Overview
- NJ/NY Gotham FC secured the 2026 NWSL Shield with a 2-0 win over the Utah Royals on Sunday, finishing top of the regular-season table for the first time in club history.
- Gotham’s goals came from Guro Reiten and Jaedyn Shaw while midfielder Jaelin Howell left the game with an early injury that required substitution and will be monitored before the quarterfinals.
- The eight-team playoff bracket is set for Nov. 6–8 with matchups of (1) Gotham vs (8) Seattle, (2) San Diego vs (7) Utah, (3) Washington vs (6) Portland, and (4) Kansas City vs (5) Angel City.
- Seattle clinched the final playoff spot by beating Orlando to take the No. 8 seed, a night that also marked Jess Fishlock’s final regular-season appearance for the Reign.
- Angel City enters the postseason on a long unbeaten run after a 4-1 Decision Day win, while San Diego, Washington and Kansas City earned home quarterfinals, which could affect travel, crowd advantage and match preparation next weekend.