After last week\u2019s hiatus, All For XI\u2019s NWSL Power Rankings are back!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
After matchday 21, there were quite a few surprising results, who are this week\u2019s climbers and fallers?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Result: 1-1 draw vs NJ\/NY Gotham FC | Next: September 27 vs Utah Royals<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bay FC are winless in their past 10 matches, accumulating four points during that span.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, they are coming off good draws against two playoff teams: Orland Pride and NJ\/NY Gotham FC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another positive is the centerback duo of Sydney Collins and Brooklyn Courtnall, alongside the backline who played a fantastic game – Gotham scored 2+ goals in three consecutive matches, but only managed one this time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 0-1 loss at Houston Dash | Next: September 26 at Kansas City Current<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Chicago Stars unbeaten streak ended at seven matches and they are back to last in the NWSL table.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They have improved significantly over the past few months and will be a team to look out for in 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 2-2 draw vs Washington Spirit | Next: September 27 at Racing Louisville<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yes, the draw against the Washington Spirit was a good result, but they are running out of time and four points below the playoff line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The team is coming off two losses in their last three, and only have this point to show for it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Nealy Martin was a massive addition for the club and will be key moving forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 1-1 draw at NC Courage | Next: September 27 at Bay FC<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n URFC are playing like one of the best teams in the NWSL. They are unbeaten in their last six (3-3-0).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After struggling for the majority of the season, Jimmy Coenraets\u2019 side have found the late-season magic, once again. The Utah Royals have won three of their last four which includes wins over Portland Thorns, Houston Dash, and Racing Louisville.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This team are absolutely flying and nobody wants to face them right now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 0-1 loss vs North Carolina Courage | Next: September 26 at San Diego Wave<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Their last win? June 13 at Bay FC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Orlando Pride are winless in their last nine matches and on the verge of missing out of the playoffs completely. What started off as a strong season has quickly turned into a nightmare.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They are now only one point above the playoff line. This week? They head on the road to face San Diego Wave\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 2-3 loss at Utah Royals | Next: September 27 vs<\/em> Angel City FC<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Unfortunately, three consecutive losses and only one point in their last four matches have sent them plummeting down the table, and two points below the playoff line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Can Bev Yanez and Racing Louisville find their winning ways at home versus ACFC? It\u2019s a must-win for the club.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 0-2 loss at KC Current | Next: September 28 vs North Carolina Courage<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n One win in their past six matches\u2026 Seattle Reign are only two points above the playoff line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The attack has disappeared – just two goals in the last five won\u2019t get it done.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 1-0 win at Orlando Pride | Next: September 28 at Seattle Reign<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n After going winless in their last six matches and dropping below the playoff line to 11th, NC Courage have responded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They\u2019ve won consecutive games against Angel City FC and Orlando Pride and have risen to eighth in the NWSL Table and back in playoff contention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Shinomi scored the game-winning goal and Marisa Jordan at goalkeeper and the backline came up big to secure the clean sheet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Another difficult test for Nathan Thackeray and the North Carolina Courage this week when they head to Lumen Field to take on Seattle Reign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 1-0 win vs Chicago Stars | Next: September 28 at Washington Spirit<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n They are two points below the playoff line, but are one of the most consistent teams in the past two months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Houston Dash are 4-3-1 in their past eight matches. If they can continue this form, they are going to be a tough matchup for any team in the playoffs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yazmeen Ryan will be the key player at all times, but if Clarissa Larisey continues to get more comfortable, this team has everything it needs to make the postseason.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 1-1 draw vs San Diego Wave | Next: September 26 at NJ\/NY Gotham FC<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Portland Thorns are unbeaten in their past three matches (1-2-0), but must find ways to convert draws into wins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They were outplayed for the majority of the match against the Wave, but the Thorns completely flipped the game once Hina Sugita was subbed on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n No one has stepped up consistently in the goalscoring department, but Olivia Moultrie has become a premier free kick taker near the top of the box.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Unfortunately the injury situation is even worse for the club now, as Julie Dufour will be out the rest of the season<\/a>. Can Rob Gale and the Portland Thorns deal with even more adversity?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 1-1 draw at Portland Thorns | Next: September 26 vs Orlando Pride<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are still tons of questions about their attack, but they snapped their goalless streak.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After not scoring a goal for over a month, the San Diego Wave outplayed Portland Thorns for the majority of the game, but conceded late.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n However, that result should be able to give them tons of confidence moving forward. They\u2019re still in a prime spot for the playoffs and potentially a home playoff match.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 1-1 draw at Bay FC | Next: September 26 vs Portland Thorns<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Before their surprising 1-1 draw at Bay FC, NJ\/NY Gotham were steadily finding their groove again – they won by two goals each in the three prior matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If there is a team that could potentially pose KC Current issues, it\u2019s the Bats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They\u2019re peaking at the right time. Also, if Rose Lavelle continues to score goals, they are going to be extremely scary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 2-2 draw at Angel City FC | Next: September 28 vs Houston Dash<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although they are undefeated in their past nine matches, six of those were draws.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Spirit continue to separate themselves from the rest of the pack and are solidified as the second-best team in the league.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Without Hal Hershfelt (yellow card accumulation), they had to settle for a head-scratching draw versus ACFC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Result: 2-0 win at Bay FC | Next: September 26 vs Chicago Stars<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n They are one of the best, if not the best team in NWSL history.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With their 2-0 win over Seattle Reign at CPKC Stadium, they became the fastest team to clinch the NWSL Shield<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n9. Racing Louisville (-5)<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
7. North Carolina Courage (+6)<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n