This Week in Women’s Soccer Wire News
Check in to get the latest breaking news for professional US women’s soccer, including the NWSL, USWNT, and broader soccer community
This Week in NWSL News
NWSL Quarterfinals Recap
The NWSL playoffs kicked off on November 7 with the 2025 NWSL Quarterfinals.
Orlando Pride Advances to Semifinals
The Orlando Pride advances to the NWSL Semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Seattle Reign FC.
Haley McCutcheon scored the Pride’s first goal in the 21st minute, earning her third NWSL career goal.
In the 90th plus 6th minute, Marta astonished fans with a breakaway from the Pride’s defense half into the box, where she was fouled and drew a PK in the last minute of stoppage time.
Luana stepped up to the spot and shot the ball high and to the left, sinking it into the side of the net for her first NWSL career goal.
The Brazilian international player was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in April 2024 and underwent chemotherapy treatment. Luana returned to the pitch this past August.
“One year ago, I didn’t even know if I would be playing again, and today I’m here,” said Luana in a post-match interview.
“Nothing is impossible.”
Photo credit: Orlando Pride
Washington Spirit Eliminates Racing Louisville
The Washington Spirit beat Racing Louisville 1(3) - 1(1) to reach the NWSL Semifinals in a hard-fought match that ended in a penalty shoot-out.
Gift Monday found the back of the net off a header in the 73rd minute from a cross played in by Rosemonde Kouassi, earning the Spirit a 1-0 lead.
Kayla Fischer scored an equalizer for Racing in the 90th plus 2nd minute with an assist from Bethany Balcer.
With the match tied at the end of regulation play, the game moved into two 15-minute extra time periods as per the NWSL playoff game rules. Extra time ended in a tie, and the game advanced into a penalty shoot-out where the Spirit claimed victory.
The quarterfinal match was a franchise first for Louisville, with this year’s inaugural playoff run making club history. Racing ended the regular season ranked seventh in the league and gave the second-place Washington Spirit a challenging quarterfinal match at Audi Field.
Trinity Rodman was listed as a sub for the Spirit for the match after previously being marked as Questionable on the November 7 NWSL Availability Report. Rodman suffered a knee injury on October 15.
Photo credit: Washington Spirit
Remaining Quarterfinal Matches
Sunday, November 9
Kansas City Current (1) vs NJ/NY Gotham FC (8)
10:30 AM MT | ABC
Portland Thorns FC (3) vs San Diego Wave (6)
1:00 PM MT | ABC
LAst Week in NWSL News
Racing Louisville Earns Spot in Playoffs
Racing Louisville FC beat Bay FC to earn the franchise’s first-ever spot in the NWSL playoffs, slotting into 7th place.
Rookie Ella Hase scored her first career goal on NWSL Decision Day to bring Racing to its historic victory.
Photo credit: Racing Louisville FC
Temwa Chawinga Wins NWSL Golden Boot
Temwa Chawinga won the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot, scoring 15 goals and earning three assists during regular-season play.
Chawinga successfully defended her reign as the NWSL lead scorer by winning the Golden Boot in two consecutive years. In 2024, Chawinga won the prestigious award with 20 goals to her name during her first season in the league.
Photo credit: Kansas City Current
NWSL Power Rankings
After 26 weeks of regular-season play, the top eight teams advance to the NWSL playoffs starting November 7.
The top four teams earned a home-field advantage for the NWSL Quarterfinals. With the Kansas City Current and the Washington Spirit securing the first and second place seeds prior to NWSL Decision Day, the coveted third and fourth place spots were awarded to the Portland Thorns FC and the Orlando Pride on November 2.
NWSL Standings at the end of regular-season play (Team - Points | Goal Differential):
Kansas City Current - 65 | 36
Washington Spirit - 44 | 9
Portland Thorns FC - 40 | 7
Orland Pride - 40 | 6
Seattle Reign FC - 39 | 3
San Diego Wave - 37 | 7
Racing Louisville FC - 37 | -3
NJ/NY Gotham FC - 36 | 10
North Carolina Courage - 35 | -2
Houston Dash - 30 | -12
Angel City FC - 27 | -10
Utah Royals - 25 | -14
Bay FC - 20 | -15
Chicago Stars - 20 | -22
NWSL Playoffs Begin November 7
The NWSL playoffs begin Friday, November 7, with the Orlando Pride and Seattle Reign FC kicking off the Quarterfinals.
Friday, November 7
Orlando Pride (4) vs Seattle Reign FC (5)
6:00 PM MT | Prime Video
Saturday, November 8
Washington Spirit (2) vs Racing Louisville FC (7)
10 AM MT | CBS | Paramount+
Sunday, November 9
Kansas City Current (1) vs NJ/NY Gotham FC (8)
10:30 AM MT | ABC
Portland Thorns FC (3) vs San Diego Wave (6)
1:00 PM MT | ABC
Photo credit: Orlando Pride
2026 NWSL Expansion Teams
Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy FC announced their inaugural home matches for the 2026 NWSL season.
The Summit will play at Empower Field at Mile High on March 28, and the Legacy’s first home game will be on March 14 at Gillette Stadium.
In an email to its Club 5280 members on November 3, Denver Summit FC noted that season tickets have sold out. Tickets went on sale to early deposit holders on October 14.
