NWSL Power Rankings: Matchday 14 Highlights
As the NWSL season continues, ESPN has unveiled its latest Power Rankings following Matchday 14, showcasing which teams are making strides and which are struggling. Let’s break down the standings and key highlights from the week.
Top Performers
Leading the rankings again are Kansas City, who recently demonstrated their dominance with a solid performance against Racing Louisville. Although the team faced a tough challenge early on, a beautifully timed pass from Michelle Cooper set up Temwa Chawinga’s goal in the 65th minute, bringing her tally to nine for the season and keeping her in the chase for the coveted Golden Boot. With a seven-match winning streak and a commanding 10-point lead at the top, Kansas City appears poised to maintain their lead.
Following closely is Washington Spirit, who have found renewed energy with the return of Trinity Rodman. After entering a tied match in the 76th minute against Portland, she scored a dramatic late goal to secure a 2-1 victory, providing a much-needed boost for the team and marking her first match since mid-April due to injury. This victory has helped elevate the Spirit to a stronger position as they prepare to face off against Gotham FC next.
Struggles and Draws
San Diego Wave faced a frustrating draw against North Carolina, managing 18 shots yet only landing two on goal. Despite having more corner kicks and possession, they couldn’t convert, leaving them to reflect on missed opportunities as they gear up for their rivalry match against Angel City.
Orlando Pride salvaged a point against the Utah Royals thanks to a late equalizer from Prisca Chilufya, bouncing back after Mina Tanaka‘s early goal put them at a disadvantage. The team will look to build on this momentum as they head into an encounter with Racing Louisville.
Seattle surged past Angel City with a clean 2-0 win, thanks to a goal from Jess Fishlock and a late own goal. Meanwhile, the Thorns endured a tough loss against Washington but look to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming challenge against the Seattle Reign.
Gotham FC held on for a 1-1 draw against Chicago Stars despite missing key players, including top-scorer Esther González. With an eye on returning to full strength, they will host Washington Spirit next, where they hope to regain momentum.
Los Angeles’ Angel City is struggling, having lost five out of their last six games. Despite a commendable performance from Kiki Van Zanten scoring her first NWSL goal in a 2-2 draw against Bay FC, they need to find more consistency to climb back into playoff contention.
Lastly, Utah Royals managed to hold the game against Orlando to a 1-1 draw, showcasing a hesitant but resilient performance in a challenging match following their recent draft loss.
Conclusion
These match results showcase shifting dynamics in the league as teams strive for playoff positions, setting the stage for an intense second half of the season.
