Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 14 teams across the National Women's Soccer League

Matchday 22 featured debut goals from international stars, Washington striker Gift Monday setting a hat-trick record as the Spirit clinched their playoff spot, and the Chicago Stars officially being eliminated from the postseason. With four matchdays to go, the playoff race is heating up.

So, who's leading the pack, and who's falling short of expectations?

INDIVISA presents the latest 2025 NWSL Power Rankings.

Getty Images14Chicago Stars

Prior Ranking: 13

Result: Lost to Kansas City 4-1

Ramifications: There’s no shame in losing to Kansas City, and not even Alyssa Naeher’s six saves could stop the league-leaders’ onslaught of goals. But at the end of a difficult season, the Stars are officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Advertisement13Bay FC

Prior Ranking: 12

Result: Lost to Utah Royals 2-0

Ramifications: Bay FC haven’t won a game since June 7 (four draws, seven defeats) and are looking lost toward the bottom of the table after losing to the Utah Royals. They haven’t been eliminated from the postseason, but with four remaining matches against teams in the top nine, their chances of making a second-straight postseason are dim.

12Utah Royals

Prior Ranking: 14

Result: Beat Bay FC 2-0

Ramifications: The Royals are on a roll. After beating Bay FC, they’ve got three straight wins in a seven-game undefeated run. They’re still well below the playoff line, sitting in 12th with an eight-point gap between them and Racing Louisville. But the playoffs are possible, and their form is electric. 

11Houston Dash

Prior Ranking: 11

Result: Lost 4-0 to Washington Spirit

Ramifications: After going on a six-game undefeated streak, Houston now has two defeats in three games after getting dismantled by the ascendant Washington Spirit. They’re still just two spots and three points below Racing Louisville in the final playoff position, but breaking into the top eight will be no easy feat. They’ve got tough tests ahead – including first-place Kansas City on the penultimate weekend – and will need other teams to stumble to seal a berth.