The heartbreak list
Belt games decided by 3 points or less214 belt games have come down to 3 points or less. These are the clubs who got closest without taking it, and the holders who survived by a whisker.
So close: challengers
Lost a belt game by 3 or less
| Seattle Reign FC | 16 |
| Washington Spirit | 14 |
| Houston Dash | 14 |
| Chicago Stars FC | 13 |
| North Carolina Courage | 12 |
| Orlando Pride | 9 |
| Portland Thorns FC | 8 |
| Gotham FC | 6 |
| Boston Breakers | 5 |
| Kansas City Current | 4 |
| Utah Royals | 4 |
| Utah Royals FC | 3 |
Lost it by a whisker
Holders beaten by 3 or less
Escape artists
Holders who defended by 3 or less
Latest nail-biters
| Nov 7, 2026 | Kansas City Current beat Angel City FC 1–0 (OT) | Defense |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Kansas City Current beat Racing Louisville FC 2–0 | Defense |
| Oct 25, 2026 | Kansas City Current beat Washington Spirit 2–1 | Defense |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Kansas City Current beat Utah Royals 2–0 | Defense |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Kansas City Current beat Denver Summit FC 4–1 | Title change |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Denver Summit FC beat Seattle Reign FC 2–1 | Defense |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Denver Summit FC beat Gotham FC 3–0 | Title change |
| Aug 14, 2026 | Gotham FC beat Kansas City Current 2–1 | Defense |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Gotham FC beat San Diego Wave FC 1–0 | Title change |
| Aug 2, 2026 | San Diego Wave FC beat Washington Spirit 1–0 | Title change |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Washington Spirit beat Utah Royals 1–0 | Defense |
| Jul 26, 2026 | Washington Spirit beat Denver Summit FC 1–0 | Defense |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Washington Spirit beat Boston Legacy FC 2–1 | Title change |
| Jul 15, 2026 | Boston Legacy FC beat Orlando Pride 1–0 | Defense |
| Jul 10, 2026 | Boston Legacy FC beat Chicago Stars FC 2–0 | Title change |
| Jul 5, 2026 | Chicago Stars FC beat Utah Royals 3–2 | Title change |
| May 23, 2026 | Utah Royals beat Denver Summit FC 2–1 | Defense |
| May 17, 2026 | Utah Royals beat Racing Louisville FC 2–1 | Title change |
| May 8, 2026 | Racing Louisville FC beat Portland Thorns FC 3–1 | Title change |
| May 3, 2026 | Portland Thorns FC beat Chicago Stars FC 2–0 | Defense |
| Apr 29, 2026 | Portland Thorns FC beat San Diego Wave FC 2–0 | Title change |
| Apr 25, 2026 | San Diego Wave FC beat Denver Summit FC 3–2 | Title change |
| Mar 25, 2026 | Denver Summit FC beat Gotham FC 2–0 | Title change |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Gotham FC beat Boston Legacy FC 1–0 | Defense |
| Nov 22, 2025 | Gotham FC beat Washington Spirit 1–0 | Defense |