Matchday 16 was just completed, which can only mean one thing… The weekly NWSL Power Rankings drop!
Who are this week’s ups and downs?
Without further ado, here it is.
NWSL Power Rankings (Matchday 16)
14. Angel City FC (-2)
Result: 0-0 draw at Utah Royals | Next: August 21 vs Orlando Pride
They were outplayed by Utah Royals who are last out of 14th teams in the NWSL table. To make matters even more dire, they are getting worse, not better.
ACFC have not won a match in nearly three months (May 9) and are winless in their last eight – only picking up four points
in that span.
Angel City FC and Head Coach Alexander Straus are running out of time.
The good news? They’re still only three points out of the playoff line.
13. Utah Royals (+1)
Result: 0-0 draw vs Angel City FC | Next: August 23 at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Another solid performance from Utah Royals who thoroughly outplayed Angel City FC – xG of 1.1 to 0.4.
These past three performances have been sollid and sets the team up as a “spoiler” for the remainder of the 2025 season with solid momentum heading into 2026.
12. Chicago Stars (+1)
Result: 3-3 draw at Seattle Reign | Next: August 22 vs North Carolina Courage
On the road and down 0-3 to Seattle Reign at Lumen Field, it was looking like another defeat.
After Jess Fishlock, Jordyn Huitema, and Emeri Adames scored three goals in the first 46 minutes of the match, it was looking like three points for the home side.
In the 72nd minute, Ludmila finally got Chicago on the board. It got even more interesting when Camryn Biegalski made it 2-3 in the 80th minute.
With the Stars desperate to salvage a point, USWNT and NWSL legend, Alyssa Naeher came into the box for the final sequence of the game…
Naeher scored her first ever goal and equalized in the last seconds of the game.
The Legend of Alyssa Naeher is forever.
11. Bay FC (-1)
Result: 1-2 draw vs San Diego Wave | Next: August 23 vs Washington Spirit at Oracle Park
Bay FC are winless in their past six matches.
After going into the half scoreless, they allowed two second-half goals. Bay FC responded with a PK from Caroline Conti, but this team still can’t find the back of the net in the final 15 minutes of regulation.
Where is the attack? They’ve scored the third fewest goals in the league.
Can the team regain their form? They are facing off against Washington Spirit at iconic Oracle Park which would be a fitting time to find their best football.
10. North Carolina Courage (-1)
Result: 1-1 draw vs Portland Thorns | Next: August 22 at Chicago Stars
NC Courage were the better side against the Portland Thorns – xG 1.5 to 1.0, but still couldn’t pick up all three points
Even after going down a goal at the end of the first half, North Carolina flipped the script in the second half. They dominated the ball in the final 45 minutes with 62% possession. That quality play, earned them the equalizer in the 70th minute from Tyler Lussi.
They’ve still got a long ways to go, but that fight and a potential ‘coaching bump’ could get them to the playoffs.
9. NJ/NY Gotham FC (-1)
Result: 1-2 loss vs Houston Dash | Next: August 2 vs Utah Royals
The inconsistency for Gotham FC’s in terms of results, continues.
They dominated proceedings (xG 1.2 to 0.1), but failed to put the Houston Dash away. Instead of picking up three points at home, they came away with nothing.
Although they have been stout in defense (third fewest goals allowed), the attack has let them down in 2025 (ninth in goals scored).
The race for the eighth and final spot is heating up with Gotham FC tied with North Carolina Courage, and three additional teams within three points.
8. Houston Dash (+3)
Result: 2-1 win at NJ/NY Gotham FC | Next: August 24 vs Seattle Reign
If you need late-game magic, who you going to call? The Houston Dash!
For the second consecutive week, the Houston Dash have rejected 0-1 deficits and won both matches 2-1.
Last week they did it at home against North Carolina Courage, and this time on the road versus NJ/NY Gotham FC. They’ve beaten two teams in the playoff chase and now they find themselves only two points away from the playoffs.
This week’s hero? Michelle Alozie. “I definitely buried it.”
Can they find more magic versus Seattle Reign?
7. Racing Louisville
Result: 2-2 draw at Washington Spirit | Next: August 24 at San Diego Wave
Imagine having to play Kansas City Current, Orlando Pride, and Washington Spirit three consecutive weeks with two of those on the road. Who’s next? Second place, San Diego Wave… The NWSL scheduling has not been kind.
Many would have picked Racing Louisville to possibly come up empty-handed in these matches, but they have shown to be a capable playoff team.
Should they have picked up six points? Yes. Do they need to learn how to close out games? Yes.
Unfortunately, Racing squandered a golden opportunity two consecutive weeks for wins, and had to settle for draws instead. Rosemonde Kouassi would find the equalizer for the Spirit in the last minute of the match.
That doesn’t take away from Bev Yanez’s squad playing solid football and if they can start finishing games… Watch out!
6. Seattle Reign
Result: 3-3 draw vs Chicago Stars | Next: August 24 vs Houston Dash
Jess Fishlock, Jordyn Huitema, and Emeri Adames all scored for the Seattle Reign. They were up 3-0 at home with about 20 minutes left, before it all went to…
Ludmila and Camryn Biegalski cut down the lead to 3-2, and all Seattle needed to do was clear one more set piece.
And then, Alyssa Naeher happened.
There are no excuses for this monumental collapse, and these two points dropped could loom big down the stretch.
Can the Reign move forward and put this behind them?
5. Washington Spirit (-2)
Result: 2-2 draw vs Racing Louisville | Next: August 23 at Bay FC (Oracle Park)
There’s no way to sugarcoat it, the past two performances against two playoff contenders have not been good enough.
They needed an 100th minute equalizer from Rosemonde Kouassi at home to salvage a point to Racing Louisville.
With only one win in their past five, is it time to worry? Not yet, but it is definitely something to monitor.
4. Portland Thorns (-2)
Result: 1-1 draw at NC Courage | Next: August 23 vs KC Current
At home, they are unbeaten, but on the road… that’s a different story.
After grabbing the first half lead in the 44th minute, thanks to a rocket from Olivia Moultrie, it was all downhill from there. In the first half they were even in possession, but only mustered up 38% possession in the second half.
They were very fortunate to hold onto a point. However, it’s the NWSL and picking up a road result is always good.
Now, the real question is can they come back home and remain unbeaten at Providence Park against the Kansas City Current?
3. Orlando Pride (+1)
Result: 0-0 draw at KC Current | Next: August 21 at ACFC
Teams should never have to play in that sort of heat – it’s unsafe and frankly, dangerous.
Luckily the game was delayed, and both teams put on a professional performance even with the extreme conditions.
Facing off against a Kansas City Current who hope to complete the double the way Orlando Pride did in 2024, they got the job done. Could we see these two again in the playoffs?
2. San Diego Wave (+3)
Result: 2-1 win at Bay FC | Next: August 24 vs Racing Louisville
After scoring once in the past three games, the San Diego Wave got the much needed road win and multiple goals.
No one picked this team to be where they are, but they continue to defy expectations. Jonas Eidevall should be the favorite for NWSL Coach of the Year. What he has done for this team full of youth and solid veterans is incredible.
They are one of the most balanced clubs in the league with the second most goals scored and fifth fewest concessions. Everyone has stepped up on this squad.
San Diego are unbeaten in their last five and have an opportunity to stamp their place with a result against Racing Louisville.
1. Kansas City Current
Result: 0-0 draw vs Orlando Pride | Next: August 23 at Portland Thorns
Scorching hot conditions against the defending NWSL Shield and Champions, Orlando Pride, and picking up a result is what the best teams do.
There’s KC Current and then there’s everyone else. The only team that can stop them, is themselves.
