Gotham FC is still in the playoff hunt thanks to a late game finger-tip save by Kailen Sheridan that sealed a 1-1 draw with Racking Louisville FC on Thursday night.
The result means the NWSL table is now even, with every team having played 23 games.
If the North Carolina Courage lose their game against the Portland Thorns on Saturday, Gotham automatically clinches a spot in the playoffs. However, if the Courage win or draw, Gotham needs to win on Sunday to advance. They’ll face Racing Louisville again on Sunday in the NWSL’s regular season finale.
Gotham’s tie Thursday makes the path a bit easier for the Chicago Red Stars. With a win in Friday’s game against the Orlando Pride, the team not only clinches a spot in the playoffs but also gets the chance to host a quarterfinal game as one of the top four teams.
If the Red Stars draw, they would still clinch a playoff spot, but their ability to host would depend on other league results. It they fall to the Pride on Friday, they would need one of the three teams remaining on the bubble to lose in order to punch their ticket.
The Houston Dash are still reliant on the result of the Courage game on Saturday. A North Carolina loss will send both the Dash and Gotham FC to the playoffs.
The NWSL playoff push continues with the Red Stars taking on Orlando at 7 p.m. ET.