NWSL playoff scenarios: How teams can clinch postseason berths

With one matchweek remaining in the NWSL regular season, just two teams have clinched playoff berths, and just two teams have been eliminated from contention.

A mere six points separate first and sixth place in the standings, and five points separate sixth and 12th place. That sets up a frantic finish to the playoff race, with the Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave already into the postseason and eight other teams vying to join them.

Prepare for a chaotic decision day at 5 p.m. ET Sunday, with four playoff spots on the line. Just Women’s Sports breaks down the postseason picture, with help from Alison Gale’s playoff explorer. CBS Sports Network will feature whiparound coverage of all six matches.

NWSL playoff-clinching scenarios: Oct. 15

Portland Thorns FC (35 points, +14 goal differential)

• Already clinched:
  • Top 2-seed
  • First-round bye
• Clinches Shield with:
  • A win
  • SD loss
  • A draw + SD draw
  • A loss by seven goals or less + SD draw

San Diego Wave FC (34 points, +7)

• Already clinched:
  • Top 2-seed
  • First-round bye
• Clinches Shield with:
  • A win + POR draw/loss
  • A draw + POR loss by eight goals or more

North Carolina Courage (30 points, +6)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win
  • A draw
  • A draw + NJY draw/loss OR RGN draw/loss OR ORL draw/loss OR LA draw/loss
  • A draw + favorable goal differential (over LA/ORL)
  • A loss + no more than three of NJY, RGN, ORL, LA reach 31+ points + favorable goal differential (over LOU)

NJ/NY Gotham FC (30 points, +1)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win
  • A draw + RGN draw/loss OR ORL draw/loss OR LA draw/loss
  • A draw + favorable goal differential (over LA/ORL if both win)
  • A loss + no more than three of NCC, WAS, RGN, ORL, LA reach 31+ points + favorable goal differential (over LOU)

Washington Spirit (30 points, -2)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win
  • A draw + NJY loss OR RGN draw/loss OR ORL draw/loss OR LA draw/loss
  • A draw + favorable goal differential (over LA/ORL if both win)
  • A loss + no more than 3 of NJY, RGN, ORL, LA reach 31+ points + favorable goal differential (over LOU)

OL Reign (29 points, +2)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win
  • A draw + no more than 3 of NCC, NJY, WAS, ORL, LA, reach 31+ pts + favorable goal differential
  • A loss + ORL draw/loss + LA draw/loss + LOU draw/loss + favorable goal differential

Orlando Pride (28 points, -2)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win + favorable goal differential
  • A win + NJY loss OR RGN draw/loss OR LA draw/loss
  • A draw + RGN loss + LA draw/loss + LOU draw/loss + favorable goal differential

Angel City FC (28 points, -3)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win + favorable goal differential
  • A win + WAS win/loss + ORL loss/draw OR RGN draw/loss OR NJY loss

Racing Louisville FC (27 points, +3)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win + no more than three of NCC, NJY, WAS, RGN, ORL, LA reach 31+ points + favorable goal differential

Houston Dash (26 points, -1)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  • A win + RGN loss + LOU draw/loss + LA draw/loss + favorable goal differential

NWSL schedule: Oct. 15

• All games kick off at 5 p.m. ET Sunday
  • Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns
  • Chicago Red Stars vs. OL Reign
  • Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current
  • Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash
  • San Diego Wave vs. Racing Louisville FC
  • Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage