NWSL playoffs open busy time for women’s soccer

BY ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer

In the space of about a week, 10 players from the U.S. team wrapped up the regular season with their National Women’s Soccer League teams, got together for an international friendly against Switzerland, and now face off in the NWSL playoffs.

The country’s top players are maintaining a delicate balance between supporting the NWSL at home while gearing up for a busy two years that include the women’s World Cup in Canada next summer and then the 2016 Rio Olympics. And it’s just the start.

The Portland Thorns play an NWSL semifinal match at FC Kansas City on Saturday, and the Seattle Reign host the Washington Spirit on Sunday. After the league championship on Aug. 31, the women on the U.S. team — as well as those from Mexico — will start focusing on World Cup qualifying.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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