by The NWSL playoff chase is heating up as two contenders go head-to-head in a potential postseason preview. Fourth-place Kansas City Current hosts third-place NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday at CPKC Stadium. Both sides have clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs and are separated by just one point in the standings, but are still battling for a top-four finish to host a home playoff and in to continue the fight for the NWSL Shield.
Make sure you don’t miss any of the playoff push as fans can watch the game on CBS. Keep following the last part and check it out select NWSL regular season matches via CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
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- Date: Saturday September 28 | Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Location: CPKC Stadium – Kansas City, MO
- Watch: CBS | Current: Biggest+
Playoff Scenarios
Each team has secured its spot for the 2023 postseason, but is still battling for positioning and the NWSL Shield. The Current can finish in the top four if they beat Gotham FC and if the Chicago Red Stars beat North Carolina Courage on Sunday.
Regardless of the results between the top four leading clubs, this NWSL Shield cannot be won this weekend. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, only Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride remain in contention for league winning team honors.
Players to watch
The last time these two teams played against each other was in April in a 1-1 draw. Expect another exciting match thanks to a number of experienced goalkeepers on both sides of the pitch.
Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC): The Germany international has enjoyed a career renaissance at Gotham since her arrival at the end of April. After handling international duties for Germany during the Olympics, she provided a steady presence for the 2023 NWSL champions this season with seven shutouts. If she gets one more, she will equal a club record set in 2013 with Brittany Cameron. It was a no-brainer for the club to extend a new contract through 2026.
Almuth Schult (Kansas City stream): Better late than never was probably Kansas City’s relief during the summer transfer window. August brought the arrival of Schult, a veteran goaltender with international experience, to Kansas City, which has hemorrhaged goals all season. The Germany international took over responsibilities as starting goalkeeper in September and the team has recorded three consecutive clean sheets.
What they say
KC Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski on defensive success: “Almuth’s experience is great. What she has seen and experienced in her career is absolutely very important to get everyone on the same page. But at the same time, Alana is clear [Cook] and Kayla [Sharples]they’re both experienced players, so all of them [three] Together they all bring something special to the table that enhances cohesion.”
Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros on playoff pressure: “Pressure is something very tangible, how you go about it every day, the players we have here, the things we have here. We place extreme demands on ourselves, and that pressure comes from within.”
Prediction
The games will become more exciting as the play-offs get closer. Two reliable goalkeepers can only provide limited goals in this match, so it could come down to transitional moments. Choose: Kansas City Current, 2, Gotham FC 1
