NWSL Playoffs Begin as San Diego Wave and Gotham FC Eye Historic Titles

The National Women's Soccer League playoffs commence this weekend, setting the stage for a contest between the league's eight top teams. The ultimate prize is the NWSL Championship, a trophy that remains out of reach for many franchises. The final match will take place in Washington, D.C., concluding a tournament that begins with quarterfinals this week.

Gotham FC enters the tournament as the primary favorites. The team secured the NWSL Shield for the first time in its history, positioning them to achieve a rare double. If they succeed, Gotham would become the first club to win both the Shield and the Championship since the Orlando Pride accomplished the feat in 2024. Additionally, a victory would mark the first back-to-back titles for any team since the North Carolina Courage won consecutive championships in 2018 and 2019.

Three previous champions are participating in this year's bracket. Along with Gotham, the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns return to the postseason. These two former title holders are set to face each other in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup on Sunday. This game is considered one of the most significant events of the weekend, featuring two experienced squads looking to reclaim their status at the top of the league.

The San Diego Wave present a formidable challenge to the established powers. The team pushed the Shield race to the final day of the regular season before Gotham claimed the award. The Wave are widely regarded as strong contenders for a first-time championship. Their quarterfinal opponent, the Utah Royals, will make their postseason debut on Friday evening. This marks a historic moment for the Royals as they enter the tournament for the first time.

Attention will turn to the Midwest on Saturday for what may be the most competitive quarterfinal contest. The Kansas City Current will host Angel City FC in a clash of two highly talented rosters. Angel City has gained significant momentum following a late-season surge. This run has been fueled in part by the strong performances of Ally Sentnor, a prospect for the U.S. women's national team.

The schedule for the quarterfinals is spread across three days. The San Diego Wave versus the Utah Royals will kick off the tournament on Friday, November 6, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, with the match available on Prime Video. Saturday, November 7, features the Kansas City Current against Angel City FC at 12 p.m. Eastern Time, broadcast on CBS and Paramount+. The weekend concludes on Sunday, November 8, with two matches: Gotham FC versus the Seattle Reign at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and the Washington Spirit versus the Portland Thorns at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Both Sunday games will air on ABC.

The semifinals are scheduled for the weekend of November 14 and 15. Specific times for these matches have not yet been determined. The first semifinal will pit the winner of the Gotham or Seattle Reign match against the winner of the Kansas City or Angel City game. The second semifinal will feature the victor of the San Diego or Utah Royals matchup against the winner of the Washington or Portland Thorns contest.

The NWSL Championship game is set for Saturday, November 22. The final match will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+. The teams that advance to this decisive game remain to be determined following the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

Predictions from the CBS Sports editorial team and Attacking Third analysts have shifted since the regular season concluded. Before the season began, four out of six experts favored the Kansas City Current to win the championship, while two selected the Washington Spirit. However, the postseason has brought a change in outlook, with many analysts now backing the San Diego Wave to lift the trophy.

Gotham FC also remains a popular pick for the title, with some experts believing they will follow up their Shield victory with the championship. Kansas City Current has also retained support from at least one analyst who sees them as the eventual winners. The bracket reflects a mix of confidence in the top seeds and cautious optimism regarding potential upsets from the remaining teams.