New NWSL Playoff Attendance Record Set Twice In One Night

On Sunday, six teams advanced to the National Women’s Soccer League postseason for the first time in league history. Houston and San Diego hosted the quarterfinal matches Sunday night, and both set the all-time playoff record on the same night.

Houston Fans Show Up in Record Numbers

The fourth-seeded Houston Dash hosted sixth-seeded KC Current at PNC Stadium for a 4:00 PM Central Time kickoff. Fans in Texas and beyond rewarded both clubs by selling the match. The NWSL reported the Houston crowd reached 21,284 fans, a game sellout and new league attendance record.

Houston conceded a goal to Kansas City early before midfielder Sophie Schmid scored the first goal in Dash playoff history. The KC Current scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time to advance to the semifinals against the OL Reign. The semifinals game at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA, will kick off at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, October 23, on CBS Sports Network.

Last week, the Dash announced they sold over 14,000 tickets which already exceeded their previous home attendance record of 13,025 set on July 12, 2015, against the Chicago Red Stars.

Kansas City Current forward Lo’eau LaBonta scored early in the first five minutes to put the visitors ahead. Houston midfielder Sophie Schmid put the home team on the board in the 27th minute. Kate Del Fava scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time to secure the road win for Kansas City.

The Current advanced to the semifinals against the NWSL Shield winners and top-seeded OL Reign. The semifinals game at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA, will kick off at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, October 23, on CBS Sports Network.

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San Diego Wave Take the NWSL Attendance Title

Meanwhile, the third-seeded San Diego Wave hosted the sixth-seeded Chicago Red Stars on the west coast. The Wave surpassed Houston’s Sunday record with their home crowd of 26,215 fans. In their first season, San Diego holds the playoff and regular season attendance record (32,000 set on September 17).

Similarly to the game in Houston, the Wave began on the back heel after Chicago forward Yuki Nagasato opened the scoring. Emily van Egmond scored the equalizer for San Diego in the 67th minute, and 2022 NWSL Golden Boot winner Alex Morgan netted the game-winning goal 20 minutes into stoppage time.

Morgan and the Wave now advance to the semifinals against the second-seeded Portland Thorns squad on Sunday, October 23, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on CBS Sports Network.