The 2025 NWS common season retains ticking away, and playoff spots are getting snatched up with simply 4 weeks left on the schedule. Week 22 welcomed a second group into the postseason because the Washington Spirit clinched a spot. Whereas six playoff spots are remaining, there’s nonetheless a battle for spots within the energy rankings.
Because the postseason will get nearer, golf equipment are getting playoff previews forward of the knockout rounds. Third-place Gotham FC will host fourth-place Seattle Reign FC on Sunday (4 p.m. ET on Paramount+). Regardless of the stakes, each group can rise and fall within the energy rankings, and should you’re holding observe of the facility developments, take a look at my most up-to-date ones.
Week 23 shall be right here quickly, so do not miss any motion. Followers can watch choose NWSL regular-season matches throughout CBS, CBS Sports activities Community, Paramount+, and CBS Sports activities Golazo Community.
2025 NWSL Energy Rankings
This is how the league stacks up as week 23 approaches:
1. Kansas Metropolis Present (–)
Contemporary off successful the 2025 NWSL Defend, the Present obtained proper again into enterprise with one other dominant exhibiting. They could have had their shutout minutes streak snapped, however the employees obtained to rotate gamers forward of the playoffs, and Temwa Chawinga claimed sole place within the golden boot race for now together with her 14th purpose of the season.
2. Washington Spirit (–)
The Spirit staked their declare within the postseason with an enormous efficiency by striker Present Monday. The Nigerian worldwide ahead scored the quickest first-half hat-trick in league historical past, and the Spirit are on their technique to the 2025 playoffs with 4 match weeks left within the 12 months.
3. Gotham FC (–)
Gotham FC mirror Kansas Metropolis in type with 4 wins of their final 5 video games, however the high three are so slim in margins that the No. 3 energy slot is the very best they are often proper now. There isn’t any doubt that they will be an enormous downside for anybody left on the schedule and into the playoffs.
4. Seattle Reign FC (+1)
At this level, we’re deep into the “something can occur” portion of the season, and Seattle Reign FC are an enormous instance of that in NWSL proper now. Seems the roster depth and suppleness is their x-factor, with the purpose scoring coming any manner they will get them, and it is working for now.
5. Orlando Satisfaction (+1)
There’s been an effort to distance a “savior advanced” storyline round newly acquired Jacqueline Ovalle after the lack of Barbra Banda for the season. However the Mexican worldwide has been concerned in two purpose contributions in two video games to maintain the Satisfaction in secure competition for the playoffs.
6. Portland Thorns FC (-2)
The Thorns have run out of concepts on the pitch, and in week 22, it confirmed with simply two makes an attempt on the right track. They’re struggling in opposition to high groups and never trying significantly better in opposition to lesser opposition, they usually’re not fairly trying like a group that is gelling with the playoffs forward of them.
7. Utah Royals FC (+1)
It is going be so loopy when the most popular group within the league misses out on the playoffs as a result of they merely ran out of time. However the Royals are within the higher half of rankings relating to energy, and Mina Tanaka’s robust run of type will maintain them right here even when the playoff line is simply out of attain.
8. San Diego Wave FC (-1)
It is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation for San Diego because the season winds down. Lengthy gone are the attacking and goalscoring, and in place is stagnant play with an absence of changes. Whether or not it is participant accidents or one thing else, the teaching employees must make modifications asap.
9. Racing Louisville FC (+2)
Simply when the darkness was settling in for Racing, they shot off some fireworks. They’re rising again up the rankings after a must-win sort of efficiency, and the group welcomed veteran Lauren Milliet again from harm. It could possibly be the tipping level they want.
10. Houston Sprint (-1)
There isn’t any denying the Sprint have cooled off a bit, however not sufficient to really plummet down the facility rankings. They’re going to want an enormous response, although, after conceding 4 objectives. Not nice.
11. North Carolina Braveness (-1)
Simply while you’ve sparked the ignition, the gasoline goes out. That is North Carolina in the meanwhile. They’re inside hanging distance inside video games, and within the playoff race, however the truth is, there are higher groups in entrance of them right now.
12. Chicago Stars FC (–)
There’s nothing extra consultant of the NWSL than a last-place group snapping the league file shutout streak for the first-place group. As a lot honor as there’s in that, it is not sufficient to bump up the rankings, and the Stars have hit a brand new type of shedding.
13. Angel Metropolis FC (–)
There’s honor within the combat generally, Angel Metropolis not less than has that going for them. They’re caught in mediocre limbo, and it is laborious to think about there will not be one thing else to shake the group up down the stretch, because the membership has to attempt one thing to start out constructing towards.
14. Bay FC (–)
Extra begins for the middle again duo of Brooklyn Courtnall and Sydney Collins, please. This membership have all however waved the white flag on the season, so it is time to see who’s making an attempt to construct for subsequent season.
