By OkayGoal 
There are two match days left in the 2025 NWSL Regular Season, and the playoff race is reaching its conclusion. With a few playoff scenarios pending for teams ranked 4-11 in the table, there are endless possibilities for how the final standings will look. Let’s break down the NWSL standings and assess the NWSL Playoff Picture. Who’s in and who’s out?
1. Kansas City Current, 62 points – Clinched Top Seed
Kansas City has been the best team by a wide margin all season long. This is pretty straightforward, and they will have the top seed and homefield advantage until the NWSL Final.
2. Washington Spirit, 44 points – Clinched No. 2 Seed
The Washington Spirit managed to surpass the Orlando Pride and lock up the No. 2 seed for the playoffs. Similar to the Current, they have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and as we know, Rowdy Audi is a tough place to play. The Spirit will pose a real threat to KC if they meet in the NWSL Final.
3. Orlando Pride, 36 points – Clinched Playoff Spot
After Matchweek 24 officially wrapped up, Orlando has a reason to celebrate, having locked up the third of eight spots. Orlando is in, but they have more work to do if they want to hold onto their third spot. With Racing Louisville in the No. 8 spot and only three points back, they could fall as far as the last spot. Orlando will need at least two wins or a win and a draw to ensure a Top 4 place and get a home game in the opening round.
4. Gotham FC, 35 points – Almost Clinched
Gotham has not yet clinched their spot but is on the brink of doing so. They’re taking on Racing Louisville in their next match, which is enormous for both teams. If these teams draw, it should be enough for Gotham to clinch a spot without having to worry about the final weekend because of their strong goal difference. If Gotham wins, they’re in, and if Louisville wins, it’ll leave Gotham having to wait on results from North Carolina’s match against Bay FC.
5. Seattle Reign, 35 points – Almost Clinched
Seattle is in the same boat as Gotham, being on exactly 35 points. However, they have a far more favorable matchup than Gotham does next week. The Reign will host the Utah Royals at Lumen Field, and the scenario is simple: if they win or draw, they’re in, but a loss to Utah would still leave the door open for North Carolina to sneak in if they beat Bay FC.
6. San Diego Wave, 34 points – In Playoffs but Not Safe Yet
San Diego is not in yet, but they also have a favorable matchup going into next weekend. They host the Chicago Stars at home. Now, the Stars have obviously looked like a much different team in the second half of the season and could absolutely play spoiler. If the Wave win, they are in, but a draw or a loss could leave the door open for the NC Courage to sneak in.
7. Portland Thorns, 34 points – In Playoffs but Not Safe Yet
Similar to the Wave, this extra point that Portland has over Louisville is a godsend for them because of the flexibility it gives them as they enter the final week. Portland has to travel to LA to take on Angel City at BMO Stadium, which is where Angel City plays its best soccer. Of course, a win means they’re in with a draw or a loss, leaving a chance for North Carolina to catch them. However, a win or draw in the final week against Houston, even if they lose to Angel City, is enough for them to qualify.
8. Racing Louisville, 33 points – In Playoffs but Not Safe Yet
For Racing Louisville, their situation is far more precarious than the other teams because they have the NC Courage, Angel City, and the Houston Dash with a chance to take their spot in the standings. If they draw in their match with Gotham, it will be enough to eliminate the Houston Dash and Angel City. If the Courage beat Bay FC, then a draw would put Louisville at 34 points and NC at 32. Meaning they have to win their last game against Bay FC at home or risk losing out to North Carolina in the previous week of the season. A loss, however, would mean all three teams still have a chance of passing them. Of course, if they lose their final two games, then Angel City or the Houston Dash still can sneak in and take the final playoff spot as well.
9. North Carolina Courage, 29 points – Outside Looking In
For the Courage, they’re still in a decent place, only four points back and putting pressure on Louisville. Obviously, the ideal scenario is for the Courage to win their final two games and receive the help they need from Gotham FC next weekend. If the Courage draw and Louisville loses, it will still be three points behind Louisville. If they were to win the final week and Louisville were to lose, they’d take the final playoff spot. A draw this week is only okay if Gotham beats Louisville; if not, the Courage have to win their final two games to get in.
10. Angel City, 27 points – Outside Looking In
For Angel City, the equation is simple. They have to win their final two games of the season and hope that Racing Louisville loses its final two games. That’s the only way they can get into the playoffs. Now, they can absolutely beat the Portland Thorns at home and win away at Chicago, but will Louisville lose their final two games? It’s a lot to ask for and their chances are slim, but if Angel City controls what they can and wins the last two games, anything is possible.
11. Houston Dash, 27 points – Outside Looking In
Houston is in the same boat as Angel City, but the one thing holding them back is their goal difference. On top of that, they have two difficult matchups. They have to beat the KC Current, who could rest their starters, giving them a better chance to win. Then they have to go to Providence Park and beat the Portland Thorns, which has always been a fortress. The odds are not in their favor, but it would be a historic two-game stretch if Houston pulled it off and Louisville lost both of their games.
12. Utah Royals, 22 points – Eliminated
The Royals made a strong push in the second half of the season, but it simply wasn’t enough. Now, they could really make things interesting if they were to win or manage a draw against Seattle next week. That would shake up the standings big time. Based on how they’ve finished the year, they’re going to play hard in these final games.
13. Bay FC, 20 points – Eliminated
Bay FC simply couldn’t overcome the loss of Asisat Oshoala this season. It was a challenging year where they did make history at Oracle Park, but that was about it. They have a tremendous opportunity to create chaos by achieving a result against the NC Courage or Racing Louisville, which they will surely try their best to do, and to end the season strong.
14. Chicago Stars, 17 points – Eliminated
Chicago had a brutal start to the season, but has shown just how united and tough a group they are in the second half of the season. Finishing last is not a proper reflection of how this team ended the season. They could also end the season on a high note by ruining the Wave’s chances at a higher seed next week. Not only that, but they could end Angel City’s season in the final week. This team will definitely look to end strong to carry momentum into next year.
Featured image via @kccurrent on Instagram
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