The 2025 NWSL regular season has officially reached its quarter-mark, with six weeks now complete. This milestone prompts a review of the power rankings, as shifts are becoming apparent. While discussions often center on established regional rivalries, week six served as a potent reminder that sometimes, rivalry and significant moments arise from unexpected circumstances and chaotic games.
Top contenders vying for the shield faced off again, delivering multi-goal thrillers with unpredictable outcomes. Meanwhile, lower-ranked teams managed to claim points from one another, often without establishing a clear long-term strategic advantage. The performances were certainly noteworthy. At this stage of the season, wins don`t automatically guarantee a significant jump in the rankings, though the overall dynamic felt somewhat similar to the previous week`s rankings.
Gotham FC and Portland Thorns notably played two matches within week six – a midweek clash against each other and separate weekend fixtures. Both clubs experienced mixed results but achieved performances strong enough to climb relative to other teams. This week marked a significant moment: for the first time this season, 13 out of the 14 clubs saw movement in the power rankings, truly highlighting the week-to-week unpredictability of the league.
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Orlando Pride | +2 | Following last week`s call for more clinical finishing, Barbra Banda and Marta delivered by finding the net. This is a positive development for the Pride and a concerning one for their opponents across the league. |
| 2. | Kansas City Current | -1 | Suffered a surprising road loss against the league`s only winless side. They remain a top team, but the club must now contend with ongoing injury concerns for Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper moving forward. |
| 3. | Gotham FC | +1 | Their performance wasn`t perfect from the start, but having Esther Gonzalez, who is currently scoring at an exceptional rate, makes the circumstances less critical as she consistently produces goals. |
| 4. | Washington Spirit | -2 | The Spirit faced an early setback, conceding just three minutes in. While things seemed to unravel further, a positive note was Croix Bethune`s return from a meniscus injury for the 2025 season. |
| 5. | San Diego Wave FC | +2 | San Diego has positioned itself for a strong season run, largely due to key international additions. Cascarino, Dali, and Corely consistently challenge opponents weekly, driving the Wave`s ascent in the rankings. |
| 6. | Seattle Reign FC | -1 | The team is achieving results, but their performances aren`t overwhelmingly dominant across the league. This keeps them in playoff contention, but doesn`t elevate them significantly in terms of power. |
| 7. | Bay FC | +1 | Rachael Kundinanji finally netted her first goal of the season in a crucial home moment. The Bay Area club has made PayPal Park a tough venue for visitors; the next step is consistently being a challenging opponent regardless of location. |
| 8. | Portland Thorns FC | +3 | It was a significant week for the Thorns, making distinct statements in their two matches. They continue to rely on new players, with rookie Caiya Hanks notably delivering strong performances. |
| 9. | Angel City FC | -3 | The balance of power has shifted dramatically against Angel City. The young team has appeared unsettled during critical momentum swings in matches against strong opponents, a challenge the coaching staff must address. |
| 10. | North Carolina Courage | — | Was their home win truly a `smash and grab`? Perhaps not. North Carolina effectively utilized substitutions to secure a significant upset, which prevented them from dropping in the rankings. Further performance is needed to climb higher. |
| 11. | Houston Dash | -3 | Delanie Sheehan stands out as a key performer for the Dash this week. At this point in the season, is a narrow victory for a lower-ranked team against another struggling side truly indicative of power? |
| 12. | Racing Louisville FC | +2 | They are showing signs of improvement, but the question remains if it`s sufficient. Savannah DeMelo`s return to goal-scoring form could provide the necessary spark. |
| 13. | Utah Royals | -1 | They find themselves in a difficult position and may remain there. Despite having momentum to potentially win on the road against Houston, they failed to score when it mattered most. |
| 14. | Chicago Stars FC | -1 | While Jameese Joseph remains a positive point, Chicago was decisively beaten by the Wave at home this week, returning them firmly to a challenging period. |
