As the 2025 NWSL regular season draws to a close, Week 17 underscored the tight margins separating teams in the heated playoff race. A growing trend sees top-ranked teams dropping points to lower-seeded opponents. A key match to watch is Saturday`s clash between second-place Washington Spirit and 13th-place Chicago Stars FC, both enjoying four-game unbeaten streaks. The outcome will surely influence their standing in the updated power rankings.
With time running out to solidify playoff bids, teams still have ample opportunity to demonstrate their strength in these rankings. Kansas City Current continues to lead both the league standings and these power rankings, though positions can shift rapidly.
It’s important to note that a team`s league standing doesn`t always directly reflect its power ranking. For instance, Chicago`s near-bottom league position doesn`t mean they`re at the very bottom here, and San Diego`s top-three league spot doesn`t entirely capture their recent form; these factors are carefully considered.
As Week 18 looms, the big question is: which teams will climb and which will fall? Don`t miss any of the action.
- 2025 NWSL Power Rankings
- 1. Kansas City Current (–)
- 2. Washington Spirit (–)
- 3. Orlando Pride (–)
- 4. Portland Thorns (–)
- 5. Seattle Reign (–)
- 6. San Diego Wave (-2)
- 7. Racing Louisville FC (–)
- 8. Angel City FC (+1)
- 9. Gotham FC (-1)
- 10. Houston Dash (+1)
- 11. Chicago Stars FC (+2)
- 12. Utah Royals FC (+2)
- 13. Bay FC (-2)
- 14. North Carolina Courage (-2)
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
Here’s how the league teams stack up as Week 18 approaches:
1. Kansas City Current (–)
It`s increasingly difficult to find new superlatives for this team, which consistently combines a formidable defense with a lethal attack. This success is no surprise, with key players like center-back Kayla Sharples and prolific forward Temwa Chawinga leading the charge.
2. Washington Spirit (–)
The Spirit played the role of spoiler with a road victory and have emerged as Kansas City`s strongest contender for league titles. To truly dominate the NWSL, they need to strengthen their defensive game, a task made more feasible with the return of Nigerian international midfielder Deborah Abiodun from her loan at Dallas Trinity.
3. Orlando Pride (–)
With Barbra Banda out for the remainder of the season, this might be Orlando`s final appearance in the top three of these power rankings. Banda was instrumental, leading both the team and the league with 71 shots and eight goals. While Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle is an exciting new signing, her arrival wasn`t intended to directly fill Banda`s significant void.
4. Portland Thorns (–)
Facing the league`s top team last weekend, the Thorns performed as well as any other club – they lost. However, there`s a sense of a moral victory; their performance wasn`t poor, and they posed a significant threat in the final third, suggesting a future rise in the rankings.
5. Seattle Reign (–)
This squad is doing just enough to avoid major setbacks, which isn`t exactly high praise. Sofia Huerta finally breaking a long-standing NWSL assists record could signal better times ahead. They are undoubtedly better than most teams but currently lack the dominant power of the clubs ahead of them.
6. San Diego Wave (-2)
After a surprising first half of the season, the Wave have struggled to build momentum in the second half, securing only one win in their last five matches. With no easy schedule ahead, San Diego must regain consistency to be considered a strong contender.
7. Racing Louisville FC (–)
Racing has quickly become a team opponents dread facing, and they`ve only gotten stronger. At the trade deadline, they acquired Makenna Morris, a young player in her second year with postseason and championship experience, having been a runner-up with the Spirit in 2024.
8. Angel City FC (+1)
Angel City is on the cusp of a playoff spot, reflecting their current standing in these rankings. A crucial goal by rising star Alyssa Thompson against a contender could shake things up, but the team is also losing players during the transfer window. It`s challenging to gauge their ultimate direction for the rest of the season.
9. Gotham FC (-1)
Gotham surprisingly maintained a position in the upper half of the rankings for some time, but a recent lack of creativity and goal-scoring has finally caused them to drop. Esther Gonzalez remains a contender for the NWSL Golden Boot, with plenty of chances created, but the finishing touch has been missing.
10. Houston Dash (+1)
For the Houston Dash, rankings are just numbers. They are quietly ascending the list with consistent performances since the mid-season break. Strong defensive displays from Natalie Jacobs, Avery Patterson, and Paige Nielsen have transformed the Dash, and if Yazmeen Ryan continues to score, they will remain a formidable threat.
11. Chicago Stars FC (+2)
Perhaps the bottom half of the rankings offers more excitement than the top during this phase of the season, especially for those who appreciate weekly chaos. Chicago has consistently delivered outrageous late-game finishes, and their thrilling comebacks have propelled them up the power rankings.
12. Utah Royals FC (+2)
It seems the Royals have finally realized how to leverage their home field advantage. While it`s known that visiting teams struggle to score at altitude, the Royals` defense has also made opponents` lives difficult. If they can convert draws into wins, they will remain a persistent challenge throughout the season.
13. Bay FC (-2)
This team has been a puzzle all season. One week they appear to have everything figured out, and the next, they struggle to manage a game. It`s disappointing to see Nigerian international goal scorer Oshola Asisat reduced to a bench player, and the club seems less powerful and more perplexing.
14. North Carolina Courage (-2)
You simply cannot concede three goals in 10 minutes, let alone a hat-trick to a single substitute, and expect to climb the rankings. North Carolina did just that, and their power ranking has dropped accordingly.
