The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body.
The NWSL Playoffs began on September 15 with the two semifinal matches, which were won by the Thorns and the Courage.
Two teams, the Dash and Reign, do not make their stadiums' entire capacity available for home games, instead restricting ticket sales at a lower level.
The North Carolina Courage secured the number one seed on August 5, winning their second straight NWSL Shield.
*Originally scheduled for September 16 at Sahlen's Stadium in Cary, North Carolina; rescheduled and moved due to Hurricane Florence.