The Pride have an opportunity to clinch NWSL playoff qualification Thursday night against the Seattle Reign. Three points would guarantee Orlando a spot in the top-four and, with three more regular season matches to be played, the Pride could be vying for a one or two seed entering the postseason.
NWSL playoff format: The top four teams in the standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the 2017 NWSL Playoffs with the semifinal winners advancing to the Championship game.
“Kind of strange because it’s the third-to-last game [of the regular season], but it is kind of like a playoff game. Definitely for them and it is for us too because we can clinch a playoff spot, which would be huge,” said Pride defender Steph Catley ahead tomorrow’s match. “So we’re attacking it with a strong mindset, and, it is any other game, but there’s a bit of an extra edge because at the end of it there’s a big reward.”
No top-tier professional team from Orlando has appeared in postseason play since 2012. Possibly even more intriguing is the fact that the Pride’s playoff journey could run entirely through Orlando City Stadium. The NWSL Championship is set to be played at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, with the top two seeds each hosting Semi-final matches.
The Pride have been in scintillating form as of late and are carrying serious momentum heading into the final matches of the regular season. If Orlando continues its winning ways, finishing as a one or two seed is definitely in the cards.
All you need to know about tomorrow: Win and we're in the @NWSL Playoffs.#ORLvSEA Tickets: https://t.co/VVxe1N6dK6pic.twitter.com/Fv7fgjC9OQ
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) September 6, 2017
Orlando (T-3rd place, 35 points) could crack the top two with upcoming matches against Portland (2nd place, 40 points) and North Carolina (1st place, 40 points). The Pride are tied on points with Chicago as of right now with Chicago holding the tie-breaker of head-to-head matches.
The Pride have outscored opponents 16-4 over their current five-match win streak and have not lost a match in well over a month. The team is undoubtedly playing its best soccer of the season, and at just the right time, too.
For a closer look at the NWSL Playoff bracket and current standings, click here.
