NWSL Decision Day: Gotham secures Shield with win over Utah Royals, Seattle Reign squeak into last playoff spot

On the final day of the 2026 NWSL regular season, NJ/NY Gotham FC secured the NWSL Shield with a win over the Utah Royals, clinching the best record in the league. Seattle Reign also earned their place in the postseason by squeezing into the last available playoff spot on Decision Day. The final playoff seedings were not determined until the closing minutes of the season, underscoring the competitive nature of the 2026 campaign.