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Celia BalfSep 10, 2024NWSLFEATURESMartaOrlando PrideNorth Carolina Courage

NWSL Power Rankings: Orlando Pride qualify for playoffs, North Carolina Courage pour in 4 goals in Alex Morgan's final game

Orlando Pride qualify for playoffs, Courage steal show in Morgan's farewell match

Orlando Pride continued their winning streak, by beating the Chicago Red Stars 1-0 over the weekend. With the win, the Pride have now officially qualified for the NWSL playoffs and extended their victorious run to six in a row.

Also across the league, U.S. legend Alex Morgan played in her final professional game, in which the San Diego Wave fell 4-1 to the North Carolina Courage.

INDIVISA is back to deliver another week of NWSL Power Rankings.

  • USA TODAY Sports

    14Houston Dash ↔️

    Problems continue to arise in Houston, as the club dropped another game, their 11th loss of the season.

    The Dash fell 2-1 to NJ/NY Gotham FC on the road, putting up a good fight despite conceding a goal in just 10th minute of play.

  • NWSL
    Portland Thorns crest
    Portland Thorns
    Portland Thorns
    Orlando Pride crest
    Orlando Pride
    Orlando Pride
    NWSL
    North Carolina Courage crest
    North Carolina Courage
    North Carolina Courage
    Angel City FC crest
    Angel City FC
    Angel City FC
  • Getty Images

    13San Diego Wave ⬇️

    The San Diego Wave just can't seem to figure it out, despite a strong roster and interim head coach Landon Donovan in the lead.

    The Wave fell 4-1 in Morgan's final professional match. The lone goal came from Kennedy Wesley in the 13th minute.

    The Wave have a lot of depth, but have not won since May 9.

  • USA Today Sports

    12Utah Royals ⬆️

    The Utah Royals had been on a two-game win streak - that was until they fell to Kansas City on the road over the weekend.

    The Royals had picked up their fourth win of the season last week, but unfortunately couldn't keep the winning streak alive against a tough, disciplined Kansas City side. The Royals will next play San Diego Wave.

  • USA TODAY Sports

    11Portland Thorns ↔️

    The Portland Thorns fell to the Spirit 2-1 over the weekend, yet still are holding strong in the league standings in 6th place.

    The Thorns have lost three-straight games, and are looking for three points as they enter next weekend's match against the Chicago Red Stars.

    Thorns forward Sophia Smith was reunited with one of her "Triple Espresso} teammates, Trinity Rodman, in last weekend's game vs the Spirit.

  • Getty Images

    10Chicago Red Stars ⬇️

    The Chicago Red Stars should be winning, but for some reason, the final-third chances aren't going in, and defensive cohesion is lacking. The Red Stars fell in their third straight game over the weekend to the Orlando Pride.

  • Imagn

    9Bay FC ⬆️

    Bay FC earned a solid 1-0 result over Racing Louisville over the weekend. That marked Bay FC's second-straight win.

    Bay FC sit in seventh place in the league standings, and have looked really solid since their new signings in Abby Dahlkemper and Penelope Hocking.

  • Getty Images

    8Racing Louisville ⬇️

    Racing Louisville struggled to finish, falling to Bay FC 1-0.

    Louisville sit in 11th place in the league standings and have a lot of work to do to be in playoff contention. The team will next play Angel City FC, so chances are Katie Lund is going to once again have to come up with lots of big saves.

  • Getty Images

    7Angel City FC ⬆️

    Angel City FC dominated at home against Seattle, however the Reign ended up coming-from-behind to win 3-2. Despite falling to the Reign, Angel City still sit above Harvey's side in the league standings at the ninth spot.

    Angel City still have a lot of work to do to earn a playoff spot, but the morale seems high in LA, as highlight-worthy goals from Alyssa Thompson and Sydney Leroux were everything worth cheering for.

  • Imagn

    6Seattle Reign ↔️

    Things aren't all perfect in Seattle, but the team keeps churning out wins, despite giving up goals early into the their last two matches. Reign FC crawled from behind to beat Angel City FC over the weekend, 3-2.

    That win is the squad's third straight, and puts them in a promising position with the playoffs on the horizon.

  • Imagn

    5Kansas City Current ↔️

    Kansas City Current are back to their winning ways, after securing a 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals. It was Temwa Chawinga that helped her team earn the three points, marking her eighth straight regular-season match with a goal for the Current.

    The Current will next face the top dogs, Orlando Pride, on the road.

  • 4NJ/NY Gotham FC ⬇️

    Gotham FC beat Houston 2-1 over the weekend, but despite a good victory and some nice goals, Gotham is still struggling to fully tap into their potential. This team is fully loaded with talent, and it was a bonus to see Lynn Williams earn another record in the league.

    In stoppage time, Williams earned an assist to Esther Gonzalez, who sealed the win for Gotham. That assist marked Williams' 35th assist in all NWSL competitions, which crowns her with the second-most assists across all competitions in the NWSL.

  • 3North Carolina Courage ⬆️

    The North Carolina Courage cannot be slept on, as the team has week-by-week climbed up the league standings. This past weekend was no different, as the Courage slotted in four goals past the San Diego Wave to secure a big road win.

    The Courage sit in fifth place in the league standings with an overall record of 10-8-1.

    The Courage had to take care of business in front of 26,000 fans that were in San Diego to witness Morgan's final professional game. In just the fourth minute of play, the Courage got on the board.

  • 2Washington Spirit ↔️

    The Washington Spirit were magic over the weekend, literally.

    NBA legend Magic Johnson is the newest investor in the Spirit, was at the game over the weekend and jumped right into the action - and celebration.

    Rodman scored in the 59th minute for the Spirit and didn't waste any time, immediately celebrating with Johnson. Rodman was also involved in the game-winning goal, which came in stoppage time by Leicy Santos.

    Rodman played a lofted ball into the box, and Santos came flying through making a diving header to secure the three points.

  • 1Orlando Pride ↔️

    Marta was the difference maker for the Pride, scoring an absolute stunner in the 36th minute. The Pride now are unbeaten in 20 games, and have officially qualified for playoffs.

    The Pride defeated the Red Stars 1-0 on the road, and top the standings with a 14-0-5 record.

    Next week, the Pride take on third place Kansas City Current at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.