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The top four teams during the NWSL regular season are the final four teams standing in the playoffs, preparing for a competitive semifinal series with a trip to the championship in Kansas City on the line.
The field of semifinalists comes as no surprise, but most will advance to the penultimate round of the postseason after hard-fought matches in the quarterfinals. While the Orlando Pride swept through the Chicago Red Stars, the other three semifinalists – the Washington Spirit, reigning champion NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current – all won by one goal last week. The matches revealed the strengths and weaknesses of each side, but their excellence throughout the season makes each of these matches a toss-up.
Ahead of the semi-finals, here’s how the CBS Sports team thinks this weekend’s games will play out.
Postseason format and bracket
The NWSL Playoffs started last week with the quarterfinals and continues on Saturday with the semifinals. The final four teams will compete for a spot in the championship game on November 23 at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, the first stadium built for a professional women’s soccer team in the country.
Semi-finals schedule
Always oriental
Saturday November 16th
Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 12:00 (CBS, Biggest+)
Sunday November 17
Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current, 3 p.m. (ABC)