Arianna CasconeMultiple AuthorsOct 19, 2026, 12:38 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsIt’s Monday, and with another weekend of the 2026 NWSL regular season in the books, it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.Who’s set for a climb up the table? Who’s in danger of a free fall? Our writers studied the action across Matchday 25 to come up with this week’s order of all 16 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.1.
San Diego Wave FCPrevious ranking: 1 Next match: vs. Boston Legacy FC, Sunday, 7 p.m. ETThe San Diego Wave beat the North Carolina Courage 2-1 on the road. Melanie Barcenas and Trinity Byars scored a goal apiece in the win, with Byars netting her 11th of the season.
That’s the most by a Wave player since Alex Morgan’s 2022 campaign. This was also the Wave’s fifth-straight win, which makes them the hottest team among all playoff contenders, a guaranteed playoff host, and a lock at No. 1 in this week’s rankings.2. Angel City FCPrevious ranking: 3 Next match: vs. Bay FC, Saturday, 9:45 p.m.
ETAngel City beat the Denver Summit 3-2 on the road. The Angels scored three unanswered goals in the first half after facing a 2-0 deficit following just 18 minutes of play. Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Taylor Suarez, and Ally Sentnor scored in an 11-minute span just before the end of the first period, and the Angels never looked back. They held the Summit to six total shots and managed 18 of their own.
The gutsy performance means Angel City haven’t lost in a club-record-tying eight games, which is keeping them high in our rankings this week.3. Kansas City CurrentPrevious ranking: 4 Next match: vs. Washington Spirit, Sunday, 5 p.m. ETThe Kansas City Current blanked the Utah Royals 2-0 on the road, and it was a huge win for a team that has struggled away from home this season.
It was a Haley Hopkins brace that delivered the Current the win, giving her 11 goals on the season and six in her last three outings. She and Kansas City may be peaking at the right time, losing only once in their last eight games. The win propelled the Current to fourth place in the standings, meaning their chances of hosting a playoff game at their home fortress are looking better and better.4. Washington SpiritPrevious ranking: 5 Next match: at Kansas City Current, Sunday, 5 p.m.
ETThe Washington Spirit beat Gotham FC 1-0 at home, with Lucia Di Guglielmo’s first NWSL goal the difference maker. Before the lone goal in this match, Washington had gone over 500 minutes without scoring against their East Coast rivals. This marked the Spirit’s second home win in their last six attempts. It came at a great time, too, since the result ultimately clinched the Spirit a playoff berth and keeps them firmly in the Shield conversation.5.
NJ/NY Gotham FCPrevious ranking: 2 Next match: at Orlando Pride, Sunday, 3 p.m. ETGotham FC lost to the Washington Spirit 1-0 on the road despite dominating the possession battle, managing five shots with two on target for 0.41 expected goals. Their defensive performance was generally solid, though, edging the Spirit out in tackles, clearances, and goalkeeper saves. Still, one quick turnover led to conceding a goal — and Gotham dropping all three points.
They’re now just one point above the red-hot San Diego Wave after a weekend in which they could have clinched their first-ever Shield instead.6. Utah RoyalsPrevious ranking: 6 Next match: vs. Seattle Reign FC, Friday, 9:30 p.m. ETThe Utah Royals lost 2-0 to Kansas City at home.
Despite the scoreline, the Royals put up a decent fight in this match: they managed 12 total shots with four of those on target, despite only taking 14 opposition-box touches. Still, they were clearly missing leading scorer Mina Tanaka, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. This team is likely doubly disappointed with the result, given that they could have clinched a playoff spot had other results shook out in their favor.7. Seattle Reign FCPrevious ranking: 9 Next match: at Utah Royals, Friday, 9:30 p.m.
ETThe Seattle Reign beat the Chicago Stars 3-1 on the road, with Maddie Mercado recording a brace in this win and Nérilia Mondésir finding the back of the net, too. Despite this victory being against the league’s worst team, it was a big win for a Reign side that will be without mainstay Maddie Dahlien, who was placed on the season-ending injury list due to a knee injury suffered during the international window. Seattle have now scored in 11 straight games on the road and own the last playoff spot.8. Portland ThornsPrevious ranking: 7 Next match: vs.
North Carolina Courage, Friday, 10 p.m. ETThe Portland Thorns battled Bay FC to a 2-2 draw on the road. A Morgan Weaver stunner put the Thorns up early, but a disjointed midfield and poor defending led to two concessions — one in each half. Caiya Hanks rescued a point for Portland just before full time, which is undoubtedly a positive, but now their entire season may be decided next weekend against North Carolina, in yet another game without the lifeline to the Thorns attack: Sophia Wilson.9.
North Carolina CouragePrevious ranking: 8 Next match:at Portland Thorns, Friday, 10 p.m. ETThe North Carolina Courage lost to the San Diego Wave by a 2-1 scoreline at home and frankly, the Courage struggled to find their footing until the waning stages of this game. They finally struck in the 83rd minute thanks to Vilde Bøe Risa’s first goal since joining the Courage in midseason, but it wasn’t enough to salvage any points. With this result, the Courage have managed just three points in their last five matches, and they’re outside the playoff picture looking in with two games to go.10.
Boston Legacy FCPrevious ranking: 11 Next match: at San Diego Wave, Sunday, 7 p.m. ETThe Boston Legacy beat Racing Louisville 2-1 at home. The Legacy controlled most of the momentum in this game, securing over 60% of possession and scoring just after kickoff in both halves, with Amanda Gutierres and Deja Davis getting the goals. Still, the Boston attack only managed 1.48 xG, and their defense conceded 1.96 xG on 14 total shots (five on target).
Regardless, this was Boston’s first home win since July 25 and fourth victory in their last six outings, which is among the best run of form for teams in the bottom third of the table.11. Orlando PridePrevious ranking: 13 Next match: vs. Gotham FC, Sunday, 3 p.m. ETThe Orlando Pride beat the Houston Dash 2-1 on the road, with a Luana penalty and Solai Washington’s first-ever NWSL goal handing the Pride this win.
It was a rather dominant performance for Orlando against the already-eliminated Dash, but the win didn’t ultimately matter — because of some other results from the weekend, the Pride’s playoff hopes officially ended this week.12. Denver Summit FCPrevious ranking: 10 Next match: vs. Racing Louisville, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ETThe Denver Summit lost 3-2 to Angel City at home, a rough result for a team that conceded yet another lead this season.
Melissa Kössler and Lindsey Heaps found the back of the net early in the first half, but the Summit allowed three goals in quick succession before the break to erase the lead. Blowing a two-goal home lead is morale crushing on its own, but even more so given this may have cost Denver a playoff spot.13. Houston DashPrevious ranking: 12 Next match: at Chicago Stars, Friday, 8 p.m. ETThe Houston Dash lost to the Orlando Pride by a 2-1 scoreline at home.
A second-half Danielle Colaprico goal off a Kat Rader corner helped the Dash avoid the shut out, but their attack left much to be desired throughout this one. They managed only 16 opposition box touches while allowing 38. Plus, they conceded a penalty and 2.80 expected goals, with 1.88 of that coming from the run of play. Altogether, it wasn’t the best showing at either end of the pitch for the Dash.14.
Bay FCPrevious ranking: 15 Next match: at Angel City FC, Saturday, 9:45 p.m. ETBay FC drew the Portland Thorns 2-2 at home. Caroline Conti and Kennedy Fuller each scored, and the Bay attack mana
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