NWSL Power Rankings: NJ/NY Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC climb rankings ahead of midweek match

1.

Orlando Pride

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The Pride had another week in which they struggled to take advantage of really good chances in front of goal. Yet they remain undefeated and dangerous because other clubs haven’t yet figured out how to really take them down.

two.

Kansas City Current

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The first-placed team let three points slip away at home against Chicago, and Vanessa DiBernardo leaving the field early with an injury is not something the Current want to see, as they are at the top of the leaderboard. Even good teams look beatable as the season progresses

3.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

+1

They are finally looking like the super team we all thought they would be and the depth players are reminding everyone that they are also lethal. Another strong week for Ella Stevens, but also for Yazmeen Ryan, who looks ready to lead this team on an Olympic stretch with several Gotham members eyeing a spot on the USWNT Olympic roster.

4.

Spirit of Washington

-1

Another week, another power rankings where we continue talking about Washington’s rookie class. This week the honors go to Croix Bethune, who continues to play like a league veteran and equalizes at the end.

5.

Portland Thorns FC

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No Sophia Smith suspended for a red card and no Sam Coffey with an ankle injury was one absence too many for the Thorns on the road. The team managed a regrettable shot on target.

6.

North Carolina Courage

+1

The Courage will host a hard-fought draw against one of the last undefeated teams in the league. They stopped the bleeding of a four-game losing streak with a solid performance against the Orlando Pride and frustrated the second-placed team by scoring Barbra Banda.

7.

San Diego Onda FC

+1

Even when Onda enters dangerous spaces and creates opportunities, the goals are minimal. Maria Sanchez and Jaedyn Shaw shined and combined for a single goal, but that doesn’t represent a win for San Diego in five games.

8.

Racing Louisville FC

-two

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

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Mallory Swanson is the leader of the offensive line and Sam Staab is the anchor of the defensive line, and the combination of the two for a comeback draw pretty much defines head coach Lorne Donaldson’s early era. It’s enough to break a streak of three consecutive defeats and reach the halfway point of the season.

10.

Angel City FC

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They outperformed their opponents, had more shots on goal and a penalty kick opportunity – and still failed to win away from home. This team had a surge in the second half last season, so it may be now or never to mix things up.

11.

Houston dash

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Jane Campbell is having another MVP-level season with the club. A penalty stop and a goal-line scramble late in the game were enough for a home result, but the team has been scoreless in two games.

12.

Bay FC

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Couldn’t build on the momentum of a big win at Wrigley Field despite the good looking goal against Utah.

13.

Seattle Reinado FC

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They had a very soft game in the rivalry match against the Thorns, but still managed to draw. Quinn’s return to the starting lineup will only help the team, at least until they leave for the Olympics.

14.

Utah Royals FC

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I finally snapped a 10-game winless streak against another struggling expansion team. Not enough to move up the standings or league table, but getting a mid-season win should be a huge morale boost.