NWSL Power Rankings: Week 12

Welcome to our weekly National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Power Rankings slideshow, where we break down the movers and shakers from last week's action in the 2025 season! We're diving deep into the results from the previous weekend's matches to see which teams are red-hot and which are still searching for their rhythm. Get ready to see who rose to the occasion and who has some work to do as we head into the next round of games!

14. Utah Royals

14. Utah Royals

Table Points: 5
Wins: 1
Losses: 9
Draws: 2

Winless in seven, Utah couldn’t find their footing as Gotham capitalized early (and despite two second-half red cards for Gotham).

Taylor Vincent / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

13. Houston Dash

13. Houston Dash

Table Points: 11
Wins: 3
Losses: 7
Draws: 2

Houston mounted a second-half rally with goals from Barbara Olivieri and Yazmeen Ryan but came up short against San Diego’s early dominance.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

12. Chicago Stars FC

12. Chicago Stars FC

Table Points: 6
Wins: 1
Losses: 8
Draws: 3

Chicago surged ahead with Ludmila's goals in the 11th and 13th minutes but couldn’t hold on, ultimately conceding a late draw as Seattle’s urgency paid off.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

11. Angel City FC

11. Angel City FC

Table Points: 15
Wins: 4
Losses: 5
Draws: 3

Angel City responded via Riley Tiernan to North Carolina's first-minute goal. But they couldn't hold on through stoppage time at the end of the game, and lost what should have been a point for the table. They continue to struggle for consistency.

2C2K Photography / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

10. Bay FC

10. Bay FC

Table Points: 15
Wins: 4
Losses: 5
Draws: 3

Bay FC frustrated Orlando defensively and took 20 shots, but ultimately couldn’t convert and suffered a tough defeat due to their finishing woes.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

9. North Carolina Courage

9. North Carolina Courage

Table Points: 15
Wins: 4
Losses: 5
Draws: 3

North Carolina ended their skid with a fast start from Cortnee Vine just 42 seconds in, and sealed the win in stoppage time thanks to Brianna Pinto’s header.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

8. Racing Louisville FC

8. Racing Louisville FC

Table Points: 17
Wins: 5
Losses: 5
Draws: 2

Despite a furious second-half comeback led by Janine Sonis and Uchenna Kanu, Racing couldn’t recover from their slow start and dropped their unbeaten road streak 2-4 at Kansas City.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

7. Seattle Reign FC

7. Seattle Reign FC

Table Points: 18
Wins: 5
Losses: 4
Draws: 3

Seattle came from behind to salvage a point with two late goals by Lynn Biyendolo (87') and Jordyn Bugg (89'), earning a dramatic draw after Ludmila had scored a quick brace early for the Stars.

SounderBruce / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

6. Washington Spirit

6. Washington Spirit

Table Points: 22
Wins: 7
Losses: 4
Draws: 1

The Spirit’s flawless away run came to an end after struggling to create meaningful chances and being second-best defensively in Portland.

u/reepers_hellcat / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

5. Gotham FC

5. Gotham FC

Table Points: 15
Wins: 4
Losses: 5
Draws: 3

Gotham snapped a four-game winless stretch with a 3–0 victory, powered by Esther González’s brace (bringing her to nine goals) and a strike from Jaclin Howell. However, they finished the game with 9 players thanks to 2 red cards.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

4. Portland Thorns FC

4. Portland Thorns FC

Table Points: 19
Wins: 5
Losses: 3
Draws: 4

Portland held off Washington’s previously perfect road record with a composed performance punctuated by goals from Sam Hiatt (39') and Pietra Tordin (63').

Socccc / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

3. San Diego Wave FC

3. San Diego Wave FC

Table Points: 23
Wins: 7
Losses: 3
Draws: 2

The Wave took firm control with a 3–0 lead—goals from Kenza Dali, Adriana Leon, and Maria Sanchez—before holding on to beat Houston 3-2.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

2. Orlando Pride

2. Orlando Pride

Table Points: 25
Wins: 8
Losses: 3
Draws: 1

Barbra Banda struck the only goal in the 58th minute to earn a narrow win, while goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse recorded her fifth clean sheet in a touch match against Bay FC.

Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

1. Kansas City Current

1. Kansas City Current

Table Points: 30
Wins: 10
Losses: 2
Draws: 0

Kansas City blew open the match with three goals in the first 19 minutes, securing a comfortable win to remain top of the table.

Taylor Vincent / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons