The Denver Summit’s playoff fate is out of their hands, as the 10th-place team fights to stay in the NWSL postseason race this weekend.
Following the expansion side’s 3-2 collapse against fifth-place Angel City last week, the Summit need to beat last-place Louisville to keep their playoff dreams alive. But they also need eighth-place Seattle to lose to sixth-place Utah. The first half of that equation should be doable given Louisville’s spot at the bottom of the table.
“I don’t think we lack anything, I think we have all the pieces here,” Denver defender Janine Sonis said. “It’s just small details.”
This Weekend's NWSL Playoffs Race Preview
Other squads up the NWSL table have clearer paths to punching their postseason tickets. Kansas City, Angel City, Utah, and Portland can all clinch berths with a win this weekend.
While Denver will be hoping for a Seattle loss, the Reign are looking for a hand from their longtime rival, the Thorns. A Seattle win combined with a Portland win over ninth-place North Carolina would see both teams through to the playoffs.
“We have been thinking about every game as if it is a playoff game at this point because we want to stay in control of our fate, so we have a one-game focus,” Reign defender Madison Curry said.
The playoff race resumes tonight, as Utah hosts Seattle at 9:30 PM ET on NWSL+.
Orlando Pride closed out a 2-1 road win over Houston Dash on Sunday, only to see their NWSL playoffs hopes crushed hours later. Seattle Reign's 3-1 victory over Chicago Stars earlier in the day officially knocked Orlando out of contention, dropping them to 11th in the NWSL standings.
Orlando's Late-Season Surge Against Houston Not Enough for Playoffs
Despite the bigger postseason picture, there was plenty for Orlando to be happy about on the field. Rookie Solai Washington drove the attack for the Pride from the opening whistle.
She drew a 15th-minute penalty that Luana put away to open the scoring, then netted her first career NWSL goal in the 31st minute off a feed from Brazil legend Marta. Houston pulled one back after halftime, though Orlando held firm to close out the win.
Still, the result only underscored how far the defending champions have fallen. Orlando captured the NWSL Shield and Championship double in 2024, yet a midseason coaching change this year sent the club tumbling in the standings.
Interim head coach Yolanda Thomas has steadied the ship at 3-2-1 since taking over, but not quickly enough to keep Orlando in the postseason race.
Two matches remain against Gotham FC and Seattle Reign, giving Orlando a chance to dent the postseason hopes of two contenders before looking ahead to 2027.
Seattle Reign FC locked down a crucial NWSL playoffs slot Sunday with a 3-1 road win over Chicago Stars FC. Midfielder Maddie Mercado broke the deadlock in the 38th minute after Jess Fishlock picked her out with a delivery from the wing.
Despite controlling possession for most of the first half, though, the Reign couldn't extend their lead before the break.
Reign Dominates in Chicago Behind Maddie Mercado
That changed quickly after halftime. Substitute Nerilia Mondesir wasted no time off the bench, finishing inside the six-yard box in the 80th minute.
Just four minutes later, Mercado headed home a cross from fellow sub Brittany Ratcliffe to complete her brace. The two goals pushed her season tally to 10. They also made her one of just 14 players across the NWSL to reach that mark this year.
Chicago's Simone Charley scored a consolation in the 90th minute. But, despite the goal, Chicago had no answer for Seattle's second-half surge.
Where the Win Puts Seattle in the NWSL Standings
With 43 points, Seattle Reign FC now sits eighth in the NWSL standings, just on the right side of the playoff line heading into the final stretch. The Reign will next visit the sixth-place Utah Royals on October 23rd.
The NWSL playoffs are fast approaching, as the league returns to a host of postseason clinching scenarios with just three regular-season matches remaining.
Sitting four points clear atop the table, shorthanded Gotham has a shot at claiming the NWSL Shield this weekend. It can secure the title with a win over No. 3 Washington, plus a No. 8 North Carolina win over No. 2 San Diego.
“It’s making sure the players that stay here are prepared and ready, that we support our international players, and that we have a plan to beat Washington when we go down there,” said Gotham manager Juan Carlos Amorós.
The Spirit can punch its postseason ticket with either a win or draw against the Bats, or results from the Wave, No. 14 Bay FC, or No. 16 Chicago — while No. 4 Utah and No. 5 Kansas City can clinch with a win and some help.
No. 11 Orlando is on the brink of elimination, missing the playoffs with a loss to No. 12 Houston or wins by No. 10 Denver, No. 9 Seattle, or the Courage.
“It seems like we either have really good or really bad starts,” said Pride forward Summer Yates after a recent 2-1 loss to San Diego. “That’s obviously not what we want. We want to score, take the lead, and defend our house.”
The NWSL returns tonight, as No. 13 Boston takes on No. 15 Louisville at 8 PM ET (Prime).
The 2026 NWSL schedule arrived on Thursday, with the now-16-team expanded league gearing up for its 14th campaign complete with 248 regular-season matches, seven playoff games, and a standalone Challenge Cup.
The season officially kicks off on Friday, March 13th, with a midseason break slated for June 1st through 28th.
The 2026 NWSL schedule also sees the return of Rivalry Week in July, as well as a simultaneous kick-off Decision Day to cap the season on Sunday, November 1st.
Each team will play a total of 30 regular-season matches, with games broadcast across ESPN, Prime, ION, CBS, NWSL+, and new free streamer Victory+.
In the only major departure from the previously released framework, the league is shifting the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup from the beginning of the season to a neutral site in June.
This year's Challenge Cup will see reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC facing the Shield-winning Kansas City Current, with the pair's 2025 quarterfinals rematch set for Friday, June 26th.
The clash will take place in Ohio at the home stadium of MLS's Columbus Crew in order to give local fans "the opportunity to experience elite women's soccer in person at this celebratory showcase event," according to Thursday's NWSL press release.
As for the 2026 NWSL Playoffs, the league's three-round postseason will begin on November 6th, with eight clubs competing for a ticket to the Championship match on Saturday, November 21st.
Even with the 2025 regular season on a break, the NWSL is staying busy, announcing its 2026 schedule framework on Wednesday as the league eyes its first-ever 16-team season.
With both expansion clubs Denver and Boston Legacy FC hitting the pitch, the NWSL plans to expand the regular season from its current 26 matches to 30 games per team, ensuring each club plays one home and one away match against each of the league's squads across the 2026 season.
The 2026 campaign will kick off on March 13th and run through November 1st, before the eight-team playoff field battles through the postseason, all aiming to lift the NWSL Championship trophy on November 21st.
Like previous seasons, next year's NWSL play will begin with a preseason appetizer, as the 2025 league champion and 2025 Shield-winner will face off in the 2026 Challenge Cup on February 20th.
Notably, the NWSL will pause regular-season play for nearly entire month of June, in part because the North America-hosted 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup will be using league venues across seven NWSL cities.
The league will also fulfill its CBA-mandated summer break, meaning each team's 30-game 2026 season will take place across 27 total weeks of competition.
Including the Challenge Cup and postseason play, the 2026 NWSL season will include 248 matches.
The league will release more scheduling details at a later date.