The 2024 NWSL regular season is coming to a close and clubs still have time to build on their playoff hopes. Only four teams have secured their spot in the NWSL postseason: Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, Kansas City Current and NJ/NY Gotham FC. The NWSL Shield is still up for grabs and no team in the league has been eliminated from postseason contention. Only the narrowest of margins separate some teams in the hunt, while the top four continue to separate themselves.
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How did clubs perform in our NWSL Power Rankings? Let’s see where the teams stand after Week 22:
2024 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Orlando proud |
— |
This team has put together something extraordinary this season. They take care of business, whether it is against other contenders or bottom half teams. There aren’t enough superlatives to pass for them, especially in a week where Carson Pickett, Marta and Angelina delivered. |
|
2. |
NJ/NY Gotham FC |
— |
Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett have delivered defensive performances as the centreback duo. Gotham has conceded just one goal in their last three games as the coaching staff continues to mix things up offensively. |
|
3. |
Washington spirit |
+1 |
The team entered a road game with a major injury report, leaving Trinity Rodman and Casey Krueger out against a team in the hunt for the playoffs. But the Spirit was not afraid when Ashely Hatch was there to right the ship. Spirit rookies continue to be impressive this year as Makenna Morris grabbed the game winner to keep the team in contention for the NWSL Shield. |
|
4. |
Kansas City Stream |
-1 |
Temwa Chawinga scored her seventeenth goal this season and is well on her way to equaling or breaking the season record (18) with four games to go. They conceded after a lack of awareness on the pitch involving the referee, but leveled matters in response. They rebuilt their defense midway through the season, adding a new layer to the group later on. |
|
5. |
North Carolina Courage |
— |
The Courage took another definitive victory on the road, but at what cost? Brianna Pinto played a crucial role in the attack as Kerolin worked his way back into regular playing minutes, but Pinto left the field in tears this week after a leg injury. Still, Denise O’Sullivan keeps the midfield in check with Narumi Miura, and Ashley Sanchez continues her underrated MVP season. |
|
6. |
Chicago red stars |
+1 |
Mallory Swanson hasn’t scored for the team since before the Olympics, and it will continue to be difficult for her to do so if she doesn’t get the ball. Yet Brazil international Ludmila continues to find form for Chicago with goals in two straight games. |
|
7. |
Racing Louisville FC |
-1 |
Last week we said that Louisville might be in the running for the streakiest team in the league and this week they confirmed that is the case. They are safely in the play-offs for the time being, but a defeat against a team that is almost in last place in the league with title contenders on the agenda is a missed opportunity. |
|
8. |
Portland Thorns FC |
— |
Major concerns remain for Portland as the regular season losing streak continues. Striker Sophia Smith is struggling with an ankle injury and there appear to be no new ideas in sight. The team has not won a game in the regular season since July and is winless in six games with five defeats. If it looks bad and feels bad, it’s bad. |
|
9. |
Bay F.C |
+1 |
A team in the playoff bubble doing exactly what it needs to do with other teams in the hunt: beat them. The Bay Area side still need to be more clinical in front of goal as they face title contenders in the coming weeks. |
|
10. |
San Diego Wave FC |
+1 |
The Southern California squad may have bought some time in the playoff race with a win this week. They will have 16-year-old Melanie Barcenas to thank for the motivational boost and her clinical finish on target. |
|
11. |
Angel City FC |
-2 |
Mathematically, the group is still in contention to reach the playoff line, but their recent performance against the Spirit seemed to break theirs. The ‘second half team’ mentality seems to be waning as time runs out on the season and the teams ahead of them on the table. |
|
12. |
Seattle Reign FC |
— |
The math isn’t entirely on Seattle’s side, either in the playoff hunt or in our power rankings. A three-game losing streak with time running out to make any meaningful impact. A frustrating mediocre season for a team that is often in the mix. |
|
13. |
Utah Royals FC |
+1 |
The Royals avoided elimination from the play-offs this week with a brave performance against Racing at home. Ana Tejada has been the center of the momentum swing for the team this year, and it was fitting that she scored the game winner this week. |
|
14. |
Houston Dash |
-1 |
Another week, another loss to Houston, but it’s also another week in which Yuki Nagasato scored a world-class goal. Sometimes it’s the little things. |