NWSL & MLS playoffs

The GIST: The single-elimination NWSL and MLS playoffs kicked off with a whole lot of excitement this weekend, narrowing the roads to both leagues’ titles. Here’s what’s at play.

NWSL: The early game came down to the wire as Kansas City Current defender Kate Del Fava’s beautiful 100th minute goal secured the 2–1 win over the No. 4 Houston Dash. Now the No. 5 Current, who are making their first playoff appearance, are off to Seattle to face the No. 1 OL Reign in next Sunday’s semifinal.

• And the excitement didn’t stop there. Even a knee injury couldn’t stop forward Alex Morgan and the No. 3 San Diego Wave, who continued to turn the tide on inaugural season expectations by notching a thrilling 2–1 win in extra time over the No. 6 Chicago Red Stars. Now they’ll have to slay the dragon that is the No. 2 Portland Thorns.

MLS: In the Eastern Conference (EC), No. 5 FC Cincinnati downed No. 4 NY Red Bulls 2–1 on Saturday to earn a Conference Semifinals date with the No. 1 Philadelphia Union on Thursday. Elsewhere, No. 2 CF Montréal is also through after easily defeating No. 7 Orlando City SC 2–0 yesterday. Allez!

• As for the Western Conference (WC), the No. 4 LA Galaxy defeated No. 5 Nashville SC 1–0 on Saturday to set up a City of Angels showdown against their intra-city rival, No. 1 LAFC. Also moving on is No. 2 Austin FC, who defeated No. 7 Real Salt Lake on penalty kicks. The drama.

• And the action continues tonight, with EC No. 3 NYCFC taking on No. 6 Inter Miami CF at 7 p.m. ET for a chance to face Montréal before WC No. 3 FC Dallas faces No. 6 Minnesota United FC at 9:30 p.m. ET.