NWSL semifinals kickoff after week of scheduling controversy

The GIST: With NWSL semifinals scheduling conflicts resolved — for better and for worse — we think it’s time to highlight the key players and narratives surrounding these games. The lousy landlords have stolen enough of the spotlight.

👑 No. 7 Utah Royals vs. 🌸 No. 3 Washington Spirit — Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET:

A team from the bottom-half of the bracket has made the championship two of the last three years, a good sign for the Royals. And with quarter-final hero Maddy McGlynn in net, Utah’s defense can frustrate a dangerous Spirit attack. Plus, the scoring threat of forward Mina Tanaka coming off the bench will loom large for the underdogs…so long as they can keep the game close.

• Washington’s key to advancing to their third straight title game will be sticking to what they’ve been doing: scoring early and often, bolstered by their hard-earned home-field advantage. Even if Utah can contain star forward Trinity Rodman, a goal can come from anywhere on this Spirit roster.

⚡ No. 4 Kansas City Current vs. 🗽 No. 1 Gotham FC — Sunday 3 p.m. ET:

Neither team scored a goal in open play in the quarters, instead relying on a penalty kick and an own goal to advance, which has some doubting their fortitude. Not us, though — we’re expecting ghost-pepper-chip levels of spice. Gotham eliminated the Current in the opening round of the 2025 playoffs, when KC was the No. 1 seed. Now the Current will be looking to repay the favor.

• Plus, it’ll be a battle of world-class talents with Current striker Temwa Chawinga and her 12 goals facing off against Gotham defender Tierna Davidson, who led her squad to 14 regular-season clean sheets. So pumped.