NWSL matchweek 18 had it all: surprises, upsets, and heroic performances.
Which teams moved up and who dropped in the latest power rankings?
1. Gotham FC | 0-0 draw at Angel City FC
Guro Reiten had a penalty kick attempt saved and Sam Kerr hit the post, resulting in a 0-0 draw vs ACFC. Although they would have liked all three points, it pushes their unbeaten run to nine games.
Unfortunately for Gotham FC, USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle had to leave the match early in the 37th minute after going down with
a head injury. No update has been provided just yet.
2. San Diego Wave (+3) | 4-2 win vs Utah Royals
Trinity Byars, are you serious?! The star forward had four goal contributions vs Utah Royals.
Yes, you read that right.
If Melanie Barcenas and Ludmila can consistently score moving forward, this team is complete.
3. Portland Thorns (+1) | 1-0 win vs Denver Summit
Sophia Wilson scored her 10th goal of the season – a milestone she has reached in four different NWSL seasons.
The pass from Jessie Fleming? Superb.
More importantly? The Portland Thorns earned their first shutout in seven games.
They’ve now won three straight games, heading into a top-of-the-table clash with Gotham FC.
4. Washington Spirit (-1) | 0-1 loss vs Orlando Pride
The Washington Spirit have now lost three consecutive at Audi Field…
How unlucky have they been? Against the Orlando Pride, the team hit the post three times, 73% possession, 51 touches in opposition box, and put up 23 shots – they still couldn’t find the back of the net.
5. Utah Royals (-3) | 2-4 loss at San Diego Wave
Mina Tanaka’s brace was not enough to secure a result for Utah Royals.
After going down a goal the first two occasions, the midfielder equalized both times, but Utah surrendered two more.
Defensive concerns? URFC have also allowed 2+ goals in their last three…
6. North Carolina Courage | 2-1 win vs Boston Legacy
Your new NWSL Golden Boot leader? Ashley Sanchez.
Surely, a USWNT call-up has to be coming up right?
7. Seattle Reign | 1-1 at KC Current
The Seattle Reign were outplayed in every conceivable metric and still found a way to earn a result. At CPKC Stadium, in one of the most difficult environments in women’s sports, they held on.
8. KC Current | 1-1 vs Seattle Reign
Kansas City generated 3.31 xG, 24 shots, 41 touches in opposition and could only find one goal through a penalty kick for Debinha.
The impending return of Temwa Chawinga is exactly what they need.
9. Angel City FC | 0-0 draw vs Gotham FC
Angelina Anderson saved the day with her clutch save on late-game penalty kick.
That’s now four straight draws for ACFC. They’ll need to eventually convert a few of those into wins to make the playoffs.
10. Orlando Pride (-3) | 1-0 win at Washington Spirit
Haley McCutcheon scored her third goal of the season and the Orlando Pride snapped a three-match losing streak.
Goalkeeper Cosette Morché made her NWSL debut, and had three saves to earn her first clean sheet and the team’s seventh of the season.
Did the upset win save their season?
11. Denver Summit FC (-1) | 0-1 loss at Portland Thorns
That’s now just one win in their last six…
12. Houston Dash (-1) | 0-1 loss at Bay FC
After the attacking outburst with eight goals in two games, they were shutout on the road by Bay FC.
This young core of Houston has a bright future, can they make a late-season run?
13. Bay FC (+2) | 1-0 win vs Houston Dash
What a moment for Italian football legend, Cristiana Girelli who scored her first NWSL goal in the 89th minute to win it for Bay FC.
Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz? Another day at the office with 10 saves!
14. Racing Louisville (-1) | 2-3 loss at Chicago Stars
In the midst of a four-match winning streak, they didn’t get the job done at Chicago Stars…
Are the playoffs out of reach?
15. Chicago Stars (+1) | 3-2 win vs Racing Louisville
Jameese Joseph, Mallory Swanson, and Julia Grosso scored for the Chicago Stars, who snapped an eight-game winless streak.
Chicago interim head coach Karina Báez picked up her first NWSL win.
In a rough season, this is a win that they needed badly.
16. Boston Legacy FC (-1) | 1-2 loss at NC Courage
Boston Legacy conceded another penalty and this one cost them a result against North Carolina Courage.
They’ve now dropped three straight.
