The 2025 NWSL regular season has officially reached its quarter point. Six weeks of action are complete, and these power rankings require an update. While there`s often discussion about regional club rivalries, Week 6 served as a potent reminder that competition can also be born out of unexpected chaos.
Top teams vying for the Shield clashed once more. There were multi-goal games delivering surprising results, and lower-ranked squads managed to steal points from each other without necessarily demonstrating a sustainable path forward. The performances were notable, and at this stage of the season, wins don`t always automatically elevate a team in these rankings, though the overall feeling was similar to the previous week.
Gotham FC and Portland Thorns played two matches within Week 6 – a midweek encounter against each other and a weekend fixture. Both teams experienced mixed results but performed well enough to climb in the rankings among other clubs. For the first time this season, 13 out of 14 clubs saw their position shift in the power rankings, highlighting the league`s weekly unpredictability.
Here are the rankings:
2025 NWSL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Orlando Pride | +2 | Following last week`s call for increased clinical finishing, Barbra Banda and Marta delivered by scoring. This bodes well for the Pride and poses a challenge for the rest of the league. |
| 2. | Kansas City Current | -1 | Suffered a surprising road loss against the league`s sole winless team. They remain a top side, but now face managing lingering injuries to key players like Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper. |
| 3. | Gotham FC | +1 | Their performance shows that sometimes the finish matters more than the start. Alternatively, having Esther Gonzalez, who is currently scoring prolifically regardless of game circumstances, makes them a constant threat. |
| 4. | Washington Spirit | -2 | The Spirit were quickly brought back to earth after conceding in the third minute. While things seemed to unravel further, the positive takeaway is Croix Bethune`s return from a meniscus injury for the 2025 season. |
| 5. | San Diego Wave FC | +2 | San Diego has positioned itself for a sustained strong run this season, largely due to its international acquisitions. Cascarino, Dali, and Corely consistently challenge opponents weekly, contributing to the Wave`s ascent in the rankings. |
| 6. | Seattle Reign FC | -1 | This squad is achieving results but isn`t delivering performances that dominate the league. This keeps them in playoff contention, but their current form doesn`t project significant power. |
| 7. | Bay FC | +1 | Rachael Kundinanji finally found the net this season, a crucial moment at home. Bay FC has successfully made PayPal Park a tough venue for visitors; now they must consistently be a challenging opponent overall. |
| 8. | Portland Thorns FC | +3 | A significant week for the Thorns, making different kinds of statements in their two matches. They continue to rely on their first-year players, with Caiya Hanks emerging as a notable rookie performer. |
| 9. | Angel City FC | -3 | The momentum has shifted dramatically against Angel City. The youthful squad has appeared overwhelmed by major swings in game momentum, a challenge the coaching staff needs to address. |
| 10. | North Carolina Courage | — | Can a home win truly be called `smash and grab`? Perhaps not. North Carolina secured a significant upset by winning the tactical substitution battle, preventing a drop in the rankings. More is needed for them to climb higher. |
| 11. | Houston Dash | -3 | Delanie Sheehan was perhaps the week`s standout for the Dash. At this point in the season, is a narrow win by a lower-seeded team against another struggling side truly indicative of power? |
| 12. | Racing Louisville FC | +2 | They are showing signs of improvement, but the question remains if it`s sufficient. Savannah DeMelo`s return to goal production could potentially be the necessary catalyst. |
| 13. | Utah Royals | -1 | They are struggling and may remain in this difficult position. Despite having momentum to potentially steal an away win, they failed to score when it mattered most. |
| 14. | Chicago Stars FC | -1 | Jameese Joseph remains a positive point, but Chicago was convincingly defeated by the Wave at home this week, firmly placing them back in a difficult period. |
