Attendance Records and Unexpected Outcomes
Saturday night marked a historic moment for the Chicago Red Stars as they set a new attendance record at Wrigley Field. However, the celebration was dampened as Bay FC clinched a victory, leaving Chicago fans both disappointed and hopeful for future success. Despite the setback, there is plenty of time left in the season for teams to shake up the rankings and make significant moves. Fans can catch select NWSL regular-season matches across CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
2024 NWSL Power Rankings
Orlando Pride
The Orlando Pride's impressive win streak came to an end with a draw against San Diego. Nonetheless, the team remains steadfast at the top spot, demonstrating consistent performance that makes them tough to dethrone.
Kansas City Current
The Kansas City Current are on an extraordinary 14-game unbeaten streak, dating back to last season. The team suffered a setback with defender Gabrielle Robinson's ACL injury but gained strength with the return of forward Bia Zaneratto. Kansas City appears willing to concede goals if they can outscore their opponents, making for thrilling matches.
Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit's rookie class has been unstoppable, and defender Kate Wiesner delivered a game-winning performance on the road. The team has now extended its win streak to four consecutive games, with young talent proving to be a strong asset.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
The reigning champions NJ/NY Gotham FC are quietly making strides in the rankings and the league table. Ella Stevens has earned starting roles, while veterans like Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle contribute goals. Gotham FC's depth will be crucial as the season progresses.
Portland Thorns FC
Sophia Smith continues to shine, adding more goals to her season tally. However, she will miss the next match due to a second yellow card for delaying the game. The Thorns will need to adjust in her absence to maintain their competitive edge.
Racing Louisville
Racing Louisville is hitting their stride at a pivotal moment in the season. The team has secured two consecutive wins and remains unbeaten in three games. While their six draws aren't ideal, they haven’t suffered losses either. Racing Louisville has the potential to become second-half-of-the-season wreckers.
North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage showed signs of improvement with a fluctuating back formation but picked up their fourth loss in five games. Ryan Williams is on a red card suspension, but the return of Denise O’Sullivan brings hope for better performances ahead.
San Diego Wave FC
San Diego Wave FC continues to face challenges with goal scoring. Makenzie Doniak managed to score an equalizer against Orlando Pride, but the team struggles with tactical execution in the final third of the pitch.
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars are experiencing a rough patch with their third consecutive loss. The team is struggling to get the ball to star player Mallory Swanson, impacting their overall effectiveness on the field.
Angel City FC
Angel City FC is currently unsure of their identity, and the lack of results is putting pressure on the coach. The team will need to find cohesion and strategy to turn their season around.
Houston Dash
Houston Dash failed to capitalize on their momentum. The team’s three-player back formation faced significant challenges against Racing Louisville, highlighting the need for tactical adjustments.
Bay FC
Bay FC hopes that their win against Chicago will act as a turning point in their season. However, they missed out on a clean sheet and conceded a goal in stoppage time, showing areas for improvement.
Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC is enduring a difficult first half of the season amid an ownership change. The instability seems to be affecting their performance on the pitch.
Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC continues to struggle, failing to score against the Spirit at home and extending their winless streak since March. The team is now on a 10-game losing run, causing concern among fans and players alike.
Fans can still look forward to witnessing select NWSL regular-season matches on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network. With ample time remaining in the season, there are plenty of opportunities for teams to rise through the rankings and deliver unexpected outcomes.