NOTES TO KNOW

TUNE IN

Viewers tuning in to the NWSL this season can catch more than 120 matches across CBS, ESPN, ION and Prime Video. The remaining matches will be available for free on NWSL+, the league’s first-ever domestic direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

Full details on how to watch all Week 22 matches can be found here.

WEEK 22 PREVIEW

ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

There is one club who can earn the NWSL Shield, three clubs who can clinch a top 4 seed and host a quarterfinal home match, one club who can secure the fifth playoff spot, and four clubs who could be eliminated from playoff contention through this weekend’s slate of games.

The Orlando Pride, who have already secured a playoff berth and a top 4 seed along with a quarterfinal home match, have the ability to clinch the NWSL Shield with a Win vs. Washington Spirit.

The Washington Spirit can clinch a top 4 seed and a quarterfinal home match with one of the follow scenarios...

• Washington Spirit Win / Draw vs. Orlando Pride

• North Carolina Courage Draw/Loss vs. San Diego Wave FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC can clinch a top 4 seed and a quarterfinal home match with...

• Gotham FC Win vs. Bay FC AND North Carolina Courage Draw / Loss vs. San Diego Wave FC
• Gotham FC Draw vs Bay FC AND North Carolina Courage Loss vs. San Diego Wave FC

North Carolina Courage clinches a playoff berth with one of the following...

• Courage Win vs. San Diego Wave FC

• Racing Louisville Loss vs. Kansas City Current

• Courage Draw vs. San Diego Wave AND Portland Thorns Draw / Loss vs. Utah Royals

• Courage Draw vs. San Diego Wave AND Racing Louisville Draw vs. Kansas City Current

• Racing Louisville Draw vs. Kansas City Current AND Portland Thorns Loss vs. Utah Royals

The Utah Royals are eliminated from the playoffs with...

• Utah Royals Loss vs. Portland Thorns

• Utah Royals Draw vs. Portland Thorns AND Bay FC Win/Draw vs. Gotham FC

The Houston Dash are eliminated with...

• Houston Dash Draw/Loss vs. Chicago Red Stars

Seattle Reign are eliminated with one of the following...

• Seattle Reign Loss vs. Angel City FC AND Chicago Red Stars Win/Draw vs. Houston Dash AND Bay FC win vs. Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns Win vs. Utah Royals

• Seattle Reign Loss vs. Angel City FC AND Chicago Red Stars Win/Draw vs. Houston Dash AND Racing Louisville Win vs. Kansas City Current AND Bay FC Win vs. Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns Draw vs. Utah Royals

• Seattle Reign Draw vs. Angel City FC AND Chicago Red Stars Win vs. Houston Dash AND Bay FC Win vs. Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns Win vs. Utah Royals

Angel City FC are eliminated with one of the following...

• Angel City FC Loss vs. Seattle Reign AND Bay FC Win/Draw vs. Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns Win/Draw vs. Utah Royals

• Angel City FC Loss vs. Seattle Reign AND Racing Louisville Win/Draw vs. Kansas City Current AND Bay FC Win/Draw vs. Gotham FC

• Angel City FC Draw vs. Seattle Reign AND Chicago Red Stars Win/Draw vs. Houston Dash AND Bay FC Win vs. Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns Win vs. Utah Royals

• Angel City FC Draw vs. Seattle Reign AND Chicago Red Stars Win/Draw vs. Houston Dash AND Racing Louisville Win vs. Kansas City Current AND Bay FC Win vs. Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns Draw vs. Utah Royals

FOR THE SHIELD

The Orlando Pride have the opportunity to clinch the NWSL Shield, presented by CarMax, on Sunday with a win against the Washington Spirit. With a victory, the Pride would tie the league record of 57 points in a season set by the North Carolina Courage in 2018.

Spirit forward Ashley Hatch has scored nine career regular-season goals against Orlando, her most against any opponent. The striker has scored three goals in three games, including a brace on September 15. Meanwhile, Pride forward Barbra Banda looks to add to her 19 goal contributions this season, a mark that matched midfielder Marta’s single season record set in 2017.

BACK-TO-BACK BATTLE

The Chicago Red Stars host the Houston Dash for the second meeting between these clubs this season. Chicago won the first meeting on July 6 at home with forward Mallory Swanson scoring the game-winner in the 1-0 victory. Swanson scored her first-ever professional goal against Houston back in June 2017, in her second pro match, playing for the Washington Spirit.

Both Dash forward Yuki Nagasato and Red Stars forward Ludmila have scored in back-to-back matches while Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell is on track to complete her fourth iron woman season, becoming the first NWSL player to achieve the feat. The keeper currently has 105 saves this season and can soon break the single season saves record which stands at 112.

COAST TO COAST

Bay FC travel across the United States to the Big Apple to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC who are currently on a four-game unbeaten streak. This is the second meeting between the two sides with Gotham FC running away with all three points in the first match on May 24. Forward Ella Stevens recorded a brace, scoring two minutes apart in the first half of action.

Gotham FC is enjoying its best regular season home campaign in club history, setting records with 24 points earned and seven wins at Red Bull Arena this year. The New Jersey, New York-based club has won seven of its last nine home matches.

TEMWANTS MORE GOALS

Racing Louisville host the Kansas City Current and Temwa Chawinga who is just one goal away from tying former Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr for the single season goal record set in 2019. The Malawi international currently sits with 17 goals and recently set the record for scoring in eight straight regular season matches. Louisville is unbeaten at home against the Current in all competitions and has won each of the last three meetings in Kentucky. The Current are on a four-game unbeaten run and have clinched a playoff berth meanwhile Racing remains in playoff contention sitting in ninth place with all three points crucial as the season winds down.

WEEK 22 MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, October 4

Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars | Shell Energy Stadium | 8 p.m. ET | NWSL+

Seattle Reign vs. Angel City FC | Lumen Field | 10 p.m. ET | Prime Video

Saturday, October 5

North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave FC | WakeMed Soccer Park | 7 p.m. ET | NWSL+

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Bay FC | Red Bull Arena | 7:30 p.m. ET | ION

Racing Louisville FC vs. Kansas City Current | Lynn Family Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | NWSL+

Portland Thorns FC vs. Utah Royals FC | Providence Park | 10 p.m. ET | ION

Sunday, October 6

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit | Inter&Co Stadium | 10 p.m. ET | ESPN 2