The Chicago Red Stars are back in the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs — earning the No. 6 seed.
They’ll face the No. 3 seed San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. (CBS Sports Network). It’s the second of two quarterfinal games that day, with the other pairing No. 4 seed Houston Dash against the No. 5 seed Kansas City Current (4 p.m., Paramount+).
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This will be the first playoff appearance for new coach Chris Petrucelli, who took over in February after the Rory Dames scandal. The Red Stars’ handling of the situation — including allowing Dames to resign — brought criticism over the club’s apparent lack of accountability and transparency.
San Diego is the first expansion team to earn a playoff spot in its inaugural season. The Red Stars lost in last year’s final 2-1 to the Washington Spirit. The Red Stars also lost the 2019 championship match and the final of pandemic-created Challenge Cup in 2020.
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The winner will play No. 2 seed Portland Thorns FC, who earned a bye, on Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. at Providence Park.
The NWSL title game will air in primetime on CBS on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. See the full schedule here.