If there you ever wondered what a game with playoff implications looks like, then look no further than the upcoming match on Saturday, Aug. 27 between San Diego Wave FC and Portland Thorns at Providence Park Stadium.

The two teams are currently tied alongside the Houston Dash at the top of the NWSL standings all with 28 points and only separated by goal differential. Portland currently is at +19, San Diego at +9, and Houston at +8 despite the Thorns stuck in a three-game winless streak after being eliminated on penalty kicks in the semifinal round of the Women’s International Cup by C.F. Monterrey Femenil. Thorns also lost 1-0 to Chelsea F.C. in the third place game and to North Carolina Courage in its most recent league match.

The Wave is coming off a 3-1 victory over Houston on Aug. 20 in the team’s final game at Torero Stadium as it moves to Snapdragon Stadium starting on Sept. 17 against Angel City FC. The last time San Diego and Portland faced each other was on June 8 with the Wave coming back to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw thanks to two late goals by midfielder Taylor Kornieck after trailing 2-0. The tie was despite the fact that a first-half goal by Sofia Jakobsson was not awarded despite a replay showing that the ball had clearly crossed the line.

“They are at home, the pressure is on them to perform and win,” said San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney. “I think they will have to be on the front foot. I don’t think they will drop, I think they will come out and press. That’s what their crowd and fans will expect.”

Besides the clear goal differential advantage for the Thorns, the fact that it has played one less match than San Diego Wave makes getting at least a draw against Portland all the more significant while suffering a defeat gives the Thorns a clear advantage when it comes to finishing in first place.

“We don’t go into any game for a draw,” Stoney added.

The top six teams at the end of the season make the playoffs with the number one and two seeds earning a first-round bye and an automatic trip to the semifinal round.

Photo courtesy of David Frerker