The 2022 NWSL common season is nearing the house stretch as groups start to enter the ultimate third of the schedule. Meaning the playoff image is beginning to take form because the 12 months winds down. Some groups have climbed into the higher half of the desk, whereas others are eyeing a playoff push. The league desk can shift as soon as extra as NWSL motion continues this weekend. Followers can watch NWSL video games on Paramount+.
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The highest six groups will head to the playoffs, with the primary and second seeds incomes a first-round bye to the semifinals as hosts. The third and fourth seeds will host the fifth and sixth seed in a quarterfinal spherical, the place the winners will compete within the semifinals for a spot within the 2022 NWSL Championship last.
Let’s check out the standings after the newest weekend of motion, doable playoff situations, and which groups are getting ready to elimination:
League standings
1. San Diego Wave FC (31 pts) — Playoff standing
2. Houston Sprint (29 pts) — Playoff standing
3. Kansas Metropolis Present (29 pts) — Playoff standing
4. Portland Thorns FC (28 pts) — Playoff standing
5. OL Reign (27 pts) — Playoff standing
6. Chicago Crimson Stars (26 pts) — Playoff standing
7. Angel Metropolis FC (25 pts) — Exterior trying in
8. Orlando Satisfaction (21 pts) — Exterior trying in
9. North Carolina Braveness (16 pts) — Lengthy shot
10. Racing Louisville FC (14 pts) — Lifeline
11. Washington Spirit (13 pts) — Lifeline
12. NJ/NY Gotham FC (12 pts) — Lifeline
Playoff tiebreakers
Tiebreakers are determined first by larger purpose distinction throughout common season, then most complete wins, then most targets scored. There are a doable seven tiebreaker situations for groups, and as listed so as
- Larger purpose distinction throughout the complete common season (towards all groups, not simply tied groups).
- Most complete wins throughout the complete common season (towards all groups, not simply tied groups).
- Most targets scored throughout the complete common season (towards all groups, not simply tied groups).
- Head-to-head outcomes (complete factors) between the tied groups.
- Head-to-head most targets scored between the tied groups.
- Least disciplinary factors collected throughout the complete common season (towards all groups, not simply tied groups).
- Coin flip (if two groups are tied) or drawing of tons (if three or extra groups are tied).
Viewing information
The common season can have a short break in play in the course of the worldwide window, with NJ/NY Gotham FC and North Carolina Braveness set to play a make up sport.
Let’s check out the outcomes from the weekend and the place to observe the midweek match:
Wednesday, August 24
- North Carolina Braveness 3, Portland Thorns FC 1
Friday, August 26
- Orlando Satisfaction 1, OL Reign 2
Saturday, August 27
- Racing Louisville FC 0, Chicago Crimson Stars 4
- Houston Sprint 2, Washington Spirit 2
- Portland Thorns FC 0, San Diego Wave FC 2
Sunday, August 28
- NJ/NY Gotham FC 1, Angel Metropolis FC 3
- Kansas Metropolis Present 3, North Carolina Braveness 2
Sunday, September 4
- NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. North Carolina Braveness, 5 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
Doable playoff matchups
Right here’s a last have a look at the playoff image because the season continues this weekend:
- No. 1 San Diego Wave FC – bye to semifinal
- No. 2 Houston Sprint vs. bye to semifinal
- No. 3 Kansas Metropolis Present vs. No. 6 Chicago Crimson Stars
- No. 4 Portland Thorns FC vs. No. 5 OL Reign
San Diego claims first place as soon as once more
1. San Diego (31 factors: 9-5-4)
- Doable first-round matchup: Would earn a bye to semifinal and host quarterfinal winner at Snapdragon Stadium
The Wave had a blended month of outcomes with two wins and two losses and the group was briefly bumped out of first place. The membership closed out the month of August with a convincing 2-0 win towards Portland the place Alex Morgan scored her thirteenth purpose this season.
Houston Sprint narrowly in second place
2. Houston Sprint (29 factors: 8-5-5)
- Doable first-round matchup: Would earn bye to semifinal and host quarterfinal winner at PNC Stadium
The Sprint picked up eight factors throughout August and now enter the ultimate stretch of the season in second place on the desk. The group is on tempo to have their greatest common season report up to now, and ahead Ebony Salmon was key to the group’s success as she scored 4 targets this month.
Kansas Metropolis breakthrough into third place
3. Kansas Metropolis Present (29 factors: 8-4-5)
- Doable first-round matchup: vs. 6 Chicago Crimson Stars
- Tiebreakers: Kansas Metropolis is stage with Houston on complete factors, however the first tiebreaker of larger purpose distinction throughout the complete common season (towards all groups, not simply tied groups) retains them in third.
The Present are on a outstanding undefeated streak spanning 12 video games and the group lastly cracked the highest three of the standings with a 3-2 win over North Carolina Braveness to shut out the month. CeCe Kizer continues to be among the finest midseason pickups this 12 months. The ahead has scored six targets for the group since her arrival in June.
Portland Thorns FC slip into fourth place
4. Portland Thorns FC (26 factors: 7-3-7)
- Doable first-round matchup: vs. No. 5 OL Reign
The Thorns slipped within the standings after closing out the month with back-to-back losses. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has made some formation changes to the group that might preserve them unpredictable and profit them down the ultimate stretch of the season, particularly if ahead Sophia Smith returns from USWNT camps scoring targets once more.
OL Reign keep the course
5. OL Reign (24 factors: 7-4-6)
- Doable first-round matchup: vs. No. 4 Portland Thorns FC
OL Reign shut out the month with two consecutive wins however are nonetheless in fifth place on the standings. Although there isn’t any change within the desk for them from July, particular person performances have stood out for the group, as Megan Rapinoe has scored 4 targets for the membership of their final three matches.
Crimson Stars hanging onto last playoff spot
6. Chicago Crimson Stars (26 factors: 7-5-5)
- Potential first-round matchup: vs. No. 3 Kansas Metropolis Present
The Crimson Stars closed out their month with a giant 4-0 towards Racing Louisville FC, reminding the league that their roster is younger — and at moments skinny as a consequence of damage — however able to selecting up essential outcomes.
Angel Metropolis FC, Orlando Satisfaction stay on the skin
7. Angel Metropolis FC (25 factors: 7-5-4)
- Playoff perspective: one spot away from a last playoff slot, one level out of sixth place, with the Crimson Stars holding the primary tie breaker for purpose differential throughout the common season.
The group is undefeated of their final 4 sport and are nonetheless on the hunt for a playoff spot. The membership closed out their month with a giant 3-1 win on the highway towards Gotham FC due to midfielder Cari Roccaro who has scored three targets within the final 4 video games.
8. Orlando Satisfaction (21 factors: 5-6-6)
- Playoff perspective: two spots away from a last playoff spot, 5 factors out from a doable sixth place standing with Angel Metropolis and Chicago Crimson Stars holding first tie breakers for purpose differential.
After happening a seven-game undefeated streak underneath interim head coach Seb Hines, the group had their streak snapped in a 2-1 loss towards OL Reign to shut out the month.
Brink of elimination
9. North Carolina Braveness (16 factors: 4-7-4)
The membership picked up two extra wins over this month to climb three locations within the standings. Rookie Diana Ordoñez has been large for the membership this 12 months and scored six targets in 5 matches in August.
10. Racing Louisville FC (14 factors: 2-7-8)
The group has not gained a match since Could 22 and closed out their August with a blowout loss towards Chicago. The membership made a great choose up in Chinese language worldwide Wang Shuang, however the group is shortly going nowhere quick.
11. Washington Spirit (13 factors: 1-6-10)
The Spirit haven’t had a win since Could and closed out their August with their tenth draw of the season. The gamers additionally launched a statement on the termination of former head coach Kris Ward and are centered on closing out the ultimate 5 video games of their season.
12. NJ/NY Gotham FC (12 factors: 4-12-0)
The membership suffered their twelfth lack of the season and got no favors as PRO referees made a horrendous name on a purpose. PRO have issued an announcement relating to the error.
