The playoff picture is starting to take shape, but there are still a few spots up for grabs.
The NWSL Shield will be won by Gotham FC, San Diego Wave or Washington Spirit.
Meanwhile, the final five playoff spots, including the number four seed and home quarterfinal match still up for grabs. Six teams have already been eliminated.
Who continued to take a step forward and who stumbled near the finish line?
All NWSL teams ranked, as of Oct. 20
1. San Diego Wave (+1) | 2-1 win at NC Courage
Five straight wins for the San Diego Wave and Jonas Eidevall.
After Dudinha’s heartbreaking injury, they have found key contributors all over the roster. In North Carolina, it was Melanie Barcenas with another long-range banger and Trinity Byars adding her 11th goal.
Now they’ve closed the NWSL Shield race to a single point.
The most dangerous part of this team? They’re the most complete outfit in the league generating the third-most xG, conceding the least xG while having the second best differential.
2. Gotham FC (-1) | 0-1 loss at Washington Spirit
After earning their 13th clean sheet of the season on Aug. 23, Gotham FC have allowed at least a goal in seven straight games since, including the latest 0-1 loss to rivals Washington Spirit.
Their once insurmountable lead for the NWSL Shield has nearly disappeared.
Can they still get it done? At an attack that has the highest possession %, has generated the 5th most xG, but have only converted 35 goals (tied for 13th in the NWSL).
3. Washington Spirit | 1-0 win vs Gotham FC
Mélissa Bethi delivered a world-class chip to Lucia Di Guglielmo for the game-winner.
The cherry on top? It was the first NWSL goal for Italian defender who couldn’t have picked a better time for it to happen.
The only concern for the Spirit despite conceding the second fewest goals in the league is they’re just eighth in goals scored and 9th in xG generated.
Midfielder Leicy Santos made her return after being out two months due to injury which should be a boost heading toward the postseason.
It was the first win for the Spirit over the Bats since June 23, 2024.
4. Angel City FC | 3-2 win at Denver Summit
Denver Summit came out with two goals in the first 18 minutes, but Angel City FC scored three unanswered en route to a big victory on the road. Defenders Evelyn Shores and Gisele Thompson combined for three assists with goals coming from Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Taylor Suarez and Ally Sentnor.
Despite the slow start, ACFC ended up with more xG (2.03 - 0.99), shots (18-6) and touches in opposition box (20-11).
Led by a top four attack and defense, Angel City FC are unbeaten in their last eight.
5. Kansas City Current | 2-0 win at Utah Royals
The only thing holding this KC Current team back is a troubling road form. Yet, this weekend’s win over Utah could be a turning point.
Away from home against the Royals, KC Current woke up and took care of business. Kansas City has now won three games in a row and the top ranked attack became just the second team to reach 50 goals.
Haley Hopkins continues to combine with Temwa Chawinga on counterattacks to devasting effect. She is now up to a career-high 11 goals on the season.
Can any club stop those two on breakaways?
6. Utah Royals | 0-2 loss vs KC Current
The Utah Royals are still on pace to make the playoffs, but have struggled to find any consistency down the stretch. They haven’t won consecutive games since July 25.
To make matters even worse, they’ve struggled against playoff competition, compiling just a 3-7-2 record.
7. Seattle Reign (+2) | 3-1 win at Chicago Stars
The Seattle Reign and Laura Harvey have now won two of their last three matches to go above the playoff line.
After the loss of young star Maddie Dahlien, they responded with a resounding 3-1 win over Chicago Stars.
Maddie Mercado continues to shine, recording her first brace. She reached 10 goals on the season and became the first player accomplish that feat since USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe in 2017.
8. Portland Thorns (-1) | 2-2 draw at Bay FC
That’s now just one win in their last seven games for the Portland who arrived back from the summer international break with the easiest remaining schedule.
For a team that is 15th in possession, PTFC gift wrapped two goals off bad giveaways to Bay FC in a 2-2 draw.
If the Thorns are able to hold onto a playoff spot, they would be the only team with a negative xG differential.
9. North Carolina Courage (-2) | 1-2 loss vs San Diego Wave
With their season on the line, North Carolina have dropped four of their last five matches.
The struggles against top competition continues for the Courage as they dropped another result, 1-2 to San Diego Wave.
NC Courage are now 4-7-2 against playoff teams this season and only have one win against a top four side.
Could the highest goalscoring team in NWSL at 51 goals miss the playoffs? They take on Portland Thorns next.
10. Boston Legacy (+1) | 2-1 win vs Racing Louisville
How did Boston Legacy follow up their 4-2 upset win at Portland? They took down Racing Louisville 2-1 in their home finale.
The future is bright for head coach Filipa Patão and the NWSL expansion side. Could one more offseason from general manager Domè Guasch get them into playoff contention for 2027?
11. Orlando Pride (+1) | 2-1 win at Houston Dash
Can you imagine scoring your first professional goal off an assist from Marta? Solai Washington did just that.
Interim head coach Yolanda Thomas has now led the Orlando Pride to two wins in their last three.
All eyes will be on Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Caitlin Carducci as she will be tasked with the crucial hire of their next head coach.
12. Denver Summit FC (-2) | 2-3 loss vs ACFC
Another blown lead for the NWSL expansion side as the defense continued to be exposed. After going up 2-0 in the first 18 minutes, Denver Summit allowed three unanswered goals in the first half.
Where will the focus be this winter? They’ve conceded the sixth-most xG and ninth most goals on the season.
13. Houston Dash | 1-2 loss vs Orlando Pride
The Houston Dash have just one win in their last eight…
14. Bay FC | 2-2 draw vs Portland Thorns
Bay FC gave Portland Thorns all they could handle in the 2-2 draw and out-generated the visitors in xG 2.03-1.53.
The future is bright for Chief Football Officer Paul Green as he saw Karlie Lema pick up two assists and Kennedy Fuller score one of the best goals on the season.
15. Racing Louisville | 1-2 loss at Boston Legacy
The last time Racing Louisville won a match? August 19, a span of eight games.
With Emma Sears likely gone this winter, could there be more players on their way out too?
16. Chicago Stars | 1-3 loss vs Seattle Reign
The Chicago Stars’ last six losses have come by two goals or more and they’ve picked up a single draw in the past seven games…