The NWSL regular season recently resumed following an international break. With the season`s halfway point just weeks away, it feels like a good time to review the power rankings. Despite the brief pause, the relative strength of most teams hasn`t seen significant shifts.
Kansas City remains the dominant force in the league, consistently overcoming opponents. San Diego is making rapid progress with its roster changes. The middle section of the table is tightly contested and difficult to differentiate, while teams like Chicago and Utah are finding the season particularly challenging.
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kansas City Current | — | Kansas City Current maintains its top position. Temwa Chawinga is a strong contender for a repeat Golden Boot, and the team has managed injury concerns effectively. They handle the pressure of being first place with apparent ease. |
| 2. | Washington Spirit | — | The Spirit hold firm at second place. While head coach Jonatan Giraldez is set to depart for Lyon in July, the players are consistently performing at a high level regardless of the coaching situation. |
| 3. | Orlando Pride | — | Orlando Pride appears beatable at times this season, but they remain a top-tier team that requires a full 90-minute effort to defeat. Championship teams find a way, and defender Cori Dyke was a standout performer in the recent week. |
| 4. | San Diego Wave FC | — | Compared to last season when scoring was difficult, San Diego is finding the net with relative ease this year. However, they couldn`t secure a home win in week 11 despite effort, keeping them just outside the top three for now. |
| 5. | Seattle Reign FC | +3 | Seattle Reign has shown streaky form this year, which brings an element of unpredictability that could help them rise in the rankings. Manager Laura Harvey is rotating players and adjusting tactics to keep them a threat. |
| 6. | Angel City FC | — | New head coach Alexander Straus made his debut and saw the potential of the team`s younger players. However, settling for points against a struggling opponent raises questions as they approach the season`s midway point. |
| 7. | Gotham FC | -2 | Gotham FC has experienced an inconsistent first half of the season, dealing with injuries and a challenging schedule. They showed improved form following their recent Concacaf W Champions Cup win, but it feels likely they could drop in rankings again. |
| 8. | Portland Thorns FC | -1 | Portland Thorns had numerous opportunities and periods of strong play in week 11 but failed to convert their momentum into goals. This is becoming a concerning trend, and they face further drops if they don`t reverse it. |
| 9. | Racing Louisville FC | +1 | Racing Louisville is currently on a positive run, moving closer to the playoff positions. However, there`s a need to see them perform consistently against stronger contenders to truly believe this surge is sustainable. |
| 10. | North Carolina Courage | -1 | North Carolina Courage played one of their best matches of the season in week 11 but still couldn`t secure a win. Despite the result, improved play from individuals like Courtnee Vine and Manaka Matsukubo offers some positive takeaways. |
| 11. | Bay FC | +1 | Bay FC has shown improvement, but the question remains whether it`s enough for long-term success. This week`s performance was sufficient for a one-spot climb, but their trajectory beyond that is uncertain. |
| 12. | Houston Dash | -1 | Houston Dash suffered a particularly tough loss, conceding a late goal in stoppage time after holding one of the league`s top teams scoreless for 90 minutes. While painful, this defeat could serve as motivation for future games. |
| 13. | Utah Royals FC | +1 | Utah Royals FC`s midfield is showing improving form and functioning well to initiate attacks. However, they continue to lack the crucial final product in front of goal, and the season is increasingly getting away from them. |
| 14. | Chicago Red Stars FC | -1 | Interim manager Masaki Hemmi`s tactical formation adjustments nearly paid off for Chicago but ultimately didn`t result in a positive outcome. The challenging season continues for the Red Stars. |
Dominic Ashworth