Denver is knocking on the door of the playoffs thanks to a vital win over Seattle, and Washington kept pace with Gotham by blanking Chicago. San Diego’s fourth win in five has moved them to third, while Portland handled Orlando.

Bay took their match against Racing Louisville as a shooting drill, sending their hosts to a fifth straight defeat. Jordynn Dudley had a brace for Gotham, while Sophia Wilson tallied three goal involvements for Portland.

Taylor Suarez’s lightning fast goal for Angel City set a record, and propelled her side to a huge win. NWSL Week 22 saw movement in the table that changed the playoff picture around.

Denver was looking to gain some ground on Seattle and Angel City for the eighth and final playoff spot. Bay was looking to stop a three-match slide and play spoiler. When the final whistle blew, Bay had achieved their aims thanks to a very late Taylor Huff goal.

This match was a very evenly played contest, with both sides having periods of control and fielding strong attacks. Denver had the best early chance, sending a header over the bar. Bay answered back later, hitting both posts. The ice was finally broken in the 42nd minute. Natalie Means sent the ball across the box for the Summit. Melissa Kössler let it go, and Lindsey Heaps was wide open to tap home. Denver kept the pressure on from there on, and went into the half with momentum.

The home side came out on fire, and only two amazing saves from Bay’s Jordan Silkowitz kept the score from blowing up. The Summit would continue to press, and were rewarded in the 57th minute. Yazmeen Ryan drove to the goal line and sent the ball across. A diving Janine Sonis put it in on a spectacular play. Sonis is having a career year, and should certainly be considered for the League’s Best XI and MVP come awards season.

Denver looked as though they would make up three points on the sides above them, but Bay had other thoughts. 15 minutes after Sonis’ goal, Claire Hutton put on amazing display of grit and tenacity. She worked the ball into the box, dropped off to Huff and kept running. Huff sent it back to Hutton, and she scored near post while falling down. Huff would then bring Bay all the way back in the 95th minute.

With time running down, Bay moved forward, and the ball came to Cristiana Girelli. She sent a through ball ahead that Huff took away from Yuzuki Yamamoto. Huff opened her hips and slid the ball between Abby Smith’s legs for the equalizer. Denver is kicking themselves for letting those two points go, while Bay is happy to get off the schneid.