Following a busy weekend featuring seven matches over two days, the 2025 NWSL regular season continues, and with it, our latest power rankings. Reaching the five-week point in the schedule has offered clearer insights into team form and performance trends. After three consecutive weeks where the top two spots remained unchanged, recent results have finally led to significant shifts at the upper end of the rankings.
If Week 5 had a defining theme, it was rivalry. This wasn`t limited to traditional regional matchups but also included head-to-head contests that provided revealing glimpses of potential playoff scenarios, distinct from high-stakes championship games. For instance, Orlando and Washington faced off for the first time since their November 2024 title clash, this time without the pressure of immediate silverware. The outcome of this particular game heavily influenced the current rankings compared to their positions in my Week 4 assessment.
Typically, the middle portion of the rankings sees the most fluctuation, and Week 5 was no exception. Teams occupying slots five through nine made significant movements. San Diego is steadily and quietly climbing the chart, and it appears we`ve reached the point in the season where we can expect the California-based sides to frequently jockey for position.
Conversely, the lower end of the rankings is unfortunately beginning to stabilize, much like the top tier. The first five weeks have been challenging for Chicago, Louisville, and Utah, and current trends suggest this pattern is likely to persist for some time.
As Week 6 approaches and the season nears its quarter mark, make sure not to miss any of the upcoming action.
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kansas City Current | — | Currently enjoying a five-game winning streak, with goals contributed by multiple players across the squad, including early league MVP candidate Debinha. They are proving relentless, defeating postseason contenders, playoff hopefuls, and teams at the bottom of the table alike. |
| 2. | Washington Spirit | +1 | No Trinity Rodman? No problem, at least for now. The Spirit are effectively leveraging their roster depth and continue to be a formidable top team for lesser opponents while posing a significant challenge to the league`s elite. |
| 3. | Orlando Pride | -1 | It feels unusual to see Orlando in third place. They are undoubtedly a powerful team that often secures narrow victories, but this approach proved costly in Week 5. To reclaim a top spot, they will need to be more clinical in their finishing. |
| 4. | NJ/NY Gotham FC | — | It`s full speed ahead for Gotham following the international break. Alongside Kansas City, they are riding a wave of strong form despite managing player injuries. |
| 5. | Seattle Reign FC | +1 | Seattle delivered a statement performance against the Portland Thorns, highlighted by Lynn Biyendolo`s first start of the season. This was a timely climb up the rankings for the Reign. |
| 6. | Angel City FC | -1 | Coaching adjustments made last week against a playoff contender, Gotham FC, did not yield the desired results. Interim coach Sam Laity has approximately one month to refine lineups and tactics before newly appointed manager Alexander Straus arrives in June. |
| 7. | San Diego Wave FC | +1 | The tide is rising for San Diego, who continue to ascend the rankings. French internationals Delphine Cascarino and Kenza Dali are consistently delivering clutch performances, making San Diego look increasingly dangerous week after week. |
| 8. | Houston Dash | -1 | The initial excitement surrounding Houston seems to be fading quickly. While there are still reasons for optimism regarding their first-year moves and new head coach, ultimately, winning results are necessary for those aspects to matter. |
| 9. | Bay FC | +2 | They bounced back up the table thanks in part to a standout performance from Kiki Pickett. If they can find a way to capitalize more effectively on their attacking opportunities, they might be able to break into the upper half of the rankings. |
| 10. | North Carolina Courage | -1 | They seem to be slipping and struggling to recover. The tactical plans appear sound, but the roster is facing challenges in execution. Perhaps a change in formation is needed, as the current approach isn`t consistently working. |
| 11. | Portland Thorns FC | -1 | They failed to capitalize on momentum shifts during a key rivalry game. With just one win in five matches, the team finds itself in the same position it was a year ago – not where they aspire to be. |
| 12. | Utah Royals | — | You have to seize wins whenever possible, and sometimes that means winning when you`re a struggling team facing another struggling team. Thankfully, Ally Sentnor`s composure on penalties has been crucial. |
| 13. | Chicago Stars FC | — | The coaching staff made numerous substitutions late in the game, as travel and altitude seemed to impact performance down the stretch. That was perhaps the most notable aspect of their showing in Week 5. |
| 14. | Racing Louisville FC | — | Each passing week brings a new set of questions for Louisville. This week, the central question seems to be, `What is the path forward from here?` |
Adrian Whitmore