Portland Thorns FC, having clinched a spot in the 2019 NWSL postseason, are now jockeying for position to host one of the two playoff semifinal games. In the NWSL, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs with the top two hosting the semifinals.
This weekend, the Thorns, currently in third place, head on the road to play Reign FC Sunday (11am, ESPN2) while the Chicago Red Stars, in second, host Utah Royals FC on Saturday (5pm PT, Yahoo! Sports). Depending on results, the Thorns could vault Chicago this weekend and grab that second host spot or possibly go down to the season finale on Oct. 12 against Washington.
The table below outlines which team would wrap up the second seed in the playoffs pending this weekend's results.
<strong>Thorns Win vs. RFC</strong> |
<strong>Thorns Lose vs. RFC</strong> |
<strong>Thorns Draw vs. RFC</strong> |
|
<p>Chicago Wins vs. UTA</p> |
TBD on 10/12 |
<strong style="text-align: center; line-height: 20.8px;"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/ChicagoRedStars2017.png" style="opacity: 0.9; overflow-wrap: break-word; width: 40px; height: 46px;"></strong> |
<strong style="text-align: center; line-height: 20.8px;"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/ChicagoRedStars2017.png" style="opacity: 0.9; overflow-wrap: break-word; width: 40px; height: 46px;"></strong> |
Chicago Loses vs. UTA |
<strong style="text-align: center;"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/ThornsLogoRed_nostar.png" style="opacity: 0.9; overflow-wrap: break-word; width: 45px; height: 45px;"></strong></strong> |
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">TBD on 10/12</span> |
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">TBD on 10/12</span> |
Chicago Draws vs. UTA |
<strong style="text-align: center;"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/ThornsLogoRed_nostar.png" style="opacity: 0.9; overflow-wrap: break-word; width: 45px; height: 45px;"></strong></strong> |
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">TBD on 10/12</span> |
<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">TBD on 10/12</span> |
