Trinity Rodman meets Sophia Wilson in the first round, and Gotham begins their title defense. GOAL breaks down all eight NWSL playoff teams, key players, and quarterfinal predictions.
The 2026 NWSL season included two new franchises, a historic performance from Gotham FC, a disappointing year from Chicago, again, and a breakout campaign from Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez.
Gotham secure their first Shield, Seattle extend Jess Fishlock’s farewell and Ashley Sanchez claims the Golden Boot as GOAL ranks all 16 teams ahead of the NWSL playoffs.
The league and its players’ union resolved six grievances, expanding access to top contracts, protecting most existing footwear deals and creating more opportunities to negotiate bonuses.
The NWSL's rule of 4 is where each club is allowed a maximum of four players under the age of 18, between their private entry list and roster.
What is the average salary of an NWSL player?
The average wage an NWSL player is $65,000 a year. The minimum salary is reported at $36,400, with the top players earning up to $400,000 annually.
What does SEI mean in soccer?
In soccer, often used within the WNSL, the acronyom SEI stands for Season Ending Injury.
Who is the 15 year old that signed to the NWSL?
In March 2023, Chloe Ricketts signed a three-year deal to play, when she was just 15 years and 283 days old. This made her the youngest ever player to sign an NWSL contract.