By Jeff Kassouf — Nov. 6, 2025
The 2025 NWSL playoffs are set. After a historic regular season that produced Shield-winning Kansas City Current, every remaining team still dreams of lifting the trophy on Nov. 22. Kansas City enters as the clear favorite, but the league’s postseason history rewards belief: short runs, single-game drama and upsets are part of the NWSL DNA. Below is a team-by-team look at why each club could make a title run — and why each could fall short.
No. 8 — Gotham FC
Next game: at Kansas City Current, Nov. 9, 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
Why they can win: Gotham has more quality than their No. 8 seeding suggests. When healthy and clicking, their attack is dangerous: the addition of Jaedyn Shaw paired with Rose Lavelle and striker Esther González (13 regular-season goals) gives Gotham firepower. On their day they can create chances, move fast in transition and punish opponents who give them time on the ball.
Why they can’t: Defensive errors under pressure have cost them. Gotham’s 25 goals conceded ranked among the better marks, but goals often came from self-inflicted mistakes — risky play out of the back and lapses at key moments. Kansas City exposed those flaws before, scoring early against them; in a one-off knockout, such mistakes can be fatal.
No. 7 — Racing Louisville FC
Next game: at Washington Spirit, Nov. 8, 12 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)
Why they can win: Louisville’s identity is blunt and effective: low possession, aggressive counters and direct finishing. Emma Sears and a frontline that thrives on quick breaks make them dangerous on turnovers. That pragmatic style can be perfect for knockout soccer, where 90 minutes of discipline and a single decisive goal are enough.
Why they can’t: Late-game management and inexperience. Louisville dropped points in the final moments too often this season, and this roster has limited playoff history. Playing an early road game in a cauldron like Washington could revive those late-game issues and undo them.
No. 6 — San Diego Wave FC
Next game: at Portland Thorns, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
Why they can win: San Diego dominated possession more than any club this year (around 59.4% per TruMedia) and can control tempo, suffocating opponents and carving openings through patient play. The Dali–Cascarino pairing remains a potent creative axis that can unlock tight defenses.
Why they can’t: Inefficiency in the final third. The Wave have struggled to turn dominance into goals at times — including a worrying four-game scoreless run midseason — and have relied on bursts of finishing rather than steady production. If they can’t convert chances or are forced to chase at Providence Park, they could be vulnerable.
No. 5 — Seattle Reign FC
Next game: at Orlando Pride, Nov. 7, 8 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime)
Why they can win: Experience, coaching and grit. Laura Harvey is one of the league’s most accomplished coaches and veterans like Jess Fishlock provide leadership and resilience in tough moments. Seattle knows how to grind out results and has shown it can frustrate even the best teams.
Why they can’t: A lack of consistent scoring. Seattle’s 32 regular-season goals were the fewest among playoff teams, and underlying metrics suggest they overperformed on finishing. If chances dry up in knockout play, their limited offensive output could prevent deep progress.
No. 4 — Orlando Pride
Next game: vs. Seattle Reign, Nov. 7, 8 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime)
Why they can win: Orlando looks like a team peaking at the right time. They finished the season on a five-game unbeaten run, and contributions from role players across the roster have returned — the kind of balanced depth that powered last season’s run. When everyone is contributing, Orlando can be hard to stop.
Why they can’t: The bracket is unkind. Orlando’s road to a repeat likely goes through Kansas City, and their quarterfinal is a tricky rematch with Seattle. Even if they get past the Reign, a semifinal in Kansas City would be daunting. Orlando’s overall chance-creation numbers are solid but not dominant enough to guarantee a long run.
No. 3 — Portland Thorns FC
Next game: vs. San Diego Wave, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
Why they can win: If Portland controls midfield, they can control the tie. Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie and Jessie Fleming give the Thorns a high-quality center that can dictate transitions and create overloads. Providence Park also presents a raucous home advantage that can swing tight matches.
Why they can’t: Intermittent disconnects. The Thorns have battled inconsistency of execution at times this season — stretches where the team looks out of sync and individuals must win games. San Diego’s organization and a tough semifinal opponent could expose Portland’s occasional lack of cohesion.
No. 2 — Washington Spirit
Next game: vs. Racing Louisville FC, Nov. 8, 12 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)
Why they can win: Steady, consistent performance across the roster. Washington quietly built a season full of reliable results, and when healthy they boast the personnel to match Kansas City — forward firepower, central defensive solidity and creative midfield play. They’ve been the best team that flew under most radars.
Why they can’t: Injuries and fitness questions. Washington entered Decision Day with players rested and a noticeably thin bench, pointing to nagging issues. Trinity Rodman’s recovery from a sprained MCL and minutes for important contributors like Croix Bethune and Leicy Santos will be closely watched. A bump in fitness could limit their ceiling.
No. 1 — Kansas City Current
Next game: vs. Gotham FC, Nov. 9, 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
Why they will win: Kansas City has been historically dominant. They set single-season marks for wins, points and defensive metrics (fewest goals conceded and most shutouts). Their depth across the front six, quick counterattacking, and elite out-of-possession control make them the benchmark team in the league.
Why they might not: Health concerns to key attackers. With Temwa Chawinga dealing with an adductor issue and listed day-to-day — and Bia Zaneratto also exiting a recent match injured — Kansas City’s cutting edge could be blunted. The sample size without Chawinga is small, but the Current have shown they’re less dangerous and more predictable without their primary finishers.
Bottom line: Kansas City has earned favorite status, but the NWSL’s playoff format and the single-elimination nature of these games mean any of the eight teams can produce a moment or stretch of excellence that changes a bracket. Expect high stakes, tight margins and — almost certainly — drama.
