The 2025 NWS common season retains ticking away, and playoff spots are getting snatched up with simply 4 weeks left on the schedule. Week 22 welcomed a second workforce into the postseason because the Washington Spirit clinched a spot. Whereas six playoff spots are remaining, there may be nonetheless a battle for spots within the energy rankings.
Because the postseason will get nearer, golf equipment are getting playoff previews forward of the knockout rounds. Third-place Gotham FC will host fourth-place Seattle Reign FC on Sunday (4 p.m. ET on Paramount+). Irrespective of the stakes, each workforce can rise and fall within the energy rankings, and if you happen to’re holding monitor of the facility tendencies, take a look at my most up-to-date ones.
Week 23 will probably be right here quickly, so do not miss any motion. Followers can watch choose NWSL regular-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 23 approaches:
1. Kansas Metropolis Present (–)
Contemporary off successful the 2025 NWSL Defend, the Present obtained proper again into enterprise with one other dominant exhibiting. They might have had their shutout minutes streak snapped, however the employees obtained to rotate gamers forward of the playoffs, and Temwa Chawinga claimed sole place within the golden boot race for now together with her 14th aim of the season.
2. Washington Spirit (–)
The Spirit staked their declare within the postseason with a large efficiency by striker Present Monday. The Nigerian worldwide ahead scored the quickest first-half hat-trick in league historical past, and the Spirit are on their solution to the 2025 playoffs with 4 match weeks left within the 12 months.
3. Gotham FC (–)
Gotham FC mirror Kansas Metropolis in type with 4 wins of their final 5 video games, however the high three are so slim in margins that the No. 3 energy slot is the very best they are often proper now. There is no doubt that they’re going to be a giant drawback for anybody left on the schedule and into the playoffs.
4. Seattle Reign FC (+1)
At this level, we’re deep into the “something can occur” portion of the season, and Seattle Reign FC are an enormous instance of that in NWSL proper now. Seems the roster depth and adaptability is their x-factor, with the aim scoring coming any means they will get them, and it is working for now.
5. Orlando Satisfaction (+1)
There’s been an effort to distance a “savior advanced” storyline round newly acquired Jacqueline Ovalle after the lack of Barbra Banda for the season. However the Mexican worldwide has been concerned in two aim contributions in two video games to maintain the Satisfaction in secure competition for the playoffs.
6. Portland Thorns FC (-2)
The Thorns have run out of concepts on the pitch, and in week 22, it confirmed with simply two makes an attempt heading in the right direction. They’re struggling towards high groups and never wanting a lot better towards lesser opposition, and so they’re not fairly wanting like a workforce that is gelling with the playoffs forward of them.
7. Utah Royals FC (+1)
It is going be so loopy when the most well liked workforce within the league misses out on the playoffs as a result of they merely ran out of time. However the Royals are within the higher half of rankings on the subject of energy, and Mina Tanaka’s sturdy run of type will preserve them right here even when the playoff line is simply out of attain.
8. San Diego Wave FC (-1)
It is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation for San Diego because the season winds down. Lengthy gone are the attacking and goalscoring, and in place is stagnant play with a scarcity of changes. Whether or not it is participant accidents or one thing else, the teaching employees must make modifications asap.
9. Racing Louisville FC (+2)
Simply when the darkness was settling in for Racing, they shot off some fireworks. They’re rising again up the rankings after a must-win sort of efficiency, and the group welcomed veteran Lauren Milliet again from damage. It may very well be the tipping level they want.
10. Houston Sprint (-1)
There is no denying the Sprint have cooled off a bit, however not sufficient to actually plummet down the facility rankings. They will want a large response, although, after conceding 4 objectives. Not nice.
11. North Carolina Braveness (-1)
Simply once you’ve sparked the ignition, the gasoline goes out. That is North Carolina in the mean time. They’re inside placing distance inside video games, and within the playoff race, however the reality is, there are higher groups in entrance of them right now.
12. Chicago Stars FC (–)
There’s nothing extra consultant of the NWSL than a last-place workforce snapping the league document shutout streak for the first-place workforce. As a lot honor as there may be in that, it isn’t sufficient to bump up the rankings, and the Stars have hit a brand new type of dropping.
13. Angel Metropolis FC (–)
There’s honor within the combat generally, Angel Metropolis at the very least has that going for them. They’re caught in mediocre limbo, and it is laborious to think about there will not be one thing else to shake the workforce up down the stretch, because the membership has to strive one thing to begin constructing towards.
14. Bay FC (–)
Extra begins for the middle again duo of Brooklyn Courtnall and Sydney Collins, please. This membership have all however waved the white flag on the season, so it is time to see who’s attempting to construct for subsequent season.
