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NWSL playoff contenders aim to deny Gotham a league double
The NWSL playoffs begin with Gotham seeking to add the championship to its Shield-winning season, while a panel weighs which sides could prevent a double. The season brought a close Shield race, an entertaining Golden Boot contest and several returning stars, but also renewed concerns about the gap between strong and struggling teams.
Ashley Sanchez won the Golden Boot, with Barbra Banda, Sophia Wilson, Janine Sonis and Trinity Rodman among the leading challengers; Banda missed the final month because of federal travel policies. Denver Summit scored 53 goals in its first season but missed the top eight, while Chicago, Louisville and Bay FC endured difficult campaigns. The article also discusses league changes, expansion plans for 2028 and worries that salary limits and continued growth could spread talent too thinly.
In short
- Gotham are chasing a league-and-playoff double.
- Sanchez took the Golden Boot; Denver scored 53 goals but missed the playoffs.
- Expansion and salary limits raise questions about competitive balance.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “NWSL playoff predictions: who can spoil Gotham’s bid for the double?”.