Welcome to Kosport Magazine’s NWSL Power Rankings!
It’s Monday, and that means another week of thrilling NWSL action is in the books. As always, we at Kosport Magazine have compiled our rankings based on a combination of key season statistics, recent performance, and the observations of our expert writers.
So, who’s climbing the table and who’s in free fall? Let’s dive in and see where your favorite teams rank after matchday five.
1. Kansas City Current
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Friday at Angel City FC, 10 p.m. ET
Kansas City’s dynamic attacking force has propelled them to the top of our rankings. With 17 goals from 10 different players, Vlatko Andonovski’s squad is proving to be a formidable opponent. Their recent 5-0 victory over Bay FC showcased their offensive firepower, with Temwa Chawinga and Beatriz “Bia” Zaneratto both scoring braces. They currently share the top scorer spot with Louisville’s Uchenna Kanu.
2. North Carolina Courage
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday vs. Seattle Reign, 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina’s attack has been on fire this season, with 10 goals from five games. However, their recent loss to Angel City FC has dropped them down a spot in our rankings. Despite this, their favorable expected goal differential and strong defensive record make them a formidable opponent. Keep an eye on Claire Emslie, who scored a brace in their last match.
3. Washington Spirit
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Friday vs. Orlando Pride, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Spirit have started strong this season, despite changes to their staff and roster. With players like Trinity Rodman, Andi Sullivan, and Aubrey Kingsbury providing continuity, their rookie class has made a significant impact. Five of their nine goals have come from rookies, including Croix Bethune who scored her third goal in five games in their last match against Gotham.
4. Portland Thorns
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Saturday at Chicago Red Stars, 7:30 p.m. ET
Portland may have struggled to get results early in the season, but their talented team has produced more than their spot in the table would suggest. With the most shots on target in the league and 11 goals to their name, they are a force to be reckoned with. Keep an eye on Christine Sinclair, who has been a key player for the Thorns.
5. Orlando Pride
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Friday at Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. ET
Despite a recent loss to North Carolina, the Pride have had a strong start to the season. With a solid defense and a talented attack led by Alex Morgan, they are a tough opponent for any team. Keep an eye on Sydney Leroux, who has been in top form this season.
6. Angel City FC
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Saturday vs. Kansas City Current, 10 p.m. ET
Angel City FC has had a solid start to their inaugural season, with a recent win over North Carolina propelling them up the rankings. With a strong defense and a talented attack led by Christen Press, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against top-ranked Kansas City Current.
7. Houston Dash
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Saturday vs. Racing Louisville FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Dash have had a mixed start to the season, with two wins and two losses. However, their strong attack led by Rachel Daly and Nichelle Prince makes them a dangerous opponent. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against Racing Louisville FC.
8. Racing Louisville FC
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday at Houston Dash, 8:30 p.m. ET
Racing Louisville FC may be a new team, but they have already proven themselves to be a tough opponent. With a solid defense and a talented attack led by Ebony Salmon, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against the Houston Dash.
9. Chicago Red Stars
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday vs. Portland Thorns, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Red Stars have had a tough start to the season, with only one win from five games. However, their strong defense led by Julie Ertz and Tierna Davidson makes them a tough opponent for any team. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against the Portland Thorns.
10. Gotham FC
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Saturday at OL Reign, 10 p.m. ET
Gotham FC may have had a slow start to the season, but they have shown signs of improvement in recent matches. With a talented attack led by Carli Lloyd and Ifeoma Onumonu, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against OL Reign.
11. OL Reign
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Saturday vs. Gotham FC, 10 p.m. ET
OL Reign may have had a tough start to the season, but they have shown signs of improvement in recent matches. With a strong defense led by Lauren Barnes and a talented attack led by Megan Rapinoe, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against Gotham FC.
12. San Diego Wave FC
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Saturday at North Carolina Courage, 7 p.m. ET
San Diego Wave FC may be a new team, but they have already shown their potential with a recent win over the Houston Dash. With a talented attack led by Rose Lavelle and a solid defense led by Abby Dahlkemper, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against the North Carolina Courage.
13. Louisville FC
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Saturday at Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. ET
Louisville FC may be at the bottom of our rankings, but they have shown signs of improvement in recent matches. With a talented attack led by Yuki Nagasato and a solid defense led by Kaleigh Riehl, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against the Washington Spirit.
14. Bay FC
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday vs. North Carolina Courage, 7 p.m. ET
Bay FC may be a new team, but they have already shown their potential with a recent win over the Chicago Red Stars. With a talented attack led by Mallory Pugh and a solid defense led by Abby Smith, they are a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on their upcoming match against the North Carolina Courage.
Summary:
As we head into another exciting week of NWSL action, the Kansas City Current hold onto the top spot in our rankings with their dynamic attacking force. However, teams like North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit are hot on their heels, making for an exciting and competitive season ahead. Keep an eye on these teams and more as the NWSL continues to showcase some of the best talent in women’s soccer.
Welcome to the Exciting World of NWSL: A Look at the Top 10 Teams in the League
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is in full swing and the competition is heating up. With some of the best players in the world and exciting matches every week, it’s no wonder that the league is gaining more and more fans. In this article, Kosport Magazine takes a closer look at the top 10 teams in the league and their recent performances.
1. Portland Thorns FC
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday at Chicago Red Stars, 7:30 p.m. ET
The reigning NWSL champions have started the season strong, with four wins and one draw in their first five games. Led by the dynamic duo of Christine Sinclair and Lindsey Horan, the Thorns have scored the most goals in the league so far. Their solid defense, anchored by goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, has also been a key factor in their success.
2. North Carolina Courage
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday vs. Seattle Reign FC, 7 p.m. ET
The Courage have been a dominant force in the NWSL for the past few years and this season is no different. With a strong core of players including Debinha, Lynn Williams, and Abby Erceg, they have only suffered one loss so far. However, they will need to improve their defense if they want to reclaim the top spot in the league.
3. Houston Dash
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Saturday vs. Racing Louisville FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Dash have had a solid start to the season, with two wins, two draws, and one loss. Their attack, led by Rachel Daly and Shea Groom, has been impressive, but their defense needs some work. They’ve conceded 10 goals in their first five games, the most in the league. However, a midweek coaching shake-up has already brought positive changes to the team.
4. Orlando Pride
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Friday at Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. ET
After a slow start to the season with three draws, the Pride have picked up momentum with two consecutive wins. Manager Seb Hines has been vocal about wanting a stronger start to the season and his team has delivered. With the addition of Barbra Banda, who made her debut last week, the Pride are looking like a strong contender for the top spot.
5. Racing Louisville FC
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Sunday at NJ/NY Gotham FC, 5 p.m. ET
One of the three unbeaten teams in the league, Louisville has had a solid start to their inaugural season. After four draws, they finally secured their first win with a resounding 5-1 victory over Utah. Uchenna Kanu, who has scored four goals so far, has been a standout player for the team.
6. San Diego Wave FC
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Saturday vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET
The Wave started the season strong with a win against Gotham in the Challenge Cup, but have struggled to find their footing in the league. However, their underlying performance suggests that they will turn things around soon. With goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who has the highest save percentage in the league, they have conceded the fewest goals so far.
7. Chicago Red Stars
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Saturday vs. Portland Thorns, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Red Stars have had a slow start to the season, but their recent win against Seattle shows that they are a team to watch out for. With the return of Mal Swanson, who scored a stunning goal last week, and the leadership of veteran players like Julie Ertz, the Red Stars are capable of turning their season around.
8. Angel City FC
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Friday vs. Kansas City Current, 10 p.m. ET
Angel City FC, one of the newest teams in the league, has had a strong start to their inaugural season. With two consecutive wins, including a 2-1 victory over North Carolina, they are proving to be a formidable opponent. Claire Emslie’s brace last week and Sarah Gorden’s 100th NWSL appearance are just some of the highlights for this exciting team.
9. Seattle Reign FC
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Saturday at North Carolina Courage, 7 p.m. ET
Despite a strong start in their first match, the Reign have suffered four consecutive losses. However, their talented roster and strong performances suggest that they will bounce back soon. They will need to improve their attacking prowess, as they have the lowest number of shots on target in the league.
10. Bay FC
Previous ranking: N/A
Next match: Saturday at San Diego Wave FC, 10 p.m. ET
Bay FC, another new team in the league, has had a decent start to their inaugural season. With two wins, two losses, and one draw, they are currently in the middle of the pack. Their next match against the struggling Wave will be a good opportunity for them to climb up the rankings.
Summary
The NWSL has been full of excitement and surprises in the first few weeks of the season. With the top 10 teams all vying for the top spot, it’s anyone’s game. From the reigning champions to the new teams, each one has shown their potential and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season unfolds. Stay tuned to Kosport Magazine for more updates on the NWSL and other sports news.
Welcome to the Kosport Magazine’s Women’s Soccer Power Rankings!
As the NWSL season continues to heat up, we bring you our latest rankings of the top teams in the league. From surprise performances to reigning champions struggling, there’s been no shortage of excitement in the first few weeks of the season.
1. Portland Thorns
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Sunday at Racing Louisville, 3 p.m. ET
The Thorns have finally found their footing after a slow start to the season. With a dominant 4-1 win over Houston Dash, they have now secured their first victory of the year. With the return of key players like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, the Thorns are looking like a force to be reckoned with.
2. North Carolina Courage
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday vs. Orlando Pride, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Courage suffered their first loss of the season against the Washington Spirit, but they still remain one of the top teams in the league. With a strong roster and experienced coaching staff, they are sure to bounce back and continue their dominance in the league.
3. Washington Spirit
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Saturday at Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m. ET
The Spirit have been a pleasant surprise this season, with a strong start and a big win over the previously top-ranked North Carolina Courage. With players like Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis leading the way, the Spirit are a team to watch out for this season.
4. Chicago Red Stars
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Saturday vs. Washington Spirit, 8 p.m. ET
The Red Stars have had a bit of a rocky start to the season, but with a strong roster and experienced players, they are sure to turn things around. Keep an eye on Alyssa Naeher in goal, as she continues to be a key player for the Red Stars.
5. Orlando Pride
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Saturday at North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Pride have had a solid start to the season, with a strong roster and some key players returning from injury. Keep an eye on Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris as they lead the Pride’s defense.
6. San Diego Wave
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Sunday vs. Kansas City NWSL, 10 p.m. ET
The expansion team has had a strong start to the season, with a talented roster and some key players making an impact. Keep an eye on Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Naeher as they continue to make an impact for the Wave.
7. Racing Louisville
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Sunday vs. Portland Thorns, 3 p.m. ET
The expansion team has had a solid start to the season, with some key players making an impact. Keep an eye on Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris as they lead the team’s defense.
8. Kansas City NWSL
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Sunday at San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
The expansion team has had a solid start to the season, with some key players making an impact. Keep an eye on Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Naeher as they continue to make an impact for the team.
9. Bay FC
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Saturday at San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Bay FC has a talented roster, but as an expansion team, they may need some time to click. With nine goals from eight different players, they have shown their ability to score, but they have also conceded the second most goals in the league. Keep an eye on this team as they continue to develop and improve.
10. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Sunday vs. Racing Louisville, 5 p.m. ET
The reigning champions have had a tough start to the season, with injuries and international duties affecting their performance. However, with key players returning from injury, they are sure to bounce back and continue their dominance in the league.
11. Houston Dash
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday at Utah Royals FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Dash have had some struggles this season, with no team allowing more shots on target against them. However, with a talented roster and experienced players, they are sure to turn things around. Keep an eye on Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Naeher as they lead the team’s defense.
12. Utah Royals
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Saturday vs. Houston Dash, 7:30 p.m. ET
The expansion team has shown some promise, but they have also struggled at times. With a talented roster, they have the potential to turn things around and climb up the rankings. Keep an eye on this team as they continue to develop and improve.
13. Houston Dash
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday at Utah Royals FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Dash have had some struggles this season, with no team allowing more shots on target against them. However, with a talented roster and experienced players, they are sure to turn things around. Keep an eye on Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Naeher as they lead the team’s defense.
14. Utah Royals
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Saturday vs. Houston Dash, 7:30 p.m. ET
The expansion team has shown some promise, but they have also struggled at times. With a talented roster, they have the potential to turn things around and climb up the rankings. Keep an eye on this team as they continue to develop and improve.
Summary:
The NWSL season has been full of surprises so far, with some top teams struggling and expansion teams making an impact. The Portland Thorns have finally found their footing and claimed the top spot in our
