The NWSL playoffs get underway this weekend, with eight quarterfinalists beginning the chase for the championship. The postseason start headlines a busy stretch of soccer that also includes the final weekend of European league action before the November international break.
The league grew in 2026, expanding to 16 teams with new clubs in Boston and Denver, a 30-game schedule for each side, and a midseason pause to make room for the men's World Cup. Even so, the playoff race stayed tight. The final berth was not settled until the last hour of Decision Day, when the Seattle Reign edged the Orlando Pride 1-0, a result that ended the seasons of both the North Carolina Courage and Denver Summit.
The eight remaining teams say plenty about where the league stands. Gotham went from a No. 8 seed that won it all last fall to first-time NWSL Shield winners this year. The Utah Royals are making their playoff debut, while the San Diego Wave finished just behind Gotham in the standings. In three weekends, one of these teams will lift the trophy in Washington, D.C.
CBS Sports analyst Sandra Herrera sees San Diego as the leading candidate. "San Diego may have finished second to Gotham FC in the NWSL Shield race, but this was still the best regular season in club history, with a new franchise record for wins and total points," Herrera said. The Wave enter as the No. 2 seed on a seven-match unbeaten run.
Herrera credited head coach Jonas Eidevall, who in his second year turned the club from a lower playoff seed into a top contender. On the field, San Diego is led by 35-year-old midfielder Kenza Dali, described as this year's underdog MVP, who helped mentor Kimmi Ascanio, Melanie Barcenas and Gia Corley. Rookie outside back Mimi Van Zanten became a full starter alongside the experienced centerback pairing of Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb, while fellow rookie Lia Godfrey contributed six goals and six assists. Trinity Byars added an 11-goal sophomore season after returning from an ACL injury.
In Europe, the headline match comes Sunday at San Siro, where Inter host a Como side coached by Cesc Fabregas. Como arrive off a historic 9-1 Champions League win away at Lens. Inter, meanwhile, lost the Derby della Madonnina to AC Milan last weekend before rebounding with a victory away at Feyenoord.
Earlier on Sunday, Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the Premier League's featured match of the round.
The weekend slate opens Friday with Derby County facing Bolton in the EFL Championship. Saturday brings Leeds against Tottenham in the Premier League, three Championship matches including Wrexham versus Wolverhampton, the NWSL quarterfinal between the Kansas City Current and Angel City FC on CBS, Roma against Sassuolo in Serie A, and Valencia hosting Real Madrid in LaLiga. Sunday closes with Liverpool versus Arsenal in the WSL, Genoa against AC Milan and Fiorentina against Juventus in Serie A, and Gotham meeting the Utah Royals in the NWSL.
