The NWSL playoffs kick off with a familiar rivalry as the third-seeded Portland Thorns welcome the sixth-seeded San Diego Wave to Providence Park on Sunday. Kickoff is at noon, broadcast nationally on ABC. For Portland fans, this matchup feels like a reward after a resilient regular season finale. The Thorns secured home field with a convincing 2-0 win over Houston, thanks to timely strikes from Deyna Castellanos and Jessie Fleming. That victory pushed them to 40 points and a ninth straight playoff appearance.
San Diego arrives with revenge on the mind. Back in the Wave’s inaugural 2022 season, Portland dashed their title hopes in the playoffs with a 93rd-minute goal from Crystal Dunn en route to the championship. The Thorns have a storied playoff history, chasing a fourth league title. Meanwhile, the Wave bounced back from missing the 2024 postseason, clinching their third berth in four years with 37 points.
This season’s head-to-head battles were tight affairs. Both meetings ended 1-1, with Portland snatching late equalizers. One came on a controversial 98th-minute penalty in San Diego. The Wave dominated stretches but couldn’t hold leads, highlighting their knack for drama.
Portland’s young squad defied expectations despite injuries, retirements, and international call-ups. Coach Rob Gale leaned on emerging talents like Olivia Moultrie on set pieces and Reyna Reyes in defense. Castellanos ended a long goal drought with an early curler against Houston, while Fleming added a poised finish. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold anchored a strong backline, and the Thorns went 7-2-4 at home.
San Diego rode a rollercoaster to the playoffs. They set a club record with eight straight road wins before a heartbreaking loss to Washington. The firing of assistant coach Jack Jensen sparked a turnaround under head Jonas Eidevall, culminating in back-to-back blowouts over Houston and Chicago by a combined 9-3. Brazilian forward Dudinha delivered her first brace in one of those games, signaling danger up top. The Wave nearly grabbed third seed but fell 2-1 to top-seeded Kansas City in the finale. Forward Trinity Byars is now off the season-ending injury list, boosting depth.
Portland deals with absences, including defender M.A. Vignola’s ankle issue. The Wave look healthier overall.
Prediction: Providence Park’s atmosphere and Portland’s late-season grit prove decisive. The Thorns feed off the crowd and the defense holds firm. Portland advances with a 2-1 victory, keeping their championship dreams alive while sending San Diego home early once more.
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