Dive into today's edition of Goalside Gossip to catch up on the stirring finale of the NWSL regular season, where playoff dreams were made and broken across the board. From Orlando Pride's bittersweet victory to Gotham FC clinching the last playoff spot, and the promising new chapter awaiting Morocco's women's national soccer team with Jorge Vilda at the helm, we've got all the exciting details lined up in this edition.

Orlando Pride vs Houston Dash (1-0)

Orlando Pride won 1-0 against the Houston Dash, with Marta scoring the only goal. Despite the victory, the Pride couldn't make it to the postseason due to goal-differential tiebreakers. This win also set a new club record with seven home wins and the highest regular-season attendance since July 2019. Meanwhile, the Houston Dash also ended their season. The Dash finished their 2023 season with a 6-8-8 record, placing 10th.

Gotham FC vs KC Current (2-2)

The Kansas City Current made a comeback, drawing 2-2 with Gotham FC on the final day of the NWSL regular season. Gotham earned the final playoff spot due to a goal-differential tiebreaker. The Current, though already eliminated from the playoffs, displayed resilience with goals from Alexa Spaanstra and an own goal, ending the season in 11th place with 26 points and showcasing their attractive style of possession soccer.

Angel City vs Portland Thorns (5-1)

The Portland Thorns suffered a disappointing loss to Angel City FC in their final regular-season match, jeopardizing their NWSL Shield hopes. Despite having a first-round bye and a home match in the NWSL semifinals secured, the Thorns' inconsistent performance leaves questions about their form entering the playoffs. Angel City FC dominated the match, with goals from Emslie, Camberos, McCaskill, and Leroux.

San Diego Wave vs Racing Louisville (2-0)

In the regular season finale at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego Wave FC defeated Racing Louisville 2-0, courtesy of goals by Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw. This loss ousted Louisville from the NWSL Playoffs contention, ending their season with a ninth-place finish in the league standings. Despite setting new club records in total points, wins, and goals, Louisville's playoff hopes were dimmed by a high number of draws throughout the season and their inability to secure a win in this crucial match.

Washington Spirit vs NC Courage (0-1)

The Washington Spirit missed out on a playoff spot with a 1-0 loss to the North Carolina Courage in their final regular season match. Despite both teams competing for possession early in the game, the first notable chance came from Courage's Narumi Miura. A red card to Trinity Rodman in the 23rd minute left the Spirit with one less player, and the Courage capitalized with a goal from Tyler Lussi. The Spirit created late chances but couldn't find an equalizer, resulting in them falling short of the postseason. The Spirit will return in 2024, with defender Sam Staab achieving Iron Woman status for the 2023 season. Washington hosted nearly 120,000 fans across 11 home matches, averaging nearly 11,000 in attendance per match.

Chicago Red Stars vs OL Reign (0-3)

OL Reign secured their spot in the postseason with a convincing victory over the Chicago Red Stars. The game began with several close chances for the Reign, including Megan Rapinoe's shot just wide and Jess Fishlock's effort hitting the crossbar. Despite missed opportunities, the Reign took control in the second half, with Rapinoe scoring twice and Fishlock adding another, ensuring a place in the playoffs. The postseason now awaits OL Reign, with a chance for one more home game and a quest for a coveted trophy.

Vilda Takes Helm of Morocco

The Moroccan Football Federation has recently welcomed Jorge Vilda, the acclaimed coach behind Spain's Women's World Cup victory, as the new head coach for Morocco’s women’s national soccer team, following the departure of Reynald Pedros​1​​2​. This transition, announced on October 12, arrives shortly after Vilda's controversial exit from Spanish football amidst a scandal involving the former Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales.

Vilda's appointment symbolizes a hopeful new chapter for Morocco’s women’s soccer. His predecessor, Pedros, led the team to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2023, marking a significant milestone as they emerged as the first Arab side to advance to the last 16 of the tournament. However, after two friendly defeats against Zambia, Pedros was dismissed, making way for Vilda's entry into Moroccan football​2​.

With a prestigious career highlighted by a momentous World Cup win against England, Vilda’s expertise and proven success bring a wave of optimism for Morocco’s women’s national team. His appointment reflects Morocco's robust ambitions in global soccer, promising an exhilarating phase for the team as they strive to achieve new heights on the international stage​3​.

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