2016 NWSL regular season as above, but the fun is just getting started after the exciting NWSL Decision Day. All 16 NWSL clubs kicked off immediately during the final noon hour of the regular season with plenty of high stakes on the line. This year’s edition with the NWSL clip has yet to reach the mat, awarded the theater with the most points, one last place in the playoffs, and many home field advantages to settle.
When the final whistle sounded, that was it Gotham FC He lifted the NWSL shield, with the San Diego Wave finishing behind in second place, and the Seattle Reign grabbing the final playoff spot.
Here are the big takeaways from the dark day;
NWSL The Day scores
Gotham FC II; Utah Royals 0
San Diego Wave 1 Bay FC 0
Kansas City Current 2, Racing Louisville 0
Washington Spirit 2, Chicago Stars 0
Seattle Reign 1; Orlando Proud 0
Angel City 4, Boston The legate 1
North Carolina Hearts 1, Denver Summit 0
Portland Thorns 2; Houston Dash 0
NWSL Playoffs 2026 bracket
With the decision date set and announced, the results confirm the final 2026 NWSL playoff bracket. Several days of decisions by the Washington Spirit, 2-0 over Chicago, and Kansas City Current’s 2-0 win against Racing Louisville confirm that the host will get at least one home in the playoff game. First-place Gotham and second-place San Diego will also host, and if they win, they will host the semifinals.
San Diego, Angel City, and Kansas City are all on hot streaks heading into the playoffs. All three clubs are undefeated in their last five games, while currently on a five-game winning streak.
NWSL games begin Nov. 6, and the 2026 NWSL Championship on Nov. 21. Fans can watch the biggest game of the year on CBS.
Quarterfinal schedule
On Friday, 6 Nov
San Diego Wave vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m
On Saturday 7 Nov
KC Current vs. Angel City, 12 p.m
on Sunday, Oct. 8
Gotham FC vs
Portland Thorns, 3 p.m
Gotham FC cement dynasty status
Gotham only needed a draw to grab their first goal in club history, but they did more than that and won 2-0 at home at the Stadium of Light. The club heads into the playoffs as the top seed after winning the previous NWSL Championships as the eighth seed.
The East Coast teams are a force to be reckoned with, winning the shield for the longest time ever, the first 30-part league schedule. The club had a significant points margin in late summer, but inconsistency and a rotating rotation due to injuries has pushed the race to a decisive day, with the Washington Spirit in contention during matchweek and the San Diego Wave still in contention on trial day.
San Diego did their part to make things interesting with a 1-0 win at Bay FC, but Gotham’s early onslaught set them up to do things. Next Midge Purce created a space for the laser cross in the sight of the Lord is the end Guro Reiten.
The long season affects all clubs this year, though Gotham’s string of injuries has been notable in the late season, with recent season losses to defenseman Bruninha and breakout rookie forward Jordynn Dudley. Striker Jaedyn Shaw recently retired from the U23 USWNT camp in mid-October due to injury, and was available for Gotham’s penultimate game last week but did not enter the game after warming up.
Now he wears a leg sleeve and makes an impact for the club, and scored the last goal after subbing in.
The end sealed the win, the return of Shaw and Rose Lavelle, both from injury, was a welcome sight for a team that has languished in the deep all season. Midfielder Jaelin Howell, among the team’s leaders in minutes played, left the game in the first half with a right ankle injury and will be evaluated as the quarterback’s closer. Gotham had already gone to conquer their nation.
Seattle, Reigns are clinging to the final playoff spot
The eighth and final NWSL playoff spot is down to a battle between three clubs. The Seattle Reign controlled their destiny, while the North Carolina Force and Denver High both needed to defeat the other Orlando Pride and take root.
Seattle’s identity this year has been more about organization and defense than goals, and their 1-0 victory over Orlando to clinch a place in the final playoffs was as representative of Seattle 2016 as it could be. Playing in the first place, in the games in question, and honoring the veterans in the time of the kingdom Jess FishlockSeattle pulled ahead just past the hour mark in regulation with not one but two flies and a clinical finish through the center back. Jordyn Bugg.