Sunday, the NWSL shifts away from the regular season with one goal – awarding a league champion. After eight seasons of the top four teams battling for supremacy, 2021 ushers in the league’s first six-team NWSL Playoffs. The Portland Thorns and OL Reign earned the first and second place spots, and a first round bye. Now, two weekend matches decide which teams advance to the league semifinals.
The Chicago Red Stars welcome NJ/NY Gotham FC; followed by the Washington Spirit and North Carolina Courage.
Here’s what to watch for in part one of the Beyond Women’s Sports NWSL weekend playoff preview.
Chicago Red Stars v. NJ/NY Gotham FC
The playoff doubleheader starts at SeatGeek Stadium, in Bridgeview, Illinois. Chicago and Gotham have three regular season matches, separated by just a single goal in Gotham’s favor. In their last match, on September 4, there was nothing separating the two sides, ending 0-0.
Defensive Lapses
For Gotham, that draw was the first point in what is currently an eight-match streak without a loss. Although only three of the eight were victories. Gotham had a late season chance to challenge for the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team with the most regular season points, but slipped in their final three matches of the season.
Gotham had 1-0 leads against last place Kansas City NWSL and twice against second-to-last place Racing Louisville FC. All three ended 1-1, leading to Gotham being the away team in the quarterfinals.
Building Resilience
On the Chicago side, this season they’ve lost US National Team staples in defensive midfielder Julie Ertz and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. So, what began as a strength, turned into a concern. All that on top of offensive issues since losing record breaking goal scorer Sam Kerr to England’s Chelsea Football Club.
Chicago’s had to grow chemistry with new or returning starters in every part of the field. Fullback Arin Wright returned from a season off after giving birth. Midfielder Sarah Woldmoe and Mallory Pugh joined from Gotham’s former identity Sky Blue FC in a preseason trade and backup keeper Cassie Miller moved into the starting role.
Attack v. Attack
In response, Chicago’s defense has come together through center backs Sarah Gorden and Tierna Davidson. Gorden was named Chicago’s Ironwoman after playing every minute of the 2021 season. On top of that, the hybrid fullback/center back Gorden hasn’t missed a minute on the field since April 28, 2019. When she’s on the field, she’s one of the quickest, and cuts into opposition attacks.
Davidson, a future leader of the US National Team, brings technical skill to the backline. Their combination of strength and speed has a big challenge ahead, on Sunday. Gotham forwards Carli Lloyd, Margaret Purce and Ifeoma Onumonu have a combined 21 goals in 2021 regular season. To add to Gotham’s motivation, Lloyd is finishing her final season in the league after spending two years with Sky Blue FC at the bottom of the NWSL table.
It isn’t exactly easy for Gotham either. They’ll take on forwards Pugh and Kealia Watt. Pugh’s enjoyed her first full, healthy, season since joining the league in 2017. After 23 appearances, Pugh ends the season with four goals and four assists. Watt’s produced just as well, scoring five and assisting on four.
Coach v. Assistant
Adding to Sunday’s intrigue is former Chicago assistant coach Scott Parkinson’s first head coaching role in the league, with Gotham. It’ll be the first match Parkinson coaches against his former boss Rory Dames.
Parkinson took over for Freya Coombe, who took the head coaching position for 2022 expansion side Angel City FC midseason. Although he was already appointed manager prior to the September 4 match between the two sides, he was unavailable to coach due to a prior engagement.
How to Watch
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois
TV: CBS Sports Network
The winner of Sunday’s match faces Portland Thorns in the NWSL Playoffs semifinals on November 14.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the 2021 NWSL Playoffs. Thomas Costello is on Twitter too. Follow him @1ThomasCostello.
