NWSL & MLS playoffs

The GIST: October isn’t just about postseason baseball. It’s also the most exciting time of year for the North American soccer leagues, with the NWSL and MLS nearing their title games.

NWSL: After two fierce semifinals yesterday, the October 29th NWSL Championship matchup is set: the No. 2 Portland Thorns will face the No. 5 Kansas City Current.

• How’d they do it? In the early game, Thorns midfielder Crystal Dunn scored this brilliant stoppage-time banger, lifting Portland to a 2–1 victory over the No. 3 San Diego Wave. Did we mention she gave birth to her beautiful son Marcel five months ago? We’re not worthy.

• Then in the night cap, Kansas City pulled off a stunner, taking out the top-seeded OL Reign 2–0. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch put on a show with seven saves, reminding everyone why she’s one of the best keepers in the league.

MLS: Elsewhere, the MLS postseason is down to four squads. Reminder: the Eastern Conference (EC) No. 1 Philadelphia Union and Western Conference (WC) No. 1 LAFC already punched their tickets to next weekend’s Conference Finals, and now they know their opponents.

• In the EC, defending champion No. 3 NYCFC upset No. 2 CF Montréal in convincing 3–1 fashion yesterday. NY captain Maxi Moralez scored just six minutes in, and the Pigeons never looked back. Take flight, city birds.

• Over in the WC, No. 2 Austin FC topped No. 3 FC Dallas 2–1. Austin forward Sebastián Driussi proved his postseason power, notching the second goal in the Verde and Black’s first-ever victory against Dallas. Couldn’t have come at a better time.