NWSL playoffs scenarios, schedule: Three spots up for grabs with just three games to go in regular season

Eight teams are in the race for three spots, and here's what teams need to get in this weekend

More than half of the NWSL's playoff field may be set, but with eight teams still competing for three spots, the 2024 regular season is slated for a competitive finish.

Five teams have already booked a spot in the postseason, while the Orlando Pride won the NWSL Shield last week and will be the top-seeded team in the playoffs. The Houston Dash are the only ones out of the running for the postseason, which means most of the NWSL's teams are still in the hunt though some have less wiggle room than others. Only one team can clinch a postseason berth this week, while four run the risk of being eliminated from contention if results do not favor them this weekend.

Ahead of this weekend's NWSL action, here's a look at the playoff scenarios.

NWSL table

*qualified for the playoffs
**eliminated from playoff contention

Playoff qualification scenarios

Chicago Red Stars (32 points, 10-11-2)

Can clinch a playoff berth with

• Win over NJ/NY Gotham FC OR
• Racing Louisville loss to Washington Spirit OR
• Draw against NJ/NY Gotham FC AND Portland Thorns draw with Orlando Pride OR Racing Louisville draw with the Washington Spirit OR
• Portland Thorns loss to Orlando Pride AND Racing Louisville draw with Washington Spirit

Playoff elimination scenarios

Seattle Reign (20 points, 5-13-5)

Will be eliminated from playoff contention with

• Loss or draw to Utah Royals OR
• Portland Thorns win over Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current OR
• Portland Thorns draw with Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current AND Racing Louisville win over Washington Spirit

Utah Royals (21 points, 6-14-3)

Will be eliminated from playoff contention with

• Loss to Seattle Reign OR
• Portland Thorns win over Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current OR
• Draw with Seattle Reign AND Portland win or draw with Orlando Pride AND Bay win or draw over Kansas City Current OR
• Draw with Seattle Reign AND Racing Louisville win or draw with Washington Spirit AND Bay FC win or draw over Kansas City Current

Angel City (22 points, 7-12-4)

Will be eliminated from playoff contention with

• Loss to North Carolina Courage AND Portland Thorns win or draw with Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win or draw with Kansas City Current OR
• Loss to North Carolina Courage AND Racing Louisville win or draw with Washington SpiritAND Bay FC win or draw with Kansas City Current OR
• Draw with North Carolina Courage AND Portland Thorns win over Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current OR
• Draw with North Carolina Courage AND Portland Thorns draw with Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current AND Racing Louisville win over Washington Spirit

San Diego Wave (22 points, 5-11-7)

Will be eliminated from playoff contention with

• Loss to Houston Dash AND Portland Thorns win or draw with Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win or draw with Kansas City Current OR
• Loss to Houston Dash AND Racing Louisville win or draw with Washington SpiritAND Bay FC win or draw with Kansas City Current OR
• Draw with Houston Dash AND Portland Thorns win over Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current OR
• Draw with Houston Dash AND Portland Thorns draw with Orlando Pride AND Bay FC win over Kansas City Current AND Racing Louisville win over Washington Spirit

Final standings scenarios

Washington Spirit (47 points, 15-6-2)

Can clinch a top-four finish with

• Win or draw  with Racing Louisville OR
• North Carolina Courage draw or loss to Angel City

NJ/NY Gotham FC (47 points, 14-4-5)

Can clinch a top-four finish with

• Win or draw with Chicago Red Stars OR
• North Carolina Courage draw or loss to Angel City

Kansas City Current (46 points, 13-3-7)

Can clinch a top-four finish with

• Win over Bay FC OR
• North Carolina Courage draw or loss to Angel City