NWSL matchweek 12 brought even more stunners and unexpected outcomes.
Which teams climbed the rankings and who took a few steps back?
Here’s our latest power rankings:
16. Racing Louisville | 0-2 loss vs Bay FC
Five straight losses…
15. Chicago Stars | 0-2 loss at Boston Legacy
After the upset victory over Utah Royals, the Chicago Stars could not follow it up.
Although they generated an xG of 1.23, they allowed Boston Legacy to dominate in attack with xG of 3.65.
14. Houston Dash (+1) | 2-2 draw at Denver
Summit
Kat Rader and Linda Ullmark responded immediately after Yazmeen Ryan and Janine Sonis scored for Denver Summit.
There’s a bright future ahead for Houston Dash, but they’ve got to find well-established and experience players to join their young core of stars.
13. Denver Summit (-3) | 2-2 draw vs Houston Dash
Denver Summit conceded within minutes of their goals against Houston Dash.
They are now four points off the playoff line with two games in hand.
Can Lindsey Heaps bring the consistency they desperately need in midfield?
12. Bay FC (+2) | 2-o win vs Racing Louisville
Kennedy Fuller scored her first goal for Bay FC and Karlie Lema found the back of the net again.
The young core of this team has the chance to be very special.
11. Boston Legacy (+2) | 1-0 win at Orlando Pride
The first road win in club history.
The statistics did not suggest they were the better side, but Head Coach Filipa Patão has them playing with an unprecedented level of grit for an expansion side – that alone will get them bonus results.
10. Orlando Pride (-1) | 3-0 win vs KC Current & 0-1 loss vs Boston Legacy
After a 3-0 demolition of Kansas City, Orlando could not take care of business against Boston.
The good news? Barbra Banda is back.
9. Seattle Reign (+2) | 2-0 win vs Portland Thorns
Laura Harvey and the Seattle Reign took advantage of two Portland Thorns mistakes to split the Cascadia Derby.
They out-generated their rivals in xG 1.78-1.44 to pick up three crucial points.
8. North Carolina Courage (-1) | 0-2 loss vs Washington Spirit
The NC Courage four match win streak came to an end.
Can they rebound at Bay FC?
7. Angel City FC (+1) | 2-0 win at San Diego Wave
After the coaching change, ACFC have now recorded back-t0-back 2-0 shutout over playoff sides.
Their latest win? A 2-0 upset on the road at NWSL table leaders and rivals, San Diego Wave FC.
Maiara Niehues has stepped up and now scored in four straight games.
One lingering concern? The metrics still leave a lot to be desired and could eventually regress to the mean…
6. Kansas City Current (-1) | 0-3 loss at Orlando Pride
2-0-6 on the road isn’t going to get it done.
Until Chris Armas and KC Current can figure it out away from the fortress at CPKC Stadium, they’ll struggle to find consistency.
5. Utah Royals (-1) | 1-3 loss vs Gotham FC
After a 10 match unbeaten run, URFC have now gone winless in their last three.
The defense has also become a concern after conceding nine goals vs Portland, Chicago, and Gotham.
Can they rediscover their winning formula?
4. Portland Thorns (-1) | 0-2 loss at Seattle Reign
The club announced extensions with Jessie Fleming and Pietra Tordin this week as they look to cement themselves as contenders this season and beyond.
However, away from their unbeaten run at Providence Park, they have been vulnerable on the road. All four losses have come away and by two-goal margins.
Can they solve their road issues? They’ll have a chance in a reunion vs former Portland Thorn, Lindsey Horan.
3. San Diego Wave (-2) | 0-2 loss vs Angel City FC
In every metric they dominated this match vs SoCal rivals, ACFC.
Without Dudinha, do they have enough left to find goalscoring consistency? Who is going to step up? TBD…
2. Washington Spirit | 2-0 win at North Carolina Courage & 0-1 loss at Gotham FC
Washington snapped North Carolina’s four match win streak before their midweek match vs Gotham FC.
In the “Queens Classic” they gave up an insane chipped goal from Rose Lavelle. They may have been the more dangerous side, but just couldn’t find the equalizer.
They’ve now been outscored 5-0 in their last four matches against the defending NWSL Champions. t
1. Gotham FC (+6) | 3-1 win at Utah Royals & 1-0 win vs Washington Spirit
Two straight wins over top four sides Utah Royals and Washington Spirit have propelled the Bats to second in the NWSL table with a game in hand.
The Gotham FC defense has been lights out with nine clean sheets in their first 14 matches.
Also, how many times have you rewatched this goal?
