NWSL Power Rankings: Record-breaking weekend for Bay FC, plus scoring mayhem across league shakes up standings

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Drew Gotham FC 0-0

Ramifications: Mandy McGlynn came up big for Utah, making seven saves to keep Gotham FC off the board. Utah are in a challenging spot overall, with still just one win, 11 losses and five draws. 

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Drew North Carolina Courage 3-3

Ramifications: Stars forward Ludmila scored three goals in just 10 minutes, an NWSL-record, that secured a draw with  North Carolina. Before Ludmila, the Stars were lacking scoring power, but are no making a case as one of the most exciting offensive teams across the league.

The Stars are still in a tough spot in the league standings, winless in 13 games, however, since Ella Masar took over as head coach, they have four straight draws.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Lost to Washington Spirit 3-2

Ramifications: Despite the match making NWSL history on Saturday, reaching a new record for single-game attendance (40,091) at Oracle Park - home of MLB's San Francisco Giants - Bay FC fell to the Spirit. Bay FC came from behind and got on the scoring board thanks to Rachel Kundananji and Kelli Hubly.

The game was split 50-50 in possession, however Bay FC still have quite a bit of work to do to improve in the league standings. 

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Drew Seattle Reign 1-1

Ramifications: Yazmeen Ryan scored the Dash's only goal to secure the point at home against Seattle. Despite the even scoreline, the Dash dominated the match's possession and are slowly making a case for themselves into the second half of the season.

As it stands, the Dash are in 11th place, but only  three points away from the playoff line.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Beat Orlando Pride 1-0

Ramifications: Angel City needed this boost. And the beating Pride, at their home of BMO Stadium? Even better for a team that has had all of the pieces without the results this season.

Alyssa Thompson scored an electric goal for the Los Angeles team, and just like that they are making their way back up the standings with 20 points, just one point shy of Gotham FC, holding onto the eighth playoff spot.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Drew Chicago Stars 3-3

Ramifications: The Stars and Courage was the game to watch over the weekend, with both sides pouring in goals and scoring more than they have pretty much all season long. The Courage maintained a 2-0 lead for most of the game, but could not find an answer for Ludmila, who recorded a hat-trick.

The Courage are in ninth place in the league standings with a 5-6-6 record.

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Beat San Diego Wave 1-0

Ramifications: Racing Louisville have officially entered the chat. The first portion of the season was one thing, but this team has completely figured it out during this stretch, scoring big goals and securing massive wins.

On Sunday night, Racing Louisville stunned the Wave by getting a goal just after half and then maintaining the lead. That was only the Wave's third loss of the season. Louisville are in seventh place in the league standings.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Lost to Kansas City Current 2-0

Ramifications: The Thorns fell to the Current at Providence Park, in a quite jarring occurrence of events. Before a minute even struck the clock, the Current were on the board.

The Thorns battled back and even maintained the better of the game's possession, 60 percent to the Current's 40 percent. The Thorns aren't in a bad spot by any means in the league standings, as they currently are fifth. 

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Tied Houston Dash 1-1

Ramifications: On the road in Houston, the Reign recovered from a one-goal deficit to bring a point back. Coming off of a Player of the Week performance, forward Jordyn Huitema had the game-tying goal, assisted by defender Sofia Huerta, who now owns the all-time NWSL assist record.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Drew Utah Royals 0-0

Ramifications: Gotham FC and Utah battled it out to a fairly even game, with Gotham just ahead with a 51 percent possession split. While Gotham had the better of chances on goal, seven to the Royals' one, they just couldn't quite get past Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn.

Gotham are 5-6-6  and are currently in the final playoff spot. 

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Lost to Angel City 1-0

Ramifications: Between the news of Barbra Banda going on the season-ending-injury list and Angel City completely out-shooting the Pride on Friday night, Orlando are going to have to dig deep during this final few months of the season.

The Pride were on their heels much of the match, and even dropping the three points on the road, are still in fourth place  in the league standings.

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Lost to Racing Louisville 1-0

Ramifications: San Diego fell at home to Racing Louisville, after dominating possession with 71 percent. It just wasn't the Wave's day, with the loss just their third of the season.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Beat Bay FC 3-2

Ramifications: It may not have been at "Rowdy Audi" but the Spirit took care of business on the road, defeating Bay FC in front a record NWSL crowd. Croix Bethune, 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year and 2024 Midfielder of the Year, scored her first goal of the season.

Bethune's finish was a work of art, juking out Bay FC's backline and keeper with some quick touches and a far post low shot.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Beat Portland Thorns 2-0

Ramifications: The Kansas City Current once again took care of business, earning their 14th win of the season and dominating the Thorns. Just 55 seconds into the match, Ellie Wheeler scored for the Current. Later, in the 71st minute,  Temwa Chawinga extended the Current's lead with her 11th goal of the season in 17 games played.