It’s the most intense time of the year and no, it’s not Black Friday. It’s the final stretch of the NWSL regular season, when teams dig deep and fight for every point in hopes of keeping their playoff dreams alive. This weekend brings the most chaotic slate yet: five clubs could clinch a postseason berth, while three could see their hopes officially end. Everything’s on the line, and every match matters. Here’s what to expect!

READ MORE: NWSL Playoff Scenarios Headed into Week 24

How do I watch live games from the 2025 NWSL Regular Season?

• Friday night matches airing on Prime Video are available to U.S. fans here.
• Saturday night double-headers airing at 7:30 and 10 p.m. ET on Scripps-owned ION network are available to U.S. fans here.
• For games airing on CBS, U.S. fans can watch here. US Fans can also stream on Paramount+ here.
• For games airing on ESPN, U.S. fans can watch here. Matches on ESPN and ESPN2 will also stream on ESPN+.
• For games airing on NWSL+, U.S. fans can watch here.
• Fans outside of the U.S. can watch for free on NWSL+
• For more information on how to watch NWSL matches outside of the U.S., read more here.

Friday, October 10

Racing Louisville vs. Chicago Stars – 7:30 PM ET

How to watch: NWSL+

Racing Louisville’s climb up the table has been one of the season’s most compelling storylines. Under beloved NWSL-player-turned-head-coach Bev Yanez, the team has found its rhythm, led by Emma Sears, in a breakout season with 10 goals after a Week 23 brace, and anchored by goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, who’s turned a backup opportunity into a starring role. Sitting seventh, a result this weekend could seal Racing’s first-ever playoff berth (as long as a few other games fall in their favor). Standing in their way are the already-eliminated Chicago Stars, who showed real fight last weekend with late goals from Micayla Johnson and Ivonne Chacón — their first in the NWSL. With nothing to lose and plenty of pride on the line, Chicago won’t make a result this weekend easy.

Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns – 8 PM ET

How to watch: Prime Video

NWSL fans remember Orlando’s meteoric rise to last year’s Championship, and the record-breaking 24-game unbeaten run that carried them there. This season hasn’t been as smooth for the defending champs, but Simone Charley’s late equalizer last weekend, her first goal since 2022, was a timely reminder of the grit that defines this group. With the season winding down, there’s no better moment to rediscover that form, especially with the potential for a big statement win in Portland this weekend. The Thorns, though, are finding their own rhythm again after a strong home victory over Bay FC, which eliminated the Bay Area team from the postseason, and their fans will pack Providence Park expecting another big performance under the Friday night lights.

Seattle Reign vs. Bay FC – 10:30 PM ET

How to watch: Paramount+ & NWSL+

Bay FC may be out of the playoff picture, but rookie Taylor Huff isn’t letting anyone take them lightly. The first-year standout has been a spark for Bay, and her side will be eager to play spoiler in Seattle. For the Reign, every point matters with the playoff race tighter than ever. Rookie Maddie Dahlien, with four game-winners to her name, joins veteran playmaker Sofia Huerta and forward Mia Fishel as players to watch. With a win or draw potentially enough to clinch a postseason spot, expect intensity, urgency, and plenty of late-game drama at Lumen Field.

Saturday, October 11

Kansas City Current vs. Gotham FC – 5PM ET

How to watch: ION

It’s a top-three showdown and a must-watch for Golden Boot fans, with league leaders Temwa Chawinga and Esther González set to face off. Kansas City enters in historic form, fresh off their record-setting 19th win of the season, the most in NWSL history. With the Shield secured and a top-two seed guaranteeing home playoff games, the Current have checked every box but one: the Championship trophy. Gotham, however, has no interest in being a stepping stone. With momentum on the Current’s side and firepower on both, the away team could either derail Kansas City’s march to glory or sharpen them further for what’s to come.

North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit – 6:30 PM ET

How to watch: ION

If NWSL fans aren’t talking about the Current, they’re talking about the Washington Spirit, who might be in even sharper form than last year when they reached the Championship final and fell just one goal short. With Croix Bethune back from injury, Tara McKeown and Trinity Rodman firing on all cylinders, and Aubrey Kingsbury anchoring the back line, the Spirit have evolved into one of the league’s most complete teams. But the Courage won’t go quietly. Sitting just below the playoff line, North Carolina needs points and has the talent to get them, especially with Ashley Sanchez and Manaka Matsukubo’s creativity in midfield and defender Kaleigh Kurtz closing in on her unprecedented fourth straight ironwoman season. At home in Cary, this is a must-win for the Courage but unfortunately for them, it’s a must-win against a juggernaut.

Utah Royals vs. San Diego Wave – 9 PM ET

How to watch: Paramount+ & NWSL+

The Utah Royals have quietly become one of the league’s most entertaining teams since the summer break. Mina Tanaka and Janni Thomsen are hitting their stride at just the right time, while captain Paige Monaghan continues to set the tone up front as both scorer and creator. Behind them, goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn is putting together a breakout campaign, showcasing poise and shot-stopping instincts well beyond her years. Utah needs a win this weekend to keep their playoff hopes alive, anything less will see them eliminated. Standing in their way is a San Diego side still searching for its early-season spark. After a rocky stretch since the break, the Wave may finally be turning a corner with Delphine Cascarino back from injury — her immediate impact last weekend a reminder of what she brings. They can’t clinch or be eliminated just yet, but three points in Utah could be the start of a late-season push toward that postseason grass in November.

Sunday, October 12

Angel City vs. Houston Dash – 5:00 PM ET

How to watch: ESPN & ESPN+

And last but certainly not least: an elimination game (technically) in Los Angeles. Angel City hosts the Houston Dash, and both sides will be fighting off the Sunday Scaries. A loss sends LA out of playoff contention, while Houston could face the same fate depending on other results around the league. The Dash are coming off a late heartbreak, conceding an 85th-minute goal that erased their lead, but they’ll remember well their last trip to LA, when Dash defender Paige Nielsen sealed the win against her former team. Angel City, though, has all the tools to make a late-season push: captain Sarah Gorden and Gisele Thompson anchoring the backline, Sveindís Jónsdóttir and rookie standout Riley Tiernan leading the attack, and recent arrivals Hina Sugita and Prisca Chilufya adding offensive bite. They’ve shown ambition, now it’s time to prove they can turn it into results.