Bethune Makes History as the NWSL Heads to Decision Day
Georgia’s own Croix Bethune set the single-season assist record, and Sunday settles the final playoff berth, the Shield, and the Golden Boot.
It all comes down to this. It’s Decision Day in the NWSL on Sunday, November 1, but before we preview that, let’s recap everything that happened on Matchweek 26.
Four clubs punched their postseason tickets: the Kansas City Current, Portland Thorns, Angel City FC, and the Utah Royals.
The Current punched their ticket with a 2-1 win over the Washington Spirit, who had already clinched the playoffs back in Matchweek 25. Georgia's own Croix Bethune made NWSL history with her 11th assist of the season, breaking the single-season record of 10 that she previously shared with Tobin Heath and Utah's Cloé Lacasse. Her assist teed up Vanessa DiBernardo in the 17th minute, and that goal held up as the winner for Kansas City. This is the Current’s third straight playoff run. They will go on the road to face Racing Louisville FC, who were eliminated from playoff contention back in Week 23, for their final regular-season match of the 2026 season.
The Portland Thorns clinched the postseason with a 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage at home. Marie Müller’s goal in the 60th minute solidified Portland’s spot in the NWSL Playoffs last Friday. This is the Thorns’ 12th time appearing in the playoffs, which is more than any other club in the NWSL. For their last match of the regular season, Portland goes on the road to face the Houston Dash, who were eliminated back in Week 24.
Angel City FC clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2023 with a 2-0 win over Bay FC on Saturday. Gisele Thompson scored in the 49th minute, and Riley Tiernan added an insurance goal in the 83rd. ACFC hosts Boston Legacy FC, who were eliminated back in Week 23.
The Utah Royals booked their first-ever playoff trip in club history after a dominant defensive performance in a 0-0 draw with Seattle Reign FC at home, combined with Portland getting the win over the North Carolina Courage. It’s a historic moment for the club after a historic regular season. The Royals have had their best-ever regular season in club history under head coach Jimmy Coenraets. They will look to close out the regular season on a high as they go on the road to face the league leaders, Gotham FC, on Sunday.
Seattle Reign needed a win over Utah to secure their spot in the playoffs, but only earned one point against the Royals. The North Carolina Courage also lost to the Portland Thorns, so neither team could clinch in the second-to-last week.
Everything fell Denver Summit’s way, though.
The Denver Summit needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. It was do or die, and they did.
The Summit defeated Racing Louisville 6-1 in their final home match of the season. Tash Flint scored a brace. Janine Sonis assisted two, while Melissa Kössler and Yazmeen Ryan both scored and earned an assist. Lindsey Heaps scored her fifth goal in four games, and Kaleigh Kurtz scored her first since joining the Summit.
Now, it’s a battle for the eighth spot in the standings on Decision Day.
What’s at Stake on Decision Day
Gotham FC have a three-point lead as they sit in first place in the standings. A win or a draw against the Utah Royals would lock in Gotham’s first NWSL Shield. A Gotham loss, combined with a San Diego win over Bay FC, opens the door for the Wave to claim their second Shield in club history.
All of the other teams who have secured spots will still be battling to move up in the standings on Decision Day.
Only one more playoff spot remains heading into NWSL Decision Day, and three teams are fighting to claim it: Seattle Reign, North Carolina Courage, and Denver Summit.
Seattle hosts Orlando Pride, and if the Reign win, then they are in. North Carolina hosts Denver at WakeMed Soccer Park. Both teams need a win, along with Orlando playing spoiler against Seattle, to have a chance of qualifying.
For the record watch, North Carolina Courage’s Ashley Sanchez will look to clinch the Golden Boot for the 2026 season, as well as the single-season scoring record. Sanchez has 20 goals this season and is currently tied with Temwa Chawinga, who set the record in 2024. If Sanchez scores on Sunday, she alone will hold the record.
All eight Decision Day matches kick off simultaneously Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. Gotham FC's showdown with Utah will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, with the remaining seven matches streaming on ESPN+. ESPN2 will also provide a live whip-around show covering the action across the league.
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