NWSL Power Rankings: Week 20
NWSL Chaos strikes again! We have a new team of the top and a lot of movement in the power rankings. Who are this week's risers and fallers?
Week 20
San Diego Wave (+2) - They are back at the top of the NWSL table. Beating Portland 2-0 on the road to control their destiny the rest of the way was huge. Winning with an xG of 0.53 was quite fortunate and they’ll need more to bring home the NWSL Shield or Championship.
Portland Thorns (-1) - Came out shockingly flat against San Diego and were down two goals at the half. That just can’t happen at home in a super close NWSL table. Luckily, the other results in league play did not push them back further. Can they take care of business this Saturday against Gotham? The Portland Thorns will have another chance to clinch a top 2 seed and bye for the playoffs.
NJ/NY Gotham FC (+1) - With a win over the Houston Dash at home, they could of shared the NWSL table lead with San Diego. Their xG of 2.13 showed how many opportunities they had, but could not capitalize on any chance. Gotham has their biggest game of the season on the road in Portland up next.
OL Reign - Holding on to a draw for the entire second half down a player was impressive. Incredible team defending got them a much needed point. OL Reign are still two points above the playoff line above Houston with Angel City and Orlando Pride still to play (three points behind).
North Carolina Courage (-1) - For the consecutive game where they were up a player for at least 45 minutes, the Courage could not take advantage. They could only managed a draw against OL Reign. Although they are still three points above the line, ending the season against San Diego and Washington leaves no room for error.
Orlando Pride (+1) - Seb Hines has the Orlando Pride on the verge of making the playoffs. They are now tied for sixth. The job he has done this year is incredible and makes him the frontrunner for coach of the year.
Houston Dash (+2) - Interim head coach Sarah Lowdon is her. It’s obvious by now that she is ready to be their leader — but does she want the job? Houston has now won two consecutive games and is now only two points of the playoffs. Taking down Gotham on the road is heck of an accomplishment. Could Lowdon lead the team to the postseason?
Washington Spirit (+2) - The Spirit snapped their winless streak at seven games and it could not have come at a better time. Their 2-1 win over Kansas City has them very close to booking a trip to the postseason. Washington is now clear of the line by three points.
Angel City FC (-3) - Unbeaten streak ends at 11 and it could not have come at a worse time. ACFC’s inability to consistently win at home will most likely keep them out of the postseason. Whether or not they make the playoffs, Becki Tweed still needs to be a priority to bring back in 2024.
Chicago Red Stars (+1) - What a late season run for the Red Stars. They are spoiling the playoff party for many teams and playing their best football of the season. Chicago is now unbeaten in their last four and still have an outside chance at the playoffs.
Racing Louisville (-4) - After their best win in club history over Portland Thorns, they headed into the NWSL Challenge Cup Final after another win over OL Reign — only to fall in the final. Since then, Racing Louisville have collapsed with back-to-back losses over Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars. They will need to win their last two matches to make the playoffs over Orlando and San Diego.
Kansas City Current - After an exceptional win against San Diego, they went down to Washington Spirit. The inconsistency of the season continues. Kansas City have a lot of changes coming in the offseason.
*Key: Teams with (+ or -) moved up or down from last week’s rankings
Tier 1 - The Favorites: San Diego, Portland, Gotham
Tier 2 - Dark Horses: OL, North Carolina
Tier 3 - Playoff Chase: Orlando, Houston, Washington, Angel City
Tier 4 - Nope: Chicago, Racing Louisville, Kansas City
Notable update on the IR…Soph has been upgraded to “questionable” and Porter appears to be “OUT” with covid. Hopefully no one else got sick (or will test pos by tomm.)
Unless media/technical staff have really misled Soph’s status the last couple weeks and she’s further along than we know, I can’t see her going from “OUT” and only doing individual work a week ago to playing any meaningful minutes tomm. Maybe another week would seem to fit the timeline better…but what that means, hard to say. 15 mins? 45? More? Hard to know what they’re shooting for or how slowly they’ll fade her in. Honestly I think with a knee injury, a player should remain out if they’re still considered “questionable.” Regardless, great news that’s she’s been upgraded!
A thought occurs:
What are the odds that part of the reason why the Thorns sale has not been finalized and announced is that Sinc is part of the new ownership group?
Usually active players cannot own, on any level, the team for which they play or any team in that league.