The 2024 W League Playoffs commence tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited. Wrapping up our Playoffs Previews is the Western Conference. 

Don’t miss out on W League Playoffs news! Read the other three Conference Previews on our playoffs hub page. 

Oakland Soul SC will host FC Olympia for Friday’s first Western Conference match at CSUEB’s Pioneer Stadium at 7:00 p.m. PT. The final match of the first round kicks off at 8:00 p.m. PT as California Storm hosts Colorado Storm at Davis Legacy Field. 

Tickets for Oakland Soul SC vs. FC Olympia can be purchased here. Tickets for California Storm vs. Colorado Storm can be purchased here. 

Oakland Soul vs. FC Olympia 

One undefeated team’s run will come to an end this Friday when the Soul takes on FC Olympia. Oakland finished the season 9-0-3 and made it to the playoffs with a huge 3-1 win over SF Glens last weekend. Meanwhile, FC Olympia had a record of 9-0-1 and led the Northwest Division all season long. 

FC Olympia was one of the strongest defensive teams in the Western Conference; the team shut out its opponents seven times and conceded only four goals. Even when new head coach Raphael Cox came in halfway through the season, the team continued in stride and earned five straight wins. On the attacking front, Olympia will be relying on Oregon State forward McKenna Martinez, who leads the team with eight goals. 

Oakland Soul will have a huge advantage playing in front of its dedicated and supportive fans on Friday. While playing at home this season, the team has outscored its opponents 24 goals to eight. Oakland builds out of the back very well and is extremely dangerous on the counterattack, specifically when players like Sam Tran and Shae Murison are in the game. Adding in the incredible saves that UCLA commit Layla Armas can make in goal, the Soul are a strong contender for the Western Conference. 

California Storm vs. Colorado Storm 

This was one matchup everyone was hoping for. The Storms will face off against each other after two incredible seasons for both teams. Colorado Storm clinched the new Mountain Division playoff spot in its first W League season with a record of 10-1-1. California Storm also finished at the top of the NorCal Division after going undefeated (9-0-3) to advance to its second consecutive postseason. 

Colorado Storm, which finished the season with 56 goals scored, is nearly unstoppable in the attacking third and can find the back of the net from a variety of ways and players. Alabama commit Alexis Meyer is very dynamic in the midfield and great at setting up her teammates, such as Reagan Kotschau and Reese McDermott, who have combined for 12 goals this season.  

It will be interesting to see how Colorado’s offense matches up against the dominance of California Storm’s defense. Alex Klos and Camryn Lancaster can play anywhere on the field and excel on both sides of the ball. Alabama midfielder Cameron Silva leads the team with six goals and is one of the team’s most dangerous offensive players. 

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