Racing Louisville claimed their maiden playoff position following an exciting conclusion to the NWSL regular season. Their 1-0 victory over Bay FC allowed them to secure the last playoff slot, ending two points ahead of the North Carolina Courage, whose 3-2 win against Gotham FC fell short.
The combination of results saw Gotham, who started the day in seventh place, drop to eighth, marking their decline with only one victory in their last seven games, while preparing to face the Kansas City Current in the quarterfinals.
In contrast, the Portland Thorns capitalized on their circumstances to ascend from sixth to third place, defeating the Houston Dash 2-0, which also ensured them a home playoff match against the San Diego Wave.
NWSL Decision Day Results
- Kansas City Current 2, San Diego Wave 1
- North Carolina Courage 3, Gotham FC 2
- Utah Royals 1, Washington Spirit 0
- Orlando Pride 1, Seattle Reign 1
- Racing Louisville 1, Bay FC 0
- Chicago Stars 2, Angel City 1
- Portland Thorns 2, Houston Dash 0
NWSL Playoffs Quarterfinal Matchups
Friday, Nov. 7
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Saturday, Nov. 8
Washington Spirit vs. Racing Louisville, 12 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
Sunday, Nov. 9
Kansas City Current vs. Gotham FC, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave, 3 p.m. (ABC)
Louisville Makes History
Racing Louisville secured the playoff berth with a goal from rookie Ella Hase in the 48th minute, symbolizing their growth under head coach Bev Yanez. They will now face a strong Washington Spirit side in the quarterfinals.
Current’s Resilience
Despite missing Temwa Chawinga, the Kansas City Current showcased depth with a comeback victory against the San Diego Wave, led by notable performances from Debinha and Nichelle Prince.
Gotham’s Inconsistency
Gotham FC, despite being playoff-bound, faces significant challenges after a concerning loss to the Courage, putting them in a precarious position heading into the quarterfinals.
