14. Bay FC (-1)
Result: 1-2 loss vs Angel City FC | Next: September 6 vs Kansas City Current
Bay FC are winless in their past seven matches, accumulating two points during that span.
Their last win came on June 7 against Portland Thorns.
And now? They’ll have to do it without Asisat Oshoala…
The positive? From an xG perspective, they’ve generated more than the opposition during this entire seven-game span.
13. Utah Royals (+1)
Result: 2-1
win at Portland Thorns | Next: September 6 at North Carolina Courage
The Utah Royals are starting to figure it out and made it clear with a 2-1 upset win at Providence Park versus Portland Thorns. That is now four results in the past five matches (1-3-1).
The attack? They generated their highest xG all season: 2.0.
Also, how could you not spotlight goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn who had 11 saves and nearly another clean sheet.
12. Chicago Stars
Result: 1-1 draw at Washington Spirit | Next: September 7 vs Orlando Pride
The Chicago Stars are now unbeaten in their past five (all draws) and they did it in comeback fashion once again.
After being named the NWSL Player of the Week, Ludmila was also named NWSL Player of the Month.
In the 67th minute, she scored to level proceedings and gave her team another strong result.
If you see this team on the schedule, watch out!
11. North Carolina Courage (-1)
Result: 0-2 loss at Kansas City Current | Next: September 6 vs Utah Royals
They are now winless in their last five, dropped to 10th in the table, and three points below the playoff line.
It was a respectable result to KC Current who are on a historic run.
This is a crucial week as they host an improving Utah Royals side, where NC Courage desperately need all three points.
10. Houston Dash (-2)
Result: 1-1 draw at Racing Louisville | Next: September 7 at San Diego Wave
Another week, another result for Houston Dash.
The late-game magic is back! Evelina Duljan equalized in stoppage time to extend their unbeaten streak to five (1-4-0).
Unfortunately they have dropped to 11th in the table and four points below the playoff line. They’ll need to start converting these draws into wins before time runs out.
The improved play provides a ton of hope the remainder of 2025 and going into 2026.
Can Houston make a late-season push into the playoffs?
9. Angel City FC (+2)
Result: 2-1 win vs Bay FC | Next: Sep 7 at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Alyssa Thompson heading to Chelsea via transfer will set the club back multiple seasons, at least. She was the face of the franchise and the player they were looking to guide them to shields and championships for the next decade.
Now, it’s the Riley Tiernan show.
Her latest goal was one of the very best you’ll ever see, dribbling and getting past seven defenders to give Angel City FC the 1-0 lead.
The Rookie of the Year favorite scored her eighth goal of the season. She has now broken the single season club record and has eight more matches to break the league record too.
ACFC have now won back-to-back matches and only one point below NJ/NY Gotham FC in the playoff chase.
8. NJ/NY Gotham FC (+1)
Result: 2-0 win at Orlando Pride | Next: September 7 vs Angel City
The 2-0 win road win against a shorthanded Orlando Pride side was extremely important for this club. That was also their first win since June and snapped a four game winless drought.
As long as you have NWSL MVP favorite, Esther González you are never out of any match or trophy chase.
She scored her 12th goal of the season and now they are one point above the playoff line.
7. Portland Thorns (-2)
Result: 1-2 loss vs Utah Royals | Next: September 5 at Racing Louisville
After their 10-game unbeaten streak at Providence Park was snapped by the top-ranked KC Current 0-2, the 14th ranked Utah Royals joined the party with a 2-1 upset win.
The Portland Thorns have now surrendered nine goals after the break and have allowed 2+ goals in four of their past five matches.
In positive news, Julie Dufour scored her first NWSL goal with an absolute golazo.
Also, they just added 18-year old Colombian international and phenom, Valerin Loboa who will provide a major boost.
Can the team avoid another late-season collapse?
6. Orlando Pride (-1)
Result: 0-2 loss vs NJ/NY Gotham FC | Next: September 7 at Chicago Stars
If you were not worried before, you should be now.
Without Barbra Banda, the attack has stalled.
Here are the troubling trends:
- Winless in their last six
- Four goals scored in past eight matches
- Combined xG of 2.2 in past three matches
Can Seb Hines and the Orlando Pride figure it out? Who will step up?
5. Seattle Reign (+1)
Result: 0-0 draw vs San Diego Wave | Next: September 7 at Washington Spirit
Another solid result for the Seattle Reign as they held the NWSL’s second-best attack scoreless.
The only concern about the Seattle Reign is the attack. Even with the big names they have on the roster, Seattle have been held below 1.1 xG in four of their past five matches.
However, the team has now improved to fifth in the table, fifth in goals scored, and fifth in fewest goals allowed.
4. Racing Louisville
Result: 1-1 draw vs Houston Dash | Next: September 5 vs Portland Thorns
Bev Yanez and Racing Louisville are so close to taking the next level… If this team can figure out how to close out matches, they are going to be dangerous in the playoffs.
For the third time in their last four matches, they conceded a late goal, this time against Houston Dash in stoppage time.
Make no mistake, this Racing side is completely different than all previous iterations. Now, they have another chance to make a statement against Portland Thorns at home.
3. San Diego Wave
Result: 0-0 draw at Seattle Reign | Next: September 7 vs Houston Dash
The San Diego Wave have been held scoreless four times in the last six matches – in that span they’ve scored only three goals.
The good news? Their defense have only conceded three times.
This is one of the most balanced teams in the NWSL, but the attack needs to wake up before more points are dropped.
2. Washington Spirit
Result: 1-1 draw vs Chicago Stars | Next: September 7 vs Seattle Reign
Not the result they wanted at home, but they are well on their way to hosting a first round playoff match.
The Washington Spirit are now unbeaten in their last six (2-4-0), but still have a lot of work to do to gain separation from San Diego Wave for the two seed.
1. Kansas City Current
Result: 2-0 win vs North Carolina Courage | Next: September 6 at Bay FC
KC Current just clinched a playoff spot before September and continue their historic run.
What else is there to say about this team? They are one of the best teams in NWSL history.
