The National Women's Soccer League Playoffs (or NWSL Playoffs) are a single elimination tournament among six teams in the National Women's Soccer League of the United States, deciding the winner of the NWSL Championship. Since playoff games cannot end in ties, those are broken by two straight 15-minute extra time periods, followed by shootouts of best-of-five rounds plus extra rounds as required. Format The top six teams in the final standings at the end of the NWSL season qualify for the playoffs and are seeded in order of their record; the top two teams receive a first-round bye. Prior to 2021, only the top four teams qualified for the playoffs. Tiebreakers The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. As of 2022, if at least two teams tie in point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules, going down the list until all teams are ranked. 1. Goal differential 2. Most total wins (Regular Season only) 3. Most goals scored (Regular Season only) 4. Head-to-head results (total points accumulated) 5. Head-to-head most goals scored 6. Least Disciplinary Points Accumulated: a. Yellow card: 1 point b. Indirect red card (as a result of two (2) yellow cards): 3 points c. Direct red card: 4 points d. Yellow card and direct red card: 5 points i. Only one of the above point totals shall be applied to a Player in a single Game. 7. Coin Flip (2 teams)/Drawing of lots (3+ teams) NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format. Playoff series history 2022 season 2021 season 2020 season The NWSL canceled regular season and playoff in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. 2019 season 2018 season 2017 season 2016 season 2015 season 2014 season 2013 season Records and statistics Italics indicates a defunct team. Playoff results Playoff records Appearances by team References External links Recurring sporting events established in 2013 Playoffs