There are only two weeks left in the 2015 NWSL season and it’s time to take a look at the teams that are still fighting for the last two playoff spots. As of last week, there was only one team that had clinched a playoff spot, but now we have two teams. The Chicago Red Stars joined the Seattle Reign as the other team to clinch their berth to the postseason.

ELIMINATED TEAMS

First, let’s take a look at the teams that have been eliminated. Out of the nine team league, there are only five teams left that can clinch a spot in the final four. The Boston Breakers were eliminated weeks ago with only 15 points after 18 games. Three more teams joined the Breakers after this past week.

Western New York Flash have 20 points after 18 games and can no longer clinch a postseason berth as there are only six points possible for them to get in these final two games. That would leave them with 26 points and just out of that fourth and final spot by two points. This is the second straight year that they have missed the playoffs after winning the NWSL Shield in the league’s first year.

After their 3-0 defeat to the Reign this past Friday, the Houston Dash have been eliminated from the 2015 NWSL playoffs. With just two games remaining and 20 points from 18 games played, the Dash has mathematically been eliminated. It comes as a blow to the team as it seemed that they were going to make a run at the postseason after getting Carli Lloyd, Megan Klingenberg and Morgan Brian back from international duty. It was not to be and the Dash can now look forward to the 2016 NWSL season and make the appropriate changes.

Even though Sky Blue FC picked up a much needed win this past weekend, they were eliminated from contention after FC Kansas City defeated the Breakers 3-0. They had a very slim chance of making the postseason, but it was not to be. Their best hope now is to play spoiler in their last two games against the Reign and Kansas City the next two weeks.

ELIGIBLE TEAMS

The Portland Thorns are still in playoff contention, but just barely. The Thorns currently have 22 points after 18 games played and still have a chance, a slim chance, to make the playoffs.  They need to win their next two games against the Washington Spirit and the Flash, if they want to make the playoffs for the third straight year. It won’t be easy as the Spirit is trying to win all their remaining games to surpass the Reign for the top spot in the league. If the Thorns take a loss or tie against Washington, their season is over.

In regards to the Spirit, all they need this week is a tie and they are in. If they win out, they will take the NWSL Shield from Seattle and be the number one overall seed in the four team postseason. Not that it means much anymore with NWSL deciding to let Providence Park in Portland host the final and not the team with the best overall record like the previous two season. Depending how things shake out, their final game against the Reign could determine who wins the shield. They have a Thursday night game against Kansas City and they could have their postseason spot wrapped up by the end of the night.

Kansas City is technically not in the postseason yet, but a win or tie this week against the Spirit on Thursday night will get them in the playoffs. A loss doesn’t hurt them, but it also doesn’t help them either. If they lose to Washington, it will all come down to Sunday night’s game on FOX Sports 1 between Portland and Washington. They have 28 points after 18 games played and could still solidify the last spot even if they lose out.

As mentioned above, the Red Stars have clinched their spot in the 2015 NWSL playoffs for the first time in club history. They have 29 points after 18 games played. They can finish with a possible 35 points and depending how things turn out, could be guaranteed a home playoff game on September 13th. They would need some help from the other teams to secure that spot, but it is plausible.

The worst that Seattle can do now is second in the league. They are guaranteed a home playoff game on Sunday, September 13th. In order to win the league for a second straight year, they need to win this Wednesday against the Breakers. If they do this, they will become the first club to win the NWSL shield back to back in its brief three year history. Head Coach Laura Harvey wants more than just the shield for the second straight year. She recently mentioned that their downfall last year was resting players prior to the playoffs. She will be looking for her team to give all they have for the remaining two weeks as well as the playoffs.

NWSL Standing as of August 24, 2015

1. Seattle Reign 36 points

2. Chicago Red Stars 29 points

3. FC Kansas City 28 points

4. Washington Spirit 28 points

5. Portland Thorns 22 points

6. Sky Blue FC 21 points

7. Houston Dash 20 points

8. Western New York Flash 20 points

9. Boston Breakers 15 points

It’s going to be a fun last two weeks in NWSL action. Stay tuned to VAVEL.com for all the latest updates for the remainder of the season.