Decision Day is in the rearview mirror and the 2026 NWSL playoffs start this weekend.
The quarterfinals kick off Friday and conclude on Sunday, Nov. 8, with a marquee matchup featuring Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit going head-to-head with Sophia Wilson and the Portland Thorns. The Spirit last won a championship in 2021, while the Thorns have won three overall, most recently in 2022.
Gotham FC are vying to become the first back-to-back champion since North Carolina Courage won consecutive titles in 2018-19, while the Utah Royals are set to make its first playoff appearance
Here's what you need to know ahead of the 2026 NWSL postseason:
San Diego Wave FC vs Utah Royals FC
Friday, Nov. 6 | 10 p.m. ET (Prime Video) | Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
For the first time in franchise
history, the Utah Royals qualified for NWSL postseason. The Royals will lean heavily on Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse, who has done a little bit of everything this season, scoring eight goals and 10 assists to help Utah reach a franchise-best 14 wins. However, the Royals' dangerous offense enters the playoffs on a scoring drought that's stretched to 270 consecutive minutes entering the playoffs. Look for Lacasse, as well as Mina Tanaka (nine goals and five assists) to find the back of the net if the Royals want to take their historic run a step further and notch their first playoff win.
San Diego is riding a wave of momentum as the club makes its first postseason appearance since 2023. The Wave have won eight of their last 10 and set single-season records for wins (18) and points (58). Trinity Byars recorded a team-high 14 contributions for the Wave this season, becoming the second player in club history to record double-digit goals in a single season with 11 goals and three assists. Alex Morgan was the first with 15 goals in 2022. Melanie Barcena, 19, added a career-high seven goals and three assists.
The Wave has defeated Utah every time they've faced off since the Royals returned to the league in 2024, with San Diego boasting a 6-0 all-time record against Utah, including both matchups between the teams this season.
Kansas City Current vs Angel City FC
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 12 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+) | CPKC Stadium (Kansas City)
After recording the winningest regular season in NWSL history last year, Kansas City came down to earth with a 16-win season under first-year coach Chris Armas. The Current finished with 54 goals, tying Angel City FC with the most in the league. The high-scoring offenses will go head-to-head on Saturday.
The Current enter the matchup on five-match winning streak, led by forwards Temwa Chawinga and Haley Hopkins, who each have scored 12 goals a piece this season. Midfielder Croix Bethune, who was acquired from the Washington Spirit in a $1 million transfer in February, led the league with 11 assists, including six game-winning assists, to set a new NWSL single-season record.
Angel City enters the postseason on a 10-game unbeaten streak after recording club single-season records for points (52) and wins (15). Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir broke Angel City's single-season record with 10 goals this season. Angel City won the first matchup between the teams, 2-1, while the second matchup of the season resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC) | Sports Illustrated Stadium (New Jersey)
Gotham FC has flipped the script. The club entered the 2025 postseason as the No. 8 seed and went on to become the lowest seed to win an NWSL championship in league history. This year, Gotham FC enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed after winning the club's first NWSL Shield, which is awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular-season. The firsts didn't stop there. The defending champions set club records in wins (18), points (61) and shutouts (14) as they look to win their third title in four seasons.
“It's definitely a historic day for the club,” Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós said. “At least for a week, we are champions of the NWSL Championship, champions of the NWSL Challenge Cup, and now we are champions of the NWSL Shield, which means that basically we're winners of everything, and we're going to try to win the championship again."
Jaedyn Shaw will be key to Gotham FC's title defense. Shaw has a team-high 16 contributions with 11 goals and six assists. Esther González, Gotham's all-time top scorer, scored six goals this season to extend her own record.
Meanwhile, the Reign are looking to end Jess Fishlock's NWSL career on a high note after claiming the last spot in the 2026 NWSL playoffs. Fishlock, who joined the Reign in the league's inaugural season in 2013, is set to retire at the conclusion of the season. The 39-year-old brings leadership to the youthful team, in addition to the four goals and one assist she recorded this season to surpass Megan Rapinoe as the Reign's all-time leading scorer. Forward/midfielder Maddie Mercado has a team-high 10 goals.
“I've said it before and I'll say it again. This group … the only sad thing about my retirement is I don't get more time with them," Fishlock said. "I would love to spend another couple of years just being a part of their growth and them reaching what they want to reach, because I love them. I do."
Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 3 p.m. ET (ABC) | Audi Field (Washington DC)
The final quarterfinal match of the weekend features heavyweights USWNT teammates Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, who won Olympic gold together at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On Sunday, they're rivals.
Both are in midst of career years. Wilson scored a career-best 15 goals and five assists in 28 games in her first season back from maternity leave after giving birth to daughter Gianna in September 2025. That figure could be even higher had Wilson not served a two-game suspension following a red card for hair pulling. Wilson enters Sunday's playoff matchup red-hot after recording a brace in the Thorns regular-season finale.
Rodman turned in the most productive season of her career, with highs in goals (12), assists (8) and games (30). She'll look to lead the Spirit over the hump after the club was defeated in the championship game the past two seasons. The 2026 NWSL championship will be held at Audi Field on Nov. 21. Is third time the charm?
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson go head-to-head in NWSL playoff quarterfinal
