We’re headed into Week 20 of the 2025 NWSL season (Sept. 12–14) and the playoff race is tightening. Kansas City Current have already punched their ticket, while several others remain in the hunt. No team can clinch or be eliminated this weekend, but the Shield race and home playoff hosting advantages are very much in play.
What’s Been Clinched
Playoff Spot
- Kansas City Current — Week 18
Top-4 Finish (quarterfinal home match)
- Kansas City Current — Week 19
Top-2 Finish (quarterfinal + semifinal home matches)
- None yet
Week 20 Playoff Scenarios
No team can clinch or be eliminated in Week 20.
Who Will Host a Playoff Game
Kansas City Current can guarantee a top-2 finish and home-field advantage through the semifinals with:
- A win vs. Washington, OR
- A draw plus San Diego draw/loss and Portland draw/loss, OR
- A loss plus San Diego loss, Portland draw/loss, and Orlando draw/loss
The Race for the Shield is On
No team can clinch the NWSL Shield in Week 20. However, five teams remain in contention:
- Kansas City Current
- Washington Spirit
- San Diego Wave (2023 NWSL Shield winner)
- Portland Thorns FC (2016, 2022 NWSL Shield winner)
- Orlando Pride (2024 NWSL Shield winner)
A Kansas City win in Week 20 would leave only the Current and the Spirit in the Shield race. The Current would then be in position to clinch as early as Week 21, the fastest Shield clinch in league history with five games left to play. The current NWSL record for the fastest clinch is with four games remaining held by:
- Seattle Reign (2014)
- North Carolina Courage (2018)
- Portland Thorns (2021)
