NWSL Power Rankings: Kansas City Current clinch playoff spot, Trinity Rodman makes welcome return as starter for Washington Spirit, Utah and Chicago earn big wins

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Beat Portland Thorns 2-1

Ramifications: The Royals earned their second win of the season, defeating Portland at Providence Park. The Royals put on one of their best performances of the season, led by finishing from Paige Monaghan and KK Ream. Despite the three points, Utah still are in last place with 11 points and a 2-11-5 record.

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Drew Washington Spirit 1-1

Ramifications: Chicago are starting to make a turn for the better this season, thanks largely in part to scoring sensation Ludmila. She scored her ninth goal of the season to earn a point at Audi Field for the Stars. Chicago are still struggling to climb up the standings and are in second-to-last place with 11 points and a 1-9-8 record. 

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Lost to Angel City 2-1

Ramifications: It was a Monday night battle of two California teams: Angel City vs Bay FC. Bay FC's Rachel Hill equalized in the 37th minute, but Angel City sealed the deal at BMO Stadium, scoring in the 77th minute. Despite the scoreline, Bay FC did have the better end of the possession (55 percent) to and had more shots on goal (seven to four). Bay FC are in third-to-last place with a 4-8-6 record.

Prior Ranking: 9

Result: Lost to Kansas City Current 2-0

Ramifications: North Carolina couldn't find an answer to Kansas City, who outshot them and dominated possession in the 2-0 win. While North Carolina had some strong moments, they couldn't keep up with the Current - who from coast to coast were pinging the ball and finding avenues to score. The Courage are in ninth place in the league with a 5-7-6  record.

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Drew Racing Louisville 1-1

Ramifications: Houston are finding their rhythm, and despite earning just a point over the weekend against Racing Louisville, they have one of the most prolific attacking lines across the league. The Dash got a late tying goal to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches, thanks to Evelina Duljan.

Prior Ranking: 7

Result: Lost to Utah Royals 2-1

Ramifications: The Thorns fell to the Utah over the weekend, for their sixth loss of the season. Although they had the home advantage, and were on paper the better team, the Thorns fell behind two goals and only were able to find the back of the net in the 90+7 minute thanks to Julie Dufour. 

Prior Ranking: 10

Result: Beat Bay FC 2-1

Ramifications: Angel City put on a show once again thanks to NWSL rookie Riley Tiernan's fearlessness in front of the net. In just the 12th minute of play, Tiernan scored, waking up BMO Stadium and furthering her case for Rookie of the Year. This was a crucial win for Angel City, who have only five wins and are below the playoff line with a 5-7-6 record.

Prior Ranking: 8

Result: Drew Houston Dash 1-1

Ramifications: Racing Louisville continue to make strides as one of the more fun teams to watch, and that's especially the case now with their recent pick-up of Makenna Morris from the Washington Spirit. Although Louisville earned just one point over the weekend, they are above the playoff line cutoff with a 7-6-5 record.

Prior Ranking: 6

Result: Drew San Diego Wave 0-0

Ramifications: Seattle Reign are in fifth place in the standings, and despite earning just one point against the Wave over the weekend, are in a good position for a playoff run. The Reign were doing a fair amount of chasing against the Wave, however were still able to keep them scoreless and come away with a solid result at home.

Prior Ranking: 4

Result: Lost to Gotham FC 2-0

Ramifications: After Barbra Banda's injury, the Pride have been struggling to find their rhythm up top. The Pride fell 2-0 on the road against Gotham FC, and are now in fourth place in the standings with an 8-6-4 record. 

Prior Ranking: 5

Result: Beat Orlando Pride 2-0

Ramifications: This was a big victory for Gotham, who have been struggling to earn results despite having the Golden Boot leader on their squad, Esther Gonzalez. Gotham scored two beautiful finishes, and thanks to Gonzalez and Jaelin Howell, and are now 6-6-6 overall and in eighth place. 

Prior Ranking: 3

Result: Drew Seattle Reign 0-0

Ramifications: The Wave battled the Reign to a 0-0 result, despite controlling the tempo throughout the better half of the game. The Wave are in third place in the league standings with 30 points and a 8-4-6 record.

Prior Ranking: 2

Result: Drew Chicago Stars 1-1

Ramifications: While the Spirit game drew in all kinds of attention because of tennis star Ben Shelton's appearance and juggling post-game with girlfriend Trinity Rodman, the game itself was also an entertaining one, with Sofia Cantore scoring the Spirit's lone goal. Rodman made her first start in five games and the Spirit are in a promising position in the  standings, sitting in second with a 9-4-5 record.

Prior Ranking: 1

Result: Beat North Carolina Courage 2-0

Ramifications: The Current clinched a playoff spot after their dominant win over the Courage. The Current are in first place in the standings with an impressive 46 points and a 15-2-1 record. Will anyone be able to catch up to them? It's looking unlikely at this point.