NWSL Playoffs

Last updated

The National Women's Soccer League Playoffs (or NWSL Playoffs) are a single-elimination tournament among eight teams in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) of the United States, deciding the winner of the NWSL Championship.

Contents

Since playoff games cannot end in draws, they are broken by two consecutive 15-minute extra time periods, followed by penalty shoot-outs of best-of-five rounds with additional rounds as required.

Format

Since the 2024 season, the top eight teams in the final standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs and are seeded in order of their record. The top-seed hosts the eighth seed; the runner-up hosts the seventh; the third hosts the sixth; and the fourth hosts the fifth in the quarterfinals. The semifinals sees the lowest-seeded winner playing the highest-seeded and the next-lowest the next-highest; the higher-seeded team hosts each match until the championship, [1] which was also hosted by the higher seed in the 2013 and 2014 seasons but has been hosted at a predetermined site since. [2] Prior to the 2021 season, only the top four teams qualified for the playoffs. [3] [4] From 2021 to 2023, six.

Tiebreakers

The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. Since the 2022 season, if at least two teams tie in point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules, going down the list until all teams are ranked. [5] : 6 

  1. Overall goal difference
  2. Most total wins (regular season only)
  3. Most goals scored (regular season only)
  4. Head-to-head results (total points accumulated)
  5. Head-to-head most goals scored
  6. Fewest disciplinary points accumulated:
    • First yellow card: -1 point
    • Indirect red card (second yellow card): -3 points
    • Direct red card: -4 points
    • Yellow card and direct red card: -5 points
    • Only one of the above point totals shall be applied to a player in a single game.
  7. Coin flip (2 teams)/Drawing of lots (3+ teams)

If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.

Prior to the 2022 season, the first tiebreaker was head-to-head record. [6] : 6 

Playoff series history

2013 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 Western NY Flash 2
4 Sky Blue FC [lower-alpha 1] 0
1 Western NY Flash 0
3 Portland Thorns FC 2
2 FC Kansas City 2
3 Portland Thorns FC (a.e.t.)3

2014 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 Seattle Reign FC 2
4 Washington Spirit 1
1 Seattle Reign FC 1
2 FC Kansas City 2
2 FC Kansas City 2
3 Portland Thorns FC 0

2015 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 Seattle Reign FC 3
4 Washington Spirit 0
1 Seattle Reign FC 0
3 FC Kansas City 1
2 Chicago Red Stars 0
3 FC Kansas City 3

2016 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 Portland Thorns FC 3
4 Western NY Flash (a.e.t.)4
4 Western NY Flash (p)2 (3)
2 Washington Spirit 2 (2)
2 Washington Spirit (a.e.t.)2
3 Chicago Red Stars 1

2017 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 NC Courage 1
4 Chicago Red Stars 0
1 NC Courage 0
2 Portland Thorns FC 1
2 Portland Thorns FC 4
3 Orlando Pride 1

2018 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 NC Courage 2
4 Chicago Red Stars 0
1 NC Courage 3
2 Portland Thorns FC 0
2 Portland Thorns FC 2
3 Seattle Reign FC 1

2019 season

Semi-finalsChampionship
      
1 NC Courage (a.e.t.)4
4 Reign FC [lower-alpha 2] 1
1 NC Courage 4
2 Chicago Red Stars 0
2 Chicago Red Stars 1
3 Portland Thorns FC 0

2020 season

The NWSL canceled its regular season and playoffs in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.

2021 season

First roundSemi-finalsChampionship
1 Portland Thorns FC 0
4 Chicago Red Stars 1 4 Chicago Red Stars 2
5 NJ/NY Gotham FC 0 4 Chicago Red Stars 1
3 Washington Spirit (a.e.t.)2
2 OL Reign [lower-alpha 2] 1
3 Washington Spirit (a.e.t.)1 3 Washington Spirit 2
6 NC Courage 0

2022 season

First roundSemi-finalsChampionship
1 OL Reign [lower-alpha 2] 0
4 Houston Dash 1 5 Kansas City Current 2
5 Kansas City Current 2 5 Kansas City Current 0
2 Portland Thorns FC 2
2 Portland Thorns FC 2
3 San Diego Wave FC 2 3 San Diego Wave FC 1
6 Chicago Red Stars 1

2023 season

First roundSemi-finalsChampionship
1 San Diego Wave FC 0
4 OL Reign [lower-alpha 2] 1 4 OL Reign [lower-alpha 2] 1
5 Angel City FC 0 4 OL Reign [lower-alpha 2] 1
6 NJ/NY Gotham FC 2
2 Portland Thorns FC 0
3 North Carolina Courage 0 6 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1
6 NJ/NY Gotham FC 2

Records and statistics

As of November 11, 2023

Italics indicates a defunct team.

Playoff results

ClubWonRunner-upYears wonYears runner-up
Portland Thorns FC
3
1
 2013, 2017, 2022 2018
North Carolina Courage
2
1
 2018, 2019 2017
FC Kansas City
2
0
 2014, 2015
Washington Spirit
1
1
 2021 2016
Western New York Flash
1
1
 2016 2013
NJ/NY Gotham FC
1
0
 2023
Seattle Reign FC [lower-alpha 2]
0
3
 2014, 2015, 2023
Chicago Red Stars
0
2
 2019, 2021
Kansas City Current
0
1
 2022

Playoff records

TeamGPWLLastLast title
Portland Thorns FC 137620232022
Seattle Reign FC [lower-alpha 2] 11472023–
Chicago Red Stars 10372022–
North Carolina Courage 75220212019
Washington Spirit 74320212021
FC Kansas City 54120152015
Western New York Flash 43120162016
NJ/NY Gotham FC 43120232023
Kansas City Current 3212022–
San Diego Wave FC 3122023–
Houston Dash 1012022–
Orlando Pride 1012017–
Angel City FC 1012023–

Appearances by team

TeamApp.Last
Portland Thorns FC 92023
Chicago Red Stars 72022
Seattle Reign FC [lower-alpha 2] 72023
North Carolina Courage 42021
Washington Spirit 42021
FC Kansas City 32015
NJ/NY Gotham FC 32023
Western New York Flash 22016
San Diego Wave FC 22023
Houston Dash 12022
Kansas City Current 12022
Orlando Pride 12017
Angel City FC 12023
Boston Breakers No playoff appearances
Racing Louisville FC
Utah Royals

Notes

  1. ↑ NJ/NY Gotham FC was previously known as Sky Blue FC.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Seattle Reign FC was previously known as Reign FC (2019) and OL Reign (2020–2023).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Women's Soccer League</span> Professional soccer league, highest level of womens soccer in the United States

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system. Headquartered in New York City, it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

The 2013 season was FC Kansas City's first season of existence, in which they competed in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2014 National Women's Soccer League season was the second season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), this was the eighth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league was operated by the United States Soccer Federation and received major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing was provided by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation. All three national federations paid the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations.

The NWSL Shield is an annual award given to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team with the best regular season record as determined by the NWSL points system. The NWSL Shield has been awarded annually since 2013 and is recognized as a major trophy by the league.

The 2017 National Women's Soccer League season was the fifth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the eleventh overall season of FIFA- and USSF-sanctioned top-division women's soccer in the United States. The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing is provided by the Canadian Soccer Association; both national federations pay the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations.

The 2018 National Women's Soccer League season was the sixth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the twelfth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing is provided by the Canadian Soccer Association. Both national federations pay the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations and take the financial burden off individual clubs.

The 2020 OL Reign season was the team's eighth season of play and their eighth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. It is the team's first season under new majority owner OL Groupe, the parent company of French soccer clubs Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and the resultant new team name.

The 2020 season was the 108th season of competitive soccer in the United States. Many of the competitions were significantly altered, postponed, or cancelled in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 National Women's Soccer League season was the eighth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 14th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

The 2021 season was the 109th season of competitive soccer in the United States. A significant number of games scheduled for 2021 are matches postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 National Women's Soccer League season was the ninth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it is the 15th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 NWSL Challenge Cup</span> Second edition of top womens soccer league cup in the United States

The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup was a league cup tournament that took place during the 2021 National Women's Soccer League season. It began on April 9 and ended May 8, one week before the start of the regular season. It was the second iteration of the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament, which had started in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was announced as a regular event later in 2020. Portland Thorns FC won the 2021 final over NJ/NY Gotham FC in a penalty shootout.

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season was the tenth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams competed in the league, including two expansion teams, San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC.

The 2022 season was the 110th season of competitive soccer in the United States.

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup was a league cup competition that took place during the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season. It was the third iteration of the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.

The 2022 North Carolina Courage season was the team's sixth season as a professional women's soccer team. North Carolina Courage plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2022 Chicago Red Stars season was the team's fourteenth season as a professional women's soccer team, and ninth in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2023 season was the 111th season of competitive soccer in the United States. The season began with Friendlies for the USMNT and USWNT in January.

The 2023 National Women's Soccer League season was the eleventh season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 17th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams compete in the league.

The 2024 National Women's Soccer League season is the twelfth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it is the 18th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league has 14 teams following the addition of expansion teams Bay FC and Utah Royals—the latter being the revival of a team that had played in the league from 2018 to 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "NWSL Announces Innovative 2021 Competition Framework" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. ↑ Oshan, Jeremiah (August 14, 2015). "NWSL moving championship game to neutral site". Sounder at Heart. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  3. ↑ "2013 Competition Rules and Regulations" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Rules & Regulations" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ "2022 Competition Rules & Regulations" (PDF) (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 19, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  6. ↑ "2021 Competition Rules & Regulations" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.