Another exciting week of NWSL action has concluded, and ESPN’s Power Rankings are here to recap the drama! Let’s dive into the key matchups and see which teams are climbing the ladder and which ones are facing a tougher road ahead.
Orlando Pride remains at the top of the rankings after a thrilling 2-1 victory against San Diego Wave. Marta stole the show, showcasing her signature Panenka penalty kick after initially hitting the post. This victory puts her just one penalty goal away from breaking Megan Rapinoe’s NWSL record—a feat that’s definitely within reach!
Kansas City Current maintains its second-place position, dominating Utah Royals with a decisive 3-0 win. Temwa Chawinga continued her impressive streak, scoring her eighth goal in as many games, although a second goal was disallowed. Michelle Cooper and Debinha added to the Current’s impressive offensive display.
Washington Spirit jumped up to third place after a commanding 2-0 victory over Bay FC. Ashley Hatch, recently named to the USWNT roster, scored a brace, showcasing her aerial prowess and further cementing her place among the NWSL’s top goal scorers. The return of Trinity Rodman to the starting lineup has added significant momentum to the Spirit’s game.
Making a significant leap from twelfth place to fourth, Angel City FC impressed with a 2-1 win over Seattle Reign. Alyssa Thompson’s early goal set the tone, and Riley Tiernan’s first NWSL goal sealed the victory. While they could have been more clinical with their chances, the overall performance was a clear indication of their upward trajectory.
San Diego Wave, now in fifth place, showed promise despite their loss to Orlando. The debut of 19-year-old Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, who scored a goal just two minutes into her NWSL career, is a testament to the team’s exciting international talent pool. Despite a few costly errors, they gave the reigning champions a tough match.
Seattle Reign dropped to sixth place after their loss to Angel City. While Ji So-Yun’s penalty kept them in the game for a while, they couldn’t overcome the home team’s offensive pressure. The absence of Jess Fishlock due to injury was definitely felt. Their upcoming game against Orlando will be a crucial test.
Houston Dash secured a point with a 0-0 draw against Gotham FC. The match was relatively uneventful, with Jane Campbell’s solid performance in goal keeping a clean sheet. Their cautious approach might be a winning strategy for now, keeping them in the top half of the table.
Bay FC suffered their first loss of the season against Washington Spirit, falling to eighth place. Rookie Taylor Huff had a goal disallowed, highlighting their near-misses. They’ll look to bounce back in their next match.
North Carolina Courage remain in ninth place after a 0-0 draw with Portland Thorns. Mackenzie Arnold’s five saves prevented a loss, but the Courage continue to struggle with their finishing. Despite the lack of goals, their overall performance suggests a team with potential.
Racing Louisville FC earned their first win of the season, moving up to tenth place, with a 1-0 victory over Chicago. Emma Sears scored the winning goal, showcasing the team’s ability to capitalize on opportunities despite injuries and absences.
NJ/NY Gotham FC sits in eleventh place after a 0-0 draw with Houston. While the draw itself is not disastrous, the injury to Tierna Davidson is a significant concern, adding to their challenges this season.
Portland Thorns climbed to twelfth place after a second consecutive 0-0 draw, this time against North Carolina. Mackenzie Arnold’s impressive goalkeeping performance secured a point, but they are still searching for their first win of the year.
Utah Royals remain in thirteenth place after a 3-0 defeat against Kansas City. Despite the loss, Mandy McGlynn’s performance in goal was noteworthy, given the team’s considerable injury issues.
Chicago Stars FC remains at the bottom of the table in fourteenth place after losing to Racing Louisville. They have yet to win a game, and their offensive struggles are a major concern. They will need to significantly improve in the coming weeks.
