On paper, it is hard not to favor a playoff perennial in a face-off between them and a postseason newcomer, the Washington Spirit's quarterfinal clash against Racing Louisville easily nestles into this narrative in a quick one-over of the NWSL playoff schedule. Even if the heavyweights are expected to dominate in the opening round of the postseason, though, Saturday's fixture between the Spirit and Louisville might sneakily be the weekend's most competitive battle.

To put it simply, the Spirit are on upset watch. They may be one of the NWSL's behemoths, bankrolled by women's soccer's most ambitious owner in Michele Kang while hoarding some of the world's top talents like Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune. The sum of their impressive parts means they cruised to a second place finish in

See Full Page