The AUSL playoffs have arrived, as the No. 2 Chicago Bandits battle the No. 3 Portland Cascade tonight for a chance to face the reigning champion Utah Talons in the best-of-three championship series.
Chicago’s top-ranked offense dominated the pair’s season series, winning five of six games while hitting .359 against Portland — though the Cascade narrowly avoided the sweep with a 5-4 finale win.
The Bandits surged up the AUSL standings after ceding last year’s title to Utah, clinching the No. 2 seed off a league-best nine-game winning streak.
2026 expansion side Portland has leaned on its pitching, but will look to slugger Megan Grant to keep its title dreams alive.
The UCLA product finished her first professional regular season second leaguewide in home runs with 10, while reaching base in a league-high 17 straight games.
“There’s a lot of mental preparation that goes into it,” Grant said after launching two moonshots in Saturday’s 10-1 win over the Texas Volts.
“I just try to stay disciplined as much as I can and just try to relax and be myself when I get to the game.”
Where to Watch AUSL Postseason Games This Weekend
Chicago takes on Portland tonight at 9 PM ET (ESPN), before the 2026 title series kicks off on Saturday at 1 PM ET (ABC).
