The fourth weekend of NWSL soccer is the last before the June international break. Eight of 10 teams are losing multiple players for mid-June international friendlies, as preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. Before players leave for the tournament in the coming weeks, teams took advantage of full rosters to get as many points on the table as possible. While the big match of the weekend ended in a draw, every other match had a victor. For some, a downward trend continued in week four’s Beyond Women’s Sports NWSL Power Rankings. Others kept their spot or flip-flopped with another side.
Let’s see where teams stand before the week off from league play.
Orlando stays at the top of the NWSL table and power rankings. In Washington D.C., they absorbed a lot of pressure, and the Spirit had many chances to win, but Orlando fought back. The Pride only allowed Washington to have a lead for three minutes before tying the match and earning a draw that keeps them up top.
They stay at number one because they were able to do it without forward Sydney Leroux. The Pride will miss the league’s leading goal scorer Alex Morgan and Brazilian midfield wizard Marta for the Olympics. Time will tell if that will sink a side that’s floating at the top. Right after the international break, they have a big test against Gotham FC.
Last Result: 1-1 v. Washington Spirit | Next Match: Sunday, June 20 v. Gotham FC – 6:00 p.m. ET
Even after a sound 3-0 defeat over Racing Louisville FC, Portland stays in the second spot. It isn’t because they’re necessarily a worse team than the Orlando Pride. Portland is still a strong favorite to compete for the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship, but they also won against a tired expansion Louisville team. Portland took advantage of their chances against a side that gives up a lot of shots to their opponents.
Their victory against Gotham FC is their lone win against a team near the top of the NWSL standings. Their next real test comes June 26th, when they travel to Cary, NC to face NC Courage. Until then, it’s hard to know if Portland are living up to their full potential.
Last Result: 3-0 v Racing Louisville FC | Next Match: Sunday, June 20 v. Kansas City NWSL – 4:00 p.m. ET
Gotham won against OL Reign over the weekend, securing their second victory of the year. They did it through a goal by forward Ifeoma Onumonu and then held on for 77 minutes to win 1-0. The defense of Gotham has been outstanding in 2021. So far, they’ve given up only one goal, to Portland. Other than that, they’ve held Chicago, Houston, and OL Reign to nothing.
The old sports saying goes that defense wins championships. If this defense can continue, and Gotham find their goal-scoring rhythm that they used up in the Challenge Cup, they could very well win it all.
Last Result: 1-0 v. OL Reign | Next Match: Sunday, June 20 v. Orlando Pride – 6:00 p.m. ET
A lot of Courage supporters came back down to earth after their 5-0 thrashing of Louisville received a lot of “we’re back” from their fans. They never looked too dangerous in their 1-0 loss to Chicago. The Red Stars were the aggressors on offense, and the Courage never got on the right foot to take them on. Their midfield was outmatched by Chicago, making head coach Paul Riley substitute out most of them. Even a player like Jess McDonald, who’s had a strong 2021 campaign so far, was benched for a performance that looked ineffective.
They get the chance to get back on the right foot, when they welcome OL Reign after the break.
Last Result: 0-1 v. Chicago Red Stars | Next Match: Saturday, June 19 v. OL Reign – 4:00 p.m. ET
Moving up a spot this week are the Washington Spirit. Against Orlando, they dominated in creating chances, but hot conditions, and strong Orlando defense, allowed them just a goal. They’re still unbeaten in three straight matches. In those, forward Ashley Hatch has shown that she’s one of the more dangerous forwards in the league. The Spirit will lose a couple of names for Tokyo this summer, but their offensive core stays intact, which should scare other teams in the league.
When the strongest names in the league return, an in-form Washington will be a rough welcome back gift. There’s still room to improve, but if they’re on the top of the league by August, don’t be surprised.
Last Result: 1-1 v. Orlando Pride | Next Match: Saturday, June 19 v. Chicago Red Stars – 8:00 p.m. ET
In almost every NWSL power rankings, the potential of OL Reign gets added. After all, they’ve added midfielder Rose Lavelle to a group that included Jess Fishlock, Tizarra King, and Megan Rapinoe. Not to mention multiple players from parent club Lyon loaned to the Tacoma side. They look really good on paper, but it isn’t turning into goals or results.
They haven’t given up many goals, just three in four matches. Today, they announced that their already strong defense is improving with the return of center back Alana Cook. The US international joins from Paris St. Germain of Division 1 Féminine, fresh off winning the league title over Lyon.
OL Reign are on a two-match losing streak going into the break. When they return, they have to travel East to face the Courage. Then, three days later, they welcome Chicago and then Gotham four days after that. That stretch in the return to league play will really test a side that isn’t living up to expectations.
Last Result: 0-1 v. Gotham FC | Next Match: Saturday, June 19 v. NC Courage – 4:00 p.m. ET
Houston stays at the seventh spot this week. They won on a late game-winning header by center back Katie Naughton, taking all three points from Kansas City NWSL. It’s their second straight match with a late game-winner but their offensive strength hasn’t been there consistently in 2021. They’ve dropped points from two teams that had 10 players but looks like they’ve put those results in the rearview mirror.
The Dash struggled more on offense without forwards Rachel Daly, Nichelle Prince, and midfielder Kristie Mewis in the Challenge Cup. It’ll be interesting to see if someone on the team steps up during the upcoming time away.
Last Result: 1-0 v. Kansas City NWSL | Next Match: Sunday, June 20 v. Racing Louisville FC – 3:00 p.m. ET
The Red Stars welcomed a Carolina side that was riding high from their previous week’s victory, but it didn’t stop them from coming away with the victory. Chicago looks like they’re turning a corner, even without midfielder/defender Julie Ertz, after she went down with an injury. If Mallory Pugh stays with the club during the Olympics, they’ll be one of a few teams that can thrive and build momentum.
They stay at the eighth spot this week because they show a good result every few matches, but then follow it up with a loss. When consistency in results follows this team, so will their jump up the NWSL power rankings.
Last Result: 1-0 v. NC Courage | Next Match: Saturday, June 19 v. Washington Spirt – 8:00 p.m. ET
Kansas City jumps out of the bottom spot of the NWSL power rankings for the first time this season. Outside of their 2-0 loss to Chicago, Kansas City has kept matches close against opponents like Houston and Orlando. As their time together increases, so does their quality on the field.
Something that could slow down their growth is a trio of Canadian’s potentially going to the Olympics. Victoria Pickett, Jordyn Listro, and Desiree Scott are all on the June-friendly camp roster. If that parlays into a full call-up to Tokyo, they could have a tough time this summer.
Last Result: 0-1 v. Houston Dash | Next Match: Sunday, June 20 v. Portland Thorns – 4:00 p.m. ET
Racing Louisville FC are tired. They’ve only had 14 players that have played triple-digit minutes. Players like forward Yuki Nagasato and Savannah McCaskill don’t get any time off because of a team that’s still building out its roster. On Saturday night, in Portland, they lost 3-0 after losing 5-0 the week before, to North Carolina.
The lack of depth is hurting them on the field, but this international week off gives them the chance at new life. Defender Gemma Bonner and forward Ebony Salmon get another week to incorporate into the team system and culture. Coming back from the break, they welcome Houston to Lynn Family Stadium. We’ll get to see what a well-rested Louisville looks like. In the two weeks after their last week off, they earned a draw and victory.
Last Result: 0-3 v. Portland Thorns | Next Match: Sunday, June 20 v. Houston Dash – 3:00 p.m. ET
How did your team do? Let us know by commenting below or sharing your thoughts on our Twitter page. Power rankings take a week off, along with the NWSL regular season.
Watch Beyond Women’s Sports for more on the NWSL, WNBA, and more around the world of women’s sports. And follow me on Twitter @1ThomasCostello.
