The NWSL is onto the semifinals on Sunday after two thrilling quarterfinal matchups.
The San Diego Wave and Kansas City Current advanced after each scoring the winning goal in the 10th minute of added time against the Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash, respectively.
In the semis, the Wave will face the Portland Thorns and the Current will take on OL Reign. The Thorns and Reign each received a bye to the semis after finishing as the top two teams in regular season.
The action on Sunday begins with the Thorns and Wave at Providence Park in Portland at 5 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network), followed by the Current and Reign at Lumen Field in Seattle at 7:30 p.m. ET (CBSSN). International viewers can watch on Twitch. The winners move on to the NWSL Championship on Oct. 29.
Here’s an overview of each semifinal team and matchup.
Semifinal matchups are set after a record-breaking day! @thornsfc vs @sandiegowavefc@olreign vs @thekccurrent— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 17, 2022
Semifinal matchups are set after a record-breaking day! @thornsfc vs @sandiegowavefc@olreign vs @thekccurrent
Portland (10-3-9)
San Diego (10-6-6)
it's just what @alexmorgan13 does.#MakeWaves pic.twitter.com/upa4NJu9DQ— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) October 17, 2022
it's just what @alexmorgan13 does.#MakeWaves pic.twitter.com/upa4NJu9DQ
The Thorns and Wave are in for a physical game, as both were among the top three teams in the standings for most of the year. Portland forward Sophia Smith and San Diego forward Alex Morgan were in close contention for the Golden Boot, with Morgan finishing just one goal ahead of Smith (15 to 14) at the end of the regular season.
Head-to-head, San Diego defeated Portland 2-0 on Aug. 27 after the teams tied 2-2 in their first meeting on June 8. On Sunday, Portland has the advantage of fresher legs and a home crowd at Providence Park, a stadium known to break attendance records.
Prediction: Thorns. The Wave have a backline made of brick, but if anyone can find a way to break through it, it’ll be Portland.
Reign (11-4-7)
Kansas City (10-6-6)
It's celly time! An icy PK finish from @L0momma gives KC an early lead!#TealRising | @thekccurrent pic.twitter.com/rNTRos9AU9— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 16, 2022
It's celly time! An icy PK finish from @L0momma gives KC an early lead!#TealRising | @thekccurrent pic.twitter.com/rNTRos9AU9
While the Reign hung around playoff contention for most of the season and the Current went through ebbs and flows, both teams are peaking at the right time. Kansas City went on a 13-game undefeated streak to earn the fifth seed in the playoffs, and the Reign orchestrated dangerously creative attacks to steal the top seed from the Thorns.
Players to watch in this matchup start with the goalkeepers: Kansas City’s AD Franch and OL Reign’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Each nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year, they are capable of making highlight-reel saves at any point.
The teams are even when it comes to their prior meetings this season. The Reign won 1-0 at the end of May, and the Current got revenge in July with a 1-0 victory of their own. Like Portland, the Reign have the advantage on Sunday, playing at home and on extra rest.
Prediction: Reign. They’ve waited 10 years for an NWSL championship. Finals, here they come.
Jessa Braun is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports covering the NWSL and USWNT. Follow her on Twitter @jessabraun.