NWSL’s matchweek 14 had even more upsets and stunners.
Who continued to climb and who took a step back?
Here are our latest power rankings:
16. Chicago Stars (-1) | 0-1 loss at Orlando Pride
Without Jordyn Huitema, the Chicago Stars only mustered an xG of 0.37.
The defense held up for the first 27 shots, but on the 28th they conceded in the 88th minute.
Elise Evans saw her first minutes of 2026, but why did it take 16 games for that to happen?
15. Racing Louisville (+1) | 2-1 win at Angel City FC
Bev Yanez
and Racing Louisville went on the road and got the job done against surging ACFC.
Maja Lardner’s first two professional goals could not have come at a better time.
After ending a five-match losing streak, is this the one that gets them going?
14. Bay FC (-4) | 0-1 loss at Houston Dash
The future is bright, but there will be many more road bumps before that time arrives.
The latest detour? Conceding in second half stoppage time.
13. Houston Dash (+1) | 1-0 win vs Bay FC
Linda Ullmark has two goals and two assists in the last four games.
Her latest? The game-winner in stoppage time vs Bay FC.
The young core continues to have have big moments during the 2026 season.
12. Boston Legacy (+1) | 1-0 win vs KC Current
Filipa Patão and Boston Legacy have three wins in their last four.
With her latest game-winning goal, Aïssata Traoré is now up to five goals on the season.
11. Denver Summit (-2) | 0-1 loss at Washington Spirit
They took the game to Washington Spirit and doubled their xG 1.40-0.70, but could not find the back of the net.
Denver Summit will need to start turning results into points if they want to make playoffs. Only one win in their last four games…
10. North Carolina Couarge (-1) | 1-4 loss vs Utah Royals
NC Courage have now allowed nine goals in their last three matches and dropped each of those games…
They generated an xG of 2.93 vs Utah Royals, but were undone by set-piece defending – allowing all four goals in that fashion.
9. Angel City FC (-3) | 0-2 loss vs Racing Louisville
After three consecutive shutout wins, they dropped a headscratcher to Racing Louisville.
The attack generated an xG of 2.16, but only managed to find the back of the net once.
Can they bounce back from this loss?
8. Seattle Reign (+4) | 2-0 win at San Diego Wave
That’s now wins over San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns in their last three games.
The only blemish? A heartbreaking 2-3 defeat at Gotham FC.
Attacker Maddie Mercado has scored in three straight games.
Head Coach Laura Harvey also made history by becoming the first coach in the league’s history to reach 100 regular-season wins with the same club.
7. Orlando Pride (+4) | 1-0 win vs Chicago Stars
In the 88th minute and on their 28th shot of the match, Julie Doyle’s delivered the game-winning goal to break the deadlock.
Orlando Pride moved back above the playoff line with the massive three points.
6. Kansas City Current | 0-1 loss at Boston Legacy
Can the KC Current win without Temwa Chawinga? No, they’re now 0-4-1 without the two-time MVP.
Another availability to monitor? Michelle Cooper who was out due to injury.
Who will step up in attack?
5. San Diego Wave (-2) | 0-2 loss vs Seattle Reign
Without a consistent finisher, the San Diego Wave will continue to dominate in all attacking metrics except in the one that matters, the final scoreboard.
They were dominant vs Seattle Reign with an xG of 2.64 to 0.38, but it was the visitors who took advantage with two early goals.
4. Portland Thorns (+1) | 2-2 draw vs Gotham FC
The season high attendance of 21,743 saw the return of forward Morgan Weaver for the first time in 621 days.
Goals from Renee Lyles and Jessie Fleming gave them the lead for the final 30 or so minutes.
However, the defense continues to let the Portland Thorns down. In five of the last six, they’ve given up two or more goals. That won’t get it done…
3. Utah Royals (+1) | 4-1 win at NC Courage
Set Piece. Set Piece. Set Piece. Set Piece.
The Utah Royals scored all four goals off set pieces. Defender Nuria Rábano led the way with two assists to backline colleagues Kate Del Fava and Tatumn Milazzo.
Mina Tanaka rose in the sky to head home the third and Cloé Lacasse finished it off with a penalty kick her CANWNT goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan.
Although they were out-generated in xG 1.6 – 2.93, URFC continue to find different ways to win.
2. Gotham FC (-1) | 2-2 draw at Portland Thorns
Midge Purce opened the scoring before Portland Thorns answered back with two goals.
Sam Kerr scored the equalizer, her first goal since her return from NWSL. With Esther González departing the club, they’ll need her to continue that run of form.
However, the one status that is on the minds of everyone is USWNT defender Emily Sonnett,
1. Washington Spirit | 1-0 win vs Denver Summit
Trinity Rodman continues to rack up goal contributions and this time the game-winning assist to Sofia Cantore. The USWNT forward manifested the goal for her Italian international teammate.
“Trin was very nice before the game. She was like ‘today you are going to score.’ And she assisted me so I was really happy with that.”
The Washington Spirit continue to lead the NWSL Shield race and have been the most consistent team all-season long.
