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Photo: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images.
The National Women’s Soccer League regular season has officially wrapped up, and the playoff bracket is set, with eight teams now in the race for the 2024 NWSL Championship. With each game carrying significant stakes, this past weekend provided thrilling matches and last-minute drama, setting up an exciting postseason.
Bay FC and Thorns FC clinch final two playoff berths
In one of the most intense battles of the weekend, Bay FC secured their place in the playoffs on Saturday night with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Houston Dash. This crucial win also marked the end of Racing Louisville’s playoff hopes, as Bay FC’s victory knocked Louisville out of contention.
Over on the west coast, Portland fans were treated to a memorable night as Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair played her last home match before hanging up her boots for good. Sinclair, who has had a storied career with the Thorns and Canada’s national team, received an outpouring of support from fans, teammates, and opponents alike. The Thorns rose to the occasion, defeating Angel City FC 3-0 to clinch their own spot in the playoffs.
Playoff seedings finalized
With two final games on Sunday, the seeding for the playoffs was confirmed, setting the stage for an intense quarterfinal round.
The quarterfinals start on Friday, November 8, with No. 1 seed Orlando Pride facing No. 8 Chicago Red Stars at 8 p.m. ET. Next Saturday, No. 4 Kansas City Current will host No. 5 North Carolina Courage at 12 p.m. ET. And the quarterfinals conclude next Sunday, with No. 2 Washington Spirit hosting No. 7 Bay FC at 12:30 p.m. ET, and No. 3 NJ/NY Gotham FC welcoming No. 6 Portland Thorns across the country at 3 p.m. ET.
The winners of each quarterfinal will advance to the semifinals the following weekend, with the higher-seeded team hosting. And it all culminates with the championship match on Saturday, November 23, at 8 p.m. ET in Kansas City, where the trophy will be handed out.
