Can you believe it? Seven matches for matchday 22 and there were seven winners. Yes, you read that correctly, there were no draws this past week of games.
Will that have a huge impact in our latest NWSL Power Rankings? Absolutely.
14. Bay FC
Result: 0-2 loss vs Houston Dash | Next: October 4 at Portland Thorns
Bay FC are winless in their past 11 matches, accumulating four points during that span.
What is the club’s direction moving forward? This offseason will be crucial.
13. Chicago Stars
Result: 1-4 loss at KC Current | Next: October
5 vs Utah Royals
After a seven-game unbeaten streak, they’ve lost consecutive games.
A 1-4 road loss to KC Current shouldn’t deter folks from believing that this squad has improved significantly over the past few months and will be one to watch in 2026.
12. Angel City FC
Result: 0-1 loss at Racing Louisville | Next: October 6 vs Kansas City Current
After the 0-1 loss at Racing Louisville, they’ve now dropped three of their last four.
Mark Parsons and the front office have made it clear that they’re going to address the issues in midfield. After bringing in Nealy Martin, they’ve now traded for star midfielder Hina Sugita from Portland Thorns.
Captain and legend Ali Riley has also announced her retirement.
With time running out, they’ll likely need to win out to have any chance of making the playoffs, starting with KC Current…
11. Utah Royals
Result: 2-0 win at Bay FC | Next: October 5 at Chicago Stars
URFC have done it again with a 2-0 road win at Bay FC.. They are unbeaten in their last seven (4-3-0).
Aisha Solórzano made more history by becoming the first Guatemalan to score a goal in the NWSL.
The Utah Royals are in-form and playing like one of the best teams in the league.
10. Houston Dash (-4)
Result: 0-4 loss at Washington Spirit | Next: October 3 vs Orlando Pride
One of their worst performances of the season, when they could least afford it.
They’re now three points below the playoff line.
Can they quickly recover and pick up three much-needed points at home vs Orlando Pride?
9. North Carolina Courage (-2)
Result: 1-2 loss at Seattle Reign | Next: October 4 vs Racing Louisville
It looked like they were on their way to a third consecutive win before allowing two late goals on the road against Seattle Reign. Once again, they’re below the playoff line.
That’s the difference between them being in the playoff picture or out of it right now – they trail Racing Louisville by a single point. The two teams will now face off each other this weekend…
8. Racing Louisville (+1)
Result: 1-0 win vs Angel City FC | Next: October 4 at North Carolina Courage
After going winless their past four matches (0-1-3), Bev Yanez and Racing Louisville came through with the 1-0 win versus Angel City FC. Sarah Weber’s 66th minute goal was the difference and they held up defensively to secure all three points.
The real test comes this week when they face off against ninth ranked NC Courage. Can they separate themselves in the playoff race or will they drop below the line again?
7. Portland Thorns (-2)
Result: 0-3 loss at NJ/NY Gotham FC | Next: October 4 vs Bay FC
With injuries mounting, the Portland Thorns inserted three new starters into the starting XI. Unfortunately, the result was abysmal. They’ve generated an xG of 0.2 – credit to NJ/NY Gotham FC who suffocated them with their press and effort all match long.
They’ve now allowed at least one goal in nine straight matches.
The team have now traded for defender M.A. Vignola in hopes of making a late playoff push.
With Christine Sinclair’s jersey retirement coming up this weekend, can the team rediscover their form?
6. Orlando Pride (+4)
Result: 2-1 win at San Diego Wave | Next: October 3 at Houston Dash
For the first time in over three months, they’ve picked up a win. It took them 10 matches, but they did it in impressive fashion with a road victory over San Diego Wave.
Is this the Orlando Pride side that we’ll be seeing the rest of the season?
5. San Diego Wave (-1)
Result: 1-2 loss vs Orlando Pride | Next: October 5 at Washington Spirit
If you’re just worried about their attack, be sure to add the defense too.
For the third time in four games, they’ve allowed two or more goals. This time, they allowed two goals to a struggling Orlando Pride side at home.
4. Seattle Reign (+4)
Result: 2-1 win vs North Carolina Courage | Next: October 5 at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Even with an xG of just 0.2, they managed to score at least two goals for the first time in seven matches.
How clutch is rookie Maddie Dahlien? All four of her goals this season are game-winners.
Seattle Reign have won two of their last three and are now in position to host a playoff match.
The attack is still a major concern as they’ve generated an xG of 0.8 or lower in five of their past six games – only four goals were scored in that span.
3. NJ/NY Gotham FC (+3)
Result: 3-0 win vs Portland Thorns | Next: October 5 vs Seattle Reign
NJ/NY Gotham FC are playing their best football of the season and it has come at the best time. They’re now unbeaten in the last six (4-2-0).
They dominated Portland Thorns 3-0 and beat them in every aspect of the game.
Also, don’t look now, but Rose Lavelle is back! She has five goal contributions (three goals and two assists) in the last five matches.
They’re one of the few contenders for the NWSL Championship.
2. Washington Spirit
Result: 4-0 win vs Houston Dash | Next: October 5 vs San Diego Wave
The Washington Spirit are now on a 10-game unbeaten streak (4-6-0) and became the second team in NWSL to clinch a playoff spot.
Gift Monday scored the fastest hat trick by a starter in NWSL history, in just 36 minutes.
Are we destined for a Spirit and Current NWSL Championship final?
1. Kansas City Current
Result: 4-1 win vs Chicago Stars | Next: October 6 vs Angel City FC
What else is there to say about this team? They cannot be stopped.
They just had four different goalscorers lead them to a comfortable 4-1 win over Chicago Stars.
Temwa Chawinga is on pace for another Golden Boot and MVP.
