It’s Monday, and the 2025 NWSL regular season has concluded, which means it’s time for ESPN’s playoff Power Rankings.
Which teams are best positioned for a successful postseason run? Our analysts analyzed the weekend’s games to rank all eight playoff contenders. Let’s get started.
Next match: Sunday vs. Gotham FC, 12:30 p.m. ET, ABC (watch live on ABC via ESPN)
Kansas City was the first to secure their playoff spot and also clinched home-field advantage through the semifinals, should they advance. The Current also shattered NWSL records this season, achieving the most points (65), the highest number of wins (21), the most away victories (10), and the most clean sheets (16) in a single season. In their final match against San Diego, they fell behind for the first time this year with a goal by Dudinha but came back to win 2-1, even without their Golden Boot winner, Temwa Chawinga, who is dealing with an injury. Her potential absence in the playoffs could be significant, but she hasn’t been ruled out. This is a concern for Gotham, who will face them next weekend, as the Current have numerous game-changing players.
Next match: Saturday vs. Racing Louisville, noon ET
Despite being plagued by injuries to their four leading scorers (with Gift Monday excused), the second-place Spirit ended their season with a 1-0 loss to Utah. They had already secured home advantage for the next round, but fans are eager to see Trinity Rodman return from her MCL injury. Outside of Kansas City, Washington has been the most consistently strong team in 2025, although their injury situation is one to monitor as the playoffs begin.
Next match: Friday vs. Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. ET
Continuing a troubling trend among the top teams, the reigning champions finished the season without their top scorer and last year’s Championship MVP, Barbra Banda. Her season-ending hip injury played a role in a concerning nine-game winless streak that the team snapped at the end of September. Following that victory against San Diego, Orlando remains undefeated in five regular-season matches (three wins, two draws), including victories over three top-6 teams: Washington, Portland, and San Diego. They closed the regular season with a 1-1 draw at home against Seattle. While the Pride aren’t in the same form as last year, they still possess the potential for a strong playoff showing.
Next match: Sunday vs. San Diego Wave, 3 p.m. ET, ABC (watch live on ABC via ESPN)
Portland secured home-field advantage in the postseason with a 2-0 win over Houston, finishing the year with three wins in their last four matches. On paper, that looks promising for the three-time champions. However, in the latter half of 2025, the Thorns managed only two wins, one draw, and four losses against playoff teams, including defeats to Orlando and Gotham in their last five games.
Next match: Sunday at Kansas City Current, 12:30 p.m. ET, ABC (watch live on ABC via ESPN)
Gotham entered their final match with the chance to secure home-field advantage with a top-four finish, but after a 3-2 loss against ninth-place North Carolina and other results in a tightly contested table, they ended up in eighth place. This is a crushing blow for the reigning champions, who will have to start their playoff journey on the road in Kansas City, where the record-setting Current remain undefeated this season. Players like Rose Lavelle are in excellent form, recently returning from international play (where she scored twice) and adding her third goal in five matches for Gotham. However, the team’s leading scorer, Esther González, finished on the injury list. Her 13 goals far surpass Lavelle’s five as the next top scorer, and fans will be eager to see if she can recover in time for the tough matchup against Kansas City.
Next match: Sunday at Portland Thorns, 3 p.m. ET, ABC (watch live on ABC via ESPN)
In Sunday’s match in Kansas City, 20-year-old Dudinha managed to score against fellow Brazil international Lorena, marking the first time this season that Kansas City fell behind at home. Dudinha’s current form is impressive, netting five goals in her last five games as the postseason approaches. Though San Diego lost 2-1 to the league leaders, they are gaining momentum after a rough patch that included a seven-game winless streak (five losses, two draws) beginning in mid-August.
Next match: Friday at Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. ET
Gotham is not the only team with a penchant for draws this season. Seattle also ended the year with a 1-1 tie against the reigning champions Orlando. Securing their ninth draw of the season came thanks to a late equalizer from 19-year-old Jordyn Bugg in the 79th minute. While a draw is better than a loss, a win could have given them home-field advantage and a more favorable matchup in the playoffs. Instead, they’ll face Orlando again to kick off their playoff journey.
Next match: Saturday at Washington Spirit, noon ET
Finally, the streak is over. Racing Louisville made history with a 1-0 victory against Bay FC on Sunday, securing a playoff spot for the first time in five years and avoiding a fifth consecutive ninth-place finish. A solitary goal from rookie Ella Hase, marking her NWSL debut goal at a crucial moment, propelled them to D.C. for their first-ever playoff game. The Spirit promise to be a tough challenge, and while Audi Field will provide a home advantage, Louisville’s historic momentum could give this resilient team a chance to surprise in the District.