The NWSL landscape just got a massive shake-up! While everyone anticipated a dominant season from the usual suspects, the Utah Royals have defied all expectations, rocketing to the top of our power rankings. This past week delivered shocking upsets, inspiring comebacks, and undeniable star power across the league.
Key Takeaways from a Wild Week
- Utah Royals claim the top spot with stunning consistency, surprising the entire league.
- San Diego Wave make a huge leap, not just in our rankings, but now sitting first in the overall NWSL standings!
- Mallory Swanson's highly anticipated return couldn't save the Chicago Stars from another heavy defeat.
- Kansas City Current roar back into playoff contention thanks to Temwa Chawinga's sensational scoring spree.
1. Utah Royals: The Unstoppable Ascent
Who saw this coming?! The Utah Royals have seized the top spot in our power rankings, proving their consistency is no fluke. They snatched a crucial 2-1 victory against Racing Louisville, with Mina Tanaka delivering the late winner. Currently sitting second in the league standings with 20 points from a 6-2-2 record, the Royals are undoubtedly the hottest team in the NWSL.
2. Portland Thorns: A Minor Stumble
After a commanding run, the Portland Thorns slide down to second. Their 0-0 draw against Angel City marked their first tie of the season. Despite this slight blip, the Thorns remain a formidable force, tied with the Royals at 20 points and a 6-2-2 record, holding third place in the overall standings. They'll be eager to regain their winning momentum.
3. Kansas City Current: Chawinga's Reignited Spark
The Kansas City Current are back with a vengeance, leaping three spots to third! Their dominant 3-0 win over the Houston Dash was largely due to the electrifying return of Temwa Chawinga, who netted a brace. With 5 goals in just two games, Chawinga is proving to be the missing piece. The Current are now 6th in the league with 15 points and a 5-4-0 record, firmly back in the playoff picture.
4. San Diego Wave: Riding the Wave to First
What a week for the San Diego Wave! Surging from fifth to fourth in our rankings, they also made an incredible leap to first place in the overall NWSL standings. Their impressive 2-1 home victory against the Washington Spirit was powered by goals from Trinity Byars and Kimmi Ascanio. With 21 points and a 7-3-0 record, the Wave are setting the pace for the rest of the league.
5. Washington Spirit: Road Woes Continue
The Washington Spirit take a tumble from third to fifth after a tough 2-1 loss on the road to the San Diego Wave. Despite Rebeca Bernal leveling the score in the 33rd minute after an early deficit, the Spirit couldn't hold on for a point. This result highlights their struggles away from home and will be a key area for improvement.
6. Gotham FC: Champions Grind Out Results
The reigning champions, Gotham FC, may have slipped two spots in our rankings, but they secured a vital 2-0 road win against Seattle Reign. The match was highlighted by Tierna Davidson's emotional first goal since her ACL injury, with Jaedyn Shaw also finding the net. Gotham continues to show their championship pedigree, finding ways to win even when not at their free-flowing best.
7. North Carolina Courage: Attacking Masterclass
A massive jump for the North Carolina Courage, soaring four places to seventh! They put on an attacking masterclass, dismantling the Chicago Stars 4-0 with four different players getting on the scoresheet. Ashley Sanchez bagged her sixth goal in nine games, hot on the heels of Barbra Banda in the Golden Boot race. The Courage look like a team hitting their stride.
8. Seattle Reign FC: Defensive Strength, Offensive Drought
The Seattle Reign FC hold steady at eighth, despite a 2-0 home loss to Gotham FC. Their defense, anchored by Sofia Huerta and Claudia Dickey, remains solid, but consistent attacking production continues to be their Achilles' heel. Goals from Jaedyn Shaw and Tierna Davidson were enough to break their resolute backline.
9. Orlando Pride: Banda Needs Backup
The Orlando Pride fall two spots to ninth, losing 3-1 to Denver Summit. Once again, Barbra Banda was the sole bright spot, scoring her ninth goal in just 10 games. While Banda is a scoring machine, the Pride desperately need other players to step up and contribute if they want to escape the mid-table battle.
10. Angel City: Close, But No Goals
Angel City slides to tenth after a 0-0 draw against the Portland Thorns. They consistently get close to being a truly dangerous team, with talents like Riley Tiernan and Taylor Suarez leading the line. However, the final product in front of goal remains frustratingly absent, hindering their postseason aspirations.
11. Houston Dash: Inconsistent Performances
Despite a 3-0 loss to the surging Kansas City Current, the Houston Dash move up one spot to eleventh. They started the season strong but have struggled with consistency, unable to find answers for Temwa Chawinga. With a 3-5-1 overall record, they sit in 13th place in the league, needing to rediscover their early season form.
12. Denver Summit: Quietly Climbing
The expansion side, Denver Summit, are quietly making moves, jumping two places to twelfth! Their impressive 3-1 victory over the Orlando Pride saw Janine Sonis net a superb brace. The Summit now sit seventh in the overall league standings with 12 points and a 3-3-3 record, proving they are dark horses for a playoff spot.
13. Bay FC: Searching for Wins
Bay FC slides three spots to thirteenth after a 1-1 draw against Boston Legacy. While Dorian Bailey provided a moment of brilliance with a goal, the team is still struggling to string together wins. They currently hold 10th place in the league with 11 points and a 3-3-2 record, needing a strong run to climb back into contention.
14. Boston Legacy: Defensive Fortress
Boston Legacy climbs one spot to fourteenth. They are proving to be one of the toughest teams to break down in the NWSL, thanks to their relentless, full-team press. Taking four points this week—a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride and a 1-1 draw against Bay FC—demonstrates their resilient approach.
15. Racing Louisville: Talent Yet to Ignite
Racing Louisville slips to fifteenth, continuing to underperform despite a roster filled with promising talent. Their 2-1 loss to the Utah Royals saw Kayla Fischer briefly equalize, only for Mina Tanaka to snatch the winner for Utah. The potential is there, but consistent results are proving elusive.
16. Chicago Stars: A Season of Struggle
It's another tough week for the Chicago Stars, who remain rooted at the bottom in sixteenth place. Even the highly anticipated return of USWNT star Mallory Swanson couldn't prevent a heavy 4-0 defeat against the North Carolina Courage. With just 6 points from a 2-8-0 record, the Stars face a challenging road ahead.
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