NWSL Power Rankings: Orlando explodes with six goals to kick off the season, Chicago Stars and Portland Thorns struggle

Chicago Stars FC had a tough go in Week 1, yielding six goals to the Orlando Pride. Despite trying to hold on, and Sam Staab making her way back onto the pitch after a long absence, the team struggled on all sides of the ball. The question still remains if Mallory Swanson will be back, but from the look of this first week, they could use someone to create up top.

The Portland thorns had a challenging first test, facing the Kansas City Current in Week 1. Despite leaning into many new faces and young talents, the Thorns fell 3-1 to a dominant Current side. The Thorns will have to find a leadership solution after big-name retirements and Sophia Wilson announcing her pregnancy earlier this month.

The Houston Dash came back against the Spirit, in a pretty even match, to at least get a goal. Despite falling in Week 1, they still put on a promising performance especially with the new faces in the lineup - Yazmeen Ryan and Messiah Bright. Maggie Graham scored the lone goal for the Dash in the 75th minute. Perhaps with a little more time, the Dash will continue to sync and find their rhythm this season.

The Utah Royals are hoping to turn things around this season after falling to the bottom of the table last year. While strong through the midfield, especially by way of Ally Sentnor, the Royals seem to be struggling once again with attacking opportunities and cohesion defensively. Perhaps when they travel to San Diego next week it'll be a different story.

Bay FC didn't make enough of an impact against Utah Royals in Week 1 to rise up the rankings. Despite a promising lineup, especially by way of the two up top of Rachel Kundananji and Asisat Oshoala, Bay FC didn't have many chances against a less-than-threatening Utah side. Next week, Bay FC will play Racing Louisville.

The San Diego Wave battled Angel City to a 1-1 draw. Though Gia Corley scored in just the fourth minute of play, the Wave struggled to find chances thereafter. The Wave are reinventing their way this season, so eyes will certainly be on the other Southern California team to see how they do.

Gotham only managed a draw against the Seattle Reign. While there were some great minutes from Gabi Portilho, Nealy Martin and Ella Stevens in the midfield, there are certainly some questions around who's going be Gotham's best goalscorer this season. Next week, Gotham host Orlando at home.

It was a 1-1 battle between the Southern Californian teams, with Angel City looking slightly more dangerous across the field than San Diego. Defensively, Angel City played Sarah Gorden and Savy King together at center back, which proved to be a solid pairing. Up the field, both Thompson sisters earned the start, with Alyssa Thompson scoring the lone goal for Angel City.

Seattle Reign struggled to score last season, and with the new signing of Lynn Biyendelo, there were expectations of new attacking-minded Reign team. Against Gotham, Seattle showed a very new team, especially by way of young center back Jordyn Bugg holding down the backline. Biyendelo did not dress for the match, howeve. The Reign did manage to get one goal past Gotham, thanks to Emeri Adames in the 71st minute.

Racing Louisville's result against a very solid North Carolina Courage team bumps them in this week's ranks. Louisville played a great game against the Courage, particularly by way of Emma Sears, Taylor Flint and forward Janine Beckie. This team will be a threat this season.

The North Carolina Courage didn't come away with three points in Week 1, but still managed to get on the table playing Racing Louisville to a 1-1 draw. The Courage looked like a new team with Jaedyn Shaw in the lineup and she managed to find Ashley Sanchez and Tyler Lussi up top for some promising attacking moments.

One of the other top teams from last season wasted absolutely zero time making an impact again this year. The Kansas City Current defeated Portland Thorns FC 3-1. For the Current, Temwa Chawinga, Michele Cooper and Debinha all scored. The Current will face the Spirit on the road in Week 2, so expect a close one as the two battled it out in the standings last season.

The Washington Spirit managed to earn three points in Week 1, with a victory over a very different looking Houston Dash team. While the Spirit scored two goals, they only got limited minutes from standout player Trinity Rodman and none from 2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune - despite her being removed from the season-ending injury list. Next week, the Spirit will face their top-of-the-table foe, Kansas City Current.

To absolutely nobody's surprise, Orlando came out blazing in Week 1. While Chicago Stars FC could be in a rebuilding season, the Pride did not slow down their play after winning the title in 2024. With two goals and one assist, Barbra Banda led the way for the Pride. Next week, the Pride will travel to New Jersey to face NJ/NY Gotham FC.