Although one of the world's major leagues in women's football came to a conclusion last week, there are quite a few others who have only just gotten started.
Here's all you need to know ahead of another exciting week of women's football.
What to watch in women's football: October 19th to October 22nd
NWSL
With the regular season now finished as San Diego Wave were crowned the newest NWSL Shield holders, all eyes will shift towards the play-offs. As per the current rules, the top six teams from the regular NWSL season have a chance to feature in this mini-competition. The first round kicks off on Friday, October 20th and concludes on Sunday, October 22nd.
Both San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns received a pass to the semi-finals after finishing first and second in the 2023 NWSL season respectively, while North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Angel City, and NY/NJ Gotham will compete in the first round after finishing in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively.
First up on Friday will be a clash starring OL Reign vs Angel City, with the winner of that game taking on San Diego Wave on November 5th. Then, on Sunday, North Carolina Courage will lock horns with NY/NJ Gotham, with the victor facing Portland Thorns, also on November 5th.
Here's how you can catch these two key games from wherever you are based:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Match details, result and original broadcast info
North Carolina Courage 0 - 2 NJ/NY Gotham FC
October 22, 2023 7:00pmWakeMed Soccer Park (Cary, North Carolina)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
WSL
Matchday four of the 2023/24 WSL season gets underway on Saturday, October 21st featuring a double-header. First up is Aston Villa vs Tottenham, with the home side hoping to finally pick up their first points of the season after a poor start, while Spurs could temporarily leap into top spot should they earn a third win on the bounce at the expense of their floundering hosts. Then, it's an intriguing top of the table clash featuring title contenders Manchester City traveling to battle Leicester City, who surprisingly are also on top of the table after a roaring start to the nascent campaign.
On Sunday, Manchester United will look to find their bearings when they travel to face Everton, while reigning champions Chelsea will seek to keep up the pressure on the teams ahead of them in the table and earn a crucial victory over a Brighton side who will be desperate to avoid losing a third game in a row. Then, West Ham will welcome Liverpool in what could be a very tense battle, especially given that both teams will come into this match having lost their respective games last round.
Sunday's games will end with last-placed Bristol City, who were promoted after winning the Championship last season, hoping to find some kind of redemption when Arsenal come to town; the Gunners, for their part, have not started the season off on the best footing, so this match could present a great chance for them to pick up some much needed points.
Serie A (Women)
Matchday five of the current Serie A season kicks off on Saturday as Inter Milan, who sit in fourth spot, host a Napoli side who are truly finding life in the top flight a lot more challenging than expected. Following that very early kick off (especially for those who live in North America), the second game featuring Sassuolo, who have yet to win a game this season, and Como, who sit in fifth, will get underway.
On Sunday, fans will be treated to a triple-header. First up is AC Milan welcoming Pomigliano; given their visitors' struggles this season, it is safe to say that the Rossonere will be hoping to take full advantage to start closing the gap on the teams ahead of them in the table. Then, it's a crunch clash starring Fiorentina and Juventus, with both sides sitting in second and third respectively ahead of this round's games. Depending on the outcome of that match, either Fiorentina or Juventus could jump ahead of current league leaders Roma - at least for a few hours.
Finally, Roma, who are the reigning Scudetto champions, will need to ensure that they pick up all three points on the road against Sampdoria, as the Giallorosse could find themselves knocked out of top spot even before they take to the pitch in that match, which kicks off at 11.00 AM EST.
Top news in women's football
Shocking end to UWCL campaign for heavyweights Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg have now become the latest victims of surprise package Paris after the French side dumped them out of the UEFA Women's Champions League. The German side, who were finalists in the last edition, were the natural heavy favorites to progress to the group stages, but were dealt a major shock after losing the second leg 2-0.
The first leg had finished as a 3-3 draw after an exciting game, but Paris were by far the better side, scoring twice sans reply to progress to the group stage for the first time since the club was rebranded as Paris FC back in 2017. Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie was also a key protagonist during the match, pulling off a stunning save to deny Dominique Janssen from the spot, before Louise Fleury's late, late goal was enough to put the tense tie to bed and ensure that Paris will have a chance to compete in the group stages of this season's Champions League.
It's a notable win for the French side, who also ended Arsenal's hopes in the playoffs earlier this season, and now, they will turn their attention back towards domestic affairs while awaiting their upcoming opponents in the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage.
What to watch in women's football: October 23rd to October 25th
NCAA
For fans of college soccer, they will have plenty of games to follow over the next few days. Fans in the USA can follow many of these games via live streaming through ESPN+ and the ESPN App, which also provides games from the ACC Network. Additional live-streaming options also include fuboTV, while the SEC Network will also be carrying some games on TV and live-streaming is also accessible through SEC Network +.
For a detailed schedule of games, including where and how you can watch them, check out our special NCAA Division I women's soccer page here.
Top news in women's football
A day to forget for Manchester United's Mary Earps
Wolfsburg were not the only team to face a shock result in the UEFA Women's Champions League playoffs.
Indeed, Manchester United also experienced huge disappointment in the UWCL as they were dumped out of the tournament by PSG. It was also a day to forget for the Red Devils' shot-stopper, Mary Earps, who made some poor decisions that contributed to her team's 3-1 defeat in the second leg.
After a 1-1 draw from the first leg, both teams had everything to play for in the second leg, especially for Manchester United, who were hoping to feature in the Champions League group stages for the first time in history. Unfortunately, it was not to be as they were outplayed by a more confident PSG side who looked firmly in control of the match from start to finish.
Earps, who received plenty of plaudits for her excellent showings at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, will look to put this disappointment behind her as she and her teammates seek to regroup and now focus on closing the gap on the league leaders in the WSL.
Didn't find your favorite women's league on this list? No worries, as this is just a highlight of some of the exciting games coming up this week. Make sure to check out our special Women's Football Page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for full broadcast info, match updates, news, and more.
