NWSL playoff rankings: Favorites, contenders, wild cards and long-shots
Photo by Tanner Gatlin/NWSL via Getty Images | NWSL via Getty Images
The 2026 NWSL regular season came to an end over the weekend with eight teams advancing to the playoffs. Gotham FC has already earned the shield and look to complete the double by lifting the league championship.
Which team will be the one left standing with the trophy? Let’s take a look at which teams fit top into playoff superlatives.
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Favorites
No. 2 San Diego Wave – Quarterfinal vs Utah Royals
- xG generated: Fourth-most at 51.9 | Goals scored: Sixth-most with 45
- xG conceded: Fewest at 30.0 | Goals conceded: Third-fewest with 31
San Diego is in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak and arguably the most balanced team in the league.
Led by captain Kennedy Wesley, the Wave is incredibly difficult to breakdown defensively with their elite backline.
After a 2025 season where they struggled to find a reliable goalscorer, Trinity Byars has become just that with 11. Alongside the most talented young core in the league with players such as Melanie Barcenas, Mimi Van Zanten, Lia Godfrey, Kimmi Ascanio, Jonas Eidevall’s side will be one of the most widely used picks to win it all.
The winner of Kansas City Current vs. Angel City FC quarterfinal
Kansas City is currently riding a five-match win streak and Angel City FC is unbeaten in their last 10 games.
This first round matchup has the potential to be a classic filled with tons of fireworks as both teams lead the NWSL with 54 goals scored. KC Current has the top xG differential with ACFC third.
How evenly matched are the two? Each have three players who have eight or more goals.
The potential tiebreaker? CPKC Stadium has witnessed a league-record 32 game regular season unbeaten streak. However, they were defeated at home in last year’s quarterfinals to eventual 2025 champions, Gotham.
Contenders
No. 1 Gotham FC – Quarterfinal vs Seattle Reign
- xG generated: Seventh-most at 48.5 | Goals scored: Tied for sixth-fewest with 39
- xG conceded: Fourth-fewest at 39.1 | Goals conceded: Fewest with 23
Should the NWSL Shield winners be listed as a favorite? Yes, but they’re facing even more adversity now.
Midfielder Jaelin Howell was substituted in the 22nd minute of the season finale. If she were to miss any time, it would one heavily felt as she is irreplaceable. The Bats did see the return of Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw as second-half subs, but will they be available for starts in the playoffs?
With an NWSL-record 14 clean sheets, Gotham is powered by a historically great defense led by a tremendous backline and Goalkeeper of the Year frontrunner, Ann-Katrin Berger.
The only weakness is in attack where they scored the seventh fewest at 39 goals. Especially if Shaw (11 goals) isn’t fully-healthy it could make the difference.
