It’s Monday, and with another weekend of the 2026 NWSL regular season completed, ESPN presents its latest Power Rankings.
Which teams are projected to rise in the standings? Who might be on their way down? Our analysts reviewed the events from Matchday 22 to determine this week’s rankings for all 16 teams in the league. Let’s take a closer look.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: vs. Chicago Stars FC (Friday, Sep. 25, 8 p.m. ET)
Gotham emerged victorious over the North Carolina Courage with a 2-1 win in Cary. Jordynn Dudley scored her first career brace, securing Gotham’s victory in a match where neither team clearly dominated. The winning goal came during stoppage time in the second half, marking Gotham’s first consecutive wins after a three-game dry spell. They now sit six points clear at the top.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: at Racing Louisville FC (Friday, Sep. 25, 6.30 p.m. ET)
San Diego Wave defeated Kansas City Current 2-0 at home, initially taking the lead with an own goal before sealing their win with a goal in the 90+1′ minute. The Wave showcased their possession style and successfully navigated through the Current’s pressure, achieving their second win in a row and moving up to third place in the standings.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: vs. Angel City FC (Saturday, Sep. 26, 6.30 p.m. ET)
Washington Spirit secured a dominant 3-0 victory against the Chicago Stars away from home. The match never seemed in doubt, as the Spirit scored early in the seventh minute thanks to Trinity Rodman, and Andi Sullivan converted a penalty before halftime. Tamara Bolt capped off the performance with her first NWSL goal late in the game, solidifying Washington’s position in second and overshadowing their previous week’s surprising 3-0 loss to Boston.
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: at Kansas City Current (Saturday, Sep. 26, 12.30 p.m. ET)
Denver Summit triumphed over Seattle Reign with a 2-1 win on home turf. Goals right before and after halftime from Delanie Sheehan and Tash Flint, respectively, made the difference. This victory extended Denver’s unbeaten streak to five games, marking them as one of the hottest teams as they push toward the playoffs.
1:18
Denver Summit FC vs. Seattle Reign FC – Game Highlights
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: vs. Houston Dash (Saturday, Sep. 26, 8.45 p.m. ET)
The Portland Thorns overwhelmed the Orlando Pride with a 4-1 scoreline on the road. Four different players scored for the Thorns, but the standout moment was Morgan Weaver’s first goal after a lengthy recovery from injury. Portland’s victory ended a three-match winless streak, providing a much-needed boost after dropping points against Chicago last week.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: at Washington Spirit (Saturday, Sep. 26, 6.30 p.m. ET)
Angel City secured a 3-0 win against the Utah Royals away. Ally Sentnor’s penalty kick opened the scoring in the 26th minute, followed by goals from Taylor Suarez and Sveindís Jónsdóttir in the second half, sealing an emphatic victory against a Utah team that played with nine players for over an hour. With four wins in five matches, Angel City is above the playoff line for the first time in six weeks.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: vs. Boston Legacy FC (Friday, Sep. 25, 8.30 p.m. ET)
The Seattle Reign faced a 2-1 loss against Denver Summit on Saturday night. Brittany Ratcliffe scored for Seattle after they had gone down by two, but the result didn’t change the outcome. This marked back-to-back losses for Seattle, and the upcoming clash with Boston is critical for their playoff aspirations.
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: vs. Denver Summit FC (Saturday, Sep. 26, 12.30 p.m. ET)
The Kansas City Current were defeated 2-0 by the San Diego Wave in a disappointing match, where they struggled to convert chances despite nearly matching their opponents in shots. An own goal and a late red card further complicated their situation as they remain precariously close to playoff elimination with only five games left.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: vs. North Carolina Courage (Sunday, Sep. 27, 7.00 p.m. ET)
The Royals faced a tough game, playing with only nine players for over an hour, resulting in a 3-0 home loss. This defeat places them in fifth position, tied with Portland, marking their lowest ranking since Week 13. The early red cards dictated the flow of the match, leaving little room for commentary on their performance.
1:17
Utah Royals vs. Angel City FC – Game Highlights
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: at Utah Royals (Sunday, Sep. 27, 7.00 p.m. ET)
North Carolina Courage fell 2-1 to Gotham at home, marked by a series of near-equalizing goals that were called off for offside. Natalia Staude finally found the net in the 69th minute, yet their hopes were dashed when they conceded in the 91st minute. This defeat marks two consecutive losses for the Courage, an unfortunate trend as the end of the season approaches, though there’s no immediate cause for alarm.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: at Seattle Reign FC (Friday, Sep. 25, 8.30 p.m. ET)
Boston Legacy fell to the Houston Dash with a score of 2-1 on their home field. Aïssata Traoré’s 10th goal of the season equalized the match in the 59th minute, but a crucial error by goalkeeper Casey Murphy in the 85th minute cost them dearly. Having come off two wins, this surprising defeat against a struggling Houston side was disappointing.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: at Bay FC (Sunday, Sep. 27, 5.00 p.m. ET)
Orlando Pride fell 4-1 against Portland Thorns at home. Ally Lemos’ first career goal provided a small consolation, but it was insufficient as the Pride have only one win in their last four matches, jeopardizing their playoff chances. Interim head coach Yolanda Thomas summed it up succinctly post-match: “It’s just a tough result.”
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: vs. Orlando Pride (Sunday, Sep. 27, 5.00 p.m. ET)
Bay FC secured a 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville at home, with goals from Alex Pfeiffer and Karlie Lema in the second half. This decisive performance not only halted Bay’s winless streak but also helped them climb the standings in what has been a challenging season for them.
1:15
Bay FC vs. Racing Louisville FC – Game Highlights
Previous ranking: 16
Next match: at Portland Thorns FC (Saturday, Sep. 26, 8.45 p.m. ET)
Houston Dash managed a 2-1 victory over Boston Legacy on the road. Danielle Colaprico and Messiah Bright’s goals helped the Dash snap a four-game losing streak, yet they remain eight points away from a playoff spot, casting doubt over their postseason dreams.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match:vs. San Diego Wave FC (Friday, Sep. 25, 6.30 p.m. ET)
Racing Louisville suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bay FC. The match highlighted their struggles in attack, as they only managed two shots on target, and it marked their 25th game without a shutout, setting an NWSL record. Their playoff chances appear increasingly slim.
Previous ranking: 15
Next match: at Gotham FC (Friday, Sep. 25, 8 p.m. ET)
The Chicago Stars faced a challenging match, losing 3-0 to Washington Spirit at home. Chicago’s struggles continued as they recorded just 40 passes in the final third, reflecting significant issues offensively. With only one win in their last twelve matches, they’ll need to turn things around quickly with first-place Gotham coming up next.
Fan Take: The shifting Power Rankings highlight the competitive nature of the NWSL, showcasing how quickly fortunes can change as the regular season nears its end. For soccer fans, these developments not only intensify the playoff race but also raise expectations for future matches and player performances ahead of the postseason.
Source: www.espn.com
