It’s coming down to the wire. All that is left in the Pride’s 2018 regular season campaign are two matches. One home, one away. Remember, only the top four clubs will go to the playoffs and three spots have been clinched. Here’s a look at the playoff race for those in it:
Seattle Reign | 2nd Place on 40 points
We’ll start with the current second place side in the NWSL, the Seattle Reign. Seattle has locked up a playoff spot with two games remaining in their schedule. They currently sit four points ahead of third place Portland but there is an outside chance seeding could change.
Remaining Matches: 8/25 vs. North Carolina (1st place), 9/7 @ Portland Thorns (3rd place)
Portland Thorns | 3rd Place on 36 points
The Portland Thorns have clinched their spot in the NWSL Playoffs after defeating Sky Blue FC last night. The Thorns will face 8th place Washington on Saturday and then they will play Seattle on the final match day which could decide second place if Portland takes care of business against Washington and then if the Reign drops their match against Carolina.
Remaining Matches: 8/25 @ Washington Spirit (8th place), 9/7 vs. Seattle (2nd place)
Utah Royals FC | 4th Place on 32 points
Utah is in fourth, but they're in a similar position as us because they need help from others since they have played more games than every other team in the table. Their win against Washington Spirit was definitely a boost to their chances.
Remaining Matches: 9/8 vs. Chicago Red Stars (4th place)
Chicago Red Stars | 5th Place on 31 points
Chicago might be in fifth but they have two games in hand on Utah and one game in hand on several other teams including our Pride. That means they have three games left. One of those games is against the Pride on Saturday. It's a key match, to say the least.
Remaining Matches: 8/25 @ Orlando Pride (6th place), 9/4 vs. Sky Blue FC (9th place), 9/8 @ Utah Royals FC (4th place)
Orlando Pride | 6th Place on 30 points
Our Pride have some work to do in the standings going into our final two matches. We will need some help since the teams above us have games in hand and have more points and we've now dropped to sixth place, but we're in it. This makes Saturday's match must-win against Chicago.
Remaining Matches: 8/25 vs. Chicago (5th place), 9/8 @ Sky Blue FC (9th place)
