Soccer

NWSL semis are set, but scheduling conflicts loom

Four games and a little bonus footy later, the NWSL semifinals are officially set. Unfortunately, scheduling woes are once again grabbing headlines in the women’s sports postseason landscape — but first, let’s recap the game action.

November 09, 2026

Everything you need to know about the NWSL playoffs

⚽

Eight of the NWSL’s 16 teams made the postseason after battling through the 30-game regular season. The playoff picture came down to the wire on Decision Day, setting the stage for three weeks of postseason fun. Speaking of, it’s on to the playoffs, which consist of three single-elimination rounds — the QFs, semis, and championship game — held in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, November 21st.

November 06, 2026

Five of eight playoff spots on the line in penultimate NWSL weekend

⚽

It’s the penultimate weekend of NWSL regular-season play and the stakes are sky-high with five of the eight playoff berths, first-round and semifinal home-field advantage, and the NWSL Shield all on the line this weekend. Here are the games on our radar as clinching opportunities abound.

October 23, 2026

NWSL playoff push is on with three weeks remaining

⚽

There are just three weeks to go in the NWSL regular season and six of eight playoff spots still to be claimed. With so much still up in the air, let’s narrow in on tomorrow’s tilts, featuring eight teams still firmly in contention. Every inch matters in these very tight standings.

October 16, 2026

Disgraced Portland Thorns president Gavin Wilkinson hired by the MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes

⚽

The MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes hired former Portland Timbers and Thorns president Gavin Wilkinson as a consultant earlier this month, a move that garnered considerable controversy as Wilkinson was previously ousted from the NWSL following the damning 2022 Yates report. Buckle up.

August 21, 2026

WAFCON semis kick off today, featuring Algeria, Malawi, Morocco, and Cameroon

⚽

Though it’s been infamously difficult to watch here in North America, the WAFCON semis kick off in Morocco today. All four African nations automatically booked their spots in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup by making it this far — now, it’s all about continental glory. Here’s what to expect on the pitch.

August 12, 2026

Nigeria’s quarter-final exit opens up WAFCON competition; Cameroon, Algeria, Morocco, and Malawi advance to the semifinals on Wednesday.

⚽

The WAFCON semis are officially set, but not without a major plot twist. Defending champs Nigeria are heading home with a double dose of heartbreak — their title defense is over, and they might not be heading to next summer’s Women’s World Cup either. Here’s how it went down and what’s still at stake.

August 10, 2026

NWSL mid-week preview, Esther González leaves Gotham FC for personal reasons

Sports News

NWSL mid-week preview, Esther González leaves Gotham FC for personal reasons

⚽

July 29, 2026

Still missing the FIFA men’s World Cup? We have the perfect mid-week pick-me-up: The second half of the NWSL season is almost here and while teams like the Washington Spirit and Utah Royals are rising to the top, there’s still plenty of footy to play before the eight-team playoff field is finalized this fall. Here’s the latest moves and matches from the pitch.

Read Full Story

The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #603

The NWSL’s mind-boggling playoff scheduling problems

November 10, 2026

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

The NWSL’s mind-boggling playoff scheduling problems

Today should be a day of celebrating women’s soccer after the NWSL quarter-finals, but instead, on today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula have to discuss a recurring issue in the women’s sports space: Scheduling conflicts in the postseason.

Much like the WNBA a mere two weeks ago, the NWSL is dealing with home venue issues for its higher-seeded teams, No. 1 Gotham FC and the No. 3 Washington Spirit, in this weekend’s semifinals. It’s a mess.