Decision Day has come. Several teams are heading into the final day of the NWSL regular season with different objectives in mind. For some, they’re fighting for a playoff spot. For others, home field advantage is on their mind. Of course, everyone else will be looking to play party pooper, ruining the home field hopes of the championship competitors.
Louisville and North Carolina are in competition for the final playoff spot available, making their respective matchups at 5:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 2, the most intriguing of the afternoon. However, with seven games in total going on, there’s certainly going to be a few shocking results that will shake up the playoff picture in unexpected ways.
Here’s everything to know for Decision Day and what to expect once the playoffs get going.
Decision Day Schedule
Kansas City Current at San Diego Wave, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN+
North Carolina Courage at Gotham FC, 5:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN+
Orlando Pride at Seattle Reign, 5:15 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Utah Royals at Washington Spirit, 5:15 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Racing Louisville at Bay FC, 5:15 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Chicago Stars FC at Angel City FC, 5:15 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Portland Thorns FC at Houston Dash, 5:15 p.m. ET on NWSL+
Decision Day results
San Diego Wave 1, Kansas City Current 1 (2nd half)
NWSL Playoff Bracket
Standings will be updated as games finish today.
*- clinched playoff berth
Kansas City Current*
Washington Spirit*
Orlando Pride*
San Diego Wave FC*
Seattle Reign FC*
Portland Thorns FC*
Gotham FC*
The eighth and final playoff spot will belong to either Racing Louisville FC or North Carolina Courage.
Louisville gets the final spot with a win or a draw/loss from North Carolina. North Carolina will earn the No. 8 seed with a loss from Louisville and a win over Gotham.
NWSL Playoff Schedule
The quarterfinals will take place Nov. 7-9. The semifinals will take place a week later, between Nov. 15 and 16. The championship will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22.
With the official standings not set yet, the official times and teams for each game of the playoffs will be announced following the final day of the regular season.