NRL Power Rankings: Temua Chawinga eyes MLS Golden Boot

It’s Monday, and another round of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for the power rankings on ESPN.

Who climbs the table? Who is in free fall? Our writers studied the events during Matchday 24 to come up with this week’s rankings for all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dig deeper.

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Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Houston Dash, 7:30 p.m. ET

Kansas City advances to the postseason after beating another team at the top of the standings this weekend. Temwa Chawinga and Pia Zanerato scored as the league leaders put space between themselves and 2023 champions Gotham FC in a 2-0 win at CPKC Stadium. With this goal, Chawinga also added space between herself and Gotham’s Esther Gonzalez at the top of the Golden Boot race, who she now leads by two goals. The victory also saw the Stream set a new NWSL record for points in a single season.

Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Orlando Pride, 12:30 PM ET

Trinity Rodman’s left-footed shot from inside the box (her fifth goal of the season) put the Spirit ahead in the second half in Cary, but they settled for a 1-1 tie against ninth-place North Carolina. With the tie (plus Gotham’s loss to Kansas City), the Spirit officially clinched home-field advantage until the playoff semifinals. After a record year in terms of overall attendance at Audi Field, that’s huge for last year’s runner-up, which appears poised to make a convincing playoff run.

Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Racing Louisville, 3 p.m. ET

Anne-Katrin Berger, the 2024 NRL Goalie of the Year, missed Gotham’s meeting with Kansas City with a knee injury, so the bats debut with 27-year-old goaltender Shelby Hogan on the road at CPKC Stadium in a massive test. Hogan’s three-save performance helped limit the Stream’s dynamic offense, but Gotham left Missouri with a 2-0 defeat. They outscored their hosts but managed just two goals, while Esther, the team’s top scorer, extended her scoreless run to four matches. They finished the weekend in fourth place in the table but will need to fight to retain home court advantage through final tests in the next two games against teams vying for playoff spots (Racing Louisville, then North Carolina).

Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Washington Spirit, 12:30 PM ET

In her first game back from a back injury, club veteran Marta scored a heroic own goal in stoppage time to secure a very important three points against the Portland Thorns. This is Orlando’s second win in a three-game unbeaten regular season, marking a much-needed turnaround after a nine-game winless run. The defending champions finished the weekend in third place, but will face second-placed Washington Spirit and fifth-placed Seattle Reigns in their final two matches.

Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Angel City, 5pm ET (Live on ESPN+)

In a fairly even match on the road in Orlando (which saw both teams register four total shots on target), the Thorns settled for defeat thanks to Marta’s 93rd-minute effort from a corner kick that was officially awarded an own goal. A win or draw could have clinched Portland a playoff spot pending other results in the table. But after that last-minute defeat, the seventh-placed Thorns will look to do just that next weekend against Angel City.

Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET

Seattle’s Welsh veteran Jess Fishlock came to the Reign’s rescue in a 1-1 draw against Bay FC. Fishlox’s sixth goal of the season earned them a second successive draw in a three-match unbeaten run, leaving them in fifth place heading into the penultimate weekend. They may regret not getting all three points as they battle for home advantage, but they are on track to earn a spot in the postseason.

Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Chicago Stars, 10 p.m. ET

San Diego was one of the few clubs that couldn’t win or get out of the playoffs this weekend. But they needed a result against Utah to maintain their postseason goals. Despite the bad weather and an early deficit, they recorded a pivotal 3-2 win (ending a run of seven matches without a win) that put them in sixth place on a crowded table heading into the penultimate weekend. They still have the tools to succeed in the playoffs, but they will need to stay focused to secure their place.

Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Gotham FC, 3 p.m. ET

Bethany Balcer’s 93rd-minute equalizer against an already eliminated Chicago Stars team could be pivotal in Louisville’s race to make the first playoffs. They finished the weekend in the eighth and final playoff spot ahead of the North Carolina Courage by four points. They have two games remaining – starting with a tough test on the road in Gotham – and will make club history if they stay over the line.

Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET

The Courage joined San Diego as one of two teams (of those not already eliminated or secured their spot in the playoffs) who were unable to clinch or be eliminated this weekend. Playing at home, they trailed in first place to second-placed Spirit, but fought back to a 1-1 draw, leaving them one place and four points clear of the playoff places. With two games remaining against Bay FC and then Gotham, they will need to put up positive results and hope the teams above them stumble.

Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Portland Thorns, 5pm ET (Live on ESPN+)

If Racing Louisville wins a 1-1 tie with Seattle, there is nothing Angel City can do to stay in postseason contention. But they entered Sunday’s match with fate in their hands, and they achieved a convincing 2-0 victory over Houston. They showed a lot of offensive progress in the win, and they have two games to go to break into the playoff spots. They need to win their remaining two matches to maintain a slim chance. Next, Portland.

Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. KC Current, 7:30 p.m. ET

Mathematically, Houston can still make the playoffs. But the odds are not very much in their favor after their 2-0 loss to fellow playoff hopefuls Angel City on Sunday. They now sit in 11th place and need to win their remaining games to maintain a slim chance of reaching the postseason. Unfortunately, they will play Kansas City next.

Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. Seattle Reign, 10 p.m. ET

The Utah Royals put up a valiant effort at the end of the season. Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to the San Diego Wave ended an eight-game unbeaten streak (four wins and four draws), officially knocking them out of the playoffs. They first took the lead in the ninth minute and later equalized, but needed a win to stay alive in their postseason hopes. Regardless, fans can be proud of the Royals’ performance at the end of the year.

Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Friday, October 17 vs. NC Courage, 10 p.m. ET

Bay FC had already been eliminated from the playoffs prior to their 1-1 draw with Seattle Reign, but they put in an impressive performance while playing on the road. Jordan Silkowitz contributed three saves to a close win that kept Seattle scoreless until the 84th minute. At the other end, Bey made as many shots as Seattle had in a game they almost won.

Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET

Alyssa Naeher refuses to let us forget why she’s one of the GOATs of American soccer. The World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist saved eight shots for the Stars in a 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville, which they looked to be on their way to victory until Balcer’s stoppage-time goal.