Four teams are left in the 2026 NWSL playoffs. The Washington Spirit host the Utah Royals, and Gotham FC take on the Kansas City Current. The attacking stars will draw plenty of attention, but a few less obvious players could have a major say in who advances.
Leicy Santos — Washington Spirit
Washington’s attack looked sharp against Portland, but Utah’s organized defense will be a different kind of test.
Trinity Rodman and Clara Luvanga are likely to lead the headlines, yet midfielder Leicy Santos could be just as important as the Spirit look for ways through the Royals’ defensive shape.
The Colombian international brings creativity, vision and an eye for finding space. Washington have already shown they can overwhelm teams with their forwards, but against a compact Utah side, they may need a little more patience. That’s where Santos could make the difference.
In this matchup, creativity might matter as much as the attacking flair up front.
Mandy McGlynn — Utah Royals
Utah’s defensive resolve helped them pull off a significant quarterfinal upset. They’ll need to be even better to get past Washington.
The Spirit scored four against Portland, with Luvanga and Rodman showing just how dangerous they can be. If the Royals are to reach their first Championship game, another strong defensive display looks essential.
Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn will be central to that effort. Her shot-stopping, positioning, command of the box and communication with the defenders could all help keep Washington in check.
Utah have shown they can absorb pressure from higher-seeded teams. Whether they manage it again may depend, in part, on McGlynn. A draw and a 1-0 loss in the teams’ regular-season meetings suggest this semifinal could be close.
Ann-Katrin Berger — Gotham FC
Gotham’s defense faces its toughest challenge yet against Kansas City. The Current scored 54 goals in the regular season, and their attackers have shown they can punish even small mistakes.
That puts goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in a key role. The German international finished the regular season with a league-best 0.85 goals-against average as Gotham conceded just 23 goals.
Kansas City’s speed in transition could test Berger’s positioning and decision-making, especially in one-on-one situations. Gotham’s ability to hold onto narrow leads matters, too. Berger could be the difference between another clean sheet and an early exit.
Croix Bethune — Kansas City Current
Kansas City will be up against some of the league’s toughest defenses, and even Temwa Chawinga and Haley Hopkins may need help finding openings. Croix Bethune’s creativity could be valuable against a well-organized Gotham side.
Bethune set a league record with 11 assists during the regular season, creating chances for Chawinga, Hopkins and others. Her ability to find space between the lines can help the Current move the ball forward and create opportunities in the final third.
If she can unlock Gotham’s defense, Kansas City could be on its way to the NWSL Championship final.
