Week 23 brought more movement in the playoff picture as Bay FC joined Chicago on the elimination list. With only two weeks left in the regular season, six playoff spots remain up for grabs and this weekend could see multiple teams clinch their place in the postseason. It also could see three teams watch their playoff hopes fade. Here’s everything to watch for ahead of Week 24 action.
READ MORE: Week 24 Preview: Playoff Math is Mathing
What’s Been Clinched
NWSL Shield
- Kansas City Current — Week 21
Playoff Spot
- Kansas City Current — Week 18
- Washington Spirit — Week 22
Top-4 Finish (quarterfinal home match)
- Kansas City Current — Week 19
Top-2 Finish (quarterfinal + semifinal home matches)
- Kansas City Current — Week 20
Eliminated
- Chicago Stars FC — Week 22
- Bay FC — Week 23
Week 24 Playoff Scenarios
Gotham FC clinches a playoff berth with:
- A win, OR
- A draw plus Washington win/draw plus Angel City win/draw, OR
- A loss plus North Carolina loss plus Houston draw/loss
Portland Thorns FC clinches a playoff berth with:
- A win plus North Carolina draw/loss, OR
- A draw plus North Carolina loss plus Houston draw/loss
Seattle Reign FC clinches a playoff berth with:
- A win plus North Carolina draw/loss, OR
- A draw plus North Carolina loss plus Houston draw/loss
Orlando Pride clinches a playoff berth with:
- A win plus North Carolina draw/loss plus Houston draw/loss
Racing Louisville FC clinches a playoff berth with:
- A win plus North Carolina loss plus Houston draw/loss
San Diego Wave FC and North Carolina Courage cannot clinch or be eliminated this week.
Eliminations
Houston Dash will be eliminated with:
- A loss plus San Diego win plus Louisville win plus Orlando win/draw
Utah Royals FC will be eliminated with:
- A loss, OR
- A draw, OR
- A win plus San Diego win/draw
Angel City FC will be eliminated with:
- A loss, OR
- A draw plus San Diego win/draw, OR
- A win plus San Diego win plus Louisville win plus Orlando win/draw
Who Will Host a Playoff Game
Washington Spirit clinches a top-4 seed (quarterfinal host) with:
- A win or draw, OR
- A Kansas City win/draw, OR
- An Orlando win/draw, OR
- A Bay FC win/draw
Washington Spirit clinches a top-2 seed (home field advantage through semifinals) with:
- A win, OR
- A draw plus Gotham draw/loss, OR
- A loss plus Gotham draw/loss plus Portland draw/loss plus Seattle draw/loss
