By OkayGoal 
The NWSL postseason has finally arrived. 26 grueling games played over eight long months. These teams have endured a lot to get here, but all have the same goal, and they all stand in each other’s way. The NWSL Championship currently resides in Orlando. Will they repeat as champs, or will we see someone new pick up the mantle? Let’s take a deep dive into the four enticing matchups from the NWSL Quarterfinals.
No. 4 Orlando Pride vs. No. 5 Seattle Reign: Friday, November 7th, 8:00pm EST/5:00pm PST, Prime Video
It is very fitting that Orlando and Seattle face each other after there was nothing to separate them on Decision Day. Orlando looked like they were going to take the win thanks to an incredible Carson Pickett goal, but Seattle responded through Jordyn Bugg on a cross from Madison Curry. The Reign have been the better team all-time against Orlando, with seven wins, and the Pride only having three wins. However, seven total draws indicate that a lot of these matchups have been close, and this matchup should be no different. Do not be surprised to watch this be a low-scoring game; these two teams scored the fewest goals of any playoff team this season. Both defenses have been strong all season, but the question is who is going to create quality chances in this game.
Both of these teams have marquee summer transfers who will be asked to make a difference. Lizbeth Ovalle should be able to support Marta in that department. For Seattle, it’s Mia Fishel’s time to shine; whether she starts or comes in off the bench, she can find a way to impact the game.
Orlando has championship experience, but the Reign are an incredibly experienced group as well. There isn’t much to separate either of these teams. The Pride have to be slight favorites because of home-field advantage, but I like Seattle to pull off an upset here. This has the feeling of either a 0-0 or 1-1 game, then ends up in extra time anda penalty shootout. My pick is Seattle to advance to the next round.
Prediction: 0-0 (Seattle wins on penalties)
No. 2 Washington Spirit vs. No. 7 Racing Louisville: Saturday, November 8th, 12:00pm EST/9:00am PST, CBS, Paramount+
Racing Louisville has finally done it. They escaped the dreaded loop of finishing 9th and found a way to beat Bay FC on Decision Day to book their spot in the postseason. Their next challenge? A trip to Rowdy Audi to take on the No. 2-seeded Washington Spirit.
Historically, this matchup has not gone well for Louisville. Racing has only beaten the Spirit once in 12 games, with the lone win coming in 2021. The encouraging sign for Louisville is that they have scraped five draws against Washington before. They are fully capable of making this an ugly game to prevent Washington’s free-flowing offense from causing problems. Emma Sears has become a legit goal-scoring threat, and Taylor Flint gives Louisville a great aerial target as well. They can definitely pull off this upset, but I’m not going against this Spirit team at Audi Field, even if Trinity Rodman doesn’t play. The Spirit has too many options to throw at Louisville; this should be a win in regulation time.
Prediction: Spirit win 3-1
No. 1 Kansas City Current vs. No. 8 Gotham FC: Sunday, November 9th, 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST, ABC
The Kansas City Current have cruised to the No. 1 seed and didn’t face a stern challenge until the final few weeks of the season. A surprising loss to Houston, 1-0, might have normally been a cause for concern. However, they came back and beat San Diego with little to play for, erasing a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1. They have been the best team all year, and when you factor in that Gotham has never beaten Kansas City, the odds are heavily in their favor.
However, if any team is capable of beating the top-seeded Current, it’s Gotham. This could be the last year that this core is choosing to stick together; the outcome of this game could indicate whether some stars choose to stay or leave. Gotham might not be able to keep Rose Lavelle and Midge Purce for much longer. This core of players has been together for a while now and are the title winners from two years ago. Orlando dispelled the NWSL Shield curse, but could it be back on this year? With the odds stacked against Gotham, they might just play at their best. It’s very tempting to go against the grain and take a Gotham upset, but I think Kansas City survives a scare at CPKC Stadium.
Prediction: Current win 3-2
No. 3 Portland Thorns vs. No. 6 San Diego Wave: Sunday, November 9th. 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST, ABC
Portland started to stumble during the second half of the season, but has righted the ship in its last two games of the season when it mattered. The Thorns went to BMO Stadium and won 2-0 impressively and followed it up with a 2-0 win over Houston. They are playing some of their best soccer at the right time, albeit against two teams that did not make the playoffs.
The Wave were well on their way to ending the season on a three-game winning streak before Kansas City stole the win from them. A resounding 6-1 win over Chicago and a 3-2 win over Utah put them in the same boat as Portland. Two huge wins over two teams not in the playoffs.
What makes this matchup even more intriguing is how close it has been in league play. In 14 previous meetings, the Thorns have won five, the Wave have won five, with four draws between the teams. There’s not much to separate them at all. When that happens, I tend to lean towards the team with more playmakers who can break a game open. San Diego has more of that in their squad than Portland does. Sam Coffey is amazing, and Olivia Moultrie is in the best form she’s ever been in, but she has to step up and support Coffey and Jesse Fleming. The Wave has plenty of big game experience with Kenza Dali leading the charge and Delphine Cascarino wreaking havoc down the wing. Providence Park is a tough place to go and win, but I’m taking the Wave to get it done.
Prediction: Wave wins 2-1
Featured image via @kccurrent on Instagram
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