NWSL Power Rankings: KC looks potent heading into the playoffs

On By Littum

It’s Monday and another week of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.

Our rankings are derived from a combination of key season stats (points per game, goal difference, expected goal difference), recent performances, Opta computer ratings and observations from our writers.

Who is climbing the table? Who is in free fall? Our writers and statistical models have ranked all 14 clubs in the league after matchday 26. Let’s dive in.

Previous location: 1

Next match: Saturday vs. North Carolina Courage, noon ET

The Current were without Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga at the weekend, but that didn’t slow them down at all and they rolled to a 3-1 win in Chicago. Nichelle Prince and Michelle Cooper kept the KC offense humming as they set a new NWSL single season record with 54 goals. There has been a lot of talk lately about the changes they made to improve the defense, which is what has made them the well-rounded team that is the favorite to win the NWSL Championship, but the Red Stars were reminded of that hard way that this is still an offense-first team.

Previous location: 3

Next match: Sunday vs. Bay FC, 12:30 p.m. ET (stream live on ABC and WatchESPN)

The schedulers didn’t make it easy for Washington in the final week of the season, sending them to play a Courage team that hadn’t lost at home all season with the second seed in the lineup, but the Spirit was completely unfazed. Ashley Hatch’s goal proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win as she continued to come up big for a team that has been plagued by the injury bug. Hal Hershfelt also came up big, putting in another good 90 minutes three days after going the distance in her first start for the US Women’s National Team.

Previous location: 2

Next match: Friday against the Chicago Red Stars, at 8 p.m. ET

The Pride got back on the smiling side of the scoreboard thanks to a brilliant performance by the ageless Marta in a 3-2 win over Seattle, but it was still a bit of a mess for the Shield winners. The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Orlando, who really need to reset before the playoffs begin if they are to hang with the other three top seeds.

Previous location: 4

Next match: Sunday against the Portland Thorns, at 3 p.m. ET (stream live on ABC and WatchESPN)

The entire season has been a showcase of Gotham’s depth, so it was only fitting that a new player took center stage in the finale. Mandy Freeman was unreal, with a goal, assist and all-around dominant display on the left flank as Gotham dispatched Utah 4-1. Throw in a flurry from Esther González and the defending champions are heading into the postseason on a high, and with the third seed in hand.

Previous location: 5

Next match: Saturday at Kansas City Current, noon ET

If you were worried that the Courage didn’t have the offensive punch to hang in the playoffs, the way they closed out the season did little to make you feel better. North Carolina followed up last week’s shut out with another, losing 1-0 to the Spirit. They struggled to advance the ball and managed just five shots. Maybe they were a little unfocused against Washington because they had nothing to play for as they were locked into the fifth seed, but the lack of juice in the final third is hardly new.

Previous location: 6

Next match: Sunday at NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m. 3 p.m. ET (stream live on ABC and WatchESPN)

Christine Sinclair’s final game of the regular season, and likely last game in Portland, went off without a hitch. The Thorns dispatched Angel City 3-0, with the Canadian icon celebrating by finding the back of the net along with Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver. It was Sinclair’s night, but it was also nice to see the club’s future join her on the scoresheet. Now the question is whether the Thorns can win a playoff game or two and extend Sinclair’s career just a little bit longer.

Previous location: 7

Next match: Sunday in the Washington Spirit at 12:30 ET (stream live on ABC and WatchESPN)

The Bay took down the Dash, 3-2, to cap off a phenomenal second half of the season, becoming just the second expansion team in league history to reach the playoffs. They were superb on the ball and could easily have scored five or six if not for Heather Hinz’s heroics in goal, but Racheal Kundananji’s brace ensured Bay would have enough to book their ticket to the post-season. Plus, the Zambian also had one of the boldest plays you’ll ever see:

Previous location: 10

Next match: Friday at Orlando Pride at 8 p.m. ET

It’s one thing to be torn apart by Kansas City, as many teams have been this season, but it’s especially rough when you come out to defend and then find yourself down three goals inside 33 minutes. That’s what happened to the Red Stars, who suffered their third loss in as many games, all to teams in the league’s top four. On one hand, it was impressive that Chicago brought in some young players and made the playoffs this season, but the run highlighted the gap between them and the best teams in the league.

Previous location: 8

Next match: REACH

Utah looked much better, but they’re heading into the offseason after getting rolled by Gotham, 4-1. It was a tough break for Mandy Haught, who came back from the clean sheet in her first USWNT cap to pepper the night in a tough end to the Royals’ season.

Previous location: 9

Next match: REACH

Racing entered the weekend with their playoff hopes still alive, but by the time they hit the field Sunday afternoon, they had been eliminated from the postseason. Their first ever playoff berth will have to wait, and Louisville played like a team whose dreams had just been crushed when San Diego rolled past them, 3-1.

Previous location: 11

Next match: REACH

ACFC had nothing to play for in their regular season finale, and they played like it in a 3-0 loss to Portland. They already had one foot in the offseason, and what an important offseason it will be in Los Angeles. Their president and general manager are serving suspensions from the NWSL through the rest of the calendar year, Becki Tweed’s future is in doubt and the roster needs a serious overhaul. It’s time for new ownership to get to work.

Previous location: 13

Next match: REACH

Jaedyn Shaw’s goal was an accident; she hit a cross that nobody got to and bent inside the back post for a goal. María Sánchez’s was no accident. It was simply a beautiful, curling free kick that clipped the inside of the post for a 3-1 win over Racing in a game that was technically a home game but was played in Louisville because Snapdragon Stadium’s pitch was considered unsafe to play. It provided a fittingly bizarre end to a bizarre season in San Diego.

Previous location: 12

Next match: REACH

The Reigns’ disappointing season ended with a 3-2 loss in Orlando. It was a fitting end for Seattle, as they showed some thrilling moments and even scored two goals, but even on the rare occasion their offense got going, their defense fell apart. The hope is that the new ownership can chart a new path this winter for a team that needs just that.

Previous location: 14

Next match: REACH

Giving up three goals in one game was your goalie your best player? That’s the 2024 Houston Dash for you. They ended their bad, very bad, terrible season with a loss to Bay FC despite the outstanding performance of Heather Hinz.