Utah Royals and Kansas City Current Advance to NWSL Playoffs Semifinals
The NWSL playoffs are heating up, as teams have progressed beyond the quarterfinals into the semifinals following a series of hard-fought matches.
Here’s how the action unfolded as the remaining clubs vie for glory.
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Utah Makes Most of Chances, Holds Off San Diego Attack to Move On
The Royals entered the playoffs struggling, with only one victory in their last five matches. They had never managed to earn a point against San Diego in their six previous encounters and were missing star midfielder and top scorer Mina Tanaka. If any team was limping into the playoffs, it was Utah.
In contrast, the Wave boasted a seven-match unbeaten streak, having only lost twice in their last 15 games. They had dominated the season series against Utah, outscoring the Royals 6-3 in their two meetings. With the enthusiastic Snapdragon Stadium crowd behind them, San Diego looked poised to continue their success.
Despite the odds, it was Utah that emerged victorious, driven by a first-half goal and excellent goalkeeping.
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San Diego’s potent offense made its presence known early. Just five minutes in, Gia Corley delivered a service to Mel Barcenas in front of goal, but Mandy McGlynn made the save, hinting at what was to come. Five minutes later, McGlynn again saved the Royals, this time stopping a shot from Lia Godfrey.
Five minutes later, Utah had a golden opportunity. Nuria Rabano spotted Paige Cronin making a run through the middle and fed her the ball. Cronin’s shot seemed destined for the back of the net, but Sandra Paños managed to tip it over the bar. Utah’s defense then came to the rescue as Cronin cleared a sure goal off the line after McGlynn got caught higher up the pitch.
Utah struck first in the 30th minute after a well-executed buildup. Jameese Joseph fed Cloé Lacasse, who passed to Kiana Palacios in the box. Palacios took a touch and directed a shot through a defender’s legs and past Paños for the goal, marking the first playoff score in Royals history.
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San Diego entered the second half determined to equalize, dominating possession and pressing Utah. They earned 10 corners to Utah’s three and outshot the Royals 16-8 (6-2 on target). However, Utah’s defense remained resilient, blocking many of San Diego’s attempts.
The Wave came close to finding an equalizer in the 60th minute when Laila Harbert took a corner, which was played short. Her following delivery found Ludmila in front, but a deflected shot nearly crossed the line before McGlynn’s miraculous recovery sent it off to the side.
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San Diego managed one last chance in regulation that went wide, and following seven minutes of added time, Utah held on for the win, ending the match with McGlynn possessing the ball.
The Royals will next travel to Washington to face the Spirit on Saturday. This marks a remarkable start to Utah’s first playoff run, raising spirits among fans who are filled with hope.
Cooper’s Extra Time Penalty Sends Kansas City to Semis Over Angel City
Kansas City hosted Angel City in a matchup featuring the best home team in league history against the current hottest side. Kansas City had lost just once in their last 33 matches at CPKC Stadium, while Angel City entered with a 10-match unbeaten streak and only one loss in their previous 15. The tightly contested match hinged on Kansas City’s control of the game and a penalty late in extra time.
Both teams had tied for the league lead in goals scored during the regular season, and it showed as Kansas City fired 20 shots at Angel City’s goal. The match began with Kansas City asserting themselves, with goalkeeper Angelina Anderson making crucial saves to keep them off the scoresheet until the 25th minute when Angel City recorded their first shot. Current keeper Lorena tipped Ary Borges’ strong shot over the bar, marking it as the best chance of the half.
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In the second half, Kansas City’s pressure mounted. Anderson made four saves in this half, notably on a low shot from Croix Bethune that appeared destined for the corner. Angel City almost clinched a late winner but saw their shot narrowly miss the goal in injury time. The teams proceeded to extra time.
Early in the first extra period, Kansas City earned a corner. Izzy Rodriguez sent in a ball that looked like it was headed for an Olimpico. Angel City cleared it, but chaos ensued when Borges took down Kayla Sharples while Anderson pushed her from behind, prompting the referee to award a penalty. After a VAR review confirmed the call, Michelle Cooper stepped up and successfully converted the penalty past Anderson.
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The current intensified their attack, denying Angel City any chance at a shot on goal following the goal. As the match wore on, Angel City pushed hard in the second extra time. However, they failed to find the equalizer, and Kansas City held firm in defense, sealing their place in the semifinals against Gotham this Sunday.
Gotham Gets Early Goal, Withstands Furious Seattle Attack for Semi-Final Berth
In another one-sided match on paper, Gotham faced Seattle, boasting a season of impressive performance and their first Shield. Gotham had been a robust home team, allowing less than one goal on average, and they showed their strength early in the match.
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The match started poorly for Seattle, conceding a goal as early as the fourth minute. After earning a corner, a low delivery by Jaedyn Shaw deflected off defender Jordyn Bugg and slipped underneath Claudia Dickey, handing Gotham the lead. Seattle responded quickly and managed to test Gotham’s defense throughout the first half.
However, Gotham’s defense held steady, with both teams combining for only one shot on target. Jess Fishlock attempted a long-range shot, but Ann-Katrin Berger made an easy save. Seattle nearly equalized late in the half with a close call but entered halftime trailing by a goal.
Seattle came out fired up in the second half, but Gotham’s defense remained solid. Five minutes in, Mia Fishel sent a powerful shot toward the target, requiring a top save from Berger. Fishlock’s attempts also went unconverted, and in the closing minutes, Seattle saw their best chances thwarted by Gotham’s impenetrable defense.
In a historic feat for the NWSL playoffs, Gotham advanced without having a single shot on target. They will next host Kansas City as they continue their title defense.
This match also marked the end of Jess Fishlock’s remarkable career with Seattle. After 14 seasons, she leaves as the last original player in the league, having won three Shields and making three Final appearances.
Washington Jumps on Portland Early, Routs Thorns to Advance
The final quarterfinal match saw Washington dominate against a struggling Portland team. Unlike the other matches which ended with narrow scores, this contest featured a decisive Washington victory. From the start, the Spirit capitalized on Portland’s defensive problems, racing to a 3-0 lead before the Thorns could mount a comeback.
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Washington struck first just six minutes in, as Trinity Rodman intercepted a pass and delivered a centering pass to Mélissa Bethi, who tapped it in for the lead. Portland’s best chance came 25 minutes in but Sandy MacIver denied Caiya Hanks.
The tide quickly turned for the Thorns when a miscommunication led to another Washington goal in the 34th minute after Clara Luvanga pressured Portland’s keeper into a turnover. Just 90 seconds later, Luvanga found Rodman in the box for another goal, putting Portland in a difficult position heading to the half.
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When play resumed, Portland attempted to rally. They earned a corner and quickly scored through a connection from Jessie Fleming to Pietra Tordin, cutting the lead to 3-1. Washington responded as Luvanga assisted Rodman for another goal shortly after, restoring the three-goal gap.
Despite Portland’s efforts and several chances to score, including several saves by MacIver, they could not overcome Washington’s early barrage. The Spirit’s victory cements their spot in the semifinals, where they will host Utah on Saturday, aiming for a chance to host the final.
NWSL Playoff Results in Full
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San Diego Wave 0-1 Utah Royals
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Kansas City Current 1-0 Angel City FC
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Gotham FC 1-0 Seattle Reign
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Washington Spirit 4-1 Portland Thorns
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Semi-Final Weekend
Gotham FC (1) vs Kansas City Current (4) – Sunday, 15 November
Washington Spirit (3) vs Utah Royals (7) – Saturday, 14 November
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