We’re just days away from the start of the 2025 USL W League Playoffs presented by VensureHR, as 16 teams face off for a chance at a title in the league’s fourth season. This week, we will preview every matchup from all four conferences, with the Central Conference up next.   

Catch up on every conference! Read the Eastern Conference preview here. 

Expansion club Pittsburgh Riveters will host the Central Conference playoff matches at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. The hosts will play Minnesota Aurora FC at 1:00 p.m. ET after the match between Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati and Detroit City FC at 10:30 a.m. ET. 

Tickets to both matches are available for purchase here.   

Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati vs. Detroit City FC 

Reigning Central Conference champions, Detroit City FC (7-2-1), are headed into their second straight playoffs where they will take on Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati (7-0-3). KHFC earned its first Valley Division title and will be hoping to make a strong statement in its first playoffs appearance.  

Kings Hammer clinched a playoff berth last week with a 4-3 victory over Lexington SC and followed it up with a scoreless draw against the same side to finish the regular season undefeated. The team’s constant attacking threat and the only player for KHFC to play in all 10 matches is forward Lauren Flax, who netted six goals this season. Beside her is leading goal scorer and 2024 Big East Freshman of the Year, Samantha Erbach, who recorded seven goals and will be looking to keep the ball on Detroit’s side of the pitch on Friday.  

The Great Lakes Division champions stride into their second playoffs on the back of a 3-1 victory over Kalamazoo FC, with a hat trick from striker Kayla Addison. Another veteran DCFC standout is forward Hannah Crum, who played a key role in last year's playoff run and started all 10 matches this season. Crum and Addison led the team this summer with four goals each. Le Rouge’s returners have proven a critical facet of their success this season and will give the team confidence going into the playoffs.  

Pittsburgh Riveters SC vs. Minnesota Aurora FC 

The second matchup of the day will see expansion versus experience as the Riveters (6-1-3) will make their W League playoffs debut against four-time Heartland Division champs Minnesota Aurora (10-0-2). With a roster deeply connected by academy ties, Pittsburgh will rely on their home support in the clash against the undefeated Aurora.  

Minnesota’s quest for its first league title starts this weekend in Pittsburgh. Aurora’s roster this season is a good mix of returners (Mariah Nguyen, Jelena Zbiljic, and the Rapp triplets) along with a bunch of new talent that has fit right in with the impressive squad. Defender Camber Hayes has made a massive impact on a backline that conceded the fewest goals in the league (4), while Natalie Tavana has been a constant threat in the attack, scoring six goals in 12 matches. While Minnesota has reached the playoffs every year, it has only made it out of the conference once. If Aurora gets a win on Friday, it could be the momentum builder the team needs for the rest of the playoffs. 

It was Gina Proviano’s clutch 90th minute game-winner last weekend that sent the Riveters to the playoffs in their first season. Pittsburgh will be fueled by a home field advantage this weekend, as the team is undefeated (4-0-1) at Highmark Stadium and has garnered thousands of fans into the stands this summer. The expansion side will also rely on its midfield this weekend, with Tanum Nelson leading the Riveters with six goals, followed by Olivia Damico with four of her own. 

Catch both matches live on SportsEngine Play, and follow the W League on Instagram and Twitter for playoff updates.