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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Megan Swanick

NWSL final brings a rare matchup: the two best teams in the league

NWSL Orlando Washington Marta Pride Washington Spirit Jonatan Giráldez Spirit
Washington Spirit have overcome injuries to reach the NWSL final.
Washington Spirit have overcome injuries to reach the NWSL final. Photograph: Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports

This Saturday in Kansas City, NWSL fans will witness one of the most compelling championship matchups in recent memory. The Orlando Pride are seeking a storybook ending to a captivating year. But they must get past an ascendant 2021 champions Washington Spirit, bolstered by a new manager and a sensational rookie class.

Saturday’s finale sets up a rare NWSL championship meeting between the regular season’s first and second-place teams. An exciting peculiarity of the American playoff system – prized by some, rued by others – is that anything can happen in the postseason. One-off upsets are always possible, and the regular season’s top team isn’t always crowned championship in the end.

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