The playoff system means the strongest sides often miss out on glory. But there’s no doubt about the quality of Orlando and Washington this season

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.