It’s Tuesday and another round of NWSL action is scheduled, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who gets on the table? Who is in free fall? Our editors studied the action from Day 23 to establish the order of the league’s 14 teams this week. Let’s go.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday vs. Gotham FC, 5 p.m. ET
It was a touch, a goal for Michelle Cooper, who entered the Current game in the 58th minute and scored in the 59th. It was enough for Kansas City to earn a 1–0 victory over Angel City, even though manager Vlatko Andonovski gave a number of young players the opportunity to start in Southern California. His team already has everything it needs and has just added a 16th game to its unbeaten streak.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday at North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. ET
Rosemonde Kouassi wasn’t going to let the Spirit lose this weekend, scoring in the ninth minute with a header and then finding a stunning 98th-minute winner from downtown in a 2-1 win over San Diego. It probably shouldn’t have been as nervy as it was for Washington, with the hosts dominating the game and creating a number of chances. Despite everything, I receive the shock of Kouassi golazo may be an emotional boost that they are happy to have as the end of the trading season approaches.
1:18
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign FC – Match Highlights
Watch highlights from NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign FC, 06/10/2025
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Saturday on Kansas City Current, 5 p.m. ET
Two chances from Rose Lavelle just after the half-hour mark would prove to be the best opportunities Gotham needed to break through in a scoreless draw against Seattle. The back line continues to be stingy, allowing just one shot on Saturday, giving the offense a chance to work and look for those opportunities. A trip to face the current is on the agenda and will constitute a great challenge.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Friday at Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. ET
It was a generational night Saturday for the Thorns, who honored all-time leading scorer Christine Sinclair by enshrining the Canadian legend into the Thorns Hall of Fame and retiring her number 12 jersey. On the field, the team got a brace from 20-year-old Olivia Moultrie to beat Bay FC for a 2-1 victory. Beyond the beautiful moments in the club’s history, it is a result which allowed the Thorns to continue to climb the standings, now fourth in goal differential.
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Friday vs. Portland Thorns, 8 p.m. ET
It was a tough turnaround for the Pride, who needed to bounce back from a 2-0 Concacaf Champions Cup loss to Club América during a trip to Houston, but the offensive problems that plagued them continued in a 1-1 draw against the Dash. With three games remaining, the Pride sit in sixth place and still have work to do to clinch a playoff spot. Coming home for Friday’s date with Portland will leave you feeling rejuvenated.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Friday vs. Bay FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Reign made a shot in a 0-0 draw against Gotham. He came on in the 92nd minute and was blocked before he could reach the goal. But the point works for Seattle on the road, heading into the final three games in fifth place and within reach of a home playoff game.
1:12
North Carolina Courage vs. Racing Louisville FC – Match Highlights
Watch highlights of the North Carolina Courage vs. Racing Louisville FC game, 05/10/2025
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Friday vs. Chicago Stars, 7:30 p.m. ET
An Emma Sears brace around a Kayla Fischer goal pushed Racing to a huge 3-1 road win over North Carolina. Sears now has ten goals this season, tied for third in the league. Racing’s second straight win means the Kentucky crew moves into the top eight and has an inside track to a playoff spot, with two of its final three games against teams below the rankings.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Saturday at Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET
In a match in which goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made nine saves, she will be thinking about the 10th that escaped, conceding a long shot from Rosemonde Kouassi as the Wave lost 2-1 on the road to Washington. How hard is being on the Wave? They fought back and got Delphine Cascarino’s late equalizer. Still, a loss is a loss and that’s two games in a row and seven without a win. They are clinging on for dear life in the playoffs.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Sunday at Angel City, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Dash had the home advantage just after the hour mark thanks to Malia Berkely’s clean-up after a free-kick mayhem, but they couldn’t hold on to the lead and settled for a 1-1 draw against Orlando. It was a decent response after that 4-0 loss to Washington, but it’s not the pace Houston needs to be on to make the playoffs – especially with only one home game on the schedule and this game against league-leading KC.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Saturday vs. Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. ET
It’s a film that Courage fans have already seen this weekend, with the team playing well, keeping the ball, winning the xG battle – and losing 3-1 to Louisville. It’s a result that puts a serious dent in North Carolina’s playoff hopes – with two of their last three games coming at home, these two visitors are both in the top three in the standings.
1:17
Chicago Stars vs. Utah Royals – Game Highlights
Watch highlights from the Chicago Stars vs. Utah Royals game, 06/10/2025
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Saturday vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Two goals from Mina Tanaka helped the Royals extend their winning streak to four matches, but two late goals from Chicago forced them to settle for a 2-2 draw. This ended the winning streak but made it a surprising eight undefeated. Utha is still chasing last year’s points total, needing three points to match what he did in 2024.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Sunday vs. Houston Dash, 5 p.m. ET (live stream on ESPN)
Angel City had the opportunity to be the first team in months to lose to Kansas City, but couldn’t make the most of those opportunities and fell 1-0 on Monday night. Current’s rotation meant there was a chance for points, and while Jun Endo, Riley Tiernan and others took dangerous shots, nothing beat Current goalie Lorena.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Friday at Seattle Reign, 10:30 p.m. ET
Taylor Huff had a good first game and Bay FC had other chances, but they couldn’t deny Portland in a 2-1 loss. While it was a better performance than the score indicated, it was still a dozen matches on the trot without a win for Bay.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Friday at Racing Louisville, 7:30 p.m. ET
Thanks to the Stars for showing fight. Trailing 2-0 in a season filled with frustration, Ivonne Chacón scored in the 83rd minute and Micayla Johnson equalized three minutes later for a 2-2 draw against Utah. Turning a few of the league’s top 10 draws into wins will be key to success in 2026.
