The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Update
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) continued its thrilling campaign this Sunday, with the latest matches giving us fresh insights into team standings. ESPN’s Power Rankings are back, revealing which teams have gained momentum and which are struggling to keep pace. Let’s examine the latest performances from Matchday 22 and the current rankings of all 14 teams.
Current Standings
#1 Kansas City Current
After securing the NWSL Shield the previous week, Kansas City didn’t show signs of slowing down, defeating the Chicago Stars 4-1. Debinha opened the scoring early in the seventh minute, and Bia Zaneratto added to the tally shortly after halftime, taking advantage of a great setup from Temwa Chawinga. The Current did let in a goal in the 58th minute, ending their impressive streak of 870 minutes without conceding, but quickly responded with two more goals, maintaining a comfortable 16-point lead at the top of the table. They are set to face Angel City FC on Monday, October 6 at 10:30 PM ET.
#2 Washington Spirit
The Spirit secured their playoff spot with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Houston Dash, highlighted by Gift Monday’s astonishing hat trick—the fastest ever recorded in NWSL history, coming in the 18th, 21st, and 36th minutes. The fourth goal from Sofia Cantore, a spectacular backheel, rounded off a superb team performance. The Spirit have not tasted defeat in their last 12 outings, which includes their upcoming midweek match against Gotham in the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
#3 Gotham FC
In a strong display, Gotham FC triumphed 3-0 against the Portland Thorns, thanks to goals from Midge Purce, Rose Lavelle, and Katie Stengel. Lavelle not only scored but also assisted Stengel with an elegant back-heeled pass, signaling her return to form as the season reaches its climax. Their next challenge will be against the Washington Spirit on Sunday at 1 PM ET.
#4 San Diego Wave
Despite their attempt to spark a revival, the San Diego Wave suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pride, marking their sixth consecutive match without a win. Although Dudinha responded quickly after conceding, the Wave’s defensive fragility allowed for a soft equalizer. They remain in postseason contention but face increasing pressure as they prepare for yet another tough match against the Spirit.
#5 Portland Thorns
The Thorns faced a stark reality with a 3-0 loss at Gotham FC, struggling to create opportunities with only two shots on target all game. This defeat marked their first time allowing three goals since April, raising concerns about their form as they approach critical matches.
#6 North Carolina Courage
Unfortunately for the Courage, their chances for postseason play took a hit with a narrow 2-1 loss to the Seattle Reign, dropping them out of the playoff positions. With their next match against Racing Louisville looming, maintaining a strong performance is critical.
#7 Orlando Pride
Ending their nine-match winless streak, the Pride claimed a 2-1 victory over San Diego, with Jacquie Ovalle and Carson Pickett scoring vital goals. With a Champions Cup match against Club América on the horizon, they seek to build on this momentum.
#8 Houston Dash
The Dash had a dismal outing against the Spirit, suffering a 4-0 thrashing and failing to register a shot on target until late in the match. They must regroup quickly before facing the Pride at home this Friday to revive their playoff hopes.
#9 Racing Louisville
Racing Louisville managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Angel City, with Sarah Weber netting the decisive goal. This victory has increased their chances of making it into the playoff positions as they now approach the last stretch of the season.
#10 Utah Royals
Continuing their recent surge, the Royals made it three wins in a row with a solid 2-0 performance against Bay FC. This puts them right back in contention, now just four points shy of their total points from last season.
#11 Angel City FC
In their latest matchup against Racing Louisville, Angel City struggled offensively, losing 1-0 despite having the bulk of possession. With mounting losses, their playoff prospects are starting to look gloomy ahead of their next fixtures.
#12 Bay FC
Bay FC is experiencing a tough stretch, suffering their 11th consecutive match without a win following a 2-0 loss to Utah. The recent dismissal of their team president underscores the need for structural changes as they face a long offseason.
#13 Chicago Stars
While the Stars lost 4-1 to Kansas City, Nádia Gomes scored a momentous goal, bringing their drought against the league leaders to an end after almost 900 minutes.
#14 Seattle Reign
Seattle concluded the weekend with a crucial win over North Carolina Courage, pushing them into playoff contention thanks to a late goal, demonstrating the potential for a comeback.
Looking Ahead
Upcoming bouts this weekend are pivotal as every team vies for the best positioning ahead of the playoffs, making Matchday 23 particularly crucial in determining who captures the coveted postseason spots.
