NWSL Playoffs: Teams Prepare for Quarterfinals, Previous High Scorers Contend with Injuries and Challenges Ahead

Playoff journey kicks off with Reign vs. Angel City and Courage vs. Gotham, and top-seeded teams San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns waiting in the semifinals; Kerolin's injury status uncertain, adding element of unpredictability to matches.

Six teams, including the San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns, will compete in this year's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs, despite the Wave and Thorns facing a three-week break due to scheduling adjustments around an international break.
In the quarterfinals, OL Reign will host Los Angeles-based Angel City FC, while North Carolina Courage will host NJ/NY Gotham FC. The winners of these matches will face the San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns in the semifinals respectively.
San Diego Wave FC and Portland Thorns, ranked first and second in the regular season, display strengths including outstanding individual performances and team chemistry, but are also haunted by previous losses and internal discord which could hamper their potential for victory in the playoffs.
North Carolina Courage and OL Reign carry their own sets of strengths and weaknesses into the postseason. With the possibility of key player Kerolin missing games due to a knee injury, Courage may lose significant firepower, while OL Reign needs to overcome past underperformances in playoffs despite strong season records.
Angel City FC, on a strong winning streak, has a chance to extend their success into playoffs with the team functioning well on all fronts, and Gotham FC, though inconsistent, possesses a high-potential attacking line that could pose challenges to their opponents.