The National Women’s Soccer League is in full swing as the second half of the season is underway. All 12 clubs have now played 15 weeks of the 22-match regular season. Week 15 saw minor shifts in our power rankings as the top-seeded teams remain close in the standings and continue to chase the NWSL Shield.
The NWSL regular season is now on a World Cup hiatus and returns on August 4. The league will still play Challenge Cup group matches during international competition.
Check out our power rankings to see where teams landed during the international break. And don’t forget, fans can watch the Challenge Cup and NWSL regular season on CBS Sports platforms including Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
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NWSL power rankings
1. |
rule OL |
— |
Fatigue set in a bit during their recent loss, but they will have some time to refocus ahead of the Challenge Cup. They lead their group with no games until July 28, and more minutes for role players will only make the team stronger when the regular season returns. |
2. |
Portland Thorns F.C |
— |
Portland will be disappointed not to score points with their leading starters on international duty. The break comes at a good time for head coach Mike Norris to figure out how to get them back into the win column. |
3. |
North Carolina Courage |
— |
Probably the most in form team in the league right now and get a chance to show off their depth with Kerolin, Denise O’Sullivan, Casey Murphy and Emily Fox heading into the World Cup. Expect the Courage to trust their formation and stay in the top half of the power rankings. |
4. |
NJ/NY Gotham FC |
+2 |
They bounced back after some struggles last month. Allie Long rallies them in the absence of key starters, and newly recruited striker Katie Stengel has already impressed with a goal in their recent victory. |
5. |
San Diego Wave FC |
— |
The Wave surged and stopped their losing slip with a recent tie. Taylor Kornieck was key to the come-back draw with her header in the late game. She will be relied upon with other offensive goals during the World Cup, and head coach Casey Stoney will likely make the team work to find each other a little more inside the box. |
6. |
Spirit of Washington |
-2 |
A better week for the Spirit who has shown some difficulty adjusting to key players on international duty. Ashley Hatch looks deadlier, and it has elevated others around her, but they will have to close games to stay afloat with so many starters at the World Cup. |
7. |
Orlando pride |
+1 |
The young core of the Florida side is playing nice and free and it has led to two straight wins before the break. Messiah Bright and Julie Doyle get more chances to get their names in the highlights while Marta and Adriana are away with Brazil. |
8. |
Racing against Louisville FC |
+1 |
Paige Monaghan is making headway in an important part of the season. Racing is a team of internationals and several are away for the World Cup. But more opportunistic victories could soon see the club take a leap of faith in the league table. |
9. |
Houston Dash |
-2 |
The group just can’t get out of the way and has failed to jump out of the bottom half of our rankings. Ebony Salmon, Diana Ordonez and Maria Sanchez are ready for an international break, but head coach Sam Laity can’t get the trio to talk. |
10. |
Angel City FC |
— |
Interim boss Becki Tweed has the side unbeaten in five games in all competitions. Centre-back Sarah Gorden has been crucial in getting their defensive form right and it has paid off in close games. |
11. |
Chicago red stars |
+1 |
Chicago has a handful of World Cup contenders who didn’t quite make it, and their presence would have made a difference. Returning players from injury have also helped, especially rookie Penelope Hocking who wasted no time getting on the scoreboard before halftime in her first game back. |
12. |
Kansas City stream |
-1 |
No, Debinha hasn’t been ideal, but the Current have shown they’re not the same team they were in the first half of the season. CeCe Kizer has been a constant but recently suffered an ankle injury so it will be the next player. |