What to Watch For in the NWSL, Matchday 20
Three games remain in what’s felt like an incredibly long NWSL season. From the end of March till now, it’s been physically and emotionally grueling. Every team has experienced ups and downs, with a World Cup sandwiched in between. We’re now at the business end of the season, where playoff spots are on the line. Portland, San Diego, and Gotham can all secure playoff spots with a win and a loss from Orlando, Angel City, or Louisville. The margin for error is low. Any mistakes now might result in any of the top six missing out on the playoffs when they’ve held those positions for a majority of the season. Here’s what to watch for in the NWSL, Matchday 20.
Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current: Saturday, September 30 at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT, Paramount+
The Washington Spirit are in must-win territory because a draw doesn’t help them here. Angel City and Orlando play each other on Monday, and if either team wins, they’d pass the Spirit in the top six. On top of that, they’re playing a Kansas City team that isn’t mathematically out of the equation either. The Current have played much better in the second half of the season and will have plenty of confidence after beating San Diego in their last game.
Watch out for how the Spirit’s offense responds because they haven’t scored in their last two games. Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, and Ashley Sanchez have to step up to make sure they get into the postseason. If they aren’t careful, Kansas City has plenty of attacking options between Debinha, Kristen Hamilton, and others to make them pay.
Chicago Red Stars vs. Racing Louisville: Saturday, September 30 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, Paramount+
Louisville is three points out of the playoff spots and has a good opportunity to get the win they need against Chicago. Similar to Kansas City, the Red Stars have been playing much better recently. Chicago went to DC and won 2-0 and then came from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw with Angel City, who have been on fire. Their young stars, Ava Cook, Penelope Hocking, and Allie Schlegel have started to work well with their veterans like Yuki Nagasato, Bianca St. Georges, and Cheyna Matthews.
On the flip side, Louisville experienced a bit of a Challenge Cup Final hangover after a rare loss at home to Houston, 1-0. That was with one of the better lineups they put out, minus Jaelin Howell. If Howell is back from a hip injury that’s kept her out for the last couple of games, expect her to play a big role in supporting her backline against a solid Chicago attack. If not, Savannah DeMelo has to get back to the form she was in prior to the World Cup. If she does, Louisville should make things even more tight within the playoff picture.
Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave: Saturday, September 30 at 10:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT, Paramount+
The battle for the NWSL Shield goes down in Providence Park this weekend. If the Wave can pull off a win, they’d leapfrog Portland in the standings with two games to go. The problem for San Diego is that the Thorns have won their last three games at home, and Providence Park is arguably the toughest place in the league to get a win. Factor in that the Wave lost to Kansas City in their last game, and you have an uphill battle for San Diego.
The season series is 1-1-1, which means there hasn’t been much to separate them this season. Alex Morgan will likely be back starting upfront, which will be a huge boost. However, it’s hard to pick against the Thorns with how well Morgan Weaver is playing in place of Sophia Smith. Especially seeing how they handled the OL Reign 2-0 in the Cascadia derby.
This is a game you won’t want to miss to see if the Wave has what it takes to beat the Thorns in Portland.
Gotham FC vs. Houston Dash: Sunday, October 1 at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT, Paramount+
While the top two teams take each other on, third-place Gotham is lurking behind them with a much better matchup against the Houston Dash. The Dash finally won a game, defeating Louisville 1-0. Can they parlay that into a late playoff push? They have the defense to do it, but the goals need to come with it, or else they won’t have a chance.
This is set up to be a defensive battle, as they’re the top two teams in goals allowed. The last time these two teams played it was a 1-1 draw. Expect a similar result. If there are more than three goals scored in this game, it’d be a huge surprise. Gotham has a great chance to make up ground, but this match will more than likely be a draw.
OL Reign vs. North Carolina Courage: Sunday, October 1 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, Paramount+
Both the OL Reign and North Carolina Courage are in the playoffs as of now at No. 4 and No. 5, but both teams have been sliding. The Courage won the Challenge Cup, but their form in the league has not been good in their last four games, with two losses and two draws. OL Reign has been slightly better, with one win and three losses in their last four games.
Both teams need to find their footing ASAP, with Louisville, Angel City, and Orlando right on their tail.
The edge should go to the Reign, who haven’t lost in their last three games at home in the league. On the flip side, North Carolina hasn’t been the best road team, losing three of their last four games in the league away from home. These teams played back in May, and the Courage picked up the win 1-0 at home against a strong OL Reign lineup. Expect the OL Reign to get that win back and defeat a Courage team that might still be relishing their Challenge Cup win.
Angel City vs. Orlando Pride: Monday, October 2 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT, CBS Sports Network
The game of the week has a lot riding on it, with both teams having an opportunity to jump into the top six if any of the three teams ahead of them lose. These two teams have arguably been the two best teams over the second half of the season.
Angel City’s unbeaten run is still going strong; no one has been able to beat them yet, and they’ll now be back at home after two road games. The Pride have been great at home, but they haven’t been as strong on the road, with just one win and four losses in the league. Keep an eye on Orlando’s lineup before the game. If Marta and Adriana start to go with Messiah Bright, there’s no reason the Pride can’t go into LA and end Angel City’s unbeaten run. Angel City should have an edge, but not by much. This will be a close game, and it’s the national TV game for a reason.
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