Criticism has emerged over the National Women's Soccer League's scheduling of early kickoff times for the quarterfinal matches, with concerns that the timing harms the quality of the game. The issue has been described as a recurring problem, with one observer stating, "It's getting old." The article by Tamerra Griffin, published in The Athletic on November 3, 2026, highlights the negative impact of these early start times on players and the overall product.
NWSL Early Kickoff Times for Quarterfinals Criticized as Harmful to the Game
