NWSL chaos struck once again with matchweek five packed with upsets.
Ahead of more mid-week games, which team climbed the ladder and who took a step back?
16. Boston Legacy | Latest Result: 0-2 loss at Chicago Stars
That’s five straight losses to open their inaugural season…
15. Kansas City Current (-5) | Latest Result: 0-4 loss at Washington Spirit
The early season struggles for new head coach Chris Armas and KC Current continues.
They have conceded the most goals in the NWSL after giving up four more
in a shutout loss to Washington Spirit.
14. Chicago Stars (+1) | Latest Result: 2-0 win vs Boston Legacy
The Chicago Stars earned their first clean sheet of the season.
Jordyn Huitema and Nádia Gomes goals completed the 2-0 victory over the winless expansion side.
13. Racing Louisville (+1) | Latest Result: 3-2 win vs Orlando Pride
The good news? Racing Louisville won their first game of the season thanks to a Lauren Milliet brace and another Sarah Weber goal.
The bad news? They’ve given up 2+ goals in every match this season.
12. Bay FC (-2) | Latest Result: 0-3 loss at NJ/NY Gotham FC
That’s now two consecutive losses by 2+ goals.
11. Denver Summit (-4) | Latest Result: 2-3 loss vs San Diego Wave
The expansion side raced past the NWSL leaders in the first half, but surrendered a two-goal lead in the second half by the 65th minute.
This will be a result they look back late in the season when the playoff picture predictably gets closer.
10. North Carolina Courage (+1) | Latest Result: 1-0 win at Houston Dash
Their road victory over Houston Dash snapped a three-game winless streak.
Manaka has tallied a goal contribution in every appearance this season and Ashley Sanchez is now up to four goals on the season.
Will this team start heating up?
9. NJ/NY Gotham FC (+4) | Latest Result: 3-0 win vs Bay FC
Their four-match winless streak comes to an end with an emphatic three goal outburst versus Bay FC.
The Rose Lavelle show shined brightest.
This is the Gotham squad many expected to see, and Guro Reiten provided the spark they needed.
8. Houston Dash (-3) | Latest Result: 0-1 loss vs NC Courage
Who else is going to step up consistently alongside Kiki Van Zanten?
7. Angel City FC (-1) | Latest Result: 1-2 loss vs Portland Thorns
After starting the season with three consecutive wins, Angel City FC have now dropped consecutive matches.
They had more possession, shots, and generate more xG over Portland Thorns, but none of the starters could find the back of the net.
6. Seattle Reign (-2) | Latest Result: 0-3 loss vs Utah Royals
Laura Harvey and the Seattle Reign suffered their worst loss of the season, but it only got worse…
After Jess Fishlock announced her retirement days before, she went down in the second half of the match vs Utah Royals and had to be stretchered off.
However, a positive update was provided by the club.
5. Orlando Pride (-3) | Latest Result: 2-3 loss at Racing Louisville
NWSL Golden Boot leader Barbra Banda scored a brace and it still wasn’t enough…
4. Utah Royals (+5) | Latest Result: 3-0 win at Seattle Reign
The largest road victory in Utah Royals history.
That’s now three straight wins and four unbeaten for Jimmy Coenraets and URFC.
Could this be…?
3. Washington Spirit (+5) | Latest Result: 4-0 win vs KC Current
Adrián González and the Washington Spirit are unbeaten in their last five.
How dangerous is this team? They are number one in xG.
2. Portland Thorns (+1) | Latest Result: 2-1 win at Angel City FC
Pietra Tordin opened the scoring and now has five goal contributions on the season (three goals and two assists).
Sophia Wilson scored her first goal in her return and first since November 2024 – it also turned out to be the game-winner.
1.San Diego Wave | Latest Result: 3-2 win at Denver Summit
The San Diego Wave were 0-23-6 when trailing at halftime, but that is no more. They vanquished that curse with three second half goals to defeat Denver Summit 3-2.
They rank second in xG (Washington Spirit), and first in xG conceded – this is the best team in the NWSL.
