National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Power Rankings – Matchday 21
With the conclusion of Matchday 21, it’s time to reassess team standings in the NWSL through ESPN’s latest Power Rankings. As the league approaches the postseason, the performances of all 14 teams are scrutinized. Let’s break down who’s soaring and who’s struggling this week.
Top Teams
1. Kansas City Current (previously ranked: 1; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against Chicago Stars, 8 p.m. ET)
Kansas City is on fire this season, recently clinching the NWSL Shield after a convincing 2-0 victory over Seattle. This remarkable achievement is historic, as they have set a record for the earliest clinching based on remaining games. Temwa Chawinga’s birthday was celebrated with her 13th goal of the season, tying her for the scoring lead with Esther González. With an impressive record of 17 wins, two draws, and only two losses, the Current are formidable heading into the postseason.
2. Washington Spirit (previously ranked: 2; upcoming match: Sunday, September 28 against Houston Dash, 1 p.m. ET)
Making the most of an away game without key midfielder Hal Hershfelt, the Spirit earned a 2-2 draw against Angel City, crucially avoiding defeat. Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune each scored, keeping the Spirit undefeated in nine matches, although six of those were draws. Their resilience is notable as they aim to solidify their playoff position.
3. Gotham FC (previously ranked: 4; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against Portland Thorns, 8 p.m. ET)
Gotham managed to secure a point through a 1-1 draw in their latest encounter with San Diego, aided by Rose Lavelle’s revived scoring form, netting her second goal this season. After a challenging stretch of away games, Gotham looks to bounce back at home against Portland, as they vie for a better playoff seeding.
4. Portland Thorns (previously ranked: 8; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against Orlando Pride, 10:30 p.m. ET)
Thanks to Reyna Reyes’ late equalizer, Portland salvaged a 1-1 draw against San Diego. Despite a shaky start in offensive production, they remain competitive in the playoff debate and currently sit in fourth place, just above San Diego in the rankings.
5. North Carolina Courage (previously ranked: 9; upcoming match: Sunday, September 28 against Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. ET)
The Courage managed to claw their way back into the playoff race with a narrow 1-0 win over the reigning champions, marking their second consecutive victory. This result came from a goal by Shinomi Koyama, setting the stage for a potential turnaround after a series of misfortunes this season.
Middle of the Pack
6. San Diego Wave (previously ranked: 7; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against Gotham FC, 8 p.m. ET)
Despite their best efforts, the Wave couldn’t convert their initial lead against Portland, thus settling for a draw. With scores dropping, they must secure points soon to avoid falling behind in a tight playoff race, especially as they face Orlando next, a team in even worse form.
7. Orlando Pride (previously ranked: 6; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against San Diego Wave, 10:30 p.m. ET)
Orlando’s struggles continued with a latest defeat to North Carolina, deepening their winless run to nine matches. They remain in playoff contention but must find a way to halt their slide, particularly against the similarly struggling San Diego.
8. Racing Louisville (previously ranked: 10; upcoming match: Saturday, September 27 against Angel City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Though they faced defeat at the hands of Utah, signs of resilience are evident in their performances. Louisville has not yet given up on turning their season around, but they face challenges as their playoff aspirations dwindle with each passing match.
9. Seattle Reign (previously ranked: 11; upcoming match: Sunday, September 28 against North Carolina, 8 p.m. ET)
Seattle’s mixed results see them holding on to a respectable sixth place despite a recent loss to Kansas City. A strong showing against North Carolina could be vital for maintaining their playoff hopes as the season winds down.
10. Utah Royals (previously ranked: 13; upcoming match: Saturday, September 27 against Chicago Stars, 10 p.m. ET)
A recent 3-2 win over Racing Louisville is a sign of improvement for Utah, currently undefeated in their last six matches. They have moved above Chicago in the rankings but face upcoming tests that could determine their playoff fate.
Bottom Teams
11. Angel City FC (previously ranked: 12; upcoming match: Saturday, September 27 against Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET)
After a frustrating draw, Angel City faces an uphill battle as they strive to break into the playoff spots. Their recent games indicate potential, but consistency is crucial as they look to close the gap.
12. Chicago Stars (previously ranked: 14; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against Kansas City, 8 p.m. ET)
Despite an ongoing losing streak, Chicago’s performance against Gotham brought some hopeful moments. They still seek their first victory since early June, and optimism remains for improvement as they gear up for their next match.
13. Houston Dash (previously ranked: 6; upcoming match: Friday, September 26 against Kansas City, 8 p.m. ET)
Despite Alyssa Naeher’s standout penalty save, the Dash succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of their opponents. The Dash remain at risk of falling further down the rankings unless they can turn things around quickly.
14. Carolina Courage (previously ranked: 8; upcoming match: Saturday, September 27 against Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET)
The Courage are facing a dire situation after enduring a tumultuous season, yet their recent win has them slightly optimistic. However, they will need to build on this momentum if they are to have any significant impact in the playoffs.
