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Getty ImagesThe NWSL season is back, and the Orlando Pride have everyone locked in. Unbeaten in 18 straight games, and sitting at the top of the standings, the Pride are heating things up across the league.
Elsewhere, battles for a playoff spots continue. With all of the Olympians back in NWSL play, the teams are generally operating with their full rosters.
INDIVISA breaks down who stood out this week, and who dropped in our rankings. Let's get into it.
USA Today ImagesIt's tough times in Houston, as the Dash drop their first game after the Olympic break to front-runners, the Orlando Pride.
The Dash currently sit in second-to-last place, with a 3-9-5 overall record.
Granted, they had to play Orlando, who are unbeaten in 322 days, and have broken records like it's their job this season: Longest unbeaten streak in NWSL history, and the most wins and points in a single-season in club history.
If it wasn't for Jane Campbell's seven saves, the game could have gone even worse for the Dash. Campbell came up big for her side, a task she's been owning all season. The attacking chances for the Dash were far and few in between, as they were outshot by Orlando 21-9, and 8-1 on target.
USA Today Sports The Royals have had a tough season, from manager changes to struggling to find any attacking presence. Good news for the Royals, though, as the team picked up just their third win of the season over Bay FC on Friday.
The Royals are still in last place in the league standings, but have improved their record to 3-3-11 overall.
Royals forward Paige Monaghan opened up the game's scoring just minutes into the second half. And, not long after a Bay FC own goal made it 2-0 Royals.
The Royals will hope to keep their winning streak going, as they gear up to face the Houston Dash next.
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USA Today ImagesWith Landon Donovan at the helm of San Diego Wave, fans were hoping for a turnaround, however the team fell badly to Angel City FC in Donovan's first game as interim coach.
In the 90th minute, Abby Dahlkemper got the Wave on the board, but it wasn't enough time to claw back over Angel City.
It's worth noting that the Wave were without Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw. Still, the team has enough offensive power in Alex Morgan, Melanie Barcenas, and Delphine Cascarino off the bench to get something going without Shaw.
The Wave have a tough couple games ahead as they fight for a playoff spot.
Getty ImagesBay FC fell on the road 2-1 to bottom of the table Utah, so there is a major turnaround needed to get back up into playoff contention.
Bay FC still managed to get a goal thanks to the one and only, Racheal Kundananji. Kundananji is back with Bay FC after a strong Olympic run with Zambia, and will look to get the goals rolling in for her team.
Bay FC will next face Portland on Friday.
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GettyIt was a special match in Seattle on Sunday, as Megan Rapinoe's No. 15 jersey was retired. With lots of fans, and excitement around the game and honoring Rapinoe, Reign FC just barely escaped the match with three points.
In stoppage time, super-sub and 18-year-old wonder kid, Emeri Adames, entered the game in the 97th minute. Adames has always looked up to Rapinoe, and in full-on queen behavior, created some chaos for the Reign in the Courage box, and forced an own goal on Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
In honor of Rapinoe, Adames celebrated with the legendary, Rapinoe stance.
While the Reign were able to slip past the Courage, they still have some work to do to climb up the standings and have a real chance at playoffs.
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USA TODAY SportsThe North Carolina Courage have been strong all season, and even dominated much of the game against the Reign, however with a late own goal and some sloppy defensive mistakes, the Courage grab this week's ninth spot.
The Courage are still in a good position in the league standings, with an 8-8-1 overall record, and currently sitting in sixth place. They will have to turn up a new gear as the second-half of the season will surely prove it's anyone's race.
Getty ImagesIf Angel City had any chance at winning the SoCal battle, it was thanks to Alyssa Thompson's highlight-worthy goals.
Thompson's two scores came in the 19th and 28th minute to put her side ahead 2-0 early into the game.
Angel City are looking like a threat entering the second-half of the season, especially with Christen Press back and a rock hard defensive line in Sarah Gordon and Megan Reid.
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USA Today ImagesMallory Swanson didn't return to the pitch for Chicago's match vs. Racing Louisville, and it's fair to say that she was missed.
Chicago struggled to create chances up-top, and suffered on transitions defensively. Alyssa Naeher held her own in goal, despite giving up three goals in a 3-1 loss.
The Red Stars sit in seventh place overall with a record of 7-8-2.
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GettyRacing Louisville were literally off to the races in their impressive 3-1 win over Chicago.
Uchenna Kanu opened up the scoring for Louisville, and then Marisa Degrande and Kayla Fischer chipped in one each.
In other big Louisville news, Bethany Balcer joined the team as well as Janine Beckie, both adding lots of depth and professional experience to the roster.
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USA Today ImagesPortland Thorns dropped a road game against Gotham FC on Saturday, just their sixth loss of the season. The Thorns were without USWNT and Olympic gold medalists, Sophia Smith and Sam Coffey, and their offensive power struggled.
Gotham won 2-0, so the Thorns will have to bounce back to stay in their playoff spot.
ImagnKansas City fell to the Spirit 4-1 on Sunday, leaving the team just a spot below Washington in the league standings.
KC has scored many goals on the season, but also has given up quite a few, too. Leading the scoring for the Current is Temwa Chawinga, who currently has the top spot in the league's Golden Boot race with 13 goals.
The Current will look to bounce back against the Courage next weekend.
GettyIt was a triumphant return of many Olympic champions, as Gotham FC made quite the statement on Saturday, beating the Portland Thorns 2-0.
Gotham brought back most of their Olympic players into the match, and the chemistry and excitement was obvious for the team being reunited after the break.
Gotham FC were a force up top, and disciplined defensively. They beat a very good Portland team in possession, shots on goal, total passes, and passing accuracy.
Gotham currently sit in fourth place in the league standings with a record of 10-3-4 overall.
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ImagnThe Washington Spirit have no off switch, especially with Trinity Rodman, Croix Bethune, and all of their Olympians back.
The Spirit beat a very talented Current side 4-1 on Saturday, proving who should hold the second spot in the standings.
The Spirit started Bethune, Leicy Santos, and Ouleymata Sarr up top, which really meant there would be some goals ahead.
The Spirit opened up scoring in just the eighth minute, thanks to Paige Metayer. Following Metayer's lead, Sarr got herself on the board not long after.
Rodman entered the game sporting her "gold" braids and would go on to score the Spirit's third goal of the day in the 50th minute. And to seal the game at 4-1, Santos scored for the Spirit, her first with the club.
Getty ImagesOrlando sits at No. 1 and with good reason, the team is unstoppable, unbeatable, and on fire from all sides of the pitch.
Granted they only scored one goal in their 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash, but the team is in true form with Barbra Banda up top with 12 goals on the season. Brazil's Marta also was on the pitch, finding Banda in dangerous spots to test Dash keeper, Jane Campbell.
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