NWSL Decision Day storylines: Gotham, San Diego Wave chase Shield, last playoff spots up for grabs — SkimNews
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- Gotham FC holds a three-point lead over San Diego Wave entering Decision Day, and a draw against Utah Royals is enough to clinch the NWSL Shield regardless of Bay FC's result.
- Jaedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle missed Gotham FC's 2-1 win at Orlando Pride last week; the pair have combined for 22 goal contributions, and Gotham's attacking output fades considerably when Shaw is absent.
- Seattle Reign sit eighth with 42 points, and a win over Orlando Pride on Sunday is enough to secure the final playoff berth.
- North Carolina Courage are two points behind Seattle and need a win plus points dropped by Seattle to reach the top eight; Denver Summit are three behind and need a win plus a Seattle loss.
- Ashley Sanchez has 20 goals and nearly half of North Carolina's goals; a goal against Denver would set the NWSL single-season scoring record, while a goal or assist would break Temwa Chawinga's goal-contributions record.
- Seattle Reign have conceded just 33 goals despite 39.96 expected goals against this season, and that defensive record has propped up their playoff push.
- Denver Summit have found form through Lindsey Heaps, who has seven goals and three assists since arriving midseason.
Why it matters: Seattle's 42 points put the Reign one win from the final berth, while North Carolina trails by two points and Denver by three. The stated qualification paths require Seattle to slip up, whereas Gotham's three-point lead makes a draw against Utah sufficient for its first Shield.
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