Three teams remain in the hunt for two playoff spots in the NWSL, gearing up for a comical final weekend of regular season action.
The Portland Thorns and Bay FC control their own futures this weekend, with a tie enough for all sides to accrue a playoff spot. Bay could also make history by becoming the second NWSL expansion team to make the playoffs, and a win would also increase the winning record for a league newcomer to 11 wins. Racing Louisville, however, is still in the race to make the postseason, even though it needs a handful of consequences to get out of its way and secure a playoff berth for the first time in team history.
Qualification is still up for grabs for many teams in the playoff picture. While Safe winner Orlando Joy is locked into first park and North Carolina Braveness remains fifth, specific postseason matchups are still up in the air with another weekend of regular season action to go.
Ahead of this weekend’s NWSL action, here’s a look at playoff conditions.
NWSL desk
| Orlando Delight* | 17 | 2 | 6 | 43 | 18 | +25 | 57 |
| Spirit of Washington* | 17 | 6 | 2 | 50 | 28 | +22 | 53 |
| New Jersey/New York Gotham FC* | 16 | 4 | 5 | 37 | 19 | +18 | 53 |
| Kansas City Stream* | 15 | 2 | 7 | 54 | 30 | +24 | 52 |
| North Carolina Courage* | 12 | 10 | 3 | 34 | 27 | +7 | 39 |
| Chicago Purple Stars* | 10 | 13 | 2 | 30 | 35 | -5 | 32 |
| Portland Thorns | 9 | 12 | 4 | 34 | 35 | -1 | 31 |
| Bahia FC | 10 | 14 | 1 | 28 | 39 | -11 | 31 |
| Louisville Racing | 7 | 11 | 7 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 28 |
| Utah Royals** | 7 | 14 | 4 | 21 | 36 | -15 | 25 |
| Angel City** | 7 | 12 | 6 | 29 | 39 | -10 | 24 |
| Seattle Reign** | 6 | 14 | 5 | 25 | 41 | -16 | 23 |
| San Diego Tide** | 5 | 13 | 7 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 22 |
| Houston Speed** | 5 | 15 | 5 | 18 | 39 | -21 | 20 |
*certified for the playoffs
**eradicated from playoff competition
Playoff qualification situations
Portland Thorns (31 issues, 9-12-4)
Can earn a playoff berth with
- Win or draw against Angel Town EITHER
- Loss to Angel Town AND Racing Louisville draws or loses against San Diego Tide EITHER
- Loss to Angel Town AND Bay FC wins or draws against Houston Sprint AND Racing Louisville victory over San Diego Tide AND greater goal differential than Racing Louisville EITHER
- Loss to Angel Town AND Bay FC defeats Houston Sprint AND Racing Louisville victory over the San Diego Tide AND greater goal differential than Racing Louisville EITHER Bahia FC
Bay FC (31 issues, 10-14-1)
Can earn a playoff berth with
- Win or draw against Houston Sprint EITHER
- Defeat against Houston Sprint AND Racing Louisville draws or loses against San Diego Tide EITHER
- Loss to Angel Town AND Racing Louisville victory over the San Diego Tide AND Portland Thorns lose to Angel Town AND target differential higher than Portland Thorns
Racing Louisville (28 issues, 7-11-7)
Can earn a playoff berth with
- Beat San Diego Tide AND Bay FC defeats Houston Sprint EITHER
- Beat San Diego Tide AND Portland Thorns lose to Angel Town AND target differential higher than Portland Thorns
Planting situations
Spirit of Washington (53 issues, 17-6-2)
You can get the second park with
- Victory over North Carolina bravery AND Gotham tie or loss against the Utah Royals EITHER
- Victory over North Carolina bravery AND Gotham victory over the Utah Royals AND greater target differential than Gotham EITHER
- Draw against the North Carolina Braveness AND Gotham ties against the Utah Royals AND Kansas Town Stream draw or lose against Chicago Purple Stars AND greater target differential than Gotham EITHER
- Draw against the North Carolina Braveness AND Gotham loss to the Utah Royals AND Kansas Town Stream draw or lose against Chicago Purple Stars EITHER
- Defeat to the bravery of North Carolina AND Gotham loss to the Utah Royals AND Kansas Town Stream loss to Chicago Purple Stars AND greater target differential than Gotham
New Jersey/NY Gotham FC (53 numbers, 16-4-5)
You can get the second park with
- Beat the Utah Royals AND Draw or loss for the Washington Spirit against the North Carolina Braveness EITHER
- Beat the Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit beats North Carolina Braveness AND target differential higher than Washington Spirit EITHER
- Draw against Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit defeats North Carolina Braveness AND Kansas Town Stream draw or lose against Chicago Purple Stars EITHER
- Loss to the Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit defeats North Carolina Braveness AND Kansas Town Stream loss to Chicago Purple Stars AND target differential higher than Washington Spirit
Kansas Town Stream (52 issues, 15-3-7)
You can get the second park with
- Beat the Chicago Purple Stars AND Draw or loss for the Washington Spirit against the North Carolina Braveness AND Gotham tie or loss against the Utah Royals EITHER
- Draw against Chicago Red Stars AND Washington Spirit defeats North Carolina Braveness AND Gotham loss to the Utah Royals
Final weekend schedule
Friday, November 1, 2024
| Home | Far | While | Broadcast/TV | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Royals | New Jersey/New York | 21:30 | NWSL+ | Early US farmland |
| portland | Angel City FC | 10:00 p.m. | AMZN | Unexpected ground |
Saturday, November 2, 2024
| Home | Far | While | Broadcast/TV | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | Seattle Reign | 5:00 p.m. | ION | Inter&Co Stadium |
| North Carolina | Washington | 19:30 | ION | WakeMed soccer floor |
| houston | Bahia FC | 21:30 | ION | Shell Power Stadium |
Sunday, November 3, 2024
| Home | Far | While | Broadcast/TV | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chicago | Kansas City | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN | SeatGeek Stadium |
| san diego | Racing Louisville FC | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN | Snapdragon Stadium |
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