With the NWSL playoffs kicking off this weekend, the league is grappling with challenges concerning the second weekend of the postseason. According to ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf, the top three seeds—Gotham FC (1), San Diego Wave (2), and Washington Spirit (3)—are facing potential stadium scheduling conflicts that could impact next weekend’s semifinals.
In a playoff race that came down to the wire on the final day of the regular season, eight teams will compete this weekend in four quarterfinal matches, ultimately reducing to two semifinal matchups the following weekend, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 14 (Saturday) and Nov. 15. While exact times are still being finalized, the Saturday match is likely to occur at noon ET, with the Sunday match slated for 3 p.m. ET.
The scheduling for Saturday is complicated, as the three top seeds are experiencing conflicts on that day. The teams that advance will host the semifinals, but issues have already arisen. Gotham FC, which plays at Sports Illustrated Stadium, shares the venue with MLS’s New York Red Bulls, who have a friendly match against Club América set for 7:30 that evening—an announcement made on October 5. In a similar situation, the Wave’s match would coincide with a San Diego State football game at Snapdragon Stadium, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. local time. Meanwhile, Audi Field, home to the Spirit, is set to host a college football game (the Secretaries Cup) at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 14.
Due to these conflicts, the NWSL is reportedly looking at smaller venues. If both Gotham and San Diego win their quarterfinal games, Gotham may host a semifinal at Icahn Stadium, which holds 5,000, while the Wave would host at Snapdragon on Sunday. Gotham has previously played a game at Icahn Stadium, securing a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Reign in July.
Alternate venues may be considered based on weekend outcomes; for instance, if either Gotham or San Diego is eliminated, the Spirit could hold a semifinal at the Washington Commanders’ Northwest Field.
These stadium challenges echo the venue problems faced by the WNBA during last month’s finals, where the Atlanta Dream had to find a suitable location for Game 6 due to conflicts with the Atlanta Hawks. The Dream ultimately decided on the larger State Farm Arena for a Thursday afternoon game.
Just like WNBA teams, NWSL teams often find themselves as secondary tenants in their own stadiums. For instance, while Snapdragon Stadium belongs to the university, the Aztecs receive priority access. Sports Illustrated Stadium is county-owned but managed by the Red Bulls’ parent company. Although the Spirit’s Audi Field conflict isn’t with D.C. United, similar issues could arise since the MLS team also oversees the venue.
Other factors influencing this dilemma include national broadcast windows, which often push league games into less desirable time slots to accommodate other sports. Prior to 2023, national broadcasts of NWSL games were infrequent; however, since a new media rights agreement was struck, the league has been working to fulfill the promotional commitments that come with it.
Meghann Burke, executive director of the NWSL Players Association, acknowledged the league’s efforts under challenging circumstances but stressed that greater investment in women’s sports and control over venues is crucial. “The matrix of choices is beyond their control because there’s a lack of political will and investment in women’s sports,” Burke stated. She emphasized that without ownership of their venues, these issues will persist.
Currently, the Kansas City Current is the only NWSL team with full control of its stadium, the CPKC Stadium, which opened in 2024 and seats 11,500. However, for the Current to host a semifinal, two of the top three seeds must lose their matches.
Fan Take: This situation underscores the ongoing challenges women’s sports face regarding venue access and scheduling conflicts, highlighting how much more support and investment is needed in the NWSL. As soccer fans, recognizing these hurdles can galvanize support for the league and emphasize the importance of equitable treatment and investment in women’s sports.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
