NWSL Power Rankings Get a Big Shake Up

The second weekend of NWSL matches brought a lot of surprises. Once the dust settled, Racing Louisville FC ended as the early season’s top team in the NWSL standings. A place that came as a surprise to just about everyone except Racing Louisville FC. There were upsets, comebacks, and big goals over the three days of matches; all of which caused big shakeups in this week’s NWSL Power Rankings.

Here are how the teams look in the Power Rankings after two of 24 matches played.

Portland is still number one, even with a loss. Against the OL Reign, Christine Sinclair had a gorgeous volleyed goal that’s a strong candidate for goal of the week. Unfortunately, it was followed up by two quick OL Reign goals, both stemming from set-pieces.

The Thorns are still the most dangerous team in the league, especially in the run of play. Their loss is a small letdown just days after head coach Mark Parsons announced he was leaving the team at the end of the season, to lead the Netherlands women’s national team. They have two matches this week, first against the Pride and then a Challenge Cup final rematch against the net team in the NWSL Power Rankings.

Last Result: 1-2 v. OL Reign | Next Match: Wednesday, May 26 v. Orlando Pride – 7:00 p.m. ET

Gotham FC’s trip to Chicago didn’t end with a win, but they were two woodwork rattling shots away from three points. The metropolitan side held strong against a Chicago Red Stars team that had their chances. There always seemed to get a defender in the way. 

They’re just one of two teams now that haven’t given up a goal this season but have only scored one of their own. Their next match is a big one, against the Portland Thorns in a battle for not only the NWSL standings but the top spot in the NWSL Power Rankings.

Last Result: 0-0 v. Chicago Red Stars | Next Match: Sunday, May 30 v. Portland Thorns – 3:00 p.m. ET

In Sunday’s Cascadia rivalry match between the Reign and Portland, the Tacoma side avenged their one-sided Challenge Cup loss with two set-pieces. Megan Rapinoe got the Reign level minutes after Portland’s Sinclair exposed goalkeeper Karen Bardsley playing too far out of the net. The goal was a laser-accurate free-kick getting past the Thorns wall and goalkeeper Ad Franch. Her post-match comments alone were enough to move OL Reign into third place, letting the media know that the Portland fans love her. 

Their second goal, on another set-piece, bounced around the penalty area until Shirley Cruz slotted home the game-winner. When midfielder Rose Lavelle and three Lyon loanees join this team, they are going to put the league on notice.

Last Result: 2-1 v. Portland Thorns | Next Match: Sunday, May 30 v. Washington Spirit – 7:00 p.m. ET

NC Courage look just a little different over the last three matches. Including their last Challenge Cup match, against Orlando, they have scored only one goal in three matches. Outside of midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, the Courage haven’t looked strong in the middle of the field and it’s hurting their chances at moving forward effectively. When they did get chances, they couldn’t make the best of them. Debinha also missed a ball that was gift-wrapped for the Brazilian, shooting it over the bar. 

Then add two Orlando goals, one coming off a bad Courage pass and another on some less than stellar defense.

Carolina looks just a step out of touch, but luckily, they’re adding arguably the best soccer player in the world in midfielder Sam Mewis. She could start as early as this weekend, which will do a lot in helping get the Courage back on track.

Last Result: 1-2 v. Orlando Pride | Next Match: Friday, May 28 v. Racing Louisville FC – 7:00 p.m. ET

Orlando is the first team this season to jump up two spots in the NWSL Power Rankings. The Pride are playing with a lot of confidence. NC Courage had their chances against the Florida side, but Orlando did better at taking advantage of the chances. Forwards Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan are a lethal pairing up front and could have more goals than they already do in 2021. 

Wednesday is going to be huge in seeing who Orlando is as a team. They take on the Portland Thorns in a midweek matchup. 

Last Result: 2-1 v. NC Courage | Next Match: Wednesday, May 26 v. Portland Thorns – 7:00 p.m. ET

Houston, like Orlando, is a team that exudes confidence, but Sunday’s draw against Kansas City NWSL showed vulnerability. To the Dash’s credit, they came back from a goal down to go up 2-1, in the span of six minutes. When they score goals, they look like they’ll never stop. The match looked even more in their favor when KC’s Elizabeth Ball picked up her second yellow, with 20 minutes remaining in the match. 

Up a player, and a goal, Houston seemed destined to add three points to their place in the standings. Then, in the 92^nd minute, KC caught them napping. A header from defender Taylor Leach took two points away and Houston left the weekend with a deflating draw.

Last Result: 2-2 v. Washington Spirit | Next Match: Wednesday, May 26 v. Washington Spirit – 7:30 p.m. ET

Racing Louisville FC is quietly becoming the story of the early season. After their first three NWSL matches, in the Challenge Cup, found them on the wrong end of a lot of late goals, they’ve had three straight clean sheets. Goalkeeper Michelle Betos had 10 saves against Washington. They were good enough saves too that she could have all four places in save of the week voting. 

Their disruption play against their opponents is effective, but they won’t survive all of their matches. Especially like Friday where they gave up 29 total shots. Racing is young, talented, and motivated. Time will tell if they can keep this run of form, but week-by-week they’re one of the more fun teams to watch.

Last Result: 2-0 v. Washington Spirit | Next Match: Friday, May 28 v. NC Courage – 7:00 p.m. ET

Washington moved down two spaces this week after their 2-0 loss to Racing. The Spirit are a side that have all the potential to be a top team in the NWSL, but they aren’t performing anywhere near their standard. So far, they have a draw and a loss, with one goal in two matches. On the positive end, forward Ashley Sanchez performed well in the 10-role against Racing. A performance that gives the Spirit a different look moving forward.

A concern is rookie forward Trinity Rodman. She received a knock in the final moments of the match, requiring assistance on the field. There’s no update on if this is something that will impact her match availability long-term.

Last Result: 0-2 v. Racing Louisville FC | Next Match: Wednesday, May 26 v. Houston Dash – 7:30 p.m. ET

Supporters around the league wondered how the Red Stars would bounce back after a 5-0 loss to the Portland Thorns in week one. While they didn’t come away with a result, they looked a lot like their Challenge Cup team. The Red Stars had a lot of pressure on goal, but never a good enough look to finish. Part of it was the Gotham defense, and the other is Chicago’s lack of finishing solid opportunities in the final third.

Forward Mallory Pugh is returning from injury with more minutes per match, which is huge for the future.

Off the field, they debuted a new third kit, inspired by the Chicago L train line which rightfully received a big positive response. Now they just need to find a way to turn that response into scoring goals. 

Last Result: 0-0 Gotham FC | Next Match: Wednesday, May 26 v. Kansas City NWSL – 8:00 p.m. ET

Kansas City remains at the bottom of the NWSL Power Rankings, but their Sunday performance showed a fight. Forward Amy Rodriguez did what she does best, and scored early for KC. They held their 1-0 lead for 47 match minutes before Houston put in two in a six-minute window. Just three minutes later, they lost a player to a red card and looked out of the match. In stoppage, they shocked Houston, and the league, with a game-tying goal.

They’re looking better by the week, and they have two chances to grow this week. Wednesday, against Chicago, and Orlando on Sunday. A good result in either or both of the contests will see them move up.

Last Result: 2-2 v. Houston Dash| Next Match: Wednesday, May 26 v. Chicago Red Stars – 8:00 p.m. ET

With eight total matches this week, there’s potential for a lot more movement in these rankings. How did your team do? Let us know by commenting below or sharing your thoughts on our Twitter page.  

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