It’s Sunday, which means another exciting round of NWSL action has concluded, and it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which teams are moving up? Which are struggling? Our writers analyzed all the action from Matchday 25 to present this week’s rankings for all 14 teams in the league. Let’s jump in!
Last ranking: 1
The Current suffered a 1-0 defeat against the Houston Dash on Saturday, but the bigger concern is the injury to their star player, Temwa Chawinga, who was carried off the field after a non-contact injury in the first half. While her upper leg injury is not confirmed to be severe, Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski expressed concern, leaving fans anxious about her recovery.
Last ranking: 2
The Washington Spirit are facing a tough week. First, Trinity Rodman suffered a knee injury in a midweek Concacaf Champions Cup match against Monterrey. Following this, they lost to Orlando Pride on Saturday, where a late deflection turned a halftime lead into a 3-2 loss. The primary concern now is Rodman’s uncertain return, overshadowing their first defeat in over four months.
Last ranking: 4
Any doubts regarding Marta and her ability to impact the game at 39 should be dispelled by her performance in Orlando’s 3-2 victory over Washington. The iconic Brazilian player was instrumental, forcing an own goal and converting the game-winning penalty. Her halftime introduction proved crucial for Orlando, helping them finally defeat a Washington team that had gone undefeated since June. No surprises there!
Last ranking: 3
The matchup between NJ/NY Gotham and Racing Louisville was tactically predictable, with Gotham dominating possession at home. Despite holding nearly twice as many passes, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. However, Gotham’s point secured them a spot in the playoffs, which is the silver lining in a hard-fought battle.
Last ranking: 5
Olivia Moultrie continues her impressive form, netting four goals in three games. The 20-year-old midfielder scored twice in Portland’s 2-0 win over Angel City, converting a long-range shot and a penalty. With her leading the charge and a solid defense backing her up, the Portland Thorns have secured their playoff spot this weekend.
Last ranking: 7
In a historic performance, the Wave scored six goals in a single match for the first time, crushing the Chicago Stars 6-1 at Snapdragon Stadium. The team dominated offensively, frequently threatening in Chicago’s zone. Thanks to this remarkable display, the Wave are headed to the postseason.
Last ranking: 6
Seattle secured their playoff berth with a 2-1 victory against the Utah Royals on Friday. Although the Reign struggled to create multiple chances, a goal from Ainsley McCammon right before halftime and a penalty from Sofia Huerta sealed the scoring. Despite being one of the league’s less secure defenses in 2025, this victory could serve as a confidence booster with the playoffs approaching.
Last ranking: 9
Once again, Manaka Matsukubo shined for the Courage, leading her team to a 4-1 victory over Bay FC with a hat trick—despite missing a penalty that could have made it four goals. Matsukubo has been a crucial player for her team throughout the year, ranking second in league goal contributions and consistently challenging opponents.
Last ranking: 8
A road win against Gotham would have secured Racing Louisville’s playoff spot, but they settled for a 2-2 draw, putting their postseason hopes on the line for their final regular season match next month. The late equalizer by Rose Lavelle ensured Louisville’s battle continues.
Last ranking: 11
The Houston Dash struggled against the Kansas City Current, being outshot 20 to 6, yet managed to secure a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Ryan Gareis shortly after coming off the bench. This win kept them in the playoff race, although other results around the league meant they missed this year’s postseason.
Last ranking: 10
With playoff hopes dashed before facing the Portland Thorns, Angel City appeared lackluster in their 2-0 defeat on Sunday. Due to Racing Louisville’s earlier draw, their season concluded before the match, with a disappointing brace against Moultrie capping a rough year.
Last ranking: 12
Utah’s three-game winning streak now feels like a distant memory, especially after their unbeaten run ended last weekend against San Diego. Following a 2-1 loss in Seattle, the Royals have entered a losing streak and, now out of playoff contention, struggled to perform well against the Reign.
Last ranking: 13
Bay FC’s lack of motivation was evident in their poor performance on Friday against the North Carolina Courage, falling 4-1. With no playoff ambitions, their sloppy display featured numerous turnovers and mistakes, particularly in goal from Jordan Silkowitz, leading to an early deficit they failed to overcome.
Last ranking: 14
In this playoff-less stretch, the Chicago Stars are utilizing this time to find future talent. However, their brutal 6-1 loss against San Diego on Saturday offers little encouragement for 2026 and beyond. Their inability to compete in the first third and lack of effectiveness in attack marks a need for significant improvement moving forward.