NWSL Power Rankings: Record-breaking Kansas City Current set league mark with their 19th win as postseason draws near

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Drew Utah Royals 2-2

Ramifications: One week after becoming the first team eliminated from the playoffs, the Stars held the eight-games undefeated Royals to a draw. The contest was fairly even overall - same number of shots on target, nearly the same number of passes - but the Stars needed two late goals to secure this result.

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Lost to Portland Thorns 2-1

Ramifications: A year after making the playoffs in their debut season, Bay FC were officially eliminated from the ‘25 postseason in the loss to Portland. Things looked bright early on when Taylor Huff scored her third goal of the season to grab an early lead. But Olivia Moultrie’s second-half brace sunk the San Jose squad’s dreams.

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Drew Chicago Stars 2-2

Ramifications: The Royals entered matchday 23 with numerous ways to be eliminated from the playoffs. But theRoyals held on for a 2-2 draw against bottom-of-the-table Chicago. That - combined with other results - keeps Utah’s postseason potential alive for at least one more weekend. Next up, the San Diego Wave. 

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Lost to Kansas City 1-0

Ramifications: Angel City were firing on all cylinders against the top-ranked Current, outshooting the Shield winners 15-5 while playing at home Monday. They put in a valiant effort against the league’s most dominant team, though the Current rested a few players and rotated their squad. But the Current needed just one shot on target for the win, marking Angel City’s fourth loss in five games. They’re now 11th in the standings and they’ve got a must-win test against 10th-place Houston up next.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Lost to Racing Louisville 3-1

Ramifications: North Carolina are still ninth in the NWSL standings, one spot below the playoff line, after losing to fellow playoff contenders Louisville. But that loss could prove problematic - with three games to go, they’ve got tough tests ahead. They face the second-place Spirit and then finish the season against third-place Gotham.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Drew Orlando Pride 1-1

Ramifications: Ramifications: Houston finished the weekend in 10th place of the table after drawing the reigning champions at home. They’ve got three games to break into the playoffs. With two postseason contenders ranked in the top four - Kansas City and Portland - waiting in their final games, next weekend’s bout with Angel City is a must-win affair.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Lost to Washington Spirit 2-1

Ramifications: San Diego nearly pulled off a point against the second-place Spirit, as French international Delphine Cascarino scored a 95th-minute equalizer. But the Spirit responded immediately, handing the beleaguered Wave their fourth loss in five games amid a seven-game winless run. The once second-place side still finished the weekend in the eighth and final playoff position, but have three games to hang on -  and they finish their season against the Current. 

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Beat Bay FC 2-1

Ramifications: On a festive evening celebrating the career of Canadian club legend Christine Sinclair - whose No. 12 jersey they retired into the Portland Thorns Hall of Fame - Olivia Moultrie scored a second-half brace to overcome an early deficit and collect three points. They finished the weekend fourth in the standings, but it’s a tight pack in the playoff positions. Every point counts as they jockey for home-field advantage. 

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Beat North Carolina Courage 3-1

Ramifications: Racing scored three goals in the second half against North Carolina, collecting a consequential three points to bolster their playoff ambitions. Multiple players came up big for the squad hoping to make their first postseason. That included Kayla Fisher, who notched a goal and an assist, as well as USWNT winger Emma Sears, who was on fire with two assists.  Racing Louisville now has two pivotal wins from two straight games, seeing them to a seventh-place spot in the standings.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Drew Houston 1-1

Ramifications: The reigning championswrapped up a five-game run on the road  - including the NWSL regular season and CONCACAF W Champions Cup - with a draw in Texas. After falling behind, they needed Simone Charley’s 85th-minute goal to secure a point. They’re in sixth place with a five-point advantage over ninth-place North Carolina (the first team below the playoff spots), but the Pride finish their season against three teams all positioned in the top five.

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Drew Gotham 0-0

Ramifications: Seattle were vastly outplayed on the road against Gotham, as the Bats outshot the Reign 10-1 and 4-0 on target. But the visitors did well to hang on for a clean sheet and a point against one of the strongest teams in the table. Massive credit to USWNT keeper Claudia Dickey, who made five saves to keep Gotham scoreless.

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Drew Seattle 0-0

Ramifications: They held the vast majority of momentum in a draw at home, but weren’t able to break through despite some stellar chances from Rose Lavelle. They’re battling to hang on to a top four finish -  and the home field playoff advantage that goes with it. First-place Kansas City up next. 

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Beat San Diego 2-1

Ramifications: The Spirit stretched their unbeaten run to 11 regular season games with a victory at home. Although the visitors scored a stoppage time equalizer, Rosemonde Kouassi responded immediately to collect her first career brace and secure all three points. Because of results elsewhere in the NWSL, they’ll keep fighting to secure a home advantage next weekend.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Beat Angel City 1-0

Ramifications: The 2025 NWSL Shield winners are heading into the playoffs with as many records as possible. They secured a tight 1-0 victory over Angel City with a decisive second-half goal from Michelle Cooper. With that, Kansas City set the NWSL mark for most wins in a single season with 19. And Cooper has the record for fastest goal from a substitute - the 22-year-old forward took just 20 seconds to score after subbing in.