NWSL Playoffs

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Playoffs are a single elimination tournament among four teams in the National Women's Soccer League, ultimately deciding the winner of the NWSL Championship.

Since playoff games cannot end in ties, those are broken by two straight 15-minute overtime periods, followed by shootouts of best-of-five rounds plus extra rounds as needed if still drawn.

Format

The top four teams in the final standings at the end of the NWSL season qualify for the playoffs and are seeded in order of their record.^[1]

Tiebreakers

The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. If at least two teams tie in point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules,^[2] going down the list until all teams are ranked.

• 1. Head to Head win/loss record between the teams (or points-per-game if more than two teams).
• 2. Greater goal difference across the entire season (against all teams, not just tied teams).
• 3. Greatest total number of goals scored (against all teams).
• 4. Apply #1–3 to games played on the road.
• 5. Apply #1–3 to games played at home.
• 6. If teams are still equal, ranking will be determined by a coin toss (2 teams) or draw of lots (at least 3 teams).

NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.

	Semi-finals					NWSL Championship
	1
	4
	3
	2

Playoff series history

2016 season

	Semi-finals					Championship
	1	Portland Thorns FC	3
	4	Western New York Flash (a.e.t.)	4
						4	Western New York Flash (pen.)	2 (3)
						2	Washington Spirit	2 (2)
	2	Washington Spirit (a.e.t.)	2
	3	Chicago Red Stars	1

2015 season

	Semi-finals					Championship
	1	Seattle Reign FC	3
	4	Washington Spirit	0
						1	Seattle Reign FC	0
						3	FC Kansas City	1
	2	Chicago Red Stars	0
	3	FC Kansas City	3

2014 season

	Semi-finals					Championship
	1	Seattle Reign FC	2
	4	Washington Spirit	1
						1	Seattle Reign FC	1
						2	FC Kansas City	2
	2	FC Kansas City	2
	3	Portland Thorns FC	0

2013 season

	Semi-finals					Championship
	1	Western New York Flash	2
	4	Sky Blue FC	0
						1	Western New York Flash	0
						3	Portland Thorns FC	2
	2	FC Kansas City	2
	3	Portland Thorns FC (a.e.t.)	3

Records and statistics

Correct as of conclusion of 2016 NWSL Playoffs

Playoff results

Club	Won	Runner-up	Years won	Years runner-up
FC Kansas City	2	0	2014, 2015
Portland Thorns FC	1	0	2013
Western New York Flash	1	1	2016	2013
Washington Spirit	0	1		2016
Seattle Reign FC	0	2		2014, 2015

Playoff Games and Win-Loss Record

Team	Games Played	W	L	%	Most recent appearance	Most recent title
FC Kansas City	5	4	1	.800	2015	2015
Western New York Flash	4	3	1	.750	2016	2016
Portland Thorns FC	4	2	2	.500	2016	2013
Seattle Reign FC	4	2	2	.500	2015	Never
Washington Spirit	4	1	3	.250	2016	Never
Sky Blue FC	1	0	1	.000	2013	Never
Chicago Red Stars	2	0	2	.000	2016	Never

Appearances by team

Team	Appearances
FC Kansas City	3
Portland Thorns FC	3
Washington Spirit	3
Chicago Red Stars	2
Seattle Reign FC	2
Western New York Flash	2
Sky Blue FC	1

References

1. "2014 Competition Rules and Regulations". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
2. "2016 Competition Rules and Regulations – National Womens Soccer League".

External links

• Official website