There were so many marquee games for matchday 23 and it did not disappoint one bit.
Emma Sears makes a statement for MVP, Olivia Moultrie continues her dominance with set pieces, and KC Current make even more history.
Which teams took care of business? Time to find out.
14. Bay FC
Result: 1-2 loss at Portland Thorns | Next: October 10 at Seattle Reign
Bay FC are now winless in their past 12 matches (four points).
With the playoffs out of reach, it’s time for the club to put an emphasis on minutes for the young players
and see what they have.
13. Chicago Stars
Result: 2-2 draw vs Utah Royals | Next: October 10 at Racing Louisville
They stopped their two-game slide, with a comeback draw against an in-form Utah Royals side.
In the 83rd minute, Ivonne Chacón scored her first ever NWSL goal for Chicago Stars.
To complete the comeback in the 86th, 17-year-old Micayla Johnson equalized with her first-ever pro goal!
This is definitely a team to look out for in 2026.
12. Angel City FC
Result: 0-1 loss vs KC Current | Next: October 12 vs Houston dash
They’ve now dropped four of their last five. Angel City FC’s playoff hopes are nearly gone.
On a positive note… Hina Sugita’s debut for ACFC was a strong one and she’ll be a crucial part of their midfield moving forward.
11. Utah Royals
Result: 2-2 draw at Chicago Stars | Next: October 11 vs San Diego Wave
URFC could not hold onto the most dangerous lead in football, 2-0. This result all, but takes them out of the playoff race.
The good news? They are unbeaten in their last eight (4-4-0).
Also, Mina Tanaka now has three goals and assist in the past three matches, including her first NWSL brace against Chicago Stars.
10. Houston Dash
Result: 1-1 draw vs Orlando Pride | Next: October 12 at North Carolina Courage
After Malia Berkely scored her first goal for the Houston Dash in the 62nd minute, the team could not hold the lead and gave up the late equalizer in the 85th minute.
With only three matches remaining and four points below the playoff line, they may need to pick up three straight wins to make the playoffs… Next up? NC Courage.
9. North Carolina Courage
Result: 1-3 loss vs Racing Louisville | Next: October 11 vs Washington Spirit
Heading into their clash versus Racing Louisville, they were one point below the playoff line. After a disappointing 1-3 loss at home, they remain ninth, but this time, three points away from San Diego Wave.
Manaka Matsukubo is already one of the best young attackers in the world, but who else will step up? If they’re going to make the playoffs, someone will have to.
8. San Diego Wave (-3)
Result: 1-2 loss vs Orlando Pride | Next: October 11 at Utah Royals
After equalizing late in the match, the Wave gave it right back in the last moments of the game. They needed the result and did not get it.
For the fourth time in five games, they’ve allowed two or more goals.
How about the attack? They’ve scored in three consecutive games, but have only one point.
Each team wants to be playing their best down the stretch, and San Diego Wave are struggling in attack and defense…
7. Racing Louisville (+1)
Result: 3-1 win at NC Courage | Next: October 10 vs Chicago Stars
What a response from Bev Yanez and Racing Louisville. After losing three consecutive matches, they’ve won back-to-back games, control their postseason destiny, and are four points above the playoff line.
Emma Sears scored a brace and led the team to a much-needed 3-1 win in North Carolina. The MVP candidate is having a career-year with 10 goals, and deserves to be highly considered for the award.
Can they break the curse and advance to the NWSL playoffs for the first time in club history?
6. Seattle Reign (-2)
Result: 0-0 draw vs NJ/NY Gotham FC | Next: October 10 vs Bay FC
The Seattle Reign recorded one shot against Gotham FC and mustered a putrid xG of 0.2. No, that isn’t a typo.
For the sixth time in seven matches, they generated an xG of 0.8 or lower. The attack has not been good enough and will hold them back when they enter postseason play – unless it gets cleaned up.
Will they be able to figure it out?
5. Orlando Pride (+1)
Result: 1-1 draw at Houston Dash | Next: October 10 vs Portland Thorns
Simone Charley scored her first goal since 2022! It could not have come at a better time, as she scored in the 85th minute to salvage a road point against Houston Dash.
There are still troubling trends for Orlando Pride moving forward: They have allowed one or more goals in seven straight matches and have generated an xG of 0.9 or lower in three consecutive matches.
Which Orlando Pride side will show up at home when they take on Portland Thorns with massive playoff seeding implications?
4. Portland Thorns (+3)
Result: 2-1 win vs Bay FC | Next: October 11 at Orlando Pride
The Portland Thorns have earned 13 points from comeback positions in the 2025 season which leads the NWSL.
They had to do it once again on Christine Sinclair’s hall of fame and jersey retirement day. Thanks to Olivia Moultrie’s brilliance and first career brace. The USWNT midfielder now leads her team with six goals and has become the premier free-kick taker in the league.
Did they play a clean match? No, but still found a way to secure three points.
M.A. Vignola had a solid debut and will be a big boost to the backline moving forward. There are still a ton of concerns in defense as they’ve allowed one or more goals in every match since the break.
3. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Result: 0-0 draw vs Seattle Reign | Next: October 11 at KC Current
They absolutely dominated the proceedings versus Seattle Reign and just couldn’t find the back of the net. Gotham were the better side and ahead in every metric, unfortunately, settling for a draw.
They’re still playing some excellent football down the stretch and now unbeaten in their last seven (4-3-0).
2. Washington Spirit
Result: 2-1 win vs San Diego Wave | Next: October 11 at NC Courage
What a goal and moment for Rosemonde Kouassi with the game-winner in late stoppage.
The Washington Spirit are now on a 11-game unbeaten streak (5-6-0) and are as elite and dangerous as any team in the NWSL.
1. Kansas City Current
Result: 1-0 win at Angel City FC | Next: October 11 vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
KC Current have set even more records during this one-of-a-kind season for the club.
With their 1-0 road win at ACFC, they now have 19 wins on the season, the most all-time in the history of the league.
Their goal came from Michelle Cooper who scored the fastest goal as a sub, ever.
This team continues to amaze, break records, and make history.
