The 2025 NWSL common season is offically into the ultimate quarter of the 12 months. Time is working out for golf equipment who’re within the hunt, and tenth place Angel Metropolis FC is simply three factors shy of the playoff line and can face eleventh place North Carolina Braveness on Saturday (12:30 p.m. ET, on Paramount+ and CBS).
Week 19 introduced some important upsets and a reminder that the ultimate stretch of the common season is commonly essentially the most difficult for groups within the playoff push. It is the perfect time of 12 months for groups to showcase the power of their squad towards the desk, and it would not matter the place groups lie within the standings on the subject of current type. That is the place the NWSL energy rankings are available in.
Final 12 months’s title holders, Orlando Pleasure, are taking a gentle stumble down the rankings, whereas lower-seeded groups, Houston Sprint, Chicago Stars, and Utah Royals, are clawing their method into increased positions. If you happen to’re maintaining observe of group energy traits, try my earlier energy rankings.
So, which groups will rise and who will fall? Week 20 might 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
This is how the league stacks up as week 20 approaches:
1. Kansas Metropolis Present (–)
I want I may merely write two phrases right here, Temwa Chawinga, however my editors would ask me to supply extra right here. So I will additionally say Michelle Cooper, Kayla Sharples, and Vlatko Andonovski. They group already clinched a spot within the playoffs, and now they’re assured a house quarterfinal sport. They will be on cruise management until one other group shakes issues up.
2. Washington Spirit (–)
The Spirit keep constant, they usually’re getting key items again at an important time. If Trinity Rodman stays productive as she builds her minutes in her return from a again harm, the group might be an issue down the stretch.
3. Portland Thorns FC (+1)
Good groups discover a method, and that is precisely what Portland did on the street out of week 19. It took an personal purpose to vary their fortune, however not like the opposite groups hovering across the high three of the rankings, the Thorns are no less than getting the ball behind the online with eight targets of their final 5 video games.
4. Orlando Pleasure (-1)
I actually do not know if Orlando will fall additional down the rankings, however they should do one thing with the video games remaining in entrance of them. Barbra Banda shouldn’t be round to vary video games, and it will take a collective effort to copy a few of her lacking influence.
5. Seattle Reign (–)
Whoever put the scoring jinx on this group is way too highly effective, as a result of it retains Seattle completely mid-level. They don’t seem to be dropping video games, however they’re additionally not successful or getting the ball behind the online. With one purpose in three video games, the assault must get clicking asap.
6. San Diego Wave (–)
One other squad that may’t purchase a purpose regardless of the efforts. The Wave are rapidly dropping the aura they constructed over the primary half of the season with lackluster performances following the midseason break. They’ve some gaps on the league desk, however they’re caught on my energy rankings with the shape simply not there.
7. Gotham FC (+2)
Rose Lavelle had per week the place she confirmed she wants simply seconds to destroy a backline’s day. If the membership can get extra constant minutes from her, they will maintain rising, and if new acquisition Jaedyn Shaw can discover a spark with the teaching employees, be careful.
8. Racing Louisville (-1)
Soccer is a group sport, however Racing fully missed midfielder Taylor Flint in week 19. They will welcome her again with open arms and be a greater group after feeling laborious completed by going out on an personal purpose.
9. Houston Sprint (+1)
The Sprint are bringing the warmth, and it is not simply because they’re from Houston. Head coach Fabrice Gautrat has the squad’s type blazing proper now. They don’t seem to be the group opposing sides wish to face proper now, regardless of the place they rank this season.
10. Chicago Stars FC (+1)
The Stars aren’t right here to spoil any social gathering; they’re the social gathering. One other aspect that is taking part in higher than their document, and that makes them a troublesome opponent to face and defend, now that the squad has a number of gamers apart from Ludmila scoring targets on the roster.
11. Angel Metropolis FC (-3)
The membership misplaced Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea FC through the switch window, and it is laborious to not view that as the start of the tip for this 12 months’s playoff hopes. Riley Tiernan continues to be a standout participant, and Svenedis Jonsdottir is adapting rapidly to her new membership, however that is quite a lot of stress on two first 12 months gamers. Perhaps the arrival of Nealy Martin will provide reduction within the midfield.
12. Utah Royals FC (–)
It is nearly just like the Royals have found out that their house area can be utilized to their benefit. It is no secret that visiting groups have struggled to attain towards them within the altitude, however the Royals’ protection has additionally made issues tough. If the group can flip attracts into wins, they keep a pesky aspect down the stretch.
13. Bay FC (–)
Bay FC by no means appeared to seek out the consistency they have been searching for this 12 months, and now the franchise has mentioned a pre-farewell to its head coach, Albertin Montoya. The group might want to handle the backline with out veteran Abby Dahlkemper as properly, because the centerback lately introduced her being pregnant.
14. North Carolina Braveness (–)
The membership made a significant commerce to ship Jaedyn Shaw to Gotham FC for $1.25 million. The season is not over, and the gamers will not stop, however the membership has loads of money now to purchase the provides for a white flag.
