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NWSL Power Rankings: Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride settle for scoreless showdown, while Chicago Stars' Alyssa Naeher makes more history with goal

The NWSL delivered pure chaos, with dramatic finishes such as Jordyn Huitema's bicycle kick, an 100th minute equalizer in Washington and even a goal from veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Naeher's stoppage-time goal in her 200th career start made her the first NWSL goalkeeper to score from open play. Gotham FC's Esther Gonzalez secured the Golden Boot lead with her 11th goal of the season, despite Gotham ending their unbeaten run. And the San Diego Wave moved up to second place overall.

So, who's leading the pack, and who's falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest 2025 NWSL Power Rankings.

  • Utah RoyalsGetty Images

    Utah Royals

    Prior Ranking: 14

    Result: Drew Angel City 0-0

    Ramifications: Utah drew Angel City on Friday night in a fairly even match. Utah still have just one win this season, however they showed some strides offensively with give shots on goal against. Possession-wise,  the Royals were also slightly more successful, holding 55 percent to Angel City's 45 percent.

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  • Chicago StarsGetty Images

    Chicago Stars

    Prior Ranking: 13

    Result: Drew Seattle Reign 3-3

    Ramifications: Monday night "NWSL after dark" did not disappoint, with Chicago and Seattle playing to a 3-3 draw. Chicago displayed a whole new side, thanks to Naeher's finish to secure the extra-time draw. Naeher, longtime goalkeeper for the USWNT, became the first goalkeeper to score in open play in NWSL history.

  • Bay FCGetty Images

    Bay FC

    Prior Ranking: 12

    Result: Lost to San Diego Wave 2-1

    Ramifications: Bay FC were able to keep the Wave from scoring in the first half, but in the second 45 San Diego turned on the jets. Bay FC dropped their seventh match of the season, and now sit in 11th place in the league standings, three spots from the playoff line.

  • Angel City FCGetty Images

    Angel City

    Prior Ranking: 9

    Result: Drew Utah Royals 0-0

    Ramifications: Angel City has some super power, but the team is just not clicking offensively. Drawing Utah was a tough result for a team that is barely holding onto a post-season playoff run. Angel City are in 12th place in the league standings. 

  • Michelle Alozie Getty Images

    Houston Dash

    Prior Ranking: 11

    Result: Beat Gotham FC 2-1

    Ramifications: Weather delay after weather delay did not stop the Houston Dash from pulling off a crazy upset on Sunday night. The Dash, currently in 10th place in the league standings, came back from conceding a goal in the eighth minute to defeat Gotham at their home turf.

  • North Carolina CourageGetty Images

    North Carolina Courage

    Prior Ranking: 10

    Result: Drew Portland Thorns 1-1

    Ramifications: The Courage drew the Thornsat home, climbing back to secure a point thanks to Tyler Lussi's 70th-minute equalizer. The Courage are just one spot below the playoff line, and are currently 5-6-5. 

  • Racing LouisvilleGetty Images

    Racing Louisville

    Prior Ranking: 8

    Result: Drew Washington Spirit 2-2

    Ramifications: Racing Louisville continue to entertain and deliver, climbing up the league standings. Drawing the Spirit at Audi Field is no easy feat, and even though Washington scored in 100th minute of play to equalize, Louisville played to an even match. Racing Louisville are in sevnth place in the league standings with a 6-6-4 record.

  • Seattle Reign FCGetty Images

    Seattle Reign

    Prior Ranking: 7

    Result: Drew Chicago Stars 3-3

    Ramifications: It's as if overnight Seattle Reign became an offensive powerhouse. From Jordyn Huitema's bicycle kick, to Jess Fishlock's final third passing, the Reign are proving to be the team to beat during this  stretch of the season. It was a battle on Monday night, however the Reign were able to secure one point and improve to 7-5-3. 

  • Olivia MoultrieGetty Images

    Portland Thorns

    Prior Ranking: 6

    Result: Drew North Carolina Courage 1-1

    Ramifications: Olivia Moultrie showed up in a big way for Portland, scoring just before halftime. The Thorns are in a good spot in the league standings with a 7-4-5 record and sitting in fifth place overall.

  • Esther GonzálezGetty Images

    Gotham FC

    Prior Ranking: 5

    Result: Lost to Houston Dash 2-1

    Ramifications: Blame the weather, an own goal, or just the day, but Gotham FC dropped a crucial match on Sunday night to Houston. Despite scoring first, and Esther Gonzalez earning her 11th goal of the season, Gotham FC lost their sixth match of the season, and now are just above the playoff line in eighth place. 

  • Washington SpiritGetty Images

    Washington Spirit

    Prior Ranking: 4

    Result: Drew Racing Louisville 2-2

    Ramifications: The Washington Spirit drew Louisville in an action-packed match at Audi Field. Sofia Cantore, in her first start for the Spirit, recorded a goal, becoming the first Italian player to score in the NWSL. 

  • Emily SamsGetty Images

    Orlando Pride

    Prior Ranking: 3

    Result: Drew Kansas City Current 0-0

    Ramifications: The Pride played the Current even at CPKC Stadium in a fairly uneventful match. Despite the two teams going neck-and-neck all of last year and this year, the game rather monotone. Both sides played well, but it was even from possession to goalscoring opportunities. 

  • San Diego WaveGetty Images

    San Diego Wave

    Prior Ranking: 2

    Result: Beat Bay FC 2-1

    Ramifications: The Wave continue to look like they have the most fun in the NWSL. They don't just score goals, but they finish electric bangers that silence crowds. From the consistent goalkeeping of Kailen Sheridan in net, to diversity in goalscoring from Adrianna Leon, Kimmi Ascanio and Delphine Cascarino.

  • Ally SentnorGetty Images

    Kansas City Current

    Prior Ranking: 1

    Result: Drew Orlando Pride 0-0

    Ramifications: Despite a less-than-thrilling match against Orlando, the Current are still 11 points ahead of the pack and are flying high in first place with 40 points and a 13-2-1 record. Forward Temwa Chawinga is very much in the running in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, just one behind Gotham's Esther.