After an action-packed and ‘upset’ filled matchday 19 for the NWSL, who will be climbing and falling in this week’s All For XI power rankings?
14. Bay FC (-1)
Result: 0-2 loss vs Kansas City Current | Next: September 13 at Orlando Pride
Bay FC are winless in their past eight matches, accumulating two points during that span.
After dropping their fourth consecutive game, the club announced that head coach Albertin Montoya will step down at the end of the 2025 season
.In 2024, they became only the second expansion side
to make the playoffs. But, they have struggled with consistency and will need to make a late-season run to return to the postseason in 2025.
13. North Carolina Courage (-2)
Result: 1-1 draw vs Utah Royals | Next: September 13 vs ACFC
NC Courage are now winless in their last six, dropped to 11th in the table, and four points below the playoff line. Their last win came on June 21 at home against Houston Dash.
They have also just traded away Jaedyn Shaw, who was their big offseason acquisition, but just never panned out.
Can interim head coach Nathan Thackeray find the right formula down the stretch?
12. Utah Royals (+1)
Result: 1-1 draw at NC Courage | Next: September 14 vs Houston Dash
URFC are having another strong second half to the season, similar to 2024. They are now unbeaten in their last four (1-3-0), allowing only two goals in the past four matches.
After generating a season-high xG last week at Portland, the Royals had even more success in a 1-1 draw in North Carolina. For the majority of the season, Utah struggled to find consistent opportunities, but that has not been the case the past two weeks. They generated an xG of 3.1 against North Carolina and are flying higher both in attack and defense.
Mandy McGlynn continues to shine and added five more saves.
The hero for this week? Paige Monaghan who has now scored in back-to-back weeks, including the stoppage time equalizer against the Courage.
11. Angel City FC (-2)
Result: 1-3 loss at NJ/NY Gotham FC| Next: Sep 13 at NC Courage
After consecutive home wins, ACFC went on the road and struggled in a 1-3 loss to Gotham FC.
Losing, Alyssa Thompson will set this club back multiple years, even with the rising starpower of Riley Tiernan and Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Mark Parsons will need to add another piece through trade or next transfer window.
The addition of Nealy Martin was a tremendous start and she’ll be a key contributor moving forward.
10. Chicago Stars (+2)
Result: 5-2 win vs Orlando Pride | Next: September 14 vs Portland Thorns
There’s a party at Martin Stadium and everyone was invited.
In front of over 10,000 supporters and fans, the Chicago Stars put on a show against Orlando Pride. In the second half, there were seven goals combined between the two sides.
Led by five different goalscorers, Chicago hosted an epic party at their new home.
They also became only the third team in NWSL history to score five or more goals in a half.
Ludmila is now third in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals and has scored six goals in the last four games!
The Chicago Stars are now unbeaten in their past six (1-5-0) and only have one loss in their past nine. A lot of that credit has to go to assistant coach Ella Masar who jumpstarted this play with her incredible leadership.
9. Orlando Pride (-3)
Result: 2-5 loss at Chicago Stars | Next: September 13 vs Bay FC
After going into halftime at tied at 0-0, the Orlando Pride allowed five goals in the second half to Chicago Stars.
The 2-5 loss extends their winless drought to seven games (0-3-4), including four losses in that span.
They have not won a match since June 13 versus Bay FC and it makes the home rematch this weekend a must-win.
Could Ovalle be the spark they need moving forward?
8. Seattle Reign (-3)
Result: 0-2 loss at Washington Spirit | Next: September 14 vs Racing Louisville
The attack has disappeared and have been non-existent. In the last three matches, they’ve only generated an xG of 1.9, and only scored one goal.
The Seattle Reign are now winless in their past five (0-3-2).
That simply won’t get it done. Who is going to step up?
7. Houston Dash (+3)
Result: 3-0 win at San Diego Wave | Next: September 14 at Utah Royals
Here come the Dash!
In her first start, Clarissa Larisey shined for her new club scoring her first goal and tallying her first assist. Thanks to the composure of the attack in tight-windows, the team scored one of the best-worked goals on the season.
The Houston Dash are one playing like one of the best teams in the NWSL (3-3-0) and are unbeaten in six.
They’re just three points below the playoff line, can they sneak into the playoffs? If so, no one will want to face them.
6. NJ/NY Gotham FC (+2)
Result: 3-1 win vs ACFC | Next: September 12 at San Diego Wave
Two weeks, two wins for Gotham FC. What’s impressive is how they won both matches by multiple goals, imposing their game on the opposition.
This is the team we expected with more consistency at the start of the season, but they’re finding their groove at the perfect time.
Now, they’ve added Jaedyn Shaw for an NWSL record $1.25 million in intra-league funds via trade from NC Courage.
How dangerous can this team be the rest of 2025?
5. Portland Thorns (+2)
Result: 2-1 win at Racing Louisville | Next: September 14 at Chicago Stars
That was only their third road win on the year and was their best one on the season.
Racing Louisville outplayed Portland Thorns in almost every metric, except the one that mattered: the scoreboard.
They still have many concerns in defense allowing 10 goals in six matches since the break (2+ allowed in four games) with no clean sheets.
Portland has also been out-generated in regards to xG, in four straight games.
At this stage in the season, getting three points any way you can is all that matters, however, is that sustainable?
4. Racing Louisville
Result: 1-2 loss vs Portland Thorns | Next: September 14 at Seattle Reign
The better team doesn’t always win in football, and that was the case at home versus Portland Thorns.
Racing Louisville is so close to becoming one of top teams, but they cannot figure out how to close out games.
In the four of the last five, they’ve conceded late to drop points.
Taylor Flint will return (yellow card accumulation) and provide a boost on the road against Seattle Reign.
3. San Diego Wave
Result: 0-3 loss vs Houston Dash | Next: September 12 vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
The San Diego Wave have been held scoreless five times in the last seven matches – in that span they’ve scored only three goals.
They’ve been shutout for the third consecutive match including their an 0-3 loss to Houston Dash on Alex Morgan’s retirement ceremony day.
Where is the goalscoring going to come from? Could they make a trade before the roster freeze?
2. Washington Spirit
Result: 2-0 win vs Seattle Reign | Next: September 13 at KC Current
The Washington Spirit have become’s the NWSL’s second best team and escaped the logjam of teams vying for their spot.
They outclassed the Seattle Reign 2-0 at home and are now unbeaten in their last seven (3-4-0).
The best part? Trinity Rodman scored a brace and is starting to find her form.
1. Kansas City Current
Result: 2-0 win at Bay FC | Next: September 13 vs Washington Spirit
What else is there to say about this team? They are that dominant.
This weekend, they’ll face off against the Washington Spirit with an opportunity to further cement themselves and eliminate any hope of teams vying for the NWSL Shield or Championship.
