NWSL Power Rankings: Current Shows of Championship Credentials

It’s Monday and another week of NWSL action is coming up, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.

Our rankings are based on a combination of key seasonal statistics (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference), recent performances, the Opta computer ratings and the observations of our writers.

Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in freefall? Our writers and statistical models have ranked all 14 clubs in the competition after Matchday 20. Let’s dive in.

Previous ranking: 1

Next match: Friday at Bay FC, 10:30pm ET

The Pride ran away with a scoreless draw against the Current in one of their toughest remaining games of the season. While they may rue a missed opportunity or two, they played well in a game that should serve as a good preparation for the play-offs and took a big step towards finishing the season undefeated.

Previous ranking: 2

Next match: Friday on Kansas City Current, 8:00 p.m. ET

Ashley Hatch took center stage early in the game with a brace in the first 26 minutes, but Trinity Rodman stole the show with her absolutely obscene goal as the Spirit cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Dash. It’s remarkable how quickly Rodman, already one of the best in the world at just 22, continues to improve her game and you can expect her to be the center of attention again on Friday during the highly anticipated trip to Kansas City.

Previous ranking: 3

Next match: Friday vs. Washington Spirit, 8:00 p.m. ET

Going to Orlando and coming away with a point is always a job well done, but this was an exceptionally good draw for KC. They showed they can play the type of tight, gruelling game they need to when the play-offs begin. We already know they can be a dynamic attacking team and the addition of Almuth Schult, who was sensational in goal, helps them develop the defensive prowess to become a real championship contender.

Previous ranking: 4

Next match: Sunday vs. Utah Royals, 1:00 p.m. ET (live on ESPN+)

Gotham already showed they can handle back-to-back NWSL/Concacaf W Champions Cups, winning back-to-back a week ago. Now they must do it again, with a Monday night game against Seattle before taking on Monterrey on Thursday. A win over the Reign moves the Bats into third place.

Previous ranking: 5

Next match: Saturday at Racing Louisville, 7:30 p.m. ET

Ashley Sanchez became the first player in NWSL history to score against every active club, with her goal ensuring the Courage would pick up a point against Bay FC. North Carolina extended their unbeaten home streak to 19 games, but they likely needed a win if they wanted to climb into the top four before the end of the season and earn a home playoff spot.

Previous ranking: 6

Next match: Friday vs. Orlando Pride, 10:30pm ET

Bay scored early in a textbook game that began with a push to force a turnover, quick progression in transition and, eventually, a good pass from Tess Boade for Asisat Oshoala to tap home. Unfortunately, they followed that up with a poor giveaway that allowed the Courage to level the score. It was the type of up-and-down game that typically characterizes an expansion team and resulted in the first draw in the club’s history. All in all, a point on the other side of the country is a good result and Bay still hold on to eighth place.

Previous ranking: 8

Next match: Saturday at Houston Dash, 8:30pm

The Reign’s rocky start to the season is now over, thanks to a seven-game unbeaten run. If they can hold on to Gotham on Monday and win their fourth in a row, they’ll move within two points of a playoff spot. That would put them on the verge of a turnaround for the ages, but Sofia Huerta’s departure will make things tough.

Previous ranking: 9

Next match: Saturday vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. ET

Racing made two big moves last month when they signed Bethany Balcer and Janine Beckie in hopes that the duo could take their offense to the next level. Those moves paid off on Saturday, when the two new faces scored phenomenal goals to earn a 2-1 victory over Angel City. If Balcer and Beckie can hold up, Louisville could close out a three-point deficit to eighth place and secure its first playoff berth in club history.

Previous ranking: 7

Next match: Monday at Angel City FC, 10pm ET

It was a big week for Morgan Weaver, who signed a new contract in Portland and then made her long-awaited return after a four-month injury. Mackenzie Arnold also had a nice moment with a penalty save, but things didn’t go so well for the rest of the team as the Thorns lost to Chicago. They have now lost four games in a row and have scored just four goals in their last eight games.

Previous ranking: 11

Next match: Saturday vs. San Diego Wave, 9:30 p.m. ET

The Red Stars snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive win in Portland. They were particularly good when playing with pace, using their pressure to set up Ally Schlegel’s goal and then quickly going over the top to draw a penalty, but things took a turn for the worse when Mallory Swanson injured his shoulder. Here’s hoping she’s OK and can help Chicago retain their playoff spot.

Previous ranking: 10

Next match: Monday vs. Portland Thorns, 10pm ET

ACFC have a tough schedule to close out their season, so a win over non-playoff team Racing on Saturday would have been huge. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. They were largely powerless after an early score and suffered a 2-1 loss that put their playoff chances in real jeopardy. Angel City sit four points behind eighth place and have played four of their last six games against the top six teams.

Previous ranking: 13

Next match: Saturday at Chicago Red Stars, 9:30pm ET

Scoring 26 seconds after kickoff goes a long way to ending a 12-game winless streak, and Amirah Ali’s early goal did just that. Add another goal five minutes later and the Wave were on their way to their first win since May 8. Somehow, San Diego is just six points out of a playoff spot and they still have the Concacaf W Champions Cup, so there’s plenty to play for for the Wave. It’s time to find out if Landon Donovan is orchestrating a turnaround or if this was a one-off.

Previous ranking: 12

Next match: Sunday at NJ/NY Gotham FC, 1:00 p.m. ET (live on ESPN+)

It’s one thing to have your four-game unbeaten streak snapped by a good Kansas City team away, but to follow that up by losing at home to San Diego, who hadn’t won since May, is a real kick in the face. Utah gave up two goals in the first six minutes and while they deserve credit for trying to fight back, any good vibes from their late-summer surge are surely gone now.

Previous ranking: 14

Next match: Saturday vs. Seattle Reign FC, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Dash were soundly defeated once again as they gave away the ball, the territory and the chances in a 3-0 loss to the Spirit, extending their winless streak to nine games. As if that wasn’t bad enough, seven of those have been losses and they have scored a total of two goals in that streak. Houston could mathematically be eliminated from the playoffs before we even get to October.