We’re down to the final four teams in the 2025 USL W League Playoffs presented by VensureHR: Minnesota Aurora FC, Utah United, Asheville City SC, and reigning W League champions NC Courage U23. The teams will kick off this weekend in the National Semifinals. 

Of all 93 teams in the league, these four have stood above the rest in nearly every facet. They have combined for 150+ goals and 40+ wins, while losing only one game this entire season. 

Read about the matchups below and be sure to tune in this Saturday to see who will claim their spot in the 2025 USL W League Final.   

Venue: UNC Asheville – Greenwood Field, Asheville, NC 

Kickoff: Saturday, July 12, 7:00 p.m. ET 

Southern Conference champions Asheville City will continue its homestand and host NC Courage U23 on Saturday. 

This season almost couldn’t have gone better for the Blues up to this point. The team is on a 12-game winning streak and just won its first conference title weeks after earning its first division title. 

Asheville is heading to the National Semifinal after its convincing 3-1 win over TLH Reckoning and the incredible comeback 2-1 win after extra time against Lonestar SC in the Conference Final. Leading scorer Emma Sheehan has been the spark for the team, finding the back of the net in both matches. Her combination plays with winger Yuliia Khrystiuk, who provided the assists on both goals in the match against Lonestar, will be the biggest challenge for the visitors on Saturday. 

The 2024 W League champs NC Courage U23 will attempt to hand Asheville its first loss of the season while they strive to reach their third consecutive W League Final. The Courage returned to the playoffs after finishing another undefeated regular season and looks as strong as ever heading into this weekend. 

Taylor Chism and Ivy Garner secured the comeback 2-1 win against Eagle FC in the Conference Semifinals, and the Courage won their third Eastern Conference title after defeating Annapolis Blues FC in penalty kicks last weekend. The team showed its veteran experience, especially on the backline led by University of Louisville’s Mackenzie Geigle and Penn State’s Kayleigh Herr, to keep it in Sunday’s match. The Courage’s defense versus Asheville’s attack will be one to watch in this Semifinal. 

Venue: TCO Stadium, Eagan, MN 

Kickoff: Saturday, July 12, 8:00 p.m. ET 

Minnesota will host its first playoff game since 2022 against the last remaining expansion club, Utah United. 

Aurora has returned to the National Semifinal for the first time in three years after recording its fourth consecutive undefeated regular season. The team has been unstoppable defensively, led by center back duo Camber Hayes and Charley Boone. Aurora has conceded a league-fewest four goals, including the two playoff matches which were both shutouts. 

On the attacking end, Kansas University forward Saige Wimes was the difference maker for Minnesota in the first two rounds; she scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Riveters SC, and she netted the 88th minute game-winner in the Central Conference Final. Even if Utah contains Wimes, Minnesota has also found success in the final third all season long through Natalie Tavana, Catherine Rapp and Mariah Nguyen. 

Expansion side Utah United burst into the W League scene and surprised many in this successful first season. The team dominated the Mountain Division, twice defeating 2024 runners-up Colorado Storm, then took down tenured teams FC Olympia and Stockton Cargo SC to clinch the Western Conference title. 

Utah has been led all season by TCU forward Seven Castain. She recorded the game-winning brace in the 2-1 victory over Olympia and converted a penalty kick to double the lead against Stockton. Pepperdine goalkeeper Taylor Rath has recorded five clean sheets this summer, guiding one of the league's best defenses. Utah has talent in all 11 positions and will be a tough challenge for Aurora on Saturday. 

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