The largest playoff field in National Women’s Soccer League history is about to kick off, and all four quarterfinals feature clear favorites.
For better or worse, the playoffs have expanded from six to eight teams, meaning the top two seeds no longer get a bye to the semifinals, as they did in recent years. It also means there are three sub-.500 teams in the postseason, which is not ideal.
The gap from fourth to fifth was 16 points, showing just how superior the top four teams — Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, NJ/NY Gotham FC, and Kansas City Current — were this season.
Regular-season records are just history now, however. All eight teams need to win three games to lift the NWSL Championship trophy. Why will each win? And what could be each team’s undoing?
Seed: No. 1
Next game: vs. No. 8 Chicago Red Stars, Friday 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Why they will win: Orlando was the best team throughout the regular season thanks to every player performing at or near peak career levels, and that doesn’t change overnight. Don’t be fooled by a pair of losses in the aftermath of winning the Shield, resting some players, and escaping a hurricane. This is also the best defense in the league, and that will pay dividends
Why they won’t: Barbra Banda has gone cold. Orlando is…
