The 2025 NWSL common season rolls on, and week 15 provided some glimpses of upper-half head-to-heads. There shall be loads of eyes on a battle between first-place Kansas Metropolis Present and second-place Orlando Delight on Saturday (4 p.m. on Paramount+ and CBS), however the place are they on this week’s rankings?
This 12 months’s NWSL Protect-leading Kansas Metropolis will attempt to increase the 12 factors between them and final 12 months’s NWSL Protect winners/ So far as which group is giving extra “energy” power, there are nonetheless zero groups chasing Kansas Metropolis in my rankings.
That is to not say that may’t shift week to week, that is the enjoyable of an influence rankings. Out the window with foolish factors and in with the heavy emphasis on vibes, as a result of with simply 11 match weeks remaining, any membership can rise or fall. It is what makes the center of the desk most difficult at this level of the 12 months; even essentially the most mid-form group can crank up the efficiency quantity and elevate itself. A great way to maintain observe of that is in my earlier energy rankings from week 14.
So, which groups will climb and who will stumble? Week 16 shall be right here quickly, so do not miss any motion. Followers can watch choose NWSL common season matches throughout CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports activities Golazo Community.
2025 NWSL Energy Rankings
Here is how the league stacks up as week 16 approaches:
1. Kansas Metropolis Present (–)
Even in opposition to the altitude of Utah’s picturesque mountains, Temwa Chawinga finds a solution to pull off a game-winner. The Malawian worldwide retains setting information within the league, and in week 15, she grew to become the quickest participant in league historical past to attain 30 targets in 40 video games. Whether or not or not she has tremendous lungs or tremendous expertise, or each, the Present will stay essentially the most highly effective group within the league along with her main the assault.
2. Washington Spirit (–)
Had a participant benefit and but could not determine the best way to get the ball behind the web, as a result of typically performances flip into defensive clinics, and the Spirit’s again three of Rebecal Bernal, Tara McKeown, and Esme Morgan confirmed off why the Spirit protection is elite. They lead the league in shot blocks (58) and clearances (439).
3. Orlando Delight (–)
That is positively not final season, Orlando Delight. This group hasn’t had a win in three video games, however that does not imply they do not have recreation changers to shake issues up. Marta and Angelina might be huge components now that they are acclimated again into the group from their Copa America stint, and three weeks into the second half of the season appears like an excellent time to shake off the rust.
4. Portland Thorns (+2)
The squad had a little bit of an announcement recreation in opposition to rivals Seattle and flexed their offensive muscular tissues with 4 completely different objective scorers throughout all positional strains. Whether or not it is defenders or forwards, group captain and midfielder Sam Coffey is setting them up and knocking them down relating to producing offense.
5. Seattle Reign (-1)
The group will desire a huge bounce again after getting dunked on in opposition to their Pacific Northwest rivals. They obtained the items to do it, as newly acquired Mia Fishel builds her minutes, and Sam Meza rises as a staple in Seattle’s midfield. Head coach Laura Harvey hasn’t shied away from mixing issues up tactically this season, and who can blame her with as deep a roster because the Reign?
6. San Diego Wave (-2)
This group was the most popular group within the first half of the season and it feels just like the lengthy mid-year break has cooled them off. The objective scoring definitely has anyway. But when Daphnie Cascarino retains up the attacking sequences as her front-line companions are rotated, the Wave will stay a menace.
7. Racing Louisville FC (–)
Louisville have turn into a irritating aspect to go up in opposition to, and if they will simply mix that with extra scientific ending, then they will turn into the squad that top-four groups hate dealing with. Racing can usually discover themselves constructing attacking play with too few targets to indicate for, however possibly a few video games again into the season means the targets are coming.
8. Gotham FC (–)
Defender Emily Sonnett is placing collectively one other outrageous season on the backline for Gotham FC. She got here up large in week 15 when the beginning 11 went down a participant, and preserving Gotham’s protection respectable is vital in the event that they wish to transfer up the desk and my rankings. If main membership objective scorer Esther Gonzalez lastly breaks by means of on objective after a number of video games again, it’s going to change issues shifting ahead.
9. Angel Metropolis FC (+1)
Angel Metropolis are doing an excellent job of taking groups to activity early in video games, and late-game comebacks to equalize present that possibly in-game changes and substitutions want to come back faster for a group that is making an attempt to remain related within the postseason hunt. The group is method overdue for a little bit of luck to tip their method after seven video games and not using a win.
10. Bay FC (-1)
The Northern California aspect had loads of probabilities to construct some momentum on this third quarter of the season, however as an alternative, they simply left probabilities on the desk. Rookie Taylor Huff has been a significant brilliant spot for the squad, and the first-year participant is having an underrated season — she’s second on the roster in probabilities created (16) behind Racheal Kundananji (19) and Caprice Dydasco (19).
11. Houston Sprint (+1)
Slowly creeping up the rankings is Houston Sprint, due to a pair of super-sub performances by veteran Sophie Schmidt. Head coach Fabrice Gautrat retains beginning Kiki Van Zanten, and it is paying off. The second-year participant has additionally scored in back-to-back video games like Schmidt, and Houston’s shift in confidence is notable.
12. North Carolina Braveness (-1)
Generally there is a efficiency increase for groups after a training change, however sadly, that is not fairly the case for North Carolina after Sean Nahas’ dismissal. It is definitely not for lack of effort. The Braveness are getting appears, however not ending in entrance of the objective has form of been a development for all of them season, sadly.
13. Chicago Stars FC (+1)
No losses in two video games? The place are Stars FC? Is that this them? The group has purchased into interim head coach Ella Masar’s 4-4-2 diamond, and it is paid off for now. However a brand new head coach rent means extra modifications on the horizon for the group, and the way they adapt might dictate the remainder of the season.
14. Utah Royals (-1)
The backline has strung collectively some underrated performances regardless of two consecutive losses. Nuria Rabano covers tons of floor, and Kate Del Fava and Kaleigh Riehl appear to have an excellent centerback partnership. Proper again Imani Dorsey’s return can be a lift, and their collective stable efforts appear unnoticed with the shortage of objective scoring.
