NWSL Playoff Scenarios, Schedule: Three teams for two spots ahead of the final day of the NWSL regular season

Three teams remain in the hunt for two playoff spots in the NWSL as they prepare for an entertaining final weekend of regular season action.

The Portland Thorns and Bay FC control their own destinies this weekend, with a draw enough for either team to book a spot in the postseason. Bay could also make history by becoming only the second NWSL expansion team to make the playoffs, and with a win would also set the record for wins by a newcomer to the league with 11 wins. However, Racing Louisville is still in the race to make the postseason but needs another handful of results to achieve their goal of clinching a playoff spot for the first time in team history.

For most teams in the play-offs, seeding is still up for grabs. While the Shield-winning Orlando Pride sit in first place and the North Carolina Courage remain in fifth place, specific postseason games 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 the playoff scenarios.

NWSL table

*qualified for the play-offs
**eliminated from play-off contention

Qualifying scenarios for the play-offs

Portland Thorns (31 points, 9-12-4)

Can clinch a playoff berth

• Win or draw against Angel City OR
• Loss to Angel City AND Racing Louisville draw or lose against San Diego Wave OR
• Loss to Angel City AND Bay FC wins or draws against Houston Dash AND Racing Louisville beats San Diego Wave AND better goal difference than Racing Louisville OR
• Loss to Angel City AND Bay FC loss to Houston Dash AND Racing Louisville beats San Diego Wave AND better goal difference than Racing Louisville OR Bay F.C

Bay FC (31 points, 10-14-1)

Can clinch a playoff berth

• Win or draw against Houston Dash OR
• Loss to Houston Dash AND Racing Louisville draw or lose against San Diego Wave OR
• Loss to Angel City AND Racing Louisville beats San Diego Wave AND Portland Thorns loss to Angel City AND better goal difference than Portland Thorns

Racing Louisville (28 points, 7-11-7)

Can clinch a playoff berth

• Win San Diego Wave AND Bay FC loss to Houston Dash OR
• Win San Diego Wave AND Portland Thorns loss to Angel City AND better goal difference than Portland Thorns

Sowing scenarios

Washington Spirit (53 points, 17-6-2)

Can take second place with this

• Gain the courage of North Carolina AND Gotham draw or lose against Utah Royals OR
• Gain the courage of North Carolina AND Gotham beats Utah Royals AND better goal difference than Gotham OR
• Draw against North Carolina Courage AND Gotham draw against Utah Royals AND Kansas City Current Draw or Loss vs. Chicago Red Stars AND better goal difference than Gotham OR
• Draw against North Carolina Courage AND Gotham loss to Utah Royals AND Kansas City Current Draw or Loss vs. Chicago Red Stars OR
• Loss to North Carolina Courage AND Gotham loss to Utah Royals AND Kansas City Current Loss to Chicago Red Stars AND better goal difference than Gotham

NJ/NY Gotham FC (53 points, 16-4-5)

Can take second place with this

• Win the Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit draw or loss to North Carolina Courage OR
• Win the Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit beats North Carolina Courage AND better goal difference than Washington Spirit OR
• Tie against Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit loss to North Carolina Courage AND Kansas City Current Draw or Loss vs. Chicago Red Stars OR
• Loss to Utah Royals AND Washington Spirit loss to North Carolina Courage AND Kansas City Current Loss to Chicago Red Stars AND better goal difference than Washington Spirit

Kansas City Current (52 points, 15-3-7)

Can take second place with this

• Win Chicago Red Stars AND Washington Spirit draw or loss to North Carolina Courage AND Gotham draw or lose against Utah Royals OR
• Draw against Chicago Red Stars AND Washington Spirit loss to North Carolina Courage AND Gotham loss to Utah Royals

Last weekend program

Friday November 1, 2024

Saturday November 2, 2024

Sunday November 3, 2024