November is here, and for the eight NWSL teams that failed to reach the playoffs, the focus has already shifted to fixing what went wrong and preparing for 2027. Every club that falls short of the championship will be looking to improve, but these sides have the most work ahead.
Here’s the single biggest offseason question each eliminated team must answer.
North Carolina Courage
Eliminated: 9th place (14W-3D-13L, 45 pts)
Biggest question: Will they spend more aggressively this winter?
Ashley Sanchez’s record-tying 20 goals weren’t enough. The Courage scored freely but conceded too often and collapsed late, losing five of their final seven games. High-profile departures (Manaka Matsukubo, Kerolin, Jaedyn Shaw) have outnumbered major arrivals. They’ve stayed competitive on a relatively modest budget, but remaining stuck just outside the playoffs raises the question of whether it’s time to invest more heavily.
Denver Summit FC
Eliminated: 10th place (11W-8D-11L, 41 pts)
Biggest question: Should they build to win now?
In their expansion season, Denver finished as one of the league’s highest-scoring teams and came agonisingly close to the playoffs. A roster full of experienced veterans almost delivered. With expansion allocation money still available and high-profile free agents on the market, the Summit must decide whether 2027 is a “trophy-or-bust” year.
Orlando Pride
Eliminated: 11th place (11W-3D-16L, 36 pts)
Biggest question: Can Barbra Banda get some help?
Banda scored nearly half of Orlando’s goals. Without consistent support, the Pride regressed badly from their 2024 double-winning side. They need another high-level goal threat, defensive reinforcements, and clarity over the permanent head coach role after Seb Hines’ departure.
Houston Dash
Eliminated: 12th place (9W-6D-15L, 33 pts)
Biggest question: Who takes the wheel now?
The mid-season firings of the head coach and technical director left the club searching for direction once again. Houston has promising young talent, but constant coaching turnover has defined the franchise. Stability in the dugout is the clear priority.
Boston Legacy FC
Eliminated: 13th place (9W-6D-15L, 33 pts)
Biggest question: Can they attract artists to join the grind?
Boston’s debut season was defined by grit, physicality and disruption — they took points off every team in the league. But they lacked creativity and defensive solidity. Having already shown they can compete with warriors, they now need more technical quality to climb the table.
Bay FC
Eliminated: 14th place (7W-6D-17L, 27 pts)
Biggest question: Will the kids all stick around?
Bay are in full rebuild mode, centred on a talented young core including Claire Hutton, Kennedy Fuller and Alex Pfeiffer. New chief football officer Paul Green brings pedigree. The challenge is retaining and developing that young talent while adding the depth needed to compete.
Racing Louisville FC
Eliminated: 15th place (7W-3D-20L, 24 pts)
Biggest question: Is there a future in Louisville?
Ownership uncertainty and possible relocation loom large. On the field, star forward Emma Sears is expected to leave, the coach is out of contract, and the team failed to keep a single clean sheet all season. The club faces an existential offseason before it can even address sporting issues.
Chicago Stars FC
Eliminated: 16th place (5W-2D-23L, 17 pts)
Biggest question: Will Chicago finally become a destination?
Back-to-back last-place finishes and a historic goal difference low point left the club at rock bottom. The appointment of Vlatko Andonovski as chief soccer officer offers genuine hope. His reputation and network could finally make Chicago an attractive place for players and staff as a full rebuild begins.