NWSL Playoffs are Set!!

NWSL playoffs are set

The NWSL playoffs are set! The bracket is locked in, stacked with talent and amazing storylines. The final will be one for the ages. This weekend was the last weekend of the regular season, and for many teams, this was the last chance to move up or clinch a spot in the playoffs. For teams like Washington and Orlando, it was more about fine-tuning some issues before they hosted the first round. Others like Chicago Redstars and Bay FC were battling for the final two spots in the playoffs. To wrap up this crazy season, on Sunday, the official bracket was released, with each matchup being up in the air and the potential matchups being even better. Next week, the playoffs will start Friday, Nov 8th, in Orlando, FL, as the Pride takes on the 8th seed Chicago Red Stars. Orlando has had a historic season, coming just two games short of an undefeated season, while the Redstars, even with USWNT star forward Mallory Swanson, have struggled heavily. This game is the tale of “nothing to lose” vs. “everything to lose,” so make sure you tune in. On Saturday, we have a four vs five matchup between KC Current and NC Courage. Both teams have had a back-and-forth kind of season, and if they had won a couple more games, they easily could have been a higher seed. A huge factor to consider in this game and throughout the playoffs is that the NWSL final will be held in the Current’s stadium, so the fuel of possibly playing a final in what would be a home game for them will be in the minds of everyone from KC. Sunday closes out the quarterfinal round of the playoffs with the number 2 team, Washington Spirit vs Bay FC, with Bay FC becoming the second expansion team to make the playoffs in their first season. On the other hand, #3 Gotham FC, the defending champions, start their back-to-back campaign against Portland Thorns in what will be Christine Sinclair's last playoff run with Portland. Every match-up is popcorn-worthy and makes next weekend a must-watch. If you haven’t paid attention to the season so far, no worries, you are tuning in at the perfect time. The playoffs are bound to be historical, and the road to the 2024 NWSL Final will be underway in less than four days. Below is a look at the bracket with times and locations included.

Indiana Fever hire former Connecticut Suns Coach Stephanie White

So far in the WNBA offseason, there has been a plethora of teams firing and hiring coaches around the league, creating new looks for struggling franchises. One of those struggling franchises is Indiana Fever, who, even with making the playoffs, still struggled this past season. Although the firing of coach Kristie Sides was a little bit of a surprise, once the news broke out of the Suns and Stephanie White parting ways, it was clear what the next move would be for the Fever. It was almost an obvious hire for Indiana as White was a former player and coach for the Indiana Fever. She was looking to make her return to her home state. With this move, the Fever are looking to develop a team capable of making a deep playoff push. White has taken the Connecticut Suns to the WNBA playoffs multiple years in a row, and now she will have a chance to take her former team back to that very same spot. The connection between Coach White and her new Star point guard, Caitlin Clark, will be key to the success of the Fever next season. With this move, it is clear to see that the Fever are investing in the future and are looking to become a force to be reckoned with. For the rest of the offseason, keep an eye out for more moves by the Fever.