Following a weekend packed with seven matches, the 2025 NWSL regular season is underway, and with it, our power rankings. Reaching the five-week mark has highlighted the performance of trending teams. After three consecutive weeks featuring the same top two clubs, recent results have finally brought changes to the upper portion of the rankings.
Week five had a distinct theme: rivalries. This wasn`t limited to regional matchups but included head-to-head contests providing intricate insight into potential playoff scenarios beyond single high-stakes games. Notably, Orlando and Washington faced off for the first time since November 2024 without a championship on the line. The outcome significantly impacted this week`s rankings compared to last week.
Typically, the middle-ranked teams show the most movement, and week five was no exception. Clubs positioned between fifth and ninth made noise on the charts. San Diego is quietly making a steady ascent, and it feels like this point in the season is where we`ll consistently see the California sides jockeying for position.
Unfortunately, the lower end of the rankings is starting to solidify, much like the top tier. It`s already been a tough opening five weeks for Chicago, Louisville, and Utah, and the trends suggest this pattern may continue for some time.
Week six is here, and the quarter mark of the season is rapidly approaching, so be sure not to miss any of the action. Fans can catch select NWSL regular season matches across various broadcast and streaming platforms.
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kansas City Current | — | Currently on a five-game winning streak with goals coming from multiple players across the squad, including early league MVP candidate Debinha. They are showing no mercy, defeating postseason contenders, playoff hopefuls, and teams at the bottom of the table alike. |
| 2. | Washington Spirit | +1 | No Trinity Rodman, no problem – at least for now. The Spirit are showcasing their roster depth and remain a formidable top team, challenging lesser opponents and proving tough foes for the elite clubs. |
| 3. | Orlando Pride | -1 | It feels unusual to place Orlando third. They are a strong team that often wins narrowly, but this approach caught up to them in week five. They will need to be more clinical in front of goal to reclaim a top spot. |
| 4. | NJ/NY Gotham FC | — | It`s full steam ahead for Gotham after the international break. Alongside Kansas City, they are riding the wave of top form while effectively managing ongoing injuries. |
| 5. | Seattle Reign FC | +1 | Seattle delivered something of a statement performance against the Portland Thorns, and Lynn Biyendolo made her first start of the season. This is a good moment for the Reign to make a move up the rankings. |
| 6. | Angel City FC | -1 | Tactical adjustments by the coaching staff did not yield results against playoff contender Gotham FC last week. Interim coach Sam Laity has roughly a month to work on lineups before newly hired manager Alexander Straus arrives in June. |
| 7. | San Diego Wave FC | +1 | The tide is rising for San Diego as they continue to climb the rankings. French internationals Delphine Cascarino and Kenza Dali keep delivering clutch performances, making San Diego look increasingly dangerous week after week. |
| 8. | Houston Dash | -1 | The initial excitement seems to be fading quickly for Houston. There are still positive aspects with first-year roster moves and a new head coach, but none of that will truly matter without securing winning results. |
| 9. | Bay FC | +2 | They bounced back up the standings thanks in part to a standout performance from Kiki Pickett. If they can find a way to be more productive with their scoring opportunities, they might be able to push into the upper half of the rankings. |
| 10. | North Carolina Courage | -1 | They are slipping and struggling to recover. The tactical plans are there, but the roster appears to be having difficulty executing them effectively. Perhaps it`s time for a formation adjustment, as the current approach isn`t quite working. |
| 11. | Portland Thorns FC | -1 | They couldn`t capitalize on momentum swings during a rivalry game, and having just one win in five games puts this team in the exact same position as they were a year ago. This is clearly not where they want to be. |
| 12. | Utah Royals | — | You have to secure wins whenever and wherever possible, and sometimes that means winning when two struggling teams face off. Ally Sentnor`s composure on penalties was definitely a highlight. |
| 13. | Chicago Stars FC | — | The coaching staff made numerous substitutions, as travel and altitude seemed to impact performance late in the game. That was largely the most noteworthy aspect of their showing in week five. |
| 14. | Racing Louisville FC | — | Every passing week presents new questions for Louisville. This week, a prominent question is, `Where do we go from here?` |
Dominic Ashworth