NWSL Power Rankings: Gotham FC looking strong heading into midway point of season, Chicago on a skid

1.

Orlando Pride

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The winning streak ended with an away draw against San Diego, but we wouldn’t dare knock this team out of the lead. Even when Barbra Banda doesn’t score, she still dictates the pace of the attack, this time with an assist on Orlando’s solitary goal to Julie Doyle.

two.

Kansas City Current

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The Current are technically on a longer undefeated streak than Orlando. Now 14 games into last season, they have embarrassing depth. Despite having lost defender Gabrielle Robinson due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the team welcomed striker Bia Zaneratto back to the field. It looks like they will have no problem conceding goals if they just outplay their opponents.

3.

Spirit of Washington

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Washington’s rookie class is undeniable. This week it is defender Kate Wiesner who is in the headlines after delivering the victory away from home to the Spirit and extending their winning streak to four consecutive games.

4.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

+1

The defending champions are quietly climbing the standings and league table. They have stars and depth. Ella Stevens has become a starter and now Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle are scoring goals. This will only help them in the final stretch.

5.

Portland Thorns FC

-1

Sophia Smith is racking up goals and shenanigans for the Thorns this week. She scored another goal to bring her season total to nine, but also received a second yellow card for delaying the game by handling the ball on the bench and will miss the next game.

6.

Louisville Race

+3

This group may finally be turning the corner at the right time. Potential to be a destroyer of the second half of the season, and they finally made it two wins in a row. The six draws were not ideal, although they are not defeats, but they have several X-factor players and are now unbeaten in three games.

7.

North Carolina Courage

-1

The struggle is a little real for Courage, despite looking a little better this week with three-player floating backs. They suffered their fourth defeat in five games and although Denise O’Sullivan is back on the field, they will now have to make do without Ryan Williams, suspended for a red card.

8.

San Diego Onda FC

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The goal score is still dry for San Diego despite Makenzie Doniak’s equalizer against the mighty Orlando Pride. Players are showing up in the final third, but tactics don’t lead to execution.

9.

Chicago Red Stars

+2

Officially in crisis, the Red Stars recorded their third consecutive defeat, despite a historic night at Wrigley Field. The squad is now showing those growing pains that everyone expected the team to go through in the first quarter of the season. They still aren’t getting Mallory Swanson the ball and they’re paying for it in results.

10.

Angel City FC

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I’m not sure who this franchise wants to be. Are they leaning on seasoned veterans and hoping things will change? Or will they someday commit to their youthful project and actually build something new? The lack of results means things fall to the coach, but the vision doesn’t just come from the sideline.

11.

Houston dash

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It was not possible to build on the big win before the international break and the ideal three-man defense of Paige Nielsen, Tarciane and Natalie Jacobs had some difficult moments against Racing Louisville. Back to the drawing board for coach Fran Alonso.

12.

Bay FC

+1

They are hopeful that a monumental win against Chicago at Wrigley Field will help turn things around. But the team failed to concede goals and conceded in stoppage time. The late game performance that has haunted them all season.

13.

Seattle Reinado FC

-1

Someday, Seattle will look back at the first half of 2024 and say it made them stronger. But for now, it’s painful to see a team in limbo while the franchise still undergoes an ownership change..

14.

Utah Royals FC

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Played against a very tough playoff leader, but failed to score against Spirit at home. Still no wins since March and now on a 10-game losing streak.