The top four teams during the NWSL regular season are the final four teams in the playoffs, preparing for a competitive semifinal shootout with a trip to the Championship in Kansas City on the line.
The field of semifinalists is no surprise, but most enter the penultimate round of the postseason after closely contested quarterfinal games. While the Orlando Pride bested the Chicago Red Stars, the other three semifinalists (the Washington Spirit, reigning champions NJ/NY Gotham FC and Kansas City Current) won by a one-goal margin last week. The games revealed each team’s strengths and weaknesses, but their excellence throughout the season makes each of these games a toss-up.
Ahead of the semifinal action, here’s how the CBS Sports team thinks this weekend’s games will play out.
Postseason format and bracket
The NWSL Playoffs began last week with the quarterfinals and continue Saturday with the semifinals. The final four teams are vying for a spot in the championship game on Nov. 23 at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium, the first stadium built for a professional women’s soccer team in the country.
Semifinal schedule
All Eastern Time
Saturday November 16
Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 12 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
Sunday, November 17
Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current, 3 p.m. (ABC)
