The National Women’s Soccer League playoffs will begin on Sunday as the quarterfinals kick off on CBS Sports Network, when the fourth-place Chicago Red Stars host fifth-place NJ/NY GothamFC at SeatGeek Stadium at Bridgeview, IL on Nov. 7. Both teams head into the match on undefeated streaks, with organized defenses and attacks predicated on set pieces. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming match on Sunday:
Viewing information for Red Stars vs. Gotham FC
- Date: Sunday, November 7
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: SeatGeek Stadium — Bridgeview, IL
- TV: CBS Sports Network
Storylines
Chicago Red Stars: This Chicago side is participating in its sixth consecutive NWSL playoffs. The team had a rough start to the regular season but have managed to find some form down the stretch and are heading into the playoffs on the back of three consecutive wins. The team has been anchored by center back Sarah Gorden and the backline’s solid, organized, defense in recent weeks, securing wins off of narrow score lines. Mallory Pugh and Kealia Watt must remain active in the attack, while providing defensive coverage when needed in order to ensure a narrow win against a Gotham side with a strong defense of their own.
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NJ/NY Gotham FC: The franchise is participating in their first NWSL playoffs since 2013 when they were still Sky Blue FC. The newly rebranded side is level with Chicago on clean sheets with eight this season, and were third in the league in goals per game conceded with a 0.9 rating. The team heads into the quarterfinal off three consecutive draws, and are led in attack by Margaret Purce and Ifeoma Onumonu. In what could be Carli Lloyd’s last game, the team can find success if Lloyd plays more of a supporting role in the attack for the teams high octane attack.
Game prediction
Both teams place a tight match and the close play will lead to extra time with Chicago finding the break through and closing out things on defense. Pick: Chicago Red Stars 1, Gotham FC 0