NWSL midweek wrap: Playoffs beckon for Westfield Matildas

The final round of the National Women's Soccer League regular season is fast approaching and three of the four playoff spots have now been locked away.

Thankfully, the Westfield Matildas will have representatives in post-season action after several stars were on the right side of key results in midweek.

Here's how some our America-based Aussies fared ahead of another busy weekend schedule...

WEEKEND WRAP: Kerr and Simon among the goals

WATCH: Kerr scores another NWSL Goal of the Week contender

Seattle Reign 2-0 Houston Dash

Seattle Reign booked their place in the playoffs with a comfortable home victory against Houston Dash earlier in the week.

Jodie Taylor struck twice in three minutes after half-time as Lydia Williams kept a clean sheet to sew up a top-four spot.

Steph Catley also played a full 90 minutes for the two-time NWSL Shield winners, who appear destined to finish second behind runaway leaders North Carolina Courage.

Houston - now three points outside fourth - were left to rue the absence of Kyah Simon from their squad, while Clare Polkinghorne remained on the bench.

Portland Thorns 2-1 Sky Blue FC

Catley and Williams will be joined in the playoffs by another three Aussie aces following Portland Thorns' gritty home defeat of Sky Blue.

Ellie Carpenter completed the full match while Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord started in attack in a result that keeps alive Portland's hopes of going back-to-back.

Christine Sinclair and Tobin Heath got the goals to make their spot safe, before Sarah Killion grabbed what proved a late consolation for Sky Blue.

Foord, playing as a centre-forward, was particularly influential, with her pass leading to the penalty that Sinclair converted for the opener.

WASHINGTON SPIRIT 0-1 UTAH ROYALS

Utah Royals gave their own slim playoff hopes a timely boost with a narrow win away to struggling Washingon Spirit.

Katrina Gorry was an unused substitute for Utah, who got the job done courtesy of a 12th-minute goal from Amy Rodriguez.

If results go their way, three points at home to Sam Kerr's Chicago Red Stars in the final round could potentially be enough for Gorry's side to cling on to fourth.