NWSL Power Rankings: Gift Monday presents Washington Spirit with playoff berth, Midge Purce nets first goal in 2 years for Gotham

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Lost to Kansas City 4-1

Ramifications: There’s no shame in losing to Kansas City, and not even Alyssa Naeher’s six saves could stop the league-leaders’ onslaught of goals. But at the end of a difficult season, the Stars are officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Lost to Utah Royals 2-0

Ramifications: Bay FC haven’t won a game since June 7 (four draws, seven defeats) and are looking lost toward the bottom of the table after losing to the Utah Royals. They haven’t been eliminated from the postseason, but with four remaining matches against teams in the top nine, their chances of making a second-straight postseason are dim.

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Beat Bay FC 2-0

Ramifications: The Royals are on a roll. After beating Bay FC, they’ve got three straight wins in a seven-game undefeated run. They’re still well below the playoff line, sitting in 12th with an eight-point gap between them and Racing Louisville. But the playoffs are possible, and their form is electric. 

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Lost 4-0 to Washington Spirit

Ramifications: After going on a six-game undefeated streak, Houston now has two defeats in three games after getting dismantled by the ascendant Washington Spirit. They’re still just two spots and three points below Racing Louisville in the final playoff position, but breaking into the top eight will be no easy feat. They’ve got tough tests ahead - including first-place Kansas City on the penultimate weekend - and will need other teams to stumble to seal a berth. 

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Lost to Racing Louisville 1-0

Ramifications: Angel City’s postseason dreams are within reach but getting steeper by the week as they collected their third loss in four games. They’ve got the record-setting Shield winners Kansas City up next, and not much time to break into the top of the table.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Lost to Seattle 2-1

Ramifications: After winning two straight and going undefeated in three, North Carolina, lost to the Reign. They outpossessed and outproduced their hosts, three to one on target, but came away with no points and finished the weekend in ninth place. They’ve got a pivotal test next weekend, as they play eighth-place Racing Louisville in what could be a playoff-deciding contest for the playoff-contending teams. 

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Lost to Gotham 3-0

Ramifications: They entered the weekend ranked just one spot below Gotham in the table, but failed to land any blows, getting outshot seven to two on target, Mackenzie Arnold’s four saves weren’t enough to silence the Bats as Portland fell to sixth place in the standings. With four games left, they’re strong playoff contenders, but the race for home-field advantage is tight - and every point counts.  

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Beat Angel City 1-0

Ramifications: Sarah Weber scored the game-winning goal to mark her second of the season in an essential victory for Louisville, who are  in the eighth and final playoff spot. As they campaign to make their first postseason, they play ninth-place North Carolina in a pivotal test. 

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Lost to Orlando 2-1

Ramifications: San Diego’s winless run continued in a 2-1 loss at home against Orlando, who snapped out of their own poor form with the victory. With four defeats and two draws, the Wave haven’t won a game since August 16. Now sitting in seventh place - after peaking at No. 2 -  they’ve got a slimmer margin to make the playoffs and tough tests in their final games. That includes the top-ranked Kansas City and second-place Washington, who they face next. 

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Beat North Carolina Courage 2-1

Ramifications: Maddie Dahlien, 22, scored her fourth goal of the year in a close contest. Seattle was outpossessed and outshot, but walked away with the victory. That’s an important win for Seattle, who are in fourth place with four games to go as they look likely for a postseason berth - but will need to battle for home-field advantage.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Beat San Diego 2-1

Ramifications: The reigning champions finally snapped out of a nine-game winless run, sliding down the table, though remaining in the playoff positions.. After beating San Diego with a debut goal for their newly-acquired Mexican forward Lizbeth Ovalle, Orlando are in fifth place. 

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Beat Portland 3-0

Ramifications: Gotham has been solid all season and, encouragingly for fans, they have multiple key players finding a strong stride ahead of the postseason. That includes Rose Lavelle, who collected a goal and an assist in Sunday’s win, marking five goal contributions in her past five games. That also includes NWSL’s 2023 Championship MVP Midge Purce, who collected her first goal in two years after working her way back from an ACL injury.  

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Beat Houston Dash 4-0

Ramifications: The Spirit became the second team to secure their spot in the playoffs with a resounding win over the Dash. Gift Monday, the 23-year-old Nigerian forward, is now the team’s top scorer with eight goals, including a record hat-trick within the first 36 minutes. It was Washington’s first hat-trick since 2015, and the fastest hat-trick at the start of a game in league history. Adding to the fun was Italian Sofia Cantore’s second-half goal, which made it 4-0 with a beautiful backheel.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Beat Chicago Stars 4-1

Ramifications: After scoring one of Kansas City’s four goals, Malawian forward Temwa Chawinga is back on top of the Golden Boot race with 14 on the season Chawinga continues to joust with Gotham’s Esther for the top spot. With four games to go, the Shield winners have already clinched home field advantage throughout the playoff semifinals.