The 2025 NWSL regular season has now reached its quarter point. Six weeks are complete, prompting a potential shake-up in the power rankings. While discussions often focus on regional club rivalries, week six highlighted that sometimes, competition intensifies through unexpected events.
Leading teams vying for the shield faced off again, delivering high-scoring matches with surprising outcomes. Teams lower in the standings also took points from each other, revealing ongoing uncertainties. The displays were noteworthy. At this stage, victories don`t guarantee a rise in my rankings, though the feel of the NWSL week five rankings was somewhat similar.
Gotham FC and Portland Thorns played two games in week six, meeting midweek and then again on the weekend. Both teams achieved mixed results but performed well enough to move up relative to others. This week marked the first time this season that 13 of the 14 clubs shifted positions in the rankings, highlighting the week-to-week unpredictability of the league.
Week seven is fast approaching, so be sure not to miss any games. Fans can catch select NWSL regular season matches on platforms like CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Here are the current rankings:
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Orlando Pride | +2 | Following last week`s call for increased clinical finishing, Barbra Banda and Marta delivered by finding the back of the net. This is excellent for the Pride and spells trouble for the rest of the league. |
| 2. | Kansas City Current | -1 | Suffered a surprising loss on the road against the league`s only winless team. They remain an elite side, but the Midwest club must now manage lingering injuries for Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper. |
| 3. | Gotham FC | +1 | Sometimes success is about how you finish, not how you start. Other times, you have Esther Gonzalez, who is currently scoring so consistently that the specific circumstances are irrelevant; she`s a goal-scoring machine. |
| 4. | Washington Spirit | -2 | The Spirit were quickly brought back down to earth after conceding in the third minute. While things seemed to unravel further, the positive note is Croix Bethune`s return in 2025 from a meniscus injury. |
| 5. | San Diego Wave FC | +2 | San Diego appears poised for a strong run this season, significantly boosted by their international signings. Cascarino, Dali, and Corely consistently challenge opponents, driving the Wave`s ascent in the rankings. |
| 6. | Seattle Reign FC | -1 | While securing results, this team isn`t delivering performances that truly dominate the league. This keeps them in playoff contention, but doesn`t signify significant power. |
| 7. | Bay FC | +1 | Rachael Kundinanji finally scored her first goal of the season, a crucial moment at home. The Bay Area team has made PayPal Park a tough venue for visitors, but now they need to consistently be a challenging opponent overall. |
| 8. | Portland Thorns FC | +3 | A significant week for the Thorns, making different kinds of statements across their two week six fixtures. They continue to rely on first-year players, with Caiya Hanks emerging with notable rookie performances. |
| 9. | Angel City FC | -3 | The momentum has significantly shifted against Angel City. The youthful squad has appeared overwhelmed during major swings against top teams, and the coaching staff must find solutions. |
| 10. | North Carolina Courage | — | Can a home win be considered a `smash and grab`? I don`t think so. North Carolina won a tactical battle with substitutions, pulling off a significant upset and preventing a drop in my rankings. More is needed for them to climb higher. |
| 11. | Houston Dash | -3 | The standout performer for the Dash this week was Delanie Sheehan. At this point in the season, is a narrow victory against another struggling team truly indicative of power for a lower-ranked side? |
| 12. | Racing Louisville FC | +2 | They are showing signs of life, but will it be sufficient? Savannah DeMelo contributing goals again could provide the necessary spark. |
| 13. | Utah Royals | -1 | They are navigating difficult territory and may remain there. Despite having the momentum to potentially steal an away win in Houston, they couldn`t convert chances when it mattered. |
| 14. | Chicago Stars FC | -1 | Jameese Joseph remains a positive point, but Chicago was decisively beaten by the Wave at home this week, firmly returning to a challenging period. |
Benedict Kingsley