Four teams remain as the quarterfinal chaos settles. The Portland Thorns and Washington Spirit meet up after each side advanced in extra time. Meanwhile, eighth-seeded Gotham FC continues its surprise push against the Orlando Pride. Here’s what fans need to know ahead of the semifinal slate:
NWSL semifinals viewing guide
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| Match | Time (ET) | TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Thorns at Spirit
|
Noon, Sat.
|
CBS
|
|
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Gotham FC at Pride
|
3 p.m., Sun.
|
ABC
|
CBS and ABC are free over the air. CBS also streams on Paramount+. ABC also streams on Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited.
Portland Thorns at Washington Spirit
Saturday, noon on CBS
Olivia Moultrie with an inch perfect pass to find Reilyn Turner 📐
Portland takes the lead in the Quarterfinals! #NWSLPlayoffspic.twitter.com/M699gp63df
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 9, 2025
“Liftoff at Providence Park!” What a call from broadcaster Mark Donaldson. What a find by Olivia Moultrie. And of course, what a steely finish from Reilyn Turner. Portland eked past the San Diego Wave with those last-gasp heroics, which ignited a crowd of more than 19,000 supporters. The Thorns now take their postseason show on the road, visiting a Washington squad that narrowly survived its own quarterfinal clash.
A first-half video review took a goal off the board for Washington, but Gift Monday put her Spirit back on top with a strike in the 73rd minute. The hosts seemed to have a win locked up … until Racing Louisville substitute Kayla Fischer equalized in stoppage time. Sold-out Audi Field went silent, if only for a moment. With both sides shut out through the extra period, the match went into penalty kicks, and Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury had a pair of saves to ice it.
Coming off a second-place effort in 2024, Washington finished the regular season with the NWSL’s No. 2 scoring offense and its third-best goal differential. Monday, Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman were the club’s leading scorers. Portland was fifth in goals scored and tied for fourth in goal differential. Moultrie and Turner paced the attack, while Jessie Fleming and Sam Coffey were the top assisters.
Gotham FC at Orlando Pride
Sunday, 3 p.m. on ABC
Down went the title favorite Kansas City Current, off the extended foot of Katie Stengel and with the help of an unforgiving crossbar:
GOTHAM ENDS THE SEASON FOR NO. 1 SEED KANSAS CITY WITH THIS KATIE STENGEL GAME-WINNER😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Wee1a1sT8D
— espnW (@espnW) November 9, 2025
It took a full 120 minutes, but Gotham pulled off the improbable W. This season, Kansas City had been undefeated at CPKC Stadium, and it clinched the league shield faster than any team in NWSL history. Seismic stuff from the New York crew. It’s rewarded with a road tilt against the defending champions.
Orlando is the only semifinalist that didn’t endure last round’s wrenching suspense. The Pride handled the Seattle Reign 2-0, thanks to an early goal from Haley McCutcheon and insurance from Luana. The Brazilian midfielder found the back of the net for the first time since her recovery from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was a remarkable moment for a rising team.
Gotham is led by Esther González, a finalist for league MVP, and Ann-Katrin Berger, nominee for Goalkeeper of the Year. The group tied for sixth in goals scored but finished second in goals allowed. Orlando had a similar balance during the regular season. It ended up No. 8 in scoring but No. 3 in concedes, off the strength of English keeper Anna Moorhouse. The Pride are spearheaded by all-time Brazil great Marta, who had four goals in 18 appearances at the age of 39.
The 2025 NWSL Championship
The winners of these two matches will face off at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 22. That final is set to air on CBS and begin at 8 p.m. ET.
Orlando won it all last year, while Gotham FC lifted the trophy in 2023. It was Portland in 2022 and Washington in 2021 … which means the four most recent NWSL champs are all still active in these semis.
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This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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