Seattle will have to wait before confirming its place in the semifinals. Held in check this week by Chicago, the Reign is still in a good position to hang the playoffs. Conversely, Utah lost an opportunity to return to the standings, while Orland is temporarily out of the top 4.

Several direct confrontations this week in the playoff race with the Red Stars moving on the lawns of Seattle and Portland in the northwestern United States. Wednesday, the Reign had the opportunity to validate his qualification for the playoffs in case of victory against Chicago.

Seattle stays at the door of the playoffs
In the absence of Megan Rapinoe, package for this match, Seattle failed to find the net. A meeting where both teams had the opportunity to take the advantage, like this recovery of Sam Kerr (54th) saved by Lydia Williams in front of his line or this shot by Jess Fishlock for the Reign and which fails on the right post of Alyssa Naeher (82nd).

At the final whistle, the two teams split on a draw (0-0), which maintains a little more suspense in this end of the season. Seattle will once again have the opportunity to secure its qualification in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday against Houston, another direct opponent for the semi-finals.

For its part, Chicago has chained two draws this week. After Seattle, the Red Stars shared points on the Portland lawn. Chicago can also feed some regrets after leading two goals. They were each time entered by Sam Kerr (44th and 49th), the Australian striker who takes the lead in the classification of scorers (12 achievements) with these two new goals.

Portland ran after the score
Portland, manhandled in front of his public, manages however to return to the score. Tobin Heath is the first to narrow the gap. In the box, Alyssa Naeher fights a Thorn center but the ball stays in the box, and Heath manages to put his head into the net of the Red Stars (60).

We find the American international on the second goal of Portland. Served right side by Christine Sinclair, she then puts the ball back for her Canadian teammate who can then propel the ball into the right corner of Naeher (69th).

The Thorns return to 2-2 and Adrianna Franch ensures that the score remains there with a decisive parry at the end of the match. A long shot by Vanessa Di Bernardo and the Portland goalkeeper deflects on her left post (90 + 1).

Crossed between Orlando and Chicago
Like Seattle, the Thorns are not yet assured of participating in the playoffs, but remain well placed, third in the standings. For Chicago, this second point of the week allows the Red Stars to temporarily resume fourth place in Orlando.

Pride was moving on the grass of North Carolina, which dominates the NWSL this season. The meeting was postponed due to storms and finally played the next morning (Sunday) on the side of WakeMed Soccer Park Cary. A game at the end of which, Orlando lost 3-0, a score that does not necessarily reflect the face of the meeting.

The first goal of the Courage was scored at the beginning of the last quarter of an hour on a center Lynn Williams deflected in his own goal by Shelina Zadorsky (75th). Ashlyn Harris has repeatedly postponed the deadline in front of her line but has to bow to Debinha (81st) and Lynn Williams (88th, 3-0).

With this loss, Orlando out of the top 4 in favor of Chicago, a length in front of the Pride, and especially the Red Stars have a game late for Orlando. Both teams will meet again next weekend in Florida.

Utah misses the close
For its part, Utah lost an opportunity to return to the height of fourth place. After the Pride, so it is the Royals who leave feathers against Sky Blue with a 2-2 draw this weekend. The players of Laura Harvey were even led to score before snatching a point in New Jersey, after extra time.

As in North Carolina, the weather played its role with a game interrupted early in the second period while Sky Blue led 2-0 with a double of Katlyn Johnson (14th and 48th). Utah was even close to K.O with Johnson on the verge of scoring a hat-trick in the wake of his second goal, but his shot fails on the crossbar of Nicole Barnhart (49th).

After the break, Utah then manages to catch up. It is first a goal against his camp Dominique Richardson (58th) who deflects in his nets a ball of Amy Rodriguez.

The Royals striker is back at the end of the extra time with a powerful 16-meter rebound that sits right next to Kailen Sheridan's right-hand corner (90 + 4). Sky Blue is flying its first victory this season, while Utah can hang on in the playoff race, still two points behind the top four.

Houston waiting for his time
Houston are also two points behind Chicago and playoffs after their 4-0 win over Washington. The Dash took the advantage before the break by Kaelia Ohai (41st) before making the break in the second half. Sofia Huerta scored a double for Houston (58th and 76th), before Kyah Simon finished the mark (84th) in favor of the Dash.

A positive result for the Texas players before a crucial move on Tuesday night side of Seattle.

NWSL (Week 20) ​​- The results
Sunday, August 19th
North Carolina Courage - Orlando Pride 3-0

Saturday 18
Houston Dash - Washington Spirit 4-0

Blue Sky FC - Utah Royals 2-2

Portland Thorns - Chicago Red Stars 2-2

Wednesday 15
Seattle Reign - Chicago Red Stars 0-0

. Writing