Jeff Kassouf
@jeffkassouf.bsky.social
Lead NWSL + USWNT writer at ESPN. Founder of The Equalizer. Covering women's soccer since 2009.
The #NWSL quarterfinals produced a major upset, copious extra time, and late, game-changing goals. It was also played without several stars.
Analyzing a binge-worthy 48 hours of drama on @espn.com:
Analyzing a binge-worthy 48 hours of drama on @espn.com:
Recapping a wild NWSL playoff round: Gotham FC dump K.C. Current, Spirit advance, more
In less than 48 hours, the NWSL title race was blown wide open as Gotham beat the Current, the Washington Spirit overcame Trinity Rodman's absence to beat Racing Louisville, and much more. Here's what...
www.espn.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Same take here, and also had Coffey in my *MVP* Top 5.
For me Coffey was a slam dunk for Midfielder, and was on my MVP shortlist.
I genuinely do not think the Thorns make the playoffs if her season was even 10% worse (i.e. merely great) than it was. Thorns defensive set-up for half the season was to shrug and hope Coffey took care of it.
I genuinely do not think the Thorns make the playoffs if her season was even 10% worse (i.e. merely great) than it was. Thorns defensive set-up for half the season was to shrug and hope Coffey took care of it.
#NWSL awards season shenanigans is an annual tradition, and the Midfielder of the Year shortlist having NEITHER Taylor Flint NOR Sam Coffey is egregious, baffling stuff.
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Same take here, and also had Coffey in my *MVP* Top 5.
#NWSL awards season shenanigans is an annual tradition, and the Midfielder of the Year shortlist having NEITHER Taylor Flint NOR Sam Coffey is egregious, baffling stuff.
November 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
#NWSL awards season shenanigans is an annual tradition, and the Midfielder of the Year shortlist having NEITHER Taylor Flint NOR Sam Coffey is egregious, baffling stuff.
Atlanta will be the #NWSL's 17th team, adding to the league's rapid expansion (@theathletic.com first reported). Atlanta has been talked about as an NWSL market on and off for nearly a decade.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Sources: Atlanta in line to get 17th NWSL franchise
The NWSL has awarded an expansion team to Atlanta as its 17th franchise, sources confirmed to ESPN.
www.espn.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Atlanta will be the #NWSL's 17th team, adding to the league's rapid expansion (@theathletic.com first reported). Atlanta has been talked about as an NWSL market on and off for nearly a decade.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
FULL TIME (AET): Portland 1, San Diego 0
The Thorns are heading to the #NWSL semifinals. Reilyn Turner scores the game-winner in extra time.
Portland will travel to face No. 2 seed Washington Spirit on Saturday.
SEMIS:
(8) Gotham @ (4) Orlando
(3) Portland @ (2) Washington
The Thorns are heading to the #NWSL semifinals. Reilyn Turner scores the game-winner in extra time.
Portland will travel to face No. 2 seed Washington Spirit on Saturday.
SEMIS:
(8) Gotham @ (4) Orlando
(3) Portland @ (2) Washington
November 9, 2025 at 10:59 PM
FULL TIME (AET): Portland 1, San Diego 0
The Thorns are heading to the #NWSL semifinals. Reilyn Turner scores the game-winner in extra time.
Portland will travel to face No. 2 seed Washington Spirit on Saturday.
SEMIS:
(8) Gotham @ (4) Orlando
(3) Portland @ (2) Washington
The Thorns are heading to the #NWSL semifinals. Reilyn Turner scores the game-winner in extra time.
Portland will travel to face No. 2 seed Washington Spirit on Saturday.
SEMIS:
(8) Gotham @ (4) Orlando
(3) Portland @ (2) Washington
"Underdog my ass."
Gotham ended Kansas City's historic run with an upset in an unconventional 1v8 #NWSL quarterfinal. Reaction from each side, including whether Chawinga or Esther were close to playing, and how KC reflects on the loss.
Gotham ended Kansas City's historic run with an upset in an unconventional 1v8 #NWSL quarterfinal. Reaction from each side, including whether Chawinga or Esther were close to playing, and how KC reflects on the loss.
8-seed Gotham shun 'underdog' tag, stun Current
Katie Stengel scored the winning goal and helped to clinch a 2-1 victory for Gotham FC over the Kansas City Current in the quarterfinals of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs Sunday.
www.espn.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Underdog my ass."
Gotham ended Kansas City's historic run with an upset in an unconventional 1v8 #NWSL quarterfinal. Reaction from each side, including whether Chawinga or Esther were close to playing, and how KC reflects on the loss.
Gotham ended Kansas City's historic run with an upset in an unconventional 1v8 #NWSL quarterfinal. Reaction from each side, including whether Chawinga or Esther were close to playing, and how KC reflects on the loss.
No coincidence that this buildup was Coffey->Fleming->Moultrie. Portland is knocking on the door of the #NWSL semifinals.
Olivia Moultrie with an inch perfect pass to find Reilyn Turner 📐
Portland takes the lead in the Quarterfinals! #NWSLPlayoffs
Portland takes the lead in the Quarterfinals! #NWSLPlayoffs
November 9, 2025 at 10:33 PM
No coincidence that this buildup was Coffey->Fleming->Moultrie. Portland is knocking on the door of the #NWSL semifinals.
San Diego and Portland head to extra time scoreless. Three of the four #NWSL quarterfinals went to extra time, with only Orlando advancing after 90 minutes.
November 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
San Diego and Portland head to extra time scoreless. Three of the four #NWSL quarterfinals went to extra time, with only Orlando advancing after 90 minutes.
The #NWSL has set its semifinals schedule:
Wave/Thorns at Spirit on CBS on Saturday at Noon ET
Gotham at Orlando on ABC on Sunday at 3 pm ET
Wave/Thorns at Spirit on CBS on Saturday at Noon ET
Gotham at Orlando on ABC on Sunday at 3 pm ET
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The #NWSL has set its semifinals schedule:
Wave/Thorns at Spirit on CBS on Saturday at Noon ET
Gotham at Orlando on ABC on Sunday at 3 pm ET
Wave/Thorns at Spirit on CBS on Saturday at Noon ET
Gotham at Orlando on ABC on Sunday at 3 pm ET
Some quick postgame reaction:
Jaedyn Shaw on No. 8 seed: "Underdog my ass. We're not underdog."
Vlatko Andonovski says it's a game of fine margins: "We're not here to have one good season and go away. We're not here to have a couple good games and go away. We're here to stay."
#NWSL
Jaedyn Shaw on No. 8 seed: "Underdog my ass. We're not underdog."
Vlatko Andonovski says it's a game of fine margins: "We're not here to have one good season and go away. We're not here to have a couple good games and go away. We're here to stay."
#NWSL
November 9, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Some quick postgame reaction:
Jaedyn Shaw on No. 8 seed: "Underdog my ass. We're not underdog."
Vlatko Andonovski says it's a game of fine margins: "We're not here to have one good season and go away. We're not here to have a couple good games and go away. We're here to stay."
#NWSL
Jaedyn Shaw on No. 8 seed: "Underdog my ass. We're not underdog."
Vlatko Andonovski says it's a game of fine margins: "We're not here to have one good season and go away. We're not here to have a couple good games and go away. We're here to stay."
#NWSL
FINAL (AET): Kansas City Current 1, Gotham FC 2
Katie Stengel scores the winner in the 121st minute. KC's record-setting season is over in the quarterfinals. Most points, most wins, fewest goals allowed, but it's No. 8 seed Gotham going to the #NWSL semifinals in Orlando. Chawinga's absence felt..
Katie Stengel scores the winner in the 121st minute. KC's record-setting season is over in the quarterfinals. Most points, most wins, fewest goals allowed, but it's No. 8 seed Gotham going to the #NWSL semifinals in Orlando. Chawinga's absence felt..
November 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
FINAL (AET): Kansas City Current 1, Gotham FC 2
Katie Stengel scores the winner in the 121st minute. KC's record-setting season is over in the quarterfinals. Most points, most wins, fewest goals allowed, but it's No. 8 seed Gotham going to the #NWSL semifinals in Orlando. Chawinga's absence felt..
Katie Stengel scores the winner in the 121st minute. KC's record-setting season is over in the quarterfinals. Most points, most wins, fewest goals allowed, but it's No. 8 seed Gotham going to the #NWSL semifinals in Orlando. Chawinga's absence felt..
MY WORD. Katie Stengel with what looks like the game-winner in the 121st minute! Gotham 2-1.
November 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
MY WORD. Katie Stengel with what looks like the game-winner in the 121st minute! Gotham 2-1.
However this game ends, these NWSL playoffs are really taking shape with the 'Who is the least physically beat up?' factor.
November 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
However this game ends, these NWSL playoffs are really taking shape with the 'Who is the least physically beat up?' factor.
A stoppage-time equalizer for Kansas City! Wheeler catches Berger flat-footed at the near post, and the Current are alive. The late drama continues in these #NWSL quarterfinals. Extra time in Kansas City.
November 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
A stoppage-time equalizer for Kansas City! Wheeler catches Berger flat-footed at the near post, and the Current are alive. The late drama continues in these #NWSL quarterfinals. Extra time in Kansas City.
Scoreless at the half in KC. Gotham did well to keep the game in front of them and limit KC's counterattacks, but the Current still had one major opportunity that way, which is inevitable. That moment is where they are really missing Chawinga and her precision. #NWSL
November 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Scoreless at the half in KC. Gotham did well to keep the game in front of them and limit KC's counterattacks, but the Current still had one major opportunity that way, which is inevitable. That moment is where they are really missing Chawinga and her precision. #NWSL
#NWSL Shield winners Kansas City Current host 2023 champs Gotham right now on ABC. Reigning MVP and back-to-back Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga is out today for KC, as is Michelle Cooper. Is there an upset in the cards in the 1 v 8 quarterfinal?
November 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
#NWSL Shield winners Kansas City Current host 2023 champs Gotham right now on ABC. Reigning MVP and back-to-back Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga is out today for KC, as is Michelle Cooper. Is there an upset in the cards in the 1 v 8 quarterfinal?
Survival. Insistence. The Spirit advanced to the #NWSL semifinals as Rodman watched on, McKeown and Carle were injured, and they conceded a stoppage-time equalizer. Then Aubrey Kingsbury stepped up again in the penalty shootout.
"There was no chance that we could lose this game."
"There was no chance that we could lose this game."
Washington survives as Rodman leads from bench
Survival was the operative word for the Washington Spirit in Saturday's NWSL quarterfinal at Audi Field as they advanced to a second straight semifinal.
www.espn.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Survival. Insistence. The Spirit advanced to the #NWSL semifinals as Rodman watched on, McKeown and Carle were injured, and they conceded a stoppage-time equalizer. Then Aubrey Kingsbury stepped up again in the penalty shootout.
"There was no chance that we could lose this game."
"There was no chance that we could lose this game."
Spirit win in a penalty shootout! A couple of poor PKs there from Louisville, who fought hard to get the game this far. Audi Field erupts, and the Spirit will be hosting a semifinal right back here next weekend. Louisville's best season to date comes to an end. #NWSL
November 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Spirit win in a penalty shootout! A couple of poor PKs there from Louisville, who fought hard to get the game this far. Audi Field erupts, and the Spirit will be hosting a semifinal right back here next weekend. Louisville's best season to date comes to an end. #NWSL
Penalties. Washington and Louisville play to a 1-1 draw through extra time.
The Spirit are in search of another #NWSL semifinal berth. Louisville looks to advance in its first playoff game ever.
The Spirit are in search of another #NWSL semifinal berth. Louisville looks to advance in its first playoff game ever.
November 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Penalties. Washington and Louisville play to a 1-1 draw through extra time.
The Spirit are in search of another #NWSL semifinal berth. Louisville looks to advance in its first playoff game ever.
The Spirit are in search of another #NWSL semifinal berth. Louisville looks to advance in its first playoff game ever.
Off we go to extra time here at Audi Field. The Spirit had the better chances and were a few minutes of stoppage time away from a berth in the semifinals, but that late, direct equalizer in transition is part of what Louisville can do. #NWSL
November 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Off we go to extra time here at Audi Field. The Spirit had the better chances and were a few minutes of stoppage time away from a berth in the semifinals, but that late, direct equalizer in transition is part of what Louisville can do. #NWSL
There it is. The Louisville long ball finds an equalizer in second-half stoppage time. Kayla Fischer scores off the bench to put this game on the verge of extra time. #NWSL
November 8, 2025 at 7:08 PM
There it is. The Louisville long ball finds an equalizer in second-half stoppage time. Kayla Fischer scores off the bench to put this game on the verge of extra time. #NWSL
Louisville's wall finally breaks (again, you might say) and this time the goal stands. Gift Monday with the header, and an announced sellout crowd of 19,215 erupts. 1-0 Spirit with about 15 minutes to play in regulation of this #NWSL quarterfinal.
November 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Louisville's wall finally breaks (again, you might say) and this time the goal stands. Gift Monday with the header, and an announced sellout crowd of 19,215 erupts. 1-0 Spirit with about 15 minutes to play in regulation of this #NWSL quarterfinal.
#NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman spoke at halftime. She declined to explicitly confirm her widely reported contract extension ("I'm gonna still say that I intend to be here.") and was asked (Q: @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social) about the league's gender policy. Berman's full answer.
![Q: [With the previous gender policy no longer in place], what work is being done to replace it, and who are you working with on that?
Jessica Berman:
“Imagining that this would be a question for some of you, I have four things to share and hopefully that answers everyone’s questions and hopefully we can keep most of this focused on the game and the incredible athleticism on the field
“So, No. 1, we support and stand by every single player that plays in our league. They deserve our collective kindness, professionalism, and respect, and we celebrate them now and every day and through the championship.
“No. 2, when we think about our policy [air quotes with hands], what I can say is that every single player who plays in this league is eligible to play in this league, otherwise they would not be playing, and we are proud of every single player who plays in our league.
“The third point, I would say, is as it relates to this topic, generally, it is quite controversial and there are many different perspectives and we are doing everything we can to educate ourselves, to listen, to learn, to speak with subject matter experts to make sure that we have an informed and educated perspective. Our sport deserves that, and any changes that we make will be done in communication and collaboration with our players and our player association.
“And until then, our policy is our current practice, which is that every single player who plays in our league is eligible to play, and we should collectively rally around them, protect them, and ensure that they are treated with kindness and professionalism.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nslcuo75yabmubphoumrlfwc/bafkreicrrafatw66aj4wkormhaf367ghxvvwyxedwkp2s5v2l2qgpjcdzi@jpeg)
November 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman spoke at halftime. She declined to explicitly confirm her widely reported contract extension ("I'm gonna still say that I intend to be here.") and was asked (Q: @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social) about the league's gender policy. Berman's full answer.
Scoreless at halftime in DC, where the Spirit have held a commanding 75% of possession and Louisville has forayed forward only rarely through a hopeful ball to create a 1-v-1 scenario.
November 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Scoreless at halftime in DC, where the Spirit have held a commanding 75% of possession and Louisville has forayed forward only rarely through a hopeful ball to create a 1-v-1 scenario.