2025 NWSL Quarterfinals gave fans a LOT of action

The NWSL did such a great job of summarizing the playoff sitch, that it was reposted it here to introduce each matchup. Next weekend's matchups are found at the end of this blog.

Also, for those who've gotten into this sport recently, the league put out an exceptional historical piece about all playoffs from 2013 - 2024. Check it out

The quarterfinal round of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel, took place the weekend of November 7-9.

The eight-team quarterfinal round began on Friday, November 7, on Prime Video at 8 p.m. (ET), as the reigning NWSL Champion and fourth-seeded Orlando Pride hosted No. 5 Seattle Reign FC at Inter&Co Stadium.

Recap: Orlando advances, 2-0.

Reigning NWSL Champion and 4th seed Pride took the opener, 2-0, on the strength of an early goal by Haley McCutcheon (21' assist Doyle) and an added-time PK by Luana (90+8') just before the final whistle blew. Orlando advances and will face the winner of the Kansas City/Gotham matchup.

The No. 2 Washington Spirit took on first-time postseason entrants in No. 7 Racing Louisville FC in the lone quarterfinal match on Saturday, November 8, at Audi Field, kicking off at 12 p.m. (ET), on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Recap: Washington advances ...

... on the dreaded PK-shoot out finish that largely featured the amazing skills of Spirit goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury. Gift Monday (73' assist to Kouassi with a cross) scored to put the Spirit ahead but a thrilling equalizer 2-minutes into regular-time stoppage by Kayla Fischer (90+2' assist to Petersen, also a cross) forced the penalty theatrics despite an additional two overtime periods of 15-minutes each where neither team could find the back of the net.

Two matches on Sunday, November 9th determined semi final participants.

The top-seeded Kansas City Current, who clinched the NWSL Shield, presented by CarMax, in September, the earliest any team in the history of the league, opened ABC’s doubleheader coverage on Sunday, November 9, with a 12:30 p.m. ET match against No. 8 Gotham FC at CPKC Stadium.

Recap: Gotham advances, 2-1.

No. 1 goes down (oh my!) as Gotham's Katie Stengel (assist Shaw) finished off a goal 1-minute into the final extra time and added time frames (120+1) to lead the 8th-seed to the upset win to finish off Kansas City, in stunning fashion.

Here's what happened in regular time: Gotham dominated (nearly 70% possession) the first half, but failed to score until Jaedyn Shaw used a through ball from Emily Sonnett and scored (68'). It felt like that's how it would finish until ... at 90+6' into stoppage time Ellie Wheeler scored the equalizer (assist to Lo'eau LaBonta) for the home squad that sent the teams into two extra time periods of 15 minutes each.

Gotham FC advances and will travel to Orlando (the defending champion) for the semi finals next weekend.

On social media I described the winning goal as a lobbed pass on a free kick in from the Gotham keeper went bong off teammate 1's head, bong off teammate 2's foot, and then bam into the back of the net off the right foot of Stengel. I'll stick with that until the video comes out.

ABC’s doubleheader coverage finished at 3 p.m. ET as No. 3 Portland Thorns FC rounded out quarterfinal action at Providence Park hosting No. 6 San Diego Wave FC.

Recap: Portland advances, 1-0.

In the third of four matches that went into extra time, Portland got a lovely pass midfield from Coffey to a maneuvering Moultrie who crossed it to Reilyn Turner in front of the goal who headed it into the back of the next four minutes into overtime (94') and then held on for the win through the remaining 26 minutes (overtime = two 15-minute halves).

Upcoming for November 15-16

The semifinals will air across CBS/Paramount+ and ESPN/ABC as follows:

Washington welcomes Portland (um, brrr) on Saturday at Noon (ET) on CBS;

Orlando hosts Gotham on Sunday at 3 p.m. (ET) on ABC .

The 2025 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, is set to air live from PayPal Park in San Jose, California, on Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m. (ET). For the fourth-straight season, the match will air in primetime on CBS and stream on Paramount+.