The NWSL standings are arguably more condensed that they ever have been, making Saturday night’s top-of-the-table clash between the Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave all the more enticing.
With three rounds of games left in the regular season, the league has already passed a milestone in terms of a tight race for playoff spots. For the first time ever, every team in the league has at least 20 points, with a gap of just 11 points separating first-place Portland from the Chicago Red Stars, who sit at the bottom of the table.
While the Thorns have largely looked like the NWSL’s best team in most underlying data points, the defending champions have quietly gone just 2W-1D-3L in their last six league matches. A more immediate concern? The continued absence of forward Sophia Smith, who remains out with an MCL sprain.
The Wave have been at or near the top of the table for most of the season, and feature huge names like Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma. However, Casey Stoney’s side has also peppered in just enough head-scratching results — most recently, a 2-1 home loss to the Kansas City Current — that the club remains a bit of an enigma.
Both teams could clinch a playoff spot with the right results this weekend. The Thorns are in with a win, and could also claim a postseason place with a draw and some help elsewhere. For San Diego, sealing a return to the playoffs this early will require a win, plus the right combination of results around the league.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Portland and San Diego duke it out.
How to watch Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave
When: Saturday, September 30
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Providence Park
Channel/streaming: Paramount+ (USA), NWSLsoccer.com (rest of world)
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