NWSL playoff bracket, results, schedule: Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars reach final four

The National Women’s Soccer League are upon us as six teams entered the fray — Portland Thorns FC, OL Reign, Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, NJ/NY Gotham FC and the North Carolina Courage — and only four remain.

This is the first year for the NWSL’s expanded playoff format, with six teams qualifying instead of only four in years prior where the the top four teams at season’s end would clinch a spot in the semifinals.

This time around, six teams will compete in single-elimination playoffs with the top two seeds earning a bye straight to the semifinals. The first round of the playoffs will begin the weekend of Nov. 7 with No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5 seeds facing off for a spot in the semifinal round. The NWSL semifinals will take place on Nov. 14, concluding with the NWSL Championship on CBS, which was originally scheduled to take place at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, has been moved to Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, home of Racing Louisville FC.

Let’s take a look at the playoff schedule:

NWSL playoff schedule and bracket

First-round byes into semifinals: 

• 1. Portland Thorns FC (44 points, +16 GD)
• 2. OL Reign (42 points, +10 GD)

Sunday, Nov. 7 (Quarterfinals)

Chicago Red Stars 1, NJ/NY Gotham 0

Washington Spirit 1, North Carolina Courage 0 (a.e.t.)

Sunday, Nov. 14 (Semifinals)

OL Reign vs. Washington Spirit, 3 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network) 

Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars, 5:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Saturday, Nov. 20 (NWSL Championship)

TBD vs. TBD, 12 p.m. ET (CBS)

Final NWSL standings

1. Portland Thorns: 43 points — clinched playoff spot

2. OL Reign: 39 points — clinched playoff spot

3. Washington Spirit: 38 points — clinched playoff spot

4. Chicago Red Stars: 38 points — clinched playoff spot

5. NJ/NY Gotham FC: 34 points — clinched playoff spot

6. North Carolina Courage: 33 points — clinched playoff spot

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7. North Carolina Courage: 32 points — eliminated

8. Orlando Pride:  28 points — eliminated

9. Racing Louisville FC: 20 points — eliminated

10. Kansas City NWSL: 16 points — eliminated