NWSL stats and minutiae after the Quarterfinals

Here’s a look at some stats and minutiae following the National Women’s Soccer League quarterfinals. We’ll keep evolving this space every week to try and keep you informed. Have an idea or an addition? Hit me @thedanlauletta on Bsky or X.

Records referencing teams advancing in the playoffs are reflective of advancing or not even though matches decided on penalty kicks are officially draws.

PLAYER STATS

-Trinity Rodman became the first player in NWSL history to have 2 goals and an assist in a playoff game. There has never been a playoff hat trick.

-Clara Luvanga became the first player in NWSL history to have a goal and 2 assists in a playoff game. There has never been a 3-assist playoff game.

-As the above indicates, Rodman and Luvanga are the first players with 3 combined goals and assists in a playoff game.

-Maddie DiMaria made her NWSL debut for Angel City FC, jumping on for Emily Sams in stoppage time of the second extra time period. She is credited with one minute. DiMaria, fresh off a 12-goal explosion at the U-17 World Cup, is the 2nd player in as many years to debut in a playoff game. Last year was Trinity Byars for the San Diego Wave. Byars had been injured most of the season. DiMaria was signed just ahead of the roster freeze and did not join the team until just ahead of the playoff game.

-Five of the eight ironwomen from the regular season were on playoff teams, and all five played a full 90 minutes over the weekend. Kate Del Fava, Jessie Fleming, Tara Rudd, Kennedy Wesley and keeper Sandy MacIver have now played 2,790 minutes between the regular season and playoffs. Fleming and Wesley’s seasons ended on the weekend.

-Mandy McGlynn joined Adrianna Franch as keepers to win playoff games for more than one club. Sabrina D’Angelo won for the Flash and North Carolina Courage, which the NWSL recognizes as two separate clubs. Franch won for the Flash in 2013, the Portland Thorns in 2017 and 2018 and the Kansas City Current in 2022. McGlynn also won for Gotham FC in 2023.

-Jordyn Bugg has the dubious distinction of being the first player whose Own Goal stood up as a playoff game winner.

TEAM STATS

-Gotham advanced to the semifinals for the 4th year in a row. Before the start of that streak in 2023 they have never advanced in the playoffs. They did play a semifinal in 2013 when only four teams qualified for the playoffs. They are the 3rd straight defending champion to return to the semifinals. The last two — Gotham in 2024 and the Orlando Pride last year — lost. This will be their 1st time hosting a semifinal.

-The Washington Spirit advanced to the semifinals for the 3rd year in a row and 4th time in 6 years since the playoffs expanded past four teams in 2021. The Spirit advanced directly to the semis three times before that. In 6 prior semifinals, the Spirit are 4-2, having won their last four.

-The Current advanced to the semifinals for the 3rd time including every even year since 2022. They reached the final in 2022.

-The Utah Royals advanced to the semifinal in the club’s first playoff game. They are now the only team to qualify for the playoffs and never concede a playoff goal.

-The Seattle Reign lost in the quarterfinals for the 2nd year in a row. They last advanced in 2023 when they lost the final to Gotham. The Reign missed the playoffs in 2024. In between they lost a semifinal to the Spirit meaning their season has now ended in Washington two years in a row. The Thorns have now been to the playoffs 4 years in a row without reaching the final. That ties the Chicago Red Stars (2015-2018) for the longest such streak in NWSL history. The Red Stars reached the final in 2019 and eventually made the playoffs 7 straight times without winning the title.

-Angel City FC are now 0-2 in the playoffs, both quarterfinals. They were shutout 1-0 both times — in 2023 by the Reign — and are the only team to have participated in the playoffs and not scored a goal. With Sunday’s extra time, that streak covers 210 minutes.