It’s Tuesday, and the 2026 NWSL regular season is in full swing, making it the perfect moment for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which teams are poised for a rise in the standings? Which ones face the risk of slipping down? Our team of writers analyzed the events from Matchday 4 to determine this week’s ranking of all 16 teams in the league. Let’s take a look.
– Discover the top U21 women’s soccer players globally.
– USWNT transfer evaluations: Rodman, Heaps, Macario, and others
– Denver Summit sets a new attendance record in NWSL
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Saturday, April 25 at Denver Summit, 8:45 p.m. ET
Jonas Eidevall’s squad has secured four consecutive victories, including two matches with clean sheets. With a game-winning goal from Ludmila in the 63rd minute, the Wave triumphed over Boston 1-0, firmly establishing themselves at the top of the table. They currently lead the league in both xG (expected goals) and xA (expected assists) after Matchday 4.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Sunday, April 26 at Angel City FC, 6 p.m. ET (watch live on ESPN)
Portland’s match against North Carolina saw plenty of action, ending in a 2-2 draw after the team lost their lead twice. Sophia Wilson, who started her second game since returning from maternity leave, is still searching for her first goal of 2026. A positive note for Portland is Olivia Moultrie’s fourth goal contribution of the season.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Sunday, April 26 vs. Portland Thorns, 6 p.m. ET (watch live on ESPN)
Angel City’s schedule has grown tougher, leading to a close match against Orlando. Just when they thought they might salvage a point, a chaotic moment in the 98th minute led to Haley McCutcheon‘s dramatic game-winner, resulting in a 2-1 defeat for head coach Alexander Straus. Is this a cause for concern for a team currently ranked 14th and struggling with dual success rates and xG?
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Sunday, April 26 vs. Utah Royals, 8 p.m. ET
Seattle managed a goalless draw against Denver, which wasn’t the home result they had hoped for after being outshot 18 to 13. Following two recent victories, this result brought a halt to head coach Laura Harvey’s momentum. Nevertheless, Seattle’s Sam Meza deserves recognition for her impressive defensive performance, winning 10 out of 12 ground duels and completing all seven of her tackles.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Friday, April 24 at Racing Louisville, 5:30 p.m. ET
Orlando made an impressive statement with its 2-1 victory over Angel City, reflecting its competitive spirit and determination. The team is clearly eager to score, with a total of 83 attempts over five matches, and they’re gaining momentum with a four-game unbeaten streak.
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Saturday, April 25 vs. North Carolina Courage, 8 p.m. ET
Houston’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Louisville featured a staggering four penalties, with the game-winner coming in the 99th minute. Kiki Van Zanten scored twice, bringing her season total to four goals.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Saturday, April 25 vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 1 p.m. ET
Bay FC continues to lag behind other top teams this season, suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Washington Spirit. The California side managed just 37.8% possession and was outshot 20-6. Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz was a standout performer, making nine saves in the match.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Friday, April 24 at Kansas City Current, 8 p.m. ET
Washington broke its four-game winless streak with a 2-0 victory against Bay. An 86th-minute goal from Gift Monday, following an own goal, helped turn the tide. Washington boasts the second-highest xG and xA in the league.
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday, April 25 at Houston Dash, 8 p.m. ET
Despite drawing 2-2 with Portland, North Carolina is now without victory for three consecutive games. Their aspirations for the 2026 season may not be overly ambitious, but with a game in hand, they are only one point shy of the playoff zone.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Saturday, April 25 vs. San Diego Wave, 8:45 p.m. ET
While they remain stagnant in ranking after a 0-0 draw in Seattle, the expansion team has yet to earn a win. With three draws in their last four matches, improvement is necessary. They currently rank 14th for shots on target, managing to convert only 27.1% of their total 48 shots.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Friday, April 24 vs. Washington Spirit, 8 p.m. ET
Welcome back to Temwa Chawinga. While the 2025 NWSL Shield winners saw contributions from goal scorers Debinha and Michelle Cooper, Chawinga’s return (with an assist) marked a positive moment for the KC team, who secured their second win of the season against Gotham 2-1.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday, April 25 vs. Bay FC, 1 p.m. ET
In what was a challenging matchup against Kansas City, the 2025 champions fell short, losing 2-1, with their sole goal coming from Jaedyn Shaw. This loss marks just their second goal of the season. Their performance metrics are concerning, ranking 13th for xG, 12th for shots on target, and 13th for on-target percentage, indicating a pressing need for improvement under coach Juan Carlos Amorós.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Sunday, April 26 at Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. ET
Utah celebrated a 1-0 victory over Chicago, showcasing their dominance despite the single-score result. With back-to-back wins following Mina Tanaka‘s second goal of the year, they’ve moved into seventh place. The Royals may not be the most visually striking team, but their stats show they are competitive in duel success rates and aerial duels.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Friday, April 24 vs. Orlando Pride, 5:30 p.m. ET
Injuries are proving detrimental for Racing, leading to a 4-3 loss against Houston. While they managed to score three goals, the defeat confirms their third loss in four matches—an alarming statistic considering the ten goals they’ve conceded this season.
Previous ranking: 15
Next match: Saturday, April 25 at Chicago Stars FC, 6:30 p.m. ET
For this expansion team, patience is essential, as highlighted by their performance against San Diego, which culminated in a 1-0 loss at home to Boston. The promising first-half efforts faded, revealing considerable growing pains for a team still seeking its footing in the NWSL.
Previous ranking: 16
Next match: Saturday, April 25 vs. Boston Legacy FC, 6:30 p.m. ET
The struggles continue for Chicago, which fell to Utah 1-0 while being outshot 27 to 3, extending their losing streak to three games. With 11 goals conceded this season, the team holds the record for the worst defensive performance in the NWSL, relying heavily on goalkeeper Katie Lund, who made eight crucial saves. Although it’s premature to predict the season’s trajectory, Chicago’s current struggles seem apparent.