It all comes down to this. Sunday, October 31 marks decision day in the NWSL, and there is still plenty to be decided. This includes the playoff fate of the Houston Dash, who need just one of two results to go their way in order to secure the franchise’s first ever playoff berth.
The first result that can propel the Dash into the playoffs will come the night before the season’s final day, when the North Carolina Courage travel to Portland to take on the Thorns in a match kicking off on Saturday, October 30 at 9:00 pm CT. If the Thorns can beat the Courage in that match, Houston will be guaranteed a playoff spot.
These two teams have split the season series so far, with the Courage winning 2-0 in the first game before falling 1-0 in the second meeting of the season. Both of those matches took place in North Carolina, meaning that this will be the first home game for the Thorns against the Courage this season.
All is not lost for the Dash if North Carolina does defeat Portland, as Houston will still control its playoff fate. Houston takes on the Washington Spirit on the road on October 31 in the final game of the season. If the Dash defeat the Washington Spirit in the nation’s capital in a match that kicks off at 1:00 pm CT, Houston will be in the postseason. It is as simple as that.
Thus far this season, the Dash are 0-1-1 against Washington, with both matches played in Houston. Houston lost in the season series’ opener 2-1, then secured a 2-2 draw in the second installment.
The Dash’s match can be streamed live on Paramount +.
