have already secured the NWSL Shield and the top playoff seed, locking in home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
- Washington Spirit, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, and North Carolina Courage have all clinched playoff spots but are still vying for a top-4 finish to secure a home quarterfinal match.