NWSL Power Rankings: Portland Thorns roar to life thanks to Sophia Smith’s red-hot goal scoring form

1.

Kansas City Current

+1

In the middle of a difficult trip and I also had to battle weather conditions and long delays. It doesn’t matter because Vanessa DiBernardo keeps setting them up and Temwa Chawinga doesn’t stop hitting them in goal. A draw against Dash might be disappointing, but they remain one of only two undefeated teams.

two.

Orlando Pride

+1

The franchise’s turnaround is on full display for Orlando, where the Pride beat Racing Louisville to remain undefeated, along with the Current. Barbra Banda completely changed the game. It’s not a team anyone wants to face right now.

3.

North Carolina Courage

-two

Two defeats in a week dethroned Courage, who are on a difficult run of games. The road has not been good for the group despite some moments of individual brilliance and they will continue to be tested against other top teams before finally heading home next week.

4.

Portland Thorns FC

+2

Sophia Smith has already scored seven goals this season, more than half her previous NWSL Golden Boot goal total (11), and she looks increasingly dangerous week after week. The lineup is reintroducing itself on a four-game winning streak and reminding the league that they are the deepest bench for a reason.

5.

Spirit of Washington

-1

They managed to stay in games, but lost two of the last three. The positive is that Trinity Rodman finally got on the scoresheet, and that will help put the team back on the dominant side of performances.

6.

Chicago Red Stars

+1

The team cooled off after some early successes and the return of Mallory Swanson. They haven’t been able to overcome opponents in the middle third and Swanson isn’t seeing the ball much anymore because of it. It helps that second-year players Penelope Hocking and Ally Schlegel are scoring goals, but ultimately this team will only go as far as Swanson takes them.

7.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

+1

Lynn Williams finally scored for Gotham and Rose Lavelle is enjoying her minutes. It may be a slow start for the team, but sometimes that’s what wins the race.

8.

San Diego Onda FC

-3

The biggest drop in the rankings and the most notable team in the league at the moment.
Coach Casey Stoney and her staff still need to figure out how to put their offense in the best positions to succeed without Alex Morgan and Sofia Jakobsson and reorganize the defense with nagging injuries. They will also have to deal with Kristen McNabb’s suspension for a red card.

9.

Angel City FC

—

Coach Becki Tweed received high praise from Kansas City’s Vlatko Andovnoski after a loss when he said Angel City’s tactics “shocked” the Current and held them scoreless for 60 minutes. The club bounced back thanks to the efforts of Sydney Leroux away from home, and Claire Emslie hasn’t stopped scoring either.

10.

Seattle Reinado FC

+1

Just when the team was facing the cannon of a potential sixth defeat, they rallied and fought back with 10 players to come back for the win. Veronica Latsko recovering from injury and getting into shape will only help the Reign in the next round of games.

11.

Racing Louisville FC

-1

A team that can resist, but cannot channel that into victories. Taylor Flint has been underrated in her efforts to hold the midfield together, while Savannah DeMelo and Jaelin Howell manage minutes and deal with injuries.

12.

Bay FC

—

If you’re going to lose, you might as well do it fashionably and have some fun. The Northern California team isn’t getting wins, but they are getting chances and goals, thanks to strong performances from Racheal Kundananji.

13.

Houston dash

+1

Houston has had two consecutive draws since the highlight of the transfer window. They managed the mental challenge of a four-hour weather delay and the players excelled. Congratulations to them for nearly crushing and holding undefeated Kansas City.

14.

Utah Royals FC

-1

This team can’t buy a win right now. I haven’t had a win since March, and even with coach Amy Rodriguez out due to a red card suspension, it didn’t cheer up the group. Still, Amandine Henry, Ally Sentnor and Mikayla Cluff are trying to make things happen in midfield, even if the wins aren’t there at the moment.