Heading into the final weekend of the regular season there are a lot of possibilities for teams to make the NWSL playoffs. Here are your NWSL standings and what each team needs to do to qualify for the NWSL playoffs. For an explanation of how the playoffs work and the order of the tiebreakers, click here.
1. Portland Thorns (Locked)
43 points | 23 games
Next Game: North Carolina Courage, Home , October 30th, 10pm EST
The Portland Thorns are the NWSL Shield winners and will be the number one seed for the playoffs regardless of this weeks results. They will have a first round bye and will play their semifinal game at home.
2. OL Reign (In)
39 points | 23 games
Next Game: Kansas City NWSL, Away, October 30th, 9p EST
The OL Reign have clinched a playoff spot and are currently in second place. They will finish second with a win or a draw against Kansas City NWSL. A win or a draw guarantees a first round bye and a semifinal game at home. Regardless of the outcome of the game the Reign will have a home playoff game.
Here are the scenarios if the Reign lose (39pts) their final game:
- The Spirit win (39pts) – The Reign most likely finish 2nd because of the goal difference tiebreaker. The Reign and the Spirit split their head to head series but the Reign have a better goal difference than the Spirit, unless the Spirit win by a lot and the Reign lose by a lot.
- The Spirit draw (37pts) or lose (36pts) – The Reign finish 2nd.
3. Washington Spirit (In)
36 points | 23 games
Next Game: Houston Dash, Home, October 31st, 2pm EST
The Washington Spirit have clinched a playoff spot. A win (39pts) guarantees a home playoff game. Here are the scenarios if the Spirit win their final game:
- The Reign Lose – The Spirit would most likely finish 3rd. The OL Reign and the Washington Spirit split their head to head series so the next tiebreaker would be goal difference. The Spirit would need to win by at least 7 to trigger the next tiebreaker.
- The Reign Win – The Spirit finish third.
Here are the scenarios if the Spirit draw (37pts) their final game:
- The Red Stars win (38pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) – The Spirit would finish 5th because of the tiebreaker scenario with Gotham. The Spirit lost their head to head series with a draw and a loss.
- The Red Stars win (38pts) AND Gotham draw (35pts) or lose (34pts) – The Spirit finish 4th and would host a home playoff game.
- The Red Stars draw (36pts) or lose (35pts) AND Gotham wins (37pts) – The Spirit would finish 4rd because of the tiebreaker scenario with Gotham and would host a home playoff game. The Spirit lose their head to head series with a draw and a loss.
- The Red Stars draw (36pts) or lose (35pts) AND Gotham draw (35pts) or lose (34pts) – The Spirit finish 3rd and would host a home playoff game.
Here are the scenarios if the Spirit lose (36pts) their final game:
- The Red Stars win (38pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) – The Spirit finish 5th.
- The Red Stars draw (36pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) – The Spirit would finish 5th because of the tiebreaker scenario with the Red Stars. The Spirit lost their head to head series with two losses.
- The Red Stars draw (36pts) AND Gotham draw (35pts) or lose (34pts) – The Spirit would finish 4th because of the tiebreaker scenario with the Red Stars. The Spirit lost their head to head series with two losses.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) – The Spirit finish 4th and host a playoff game.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham draw (35pts) or lose (34pts) – The Spirit finish third and have a home playoff game.
4. Chicago Red Stars
35 points | 23 games
Next Game: Orlando Pride, Away, October 29th, 7pm EST
The Chicago Red Stars are in control their own destiny. A win (38pts) or a draw (37pts) guarantees a playoff appearance and a win guarantees a playoff home game. Here are the scenarios if the Red Stars win their final game:
- The Spirit win (39pts) – The Red Stars finish 4th.
- The Spirit tie (37pts) or lose (36pts) – The Red Stars finish 3rd.
Here are the follow scenarios if the Red Stars draw (37pts) their final game :
- The Spirit win (39pts) or draw (37pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) – The Red Stars finish 5th.
- The Spirit win (39pts) or draw (37pts) AND Gotham draw (35pts) or lose (34pts) – The Red Stars finish 4th and have a home playoff game.
- The Spirit lose (36pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) – The Red Stars finish 4th because of their tiebreaker with the Spirit and have a playoff home game. The Red Stars won their head to head series with two wins.
- The Spirit lose (36pts) and Gotham draw (35pts) or lose (34pts) – The Red Stars finish 3rd and have a home playoff game.
Here are the following scenarios if the Red Stars lose (35pts) their final game:
- Gotham win (37pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Red Stars would go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Dash and the Courage. Cant predict the finish.
- Gotham win (37pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Red Stars finish 5th because of their tiebreaker over the Dash. The Red Stars won their head to head series with a win and a draw.
- Gotham win (37pts) AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Red Stars finish 6th because of their goal difference tiebreaker with the Courage. The Red Stars split their head to head series with the Courage but would lose the goal difference tiebreakers.
- Gotham win (37pts) AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Red Stars would finish 5th.
- Gotham draw (35pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) and the Courage win (35pts) – The Red Stars would go into the the Points Per Game tiebreaker with Gotham, the Dash, and the Courage. Cant predict the finish.
- Gotham draw (35pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Red Stars make the playoffs but go into the Points Per Game tiebreakers with Gotham and the Dash. Cant predict the finish.
- Gotham draw (35pts) AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Red Stars make the playoffs but go into the Points Per Game tiebreakers with Gotham and the Courage. Cant predict the finish.
- Gotham Lose (34pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) and the Courage win (35pts) – The Red Stars make the playoffs but go into the Points per Game tiebreakers with the Dash AND the Courage. Cant predict the finish.
- Gotham Lose (34pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Red Stars finish 4th because of the head to head tiebreaker with the Dash. The Red Stars won their head to head series with a win and a tie.
- Gotham Lose (34pts) AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Red Stars finish 5th because of the head to head tiebreaker with the Courage but would lose the goal difference tiebreakers.
- Gotham Loses AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Red Stars finish 4th and have a home playoff game.
5. Gotham FC
34 points | 23 games
Next Game: Racing Louisville, Home, October 31st, 3pm EST
Gotham FC are in control of their own destiny. A win (37pts) guarantees a playoff birth while a draw or a loss makes their future uncertain. Here are the scenarios if Gotham wins their final game:
- The Spirit win (39pts) AND the Red Stars win (38pts) – Gotham finishes 5th.
- The Spirit draw (37pts) AND the Red Stars win (38pts) – Gotham finishes 4th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Spirit and has a home playoff game. Gotham won their head to head series with a win and draw.
- The Spirit lose (36pts) AND the Red Stars lose (35pts) or draw (36pts) – Gotham finishes 3rd and has a home playoff game.
Here are the scenarios if Gotham draws (35pts) their final game:
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – Gotham FC goes into the Points Per Game tiebreaker with the Dash and the Courage. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage lose or draw – Gotham FC finishes 5th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Dash. Gotham FC won their head to head series with with a win and a draw.
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND the Dash lose or draw AND the Courage win (35pts) – Gotham finishes 5th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Courage. Gotham FC won their head to head series with two wins.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – Gotham FC goes into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars, the Dash, and the Courage. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) AND the Courage lose or draw – Gotham FC makes the playoffs but goes into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and the Dash. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND the Dash lose or draw AND the Courage lose or draw – Gotham FC finishes 4th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Red Stars and has a home playoff game. Gotham won their head to head series with a win and a draw.
Here ar ethe following scenarios if Gotham loses (34pts) their final game:
- The Dash win (35pts) and the Courage win (35pts) – Gotham misses the playoffs
- The Dash win (35pts) and the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – Gotham finishes 5th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Dash. Gotham won their head to head series with a win and a draw.
- The Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – Gotham finishes 5th.
6. Houston Dash
32 points | 23 games
Next game: Washington Spirit, Away, October 31st, 2pm EST
The Houston Dash have a good chance to make the playoffs with a win (35pts) but need some help from the teams above them to prevent tiebreaker scenarios. Here are the scenarios if the Dash win their final game:
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Dash finish 6th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Courage. The Dash won their head to head series with two wins.
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Dash finish 6th.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham wins (37pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Dash go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and the Courage. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham wins (37pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Dash finish 6th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Red Stars. The Dash lost their head to head series with a draw and a loss.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham draws (35pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Dash go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars, Gotham and the Courage. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham draws (35pts) and the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Dash make the playoffs but go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and Gotham. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham lose (34pts) AND the Courage win (35pts) – The Dash make the playoffs but go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and the Courage. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham lose (34pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Dash finish 5th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Red Stars. The Dash lost their head to head series with a draw and a loss.
Here are the scenarios if the Dash draw (33pts) their final game :
- The Courage win (35 pts) – The Dash miss the playoffs
- The Courage draw (33pts) – The Dash finish 6th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Courage. The Dash won their head to head series with two wins.
- The Courage lose (32pts) – The Dash finish 6th
Here are the scenarios if the Dash lose (32pts) their final game:
- The Courage win (35pts) or draw (33pts) – The Dash miss the playoffs
- The Courage lose (32pts) – The Dash finish 6th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Courage. The Dash won their head to head series with two wins.
7. North Carolina Courage
32 points | 23 games
Next Game : Portland Thorns, Away, October 30st, 10pm EST
The North Carolina Courage need a lot of help to make the playoffs. Here are the scenarios if they win (35pts) their final game:
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) – The Courage miss the playoffs because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Dash. The Courage lost their head to head series with losses wins.
- The Red Stars win (38pts) or draw (36pts) AND Gotham win (37pts) AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Courage finish 6th.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham wins (37pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) – The Courage go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and the Dash. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham wins (37pts) AND the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Courage finish 6th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Red Stars. The Courage split their head to head series but have a better goal difference.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham draws (35pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) – The Courage go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars, Gotham and the Dash. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham draws (35pts) and the Dash draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Courage make the playoffs but go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and Gotham. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham lose (34pts) AND the Dash win (35pts) – The Dash make the playoffs but go into the Points per Game tiebreaker with the Red Stars and the Dash. Cant predict the outcome.
- The Red Stars lose (35pts) AND Gotham lose (34pts) AND the Courage draw (33pts) or lose (32pts) – The Courage finish 5th because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Red Stars. The Courage split their head to head series but have a better goal difference.
Here are the scenarios of the Courage draw (33pts) their final game:
- The Dash win (35 pts) – The Courage miss the playoffs.
- The Dash draw (33pts) – The Courage miss the playoffs because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Dash. The Courage lost their head to head series with two losses.
- The Dash lose (32pts) – The Courage finish 6th.
Here are the scenarios if the Courage lose (32pts) their final game:
- The Dash win (35 pts) – The Courage miss the playoffs.
- The Dash draw (33pts) – The Courage miss the playoffs.
- The Dash lose (32pts) – The Courage miss the playoffs because of their head to head tiebreaker with the Dash. The Courage lost their head to head series with two losses.
NWSL Playoffs Matchdays
First Round of the NWSL Playoffs
Sunday, November 7th 2021
NWSL Playoffs Semi Finals
Sunday, November 14th 2021
NWSL Championship
Saturday, November 20th 2021
