The 2024 NWSL regular season is back after a brief hiatus for the international window. The competition is just a week away from the halfway mark and the contenders are separating themselves from clubs that cannot cope with the long season. The Chicago Red Stars set a new attendance record at Wrigley Field on Saturday evening, but Bay FC took the win. There’s plenty of time for teams to shake up the rankings. Make sure you don’t miss any matches for fans to watch select NWSL regular season matches about CBS, CBS Sports Network, Biggest+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Which team achievements speak louder than others? Let’s take a look at where teams stand after Week 12 in our Power Rankings:
2024 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Orlando proud |
— |
The winning streak came to an end with a road draw against San Diego, but we wouldn’t dare move this team from first place. Even when Barbra Banda isn’t scoring, she still sets the attacking pace, this time with an assist on Orlando’s lone goal against Julie Doyle. |
|
2. |
Kansas City Stream |
— |
The Current have technically been undefeated longer than Orlando. Now, 14 games dating back to last season, they have an embarrassing wealth of depth. Despite losing defenseman Gabrielle Robinson to an ACL injury, they welcomed forward Bia Zaneratto back to the field. It seems that they can concede great goals, as long as they score better than their opponents. |
|
3. |
Washington spirit |
— |
Washington’s rookie class is undeniable. This week it’s defender Kate Wiesner in the headlines after kicking off the game-winner for the Spirit and extending their win streak to four straight games. |
|
4. |
NJ/NY Gotham FC |
+1 |
The reigning champions are quietly rising in the rankings and rankings. They have stars and depth. Ella Stevens has pushed her way into a starting role and now Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle are scoring goals. It will only help them along the way. |
|
5. |
Portland Thorns FC |
-1 |
Sophia Smith is collecting goals and tricks for the Thorns this week. She added another goal to take her season total to nine, but she was also shown a second yellow card for delaying the match by handling the ball on the bench and she will miss the next match. |
|
6. |
Racing in Louisville |
+3 |
This group might finally turn a corner at the right time. Potential to be a wrecker in the second half of the season, and they finally got two straight wins. The six draws haven’t been ideal, even if they aren’t losses, but they have several X-factor players and are now unbeaten in three games. |
|
7. |
North Carolina Courage |
-1 |
The battle is a little too real for the Courage, despite looking a little better this week in a fluctuating three-player back. They suffered their fourth defeat in five games, and while Denise O’Sullivan is back on the pitch, they now have to do without Ryan Williams due to a red card suspension. |
|
8. |
San Diego Wave FC |
— |
The scoring remains dry for San Diego despite an equalizer by Makenzie Doniak against the mighty Orlando Pride. The players come with looks in the final third, but the tactics don’t lead to the execution. |
|
9. |
Chicago red stars |
+2 |
Officially in a slump, the Red Stars suffered their third consecutive loss despite a historic night at Wrigley Field. The team is now showing the growing pains that everyone expected the team to go through in the first quarter of the season. They still can’t get Mallory Swanson the ball and they are paying for it in the results. |
|
10. |
Angel City FC |
— |
I’m not sure who this franchise wants to be. Do they lean on smart veterans and hope things will change? Or will they ever commit to their youth project and actually build something new? Lack of results means things fall on the coach’s shoulders, but the vision doesn’t just come from the sidelines. |
|
11. |
Houston Dash |
— |
They couldn’t capitalize on their big win before the international break and their ideal three-player behind Paige Nielsen, Tarciane and Natalie Jacobs had some tough moments against Racing Louisville. Back to the drawing board for head coach Fran Alonso. |
|
12. |
Bay F.C |
+1 |
They’re hopeful that a monumental win against Chicago at Wrigley Field will turn things around. But the team failed to keep a clean sheet and conceded in injury time. The late-game performance that has haunted them all season. |
|
13. |
Seattle Reign FC |
-1 |
One day, Seattle will look back on the first half of 2024 and say it made them stronger. But for now, it’s just painful to see a team in limbo while the franchise is still going through an ownership change. |
|
14. |
Utah Royals FC |
— |
Played a play-off leader very hard but couldn’t find the back of the net at home against the Spirit. Still winless since March and now on a 10-game losing streak. |
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