The 2026 NWSL regular season concluded on Decision Day with all 16 teams playing simultaneously. Gotham FC secured the NWSL Shield with a 2-0 win over Utah Royals, finishing top of the table. San Diego Wave placed second after a 1-0 victory at Bay FC. Seattle Reign clinched the final playoff spot with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pride.
Other results: Kansas City Current 2-0 Racing Louisville, Washington Spirit 2-0 Chicago Stars, Angel City 4-1 Boston Legacy, North Carolina Courage 1-1 Denver Summit, Portland Thorns 2-0 Houston Dash.
The playoff bracket is set. Quarterfinals begin November 6: San Diego Wave vs Utah Royals (10 p.m.), November 7: Kansas City Current vs Angel City (12 p.m.), November 8: Gotham FC vs Seattle Reign (12:30 p.m.), Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns (3 p.m.). The championship is scheduled for November 21 on CBS.
Gotham FC's Shield win caps a season where they overcame late-season injuries to key players like Bruninha, Jordynn Dudley, and Jaedyn Shaw. Shaw returned from injury to score the sealing goal. Midfielder Jaelin Howell left the match with an ankle injury and will be evaluated before the quarterfinals.
Seattle Reign's playoff berth came via a defensive 1-0 win, featuring a set-piece goal by center back Jordyn Bugg. The team honored veteran Jess Fishlock in the match.
San Diego Wave, Angel City, and Kansas City Current enter the playoffs on hot streaks, each unbeaten in their last five games, with Kansas City on a five-game winning streak.
