It's Sunday and another round of NWSL action is in the books, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.
Who gets on the table? Who is in free fall? Our writers studied the action from Matchday 25 to arrive at this week's order of the league's 14 teams. Let's dive in.
Previous ranking: 1
The Current fell 1-0 to the Houston Dash on Saturday, but it's star Temwa Chawinga who may be considered the most shocking loss. After suffering a non-contact injury in the first half, the forward was taken off the field. While the severity of the injury is unknown, Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski said after the game that Chawinga's injury was to his “upper leg” and not his knee. Still, many people in Kansas City will be holding their breath.
Previous ranking: 2
It has been a very bad last few days for the Washington Spirit. First, Trinity Rodman suffered a knee injury during a midweek Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Monterrey. They then lost to the Orlando Pride on Saturday. An unfortunate deflection and an awarded penalty turned a 2-1 halftime lead into a 3-2 loss in regulation for the Spirit. Still, the first loss in more than four months won't sting as much as the uncertainty surrounding Rodman's return to the game.
Previous ranking: 4
If there was any doubt about Marta's ability to officiate a soccer game at age 39, that doubt should be dispelled after Orlando's 3-2 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday. The Brazilian icon forced an own goal and scored the winning penalty to help the Pride get the three points against a Washington team that hadn't lost a game since June. Marta's arrival at half-time changed Orlando's luck. Is anyone surprised?
Previous ranking: 3
Few matchups this weekend were easier to predict than NJ/NY Gotham vs. Racing Louisville, at least in a tactical sense. Playing at home and as one of the league's most ball possession teams, Gotham had the majority of the ball. Louisville, for its part, continued the theme of deeper, more determined defense. The result was a match in which the locals made almost twice as many passes as the visitors, although the score ended tied at 2-2. However, the good news for Gotham is that the draw secured them a spot in the playoffs.
1:12
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Racing Louisville FC – Match Summary
Watch highlights from the match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and Racing Louisville FC, 10/19/2025
Previous ranking: 5
That's four goals in three games for Olivia Moultrie. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder scored a brace in Portland's 2-0 win over Angel City on Sunday, scoring the first with a long-range shot from open play and the second from the penalty spot. With the young American international pulling the strings and enough defensive solidity to see the result, the Portland Thorns qualified for the playoffs this weekend.
Previous ranking: 7
For the first time in the club's history, the Ola scored six goals in a single game. They outscored the Chicago Stars 6-1 at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, dominating play in the offensive third in a game that was as one-sided as the score indicated. Whether in open play or set pieces, San Diego found looks early and often in Chicago's danger area. Thanks to their dazzling offensive display, the Wave are officially destined for the postseason.
1:16
San Diego Wave FC vs. Chicago Stars: Game Highlights
Watch highlights from the San Diego Wave FC vs. Chicago Stars match, 10/19/2025
Previous ranking: 6
Thanks to a 2-1 win over the Utah Royals on Friday night, the Reign booked a spot in the postseason. While Seattle didn't create many chances, a first career NWSL goal for Ainsley McCammon just before halftime gave the hosts a lead and a Sofia Huerta penalty restored it in the second half to finish the scoring. The Reign have been one of the leakiest defensive teams in the league in 2025, but a win against Utah could serve as a confidence boost with just one more game before the playoffs.
Previous ranking: 9
Once again, Manaka Matsukubo had a strong performance for the Courage, this time in the 4-1 win over Bay FC. The young Japanese attacker's praises can't be sung enough: her hat trick, which could have been a four-goal game if not for a missed penalty, made the difference on Friday, just as her attacking play has made the difference for her team for much of 2025. Matsukubo is second in the league in goal contributions this year and was a terror in the middle against Bay. She is a true star.
Previous ranking: 8
A road win against Gotham would have seen Louisville officially qualify for the playoffs, but Sunday's 2-2 tie will see Racing go all the way in pursuit of the postseason when it comes time for its regular season finale next month. Louisville seemed to be sitting pretty late against NJ/NY, but an 85th-minute equalizer from Rose Lavelle turned a playoff party into a run-of-the-mill tie for Bev Yanez's team.
Previous ranking: 11
The Houston Dash did not impress against the Kansas City Current on Saturday: they were outshot 20 to six. Still, they managed to claim a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Ryan Gareis just minutes after his appearance from the bench. With the win, Houston did everything in its power to stay alive in the playoff race, but results elsewhere in the league were not in the Dash's favor. As a result, they will not make this year's postseason.
1:19
Houston Dash vs Kansas City Current – Game Highlights
Watch Houston Dash vs. Houston Game Highlights Kansas City Current, 10/19/2025
Previous ranking: 10
With their postseason qualification hopes dashed before their matchup against the Portland Thorns even began, it's hard to blame Angel City for looking flat in a 2-0 loss on Sunday. Thanks to Racing Louisville's equalizer on Sunday, Angel City's season effectively ended before they touched the ball at BMO Stadium. Allowing a double to Moultrie simply put the exclamation point on what has been a disappointing campaign.
Previous ranking: 12
Utah's three-game winning streak seems like a long time ago, doesn't it? The same could be said for their eight-game unbeaten streak in the regular season, a streak that came to an end in last weekend's loss to San Diego. Following a 2-1 loss at Seattle on Friday, the Royals have begun a losing streak. Already eliminated from playoff contention, they came in second in a sloppy affair against the Kingdom.
Previous ranking: 13
Bay FC looked an awful lot like a team with nothing to play for on Friday night. With no hopes of qualifying for the playoffs, the home team turned in one of the sloppiest performances of any team this season. They fell 4-1 to the North Carolina Courage in a game that could have been even more lopsided if not for a missed penalty by North Carolina. Between devastating turnovers in their own half and an error-filled performance in goal by Jordan Silkowitz, Bay fell behind early and never found their way back.
Previous ranking: 14
With no hope of postseason qualification to boost their play, this time of year for Chicago is about identifying building blocks for the future. Saturday's brutal 6-1 road loss in San Diego gave the Stars very, very few positive indicators for 2026 and beyond. Overrun in their own third and largely toothless when they dared to venture into the Wave's half, the sooner the memory of this game fades for Chicago, the better.
