2021 NWSL Semifinals Preview and Predictions
The NWSL Quarterfinals did not disappoint, with the Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit each advancing 1-0. Both of the lower seeds carry a bit of extra momentum, having played last week. The Thorns and Reign should be fully rested with the Bye week, but there’s a small risk of not coming out as sharp as the lower-seeded team having played the extra week. We’re one step closer to crowning a new champion; who will advance to the final in Louisville? Let’s take a closer look.
#2 OL Reign vs. #3 Washington Spirit
@ 3 PM ET on CBS Sports Network
The Spirit now rides into Tacoma in good spirits after taking out the North Carolina Courage in extra time. Kris Ward isn’t up for Coach of the Year for the job he’s done, but he should be. This team looks as ready as it will ever be to take the step into becoming one of the league’s elite teams.
On the other hand, Laura Harvey is nominated for Coach of the Year and deserves the nomination for turning the OL Reign’s season around and getting all the big stars to play with each other seamlessly.
On paper, the OL Reign should advance; they’ve had a great year, and their team chemistry might be the best in the league. However, the Spirit will not be intimidated at all by this OL Reign team. The Spirit has a 1-0 win and 2-0 win over OL Reign during the regular season. The third match was a 3-0 forfeit win for the Reign after the Spirit COVID debacle in-house.
The OL Reign will be eager to exact revenge on the Spirit, but those two regular-season wins should give Washington the belief they can get it done again. Additionally, lower seeds have a history of doing well at this stage in the playoffs. Therefore, my gut is saying the Spirit advance to the final in a wild game.
PREDICTION: Spirit advance 2-1
#1 Portland Thorns vs. #4 Chicago Red Stars
@ 5:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network
Portland and Chicago meet again in what should be a VERY physical game, with neither team willing to give an inch. These two teams come into the postseason with different runs of form.
The Thorns limped their way into the playoffs again. Even though they won the NWSL Shield, they finished the season with one win, three draws, and two losses. One of those two losses came at the hands of the Red Stars 2-1. This year, Portland has more offensive firepower with Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver, but is it enough to get them over the line and into the final?
Their two young stars will have to make plays to pick up the slack for Lindsey Horan and Christine Sinclair. As for the Red Stars, they’ve been playing their best soccer over the second half of the season. Mallory Pugh and Kealia Watt are playing at a high level to support the strong backbone that Chicago has always had.
The Thorns did beat Chicago 5-0 to open the season, but that was back in May, and this is a different Chicago team now. Again Portland should be favored to win at home in front of a raucous crowd, but something is telling me Chicago finds a way to go to get to the final.
PREDICTION: Red Stars advance 1-0
Featured image via @OLReign on Twitter
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
