National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Power Rankings
As we usher in another week of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action, ESPN is back with its Power Rankings, analyzing team performances through Matchday 19. Notably, with some teams soaring high and others stumbling, we’re ready to review the standings and match outcomes.
Top Teams
Kansas City Current, who previously ranked first, is now on an impressive 14-match unbeaten streak after triumphing over Bay FC with a score of 2-0. Having already secured a playoff berth, Kansas City sits comfortably atop the league with a 14-point advantage and appears destined to claim the Shield this season, looking to collect at least one trophy in 2025. Their next test is against Washington Spirit, scheduled for September 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Washington Spirit, ranked previously at third, has proven resilient amid injuries and transition challenges. They too celebrated a notable victory against Seattle Reign with a 2-0 scoreline, powered by two goals from Trinity Rodman. Going into the final stretch of the season, they’ve gone unbeaten across their last seven matches, setting up a compelling match against top-seeded Kansas City next.
Struggling Teams
San Diego Wave faced a disappointing result this weekend despite honoring USWNT star Alex Morgan by retiring her jersey. They lost to the mid-ranked Houston Dash after managing more shots yet conceding three goals, highlighting their inconsistency on the pitch. San Diego will next aim for redemption against Bay FC, with a match set for September 13.
The reigning champions, Orlando Pride, are caught in a downward spiral, having drawn three and lost four of their last seven outings. Their latest defeat, a significant 5-2 loss against the Chicago Stars, marks a frustrating phase for the team as they continue to search for form, although new signing Lizbeth Ovalle made her debut amid the turmoil. Orlando’s next challenge will be against Seattle Reign on September 14, a critical matchup.
Racing Louisville suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Portland Thorns, ending their four-match unbeaten streak. Louisville remains in the playoff hunt but faces a crucial matchup against Seattle Reign, currently one spot above them in the rankings.
Mid-Table Performances
Gotham FC, who previously stood in 10th place, made a significant leap after a commanding 3-1 victory over Angel City. The impactful Rose Lavelle contributed a goal, marking her return from injury with a push for consistency as they prepare for their next game against Utah Royals.
The Houston Dash delivered an impressive performance against San Diego, claiming a notable 3-0 triumph and affirming their position on the brink of playoff contention. This win places them in a favorable position before matches against Chicago Stars and Utah Royals.
Meanwhile, Seattle Reign is struggling to find their footing, having gone five games without a win. Currently seventh in the standings, they must address their scoring drought as they gear up for a match against Racing Louisville, a team looking to improve its placement.
Angel City faced setbacks regarding player loss before taking on Gotham but will aim to regain momentum in their next game against North Carolina Courage.
North Carolina continues to grapple with form, achieving a draw against Utah Royals which extended their winless run to six games. Their upcoming fixture against Portland will prove vital as they seek to climb out of the bottom positions.
Bottom of the Rankings
Lastly, Chicago Stars, despite sitting last in the rankings, found a silver lining with a convincing win against Orlando, underlining this league’s unpredictability. With their next match against Orlando Pride on September 13, they remain hopeful for a turning point in this season.
With the playoff race heating up, NWSL teams are gearing up for critical matchups in the coming weeks, providing fans with exciting soccer action ahead.
