It's Monday and another week of NWSL action is in the books, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.
Our rankings are derived from a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference), recent performance, Opta computer ratings and observations from our writers.
Who gets on the table? Who is in free fall? Our writers and statistical models have ranked all 14 clubs in the league after matchday 11. Let's dig deeper.
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Previous ranking: 3
Next match: June 7 at San Diego Wave FC, 10 pm ET
Although the Portland Thorns did not have Sophia Smith at their disposal on Friday, Orlando's 2-1 victory should be considered a decisive result. Barbra Banda still looks like a legitimate MVP candidate, the kind who doesn't need much more than a solid frame and a touch of creative talent around her to lead a team to a trophy. What's scary for the rest of the league? The Pride has given Banda that and more.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: June 9 vs. Seattle Reign FC, 6 p.m. ET
They only prevailed by one goal, but Kansas City blasted Utah on Saturday. Vlatko Andonovski's team outscored their hosts 24-4 and consistently blitzed them in transition, to the point where they looked an awful lot like a Shield contender facing the worst team in the league. *looks at the ranking* I wonder why that is.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: June 8 at Utah Royals FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Washington Spirit are a must-see figure on television right now, and not just for their elite celebrations. They are throwing buckets of goals at every team that crosses their path. Croix Bethune is the fastest player in NWSL history to reach the eight assist mark. Oh, and her future coach just won the UEFA Champions League. Life is good for the Spirit.
11 – Croix Bethune needed just 11 games to record 8 career assists, three games faster than any other player in #NWSL history. Without precedents. pic.twitter.com/GoHCYkySYR
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) May 25, 2024
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: June 8 vs. North Carolina Courage, 10 p.m. ET
It's hard to fault Portland that much for losing a road cross country game to a fellow trophy contender. Still, the teams above them in these rankings look exactly the threat the Thorns pose right now. Their ultra-narrow offensive look caused problems for the Pride, just as it has for most of the rest of the league this season.
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: June 8 vs. Angel City FC, 12:30 p.m. ET
Did anyone have Ella Stevens as Gotham's leading scorer for the first 10 games of the season? No? That's what she thought. With four goals in less than 350 minutes, Stevens has been a force of nature in her starting appearances with Juan Carlos Amorós. Her tireless movement and efficient reinforcement led Gotham past Bay FC on Friday.
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: June 8 at Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. ET
Revenge is sweet. That is, unless you're watching the team you destroyed at the start of the year return the favor. North Carolina's big loss to Houston serves as its fourth loss of the last five. They lead the league in possession, as expected, but failed to convert that ball dominance into regular opportunities against Houston.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: June 7 vs. Orlando Pride, 10 p.m. ET
It has been a season of attempted tactical evolution by Casey Stoney. With playmakers Savannah McCaskill and Jaedyn Shaw on the team, the San Diego manager has been looking for the right way to get the most out of her No. 10. The basic plan against Angel City (use McCaskill and Shaw in the gaps) It made sense, but the goals still aren't flowing.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: June 7 vs. Houston Dash, 8 p.m. ET
Aside from Emma Sears' wonderful hit, not much separated Racing Louisville in their narrow victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Still, getting legitimate offensive production from rookies Sears and Reilyn Turner is a great sign for Bev Yanez.
0:16
Emma Sears kicks a beautiful first goal for Louisville
Emma Sears scores a nice goal to put the Chicago Red Stars 0-1 Racing Louisville FC.
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: June 8 vs. Bay FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
Their 1-0 loss to Racing Louisville on Saturday is not a memorable game for the Red Stars. Still, it serves as a reminder of this team's limitations as Ally Schlegel and Penelope Hocking push to give Mallory Swanson some offensive help in their sophomore seasons.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: June 7 at Racing Louisville, 8 pm ET
After losing 5-1 to North Carolina the opening weekend, the Houston Dash clawed their way to a 3-0 win against the same Courage in their most recent match. You won't get a better picture of NWSL parity than that. Quietly, the Dash has had a respectable 2W-2D-2L in his last six.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: June 9 on Kansas City Current, 6 pm ET
The 3-2 score flattered Seattle in its loss to Washington on Friday. A goal from Emeri Adames in the 96th minute brought the Reign back within one, but their clash with the Spirit felt decided before the halftime whistle blew. Laura Harvey has yet to unlock another dimension for her team.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: June 8 on NJ/NY Gotham FC, 12:30 pm ET
Now winless in their last three games after a goalless draw with the San Diego Wave, Becki Tweed could hope to blame Angel City's poor campaign on a cohort of young, raw players. And yet? The Angels have the third-oldest team in the league based on average age weighted by minutes played.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: June 8 at Chicago Red Stars, 7:30 pm ET
Bay's offensive talent doesn't matter (or, at least, it doesn't matter as much as Albertin Montoya would like) when they send goals off turnovers inside their own area. An already difficult season became even more difficult with the 2-0 loss to Gotham.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: June 8 vs. Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Royals have gone five consecutive games without scoring a single point and without winning for more than two months. Things are really, really bleak. But are they at least consistent? Utah has lost its last two games by 0-1 and 0.2-3.1 xG, according to FBref. Drink.
