National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Weekly Update
As another week of National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action concludes, ESPN has released its updated Power Rankings highlighting the latest dynamics among the 14 competing teams. The rankings reflect the outcomes of Matchday 12, revealing noteworthy climbs as well as major declines within the league.
Top Teams
Kansas City Current stands at the top of the rankings, maintaining their position after a stellar performance against Racing Louisville. The Current dominated their matchup, scoring three goals in just the first 19 minutes, culminating in a decisive 4-2 victory. Their blend of swift counter-attacks and controlling possession proved too much for Louisville, particularly with standout performances from players like Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper. Their next challenge is against Angel City on Friday, June 20.
San Diego Wave, now one of the league’s hottest contenders, secured their place at number two following a tightly contested 3-2 win over the Houston Dash. Their strong offensive display, especially from Kenza Dali, helped them build a 2-0 advantage in the first half, although they had to withstand a late push from Houston. San Diego will face the Washington Spirit on Sunday, June 22.
Orlando Pride managed to hang onto their third position despite a narrow 1-0 win against Bay FC. The match was characterized by defensive challenges, allowing 20 shots from their opponents. However, a stroke of luck delivered the only goal of the match, scored by Barbra Banda after a quick free kick. The Pride must strengthen their defense when they meet San Diego on June 22.
Notable Performances and Struggles
In a noteworthy shift, the Portland Thorns have regained form, defeating the Spirit 2-0. Despite the Spirit’s advantage in possession, Portland capitalized on errors to earn a crucial victory. They are now set to face Utah Royals on Saturday, June 21.
Gotham FC finally broke their league losing streak with a 3-0 triumph over Utah Royals. The match featured an impactful penalty from Esther Gonzalez and an overwhelming control of the game, which should provide a much-needed confidence boost. Next, they will play Chicago Stars on June 21.
On the other side of the rankings, the Chicago Stars suffer from a lack of consistency, having drawn with Seattle Reign despite a strong start. They managed to score two early goals only to let the match slip away late. Their upcoming match against the Reign on Saturday, June 21, could prove pivotal for their season.
Meanwhile, the Houston Dash continue to struggle offensively, unable to exploit their attacking opportunities efficiently. They are scheduled to play all-out against the Portland Thorns shortly, aiming to turn their fortunes around.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, each team is feeling the pressure to either climb the rankings or stave off falling further down the list. With key matches on the horizon, the next week promises to be thrilling as teams battle for playoff positions.
