The 2026 NWSL regular season concluded on Decision Day with all 16 teams playing simultaneously, determining the NWSL Shield winner, the final playoff berth, and home-field advantages. Gotham FC captured their first-ever NWSL Shield with a 2-0 victory over Utah Royals, finishing atop the table after a 30-match season. San Diego Wave secured second place with a 1-0 win at Bay FC, while Seattle Reign clinched the eighth and final playoff spot with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pride.
Decision Day Scores
Gotham FC 2, Utah Royals 0; San Diego Wave 1, Bay FC 0; Kansas City Current 2, Racing Louisville 0; Washington Spirit 2, Chicago Stars 0; Seattle Reign 1, Orlando Pride 0; Angel City 4, Boston Legacy 1; North Carolina Courage 1, Denver Summit 1; Portland Thorns 2, Houston Dash 0.
2026 NWSL Playoff Bracket
The quarterfinals are set for November 6-8: San Diego Wave vs. Utah Royals (Nov. 6, 10 p.m.), Kansas City Current vs. Angel City (Nov. 7, 12 p.m.), Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign (Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m.), Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns (Nov. 8, 3 p.m.). The top two seeds, Gotham and San Diego, will host quarterfinal matches and would host semifinals if they advance. The NWSL Championship is scheduled for November 21 on CBS.
Gotham FC Cement Dynasty Status
Gotham needed only a draw to win the Shield but earned a 2-0 win at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Forward Midge Purce assisted Guro Reiten for the opening goal, and Jaedyn Shaw, returning from injury, scored the second after coming off the bench. The team has overcome a late-season injury crisis, including season-ending injuries to Bruninha and Jordynn Dudley, and midfielder Jaelin Howell left the match with a right ankle injury. Rose Lavelle also returned from injury, bolstering depth ahead of the playoffs.
Seattle Reign Secure Final Playoff Spot
Seattle controlled their destiny and defeated Orlando 1-0 on a set-piece goal finished by center back Jordyn Bugg, featuring two flicks. The win honored longtime veteran Jess Fishlock and exemplified Seattle's defensive identity. North Carolina Courage and Denver Summit needed other results to qualify but fell short.
