WPS Playoff Race Heats Up Down the Stretch
Three Teams in Contention, Only Two Playoff Spots Open
Aug 6, 2009
As the season winds down for the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer season, the playoff scenarios are becoming clearer, despite the complicated playoff scenarios from a few weeks ago based on what is a simple four-team playoff bracket. Sky Blue FC defeated FC Gold Pride this week; the victory eliminates any chance of the complicated three-way tiebreaker being used to determine who makes the leagues first playoff tournament.
WPS Critical Weekend
Two key match-ups are scheduled for this weekend, including Washington vs. Sky Blue FC and Boston vs. Los Angeles Sol. Los Angeles has nothing to lose in the standings, as they are the regular-season champions. Because the team won the title, Los Angeles already has an automatic spot in the WPS Championship, a unique aspect of the WPS Playoffs. The Saint Louis Athletica have also clinched a playoff spot and the second seed in the playoffs. Athletica will host the Super Semifinal against the winner of the First Round.
Below are the many playoff scenarios that are possible following this weekend.
Playoff Scenarios
1) With a Washington win and Boston win, Boston will play at Washington in the first round.
2) With a Washington win and Boston loss or tie, Sky Blue FC will play at Washington. *
3) With a Washington/Sky Blue FC tie and Boston win, Washington will play at Boston. ^
4) With a Washington/Sky Blue FC tie and Boston loss or tie, Sky Blue FC will play at Washington. #
5) With a Sky Blue FC win and Boston win or tie, Boston will play at Sky Blue FC. %
6) With a Sky Blue FC win and Boston loss, Washington will play at Sky Blue FC
* Sky Blue FC wins head-to-head tiebreaker over Boston for No. 4 seed
^ Washington wins head-to-head tiebreaker over Sky Blue FC for No. 4 seed
# Washington wins head-to-head tiebreaker over Sky Blue FC for No. 3 seed
% Boston wins head-to-head tiebreaker over Washington for No. 4 seed
Current Head-to-Heads
Boston vs. Washington: 2-1-1
Washington vs. Boston: 1-2-1
Boston vs. Sky Blue FC: 0-3-1
Sky Blue FC vs. Boston: 3-0-1
Washington vs. Sky Blue FC: 1-0-1*
Sky Blue FC vs. Washington: 0-1-1*
*one game remaining
The playoffs for WPS begin on August 15 with first round action at the home of the third seed, followed by the Super Semifinal on August 18 or 19 in Saint Louis. The postseason culminating with the WPS Championship on August 22 in Los Angeles. The complete season will wrap up on August 30 with the WPS All-Star Game, hosted by Athletica in Saint Louis.
