NWSL Power Rankings: Temwa Chawinga eyes NWSL Golden Boot
It’s Monday 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 throughout Matchday 24 to establish the order of the league’s 14 teams this week. Let’s go.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Houston Dash, 7:30 p.m. ET
Kansas City heads into the playoffs after beating another top team this weekend. Temwa Chawinga and Bia Zaneratto scored the goals as the league leaders put space between themselves and 2023 champions Gotham FC in a 2-0 win at CPKC Stadium. With the goal, Chawinga also added space between herself and Gotham’s Esther González at the top of the Golden Boot race, which she now leads by two goals. The victory also saw the Current set a new NWSL points record in a season.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Orlando Pride, 12:30 p.m. ET
Trinity Rodman’s left-footed strike from inside the box (her fifth goal of the season) gave the Spirit the second-half lead in Cary, but they settled for a 1-1 draw against ninth-ranked North Carolina. With the tie (plus Gotham’s loss to Kansas City), the Spirit officially took home-court advantage into the playoff semifinals. After a record year for total attendance at Audi Field, this is huge for last year’s runner-up, who looks poised to make a convincing run in the postseason.
1:11
North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit – Game Highlights
Watch highlights from the North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit game, 10/12/2025
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Racing Louisville, 3 p.m. ET
2024 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Ann-Katrin Berger missed Gotham’s landmark meeting with Kansas City due to a knee injury. So the Bats debuted 27-year-old guard Shelby Hogan on the road at CPKC Stadium in a massive test. Hogan’s three saves helped limit the Current’s dynamic attack, but Gotham left Missouri with a 2-0 loss. They outshot their hosts, but managed just two shots on target themselves, while the team’s top scorer Esther extended her goalless streak to four games. They finished the weekend fourth in the standings but will have to fight to maintain home-field advantage with final tests in their next two games against teams vying for playoff spots (Racing Louisville, then North Carolina).
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Washington Spirit, 12:30 p.m. ET
In her first game back from a back injury, the club’s inimitable veteran Marta forced a heroic own goal in stoppage time to secure a hugely important three points against the Portland Thorns. It was Orlando’s second win in three games without a loss during the regular season, marking a sorely needed turnaround after a nine-game winless rut. The defending champions finished the weekend in third place, but will face second-place Washington Spirit and fifth-place Seattle Reign in their final matches.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Angel City FC, 5 p.m. ET (live stream on ESPN+)
In a fairly even match on the road in Orlando (which saw both teams manage four shots on target in total), the Thorns settled for defeat thanks to Marta’s 93rd minute attempt from a corner that was officially deemed an own goal. A win or draw could have clinched Portland a playoff spot while they wait for other results in the table. But after that last-minute loss, seventh-ranked Thorns will look to make it next weekend against Angel City.
1:19
Orlando Pride vs Portland Thorns FC – Match Highlights
Watch Orlando Pride vs Portland Thorns FC match highlights, 10/11/2025
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET
Seattle’s never-stopping Welsh veteran Jess Fishlock came to the Reign’s rescue in a 1-1 draw against Bay FC. Fishlocks’ sixth goal of the season earned them a second consecutive draw in a three-game unbeaten run, allowing them to finish in fifth place heading into the penultimate weekend. They may regret not getting all three points as they battle for home-field advantage, but they are on course for a playoff spot.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday, October 18 against the Chicago Stars, 10 p.m. ET
San Diego was one of the few clubs that could not win or be eliminated from the playoffs this weekend. But they needed a result against Utah to maintain their playoff goals. Despite horrendous weather and an early delay, they secured a crucial 3-2 victory (ending a seven-game winless run) that leaves them in sixth place in a crowded table heading into the penultimate weekend. They still have the tools to make a splash in the playoffs, but will need to stay focused to secure their spot.
1:16
Utah Royals vs. San Diego Wave FC – Match Highlights
Watch highlights from the Utah Royals vs. San Diego Wave FC game, 10/12/2025
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Gotham FC, 3 p.m. ET
Bethany Balcer’s 93rd-minute equalizer against the already-eliminated Chicago Stars could prove crucial in Louisville’s run to its first playoff run. They finished the weekend in the eighth and final playoff spot, ahead of North Carolina Courage by four points. They have two games left – starting with a tough road test in Gotham – and they will make club history if they stay above that line.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET
The Courage joined San Diego as one of two clubs (among those not yet eliminated or assured of their playoff spot) that failed to clinch or be eliminated this weekend. Playing at home, they fell behind to second-placed Spirit but battled back to a 1-1 draw which saw them finish one place and four points off the playoff positions. With two games remaining against Bay FC and then against Gotham, they will have to find positive results and hope the teams above them stumble.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Portland Thorns, 5 p.m. ET (live stream on ESPN+)
If Racing Louisville had won its 1-1 tie against Seattle, there would have been nothing Angel City could have done to stay in playoff contention. But they entered Sunday’s contest with their destiny in their hands and secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Houston. They showed a lot of improvement offensively in the win and have two games to make the playoffs. They must win the remaining two games to maintain a slim chance. Next up, Portland.
1:19
Angel City FC vs. Houston Dash – Match Highlights
Watch highlights from Angel City FC vs. Houston Dash, 10/13/2025
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. KC Current, 7:30 p.m. ET
Mathematically, Houston can still make the playoffs. But the odds really aren’t in their favor after a 2-0 loss to another playoff hopeful, Angel City FC, on Sunday. They now sit in 11th place and need to win their remaining games to maintain a slim chance of making the playoffs. Unfortunately, they will play Kansas City next.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. Seattle Reign, 10 p.m. ET
The Utah Royals put up a valiant late-season effort. Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the San Diego Wave ends a creditable eight-game unbeaten streak (four wins, four draws) and officially eliminates them from the playoffs. They took the lead in the ninth minute and later equalized, but needed a win to stay afloat in their playoff hopes. Either way, fans can be proud of the Royals’ end-of-year form.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. NC Courage, 10 p.m. ET
Bay FC was already eliminated from the playoffs before their 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign, but they had an impressive performance playing on the road. Jordan Silkowitz contributed three saves to a close victory, which kept Seattle scoreless until the 84th minute. On the other hand, Bay created as many shots as Seattle in a game they almost won.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Alyssa Naeher refuses to let us forget why she is one of the GOATs of American football. The World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist made eight saves for the Stars in a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville, which they looked set to win until Balcer’s equalizer in stoppage time.
