With the playoffs quickly approaching, every result down the stretch will be magnified and be crucial for the NWSL playoff picture.
From matchday 24, KC Current made another big statement and the remaining
playoff picture gets even murkier after San Diego Wave and Orlando Pride pick up much-needed wins.
And the Washington Spirit’s superstar left the CONCACAF W Champions Cup match early due to injury…
14. Bay FC
Result: 1-1 draw at Seattle Reign | Next: October 17 vs NC Courage
Bay FC are now winless in their past 13 matches (five points).
The good news? Taylor Huff has now scored in two consecutive matches.
The team nearly pulled out the upset win on the road, but had to settle for a draw with Seattle Reign after allowing a late equalizer.
13. Chicago Stars
Result: 1-1 draw at Racing Louisville | Next: October 18 at San Diego Wave
On the road, the Chicago Stars were up a goal late before conceding the equalizer in stoppage time to Racing Louisville.
This team has been very competitive down the stretch, especially their past 11 matches (1-8-2). This will be a very important offseason for them.
12. Utah Royals (-1)
Result: 2-3 loss vs San Diego Wave | Next: October 17 at Seattle Reign
URFC’s eight-game unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of the San Diego Wave.
Even with that loss, the Utah Royals have come on strong again to end the season.
Are they the team to watch in 2026?
11. Houston Dash (-1)
Result: 0-2 loss at Angel City FC | Next: October 18 vs KC Current
The Houston Dash suffered their third loss in the last five matches, this time to Angel City FC.
Their attack has become a major concern, with the team only scoring two goals, and held to an xG of 0.9 or lower four times in that span.
Mathematically, they are not eliminated from playoff contention yet, but it’ll take a miracle to climb back in the picture. They had every opportunity to get back in the picture, but it looks like it won’t be in the cards for them.
10. Angel City FC (+2)
Result: 2-0 win vs Houston Dash | Next: October 19 vs Portland Thorns
ACFC won for the first time in six matches with an absolutely dominant performance at home over Houston Dash.
If you haven’t seen Jun Endo’s incredible assist, what are you waiting for?
Can they still make the playoffs? Yes, but it’ll require maximum points, making up the goal differential, and tons of help.
Yesterday, USWNT and NWSL superstar, Christen Press announced her retirement. Angel City will now say goodbye to two legends of the game after the 2025 season (On September 30, Ali Riley announced her retirement).
9. North Carolina Courage
Result: 1-1 draw vs Washington Spirit | Next: October 17 at Bay FC
Unfortunately when they needed results the most, NC Courage have failed to deliver. They’ve gone winless against three playoff teams: Seattle Reign, Racing Louisville, and Washington Spirit. In those three games, they’ve accumulated only one point which came this past weekend thanks to a late equalizer by Shinomi Koyama.
With two matches remaining, North Carolina needs to make up four points to extend their season, and assistance from the teams above them.
8. Portland Thorns (-4)
Result: 0-1 loss at Orlando Pride | Next: October 19 at Angel City FC
A stoppage-time own goal prevented them from essentially clinching a playoff spot.
The Portland Thorns have not recorded a clean sheet since play resumed after the break (11 matches).
To make matters even worse, the Portland Thorns have not seen a forward score a goal since Julie Dufour on September 5. It’s also been over 2 months since Reilyn Turner and Pietra Tordin scored a goal (August 10).
7. San Diego Wave (+1)
Result: 3-2 win at Utah Royals | Next: October 18 vs Chicago Stars
In their 3-2 road win over Utah Royals, both teams combined for an xG of 0.5. At this stage in the season, it doesn’t matter how you pick up three points.
However, for the fifth time in six games, they’ve allowed two or more goals.
The attack is still a major concern, generating an xG of 0.9 or lower in three consecutive matches.
Will they be able to rediscover their early-season form?
6. Racing Louisville (+1)
Result: 1-1 draw vs Chicago Stars | Next: October 19 at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Thanks to Bethany Balcer with a last-minute equalizer, Racing Louisville are now on a three-match unbeaten streak.
After stepping away for her mental health and find her love for the game again, she scored on World Mental Health Day when her team needed it the most.
Bev Yanez’s side are on the verge of qualifying for the NWSL Playoffs for the first time in their club’s history. What she’s done for the club has been phenomenal and needs to be recognized as one of the Coach of the Year nominees.
5. Seattle Reign (+1)
Result: 1-1 draw vs Bay FC | Next: October 17 vs Utah Royals FC
Jess Fishlock to the rescue! Her 84th minute equalizer salvaged a point for Seattle Reign.
The attack generated an xG of 1.5, their highest output in nine matches.
They’re in fifth, but tied in points for a home playoff match.
Who will step up in the final two matches?
4. Orlando Pride (+1)
Result: 1-0 draw win vs Portland Thorns | Next: October 18 at Washington Spirit
All it took was one Marta delivery to win the game for Orlando Pride in stoppage time.
After coming back from injury (back), her corner kick forced an own goal.
The team is unbeaten in their last three (2-1-0) including massive wins over San Diego Wave and now Portland Thorns.
3. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Result: 0-2 loss at KC Current | Next: October 19 vs Racing Louisville
Their seven-game unbeaten streak comes to an end against KC Current, 0-2 on the road.
Gotham are still in a prime position to hold onto a top four seed and host a playoff match, but there is still more work to do.
2. Washington Spirit
Result: 1-1 draw at NC Courage | Next: October 18 vs Orlando Pride
The Washington Spirit are now on a 12-game unbeaten streak (5-7-0).
They have clinched home-field advantage through the semifinals and will have another great opportunity to make the final.
Trinity Rodman opened the scoring with her fifth goal of the season. Although the team allowed a late equalizer, they still earned another result.
However…
Yesterday, heartbreakingly, Rodman would have to be subbed off in the 41st minute with an injury in Washington’s 4-0 win over Monterrey in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. She will have scans today, to determine the extent.
1. Kansas City Current
Result: 2-0 win vs NJ/NY Gotham FC | Next: October 18 at Houston Dash
With their 2-0 win over Gotham, KC Current made even more history.
The win marked their 20th regular season victory and brought the team’s point total to 62 – no team has ever reached either milestone.
“We cannot have a better opportunity to prepare for the playoffs than playing a team like Gotham,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “We were excited about this opportunity. As coaches, we were talking about how we can’t lose from this game. No matter what the score is, I know we are going to gain something. And obviously at the end winning is awesome, but there are so many other things we can gain from this game that I think are going to help us during the playoffs.”
