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HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 01: **** Reiten #18 of NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates scoring her team's first goal with teammate Sam Kerr #20 during the NWSL match between Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC at Shell Energy Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/NWSL via Getty Images) | NWSL via Getty Images
Matchweek 15 in the NWSL brought even more upsets and stunners.
Which teams managed to climb and who took a few steps back?
Here’s our latest power rankings:
16. Chicago Stars | 1-2 loss at Racing Louisville
Four straight losses for the Chicago Stars…
What exactly is their direction moving forward? Without a path for the future, there’ll be a lot of tough seasons ahead.
15. Racing Louisville | 2-1 win vs Chicago Stars
Six points in a week is exactly what Bev Yanez and Racing Louisville needed.
Is it too little, too late?
14. Bay FC | 2-3 loss vs Seattle Reign
The good news? Abby Dahlkemper is back!
The bad news? They’ve been competitive, but have lost their last three matches all by a goal apiece.
13. Houston Dash | 0-1 loss vs Gotham FC
The home loss to Gotham FC ended their three match unbeaten streak.
Houston Dash have more than held their own throughout the season and with their young core, there is a bright future ahead.
12. Boston Legacy | 1-1 draw at Denver Summit
Goalkeeper Casey Murphy with the assist? Yes, you read that right. She becomes the fourth goalkeeper to accomplish that feat in the league’s history.
Head Coach Filipa Patão has given this team the identity for this season and beyond.
An added bonus? They own the head to head over expansion colleagues, Denver Summit FC.
11. Denver Summit FC | 0-2 loss vs NC Courage
Lindsey Heaps was a late scratch from the starting XI.
The USWNT midfielder has brought a spark to the Denver Summit since arriving, and this will be a status to monitor moving forward.
“A last minute change to have Lindsey not in the team was tough for us. We’ve got a team that can come together and build on what we’ve been building.” – Tash Flint via Burgundy Wave
10. Orlando Pride (-3) | 0-5 loss at NC Courage
What just happened? A 0-5 road loss…
The Orlando Pride remain one of the most inconsistent and confusing teams in the NWSL.
That’s now four losses in their last six matches.
9. Angel City FC | 1-1 draw at KC Current
What a time for Taylor Suarez’s first professional goal, helping secure a road point in one of the toughest venues in women’s sports.
ACFC have now picked up 10 points from their last five matches.
Could they make another late playoff push with an interim coach similar to 2023?
8. Portland Thorns (-4) | 1-5 loss at Utah Royals
In just 34 seconds, PTFC scored the opening goal. It was the eighth assist for Pietra Tordin and eighth goal for Sophia Wilson. Midfielder Nina Nijstad also made her first start for Portland Thorns.
Ok, but what happened after that? It was a complete nightmare for the visitors as they allowed five unanswered goals.
PTFC have now lost five straight road games, allowed 2+ goals in four consecutive games, and have only one win in their last seven matches.
7. Seattle Reign | 3-2 win at Bay FC
Who else, but Jess Fishlock?
minutes
touches
goal
Jen Beattie makes the case for Jess Fishlock pic.twitter.com/pWPczMIDlc
— W Golazo (@WGolazo) August 2, 2026
After going through a major scoring drought in the first half of the season, the Seattle Reign have scored nine goals in their last four games (three wins).
The latest result? A 3-2 road win vs Bay FC.
6. North Carolina Courage (+4) | 5-0 win vs Orlando Pride and 2-0 win at Denver Summit FC
NC Courage have responded magnificently after dropping three games by winning two emphatic matches over Orlando Pride and Denver Summit – Combined to generate an xG of 6.59 and scored seven goals.
Ashley Sanchez has reached double digit goals with 10 on the season and Evelyn Ijeh became the first Swedish player to score a hat trick in NWSL history, now up to 7 goals.
We've got a little tease of this week's Attacking Third Team of the Week…
First up, @darian_jenks has Evelyn Ijeh & her historic hat trickpic.twitter.com/bswXeDSTmD
— W Golazo (@WGolazo) August 2, 2026
This attack is one of the best in the league and when their defense is clicking, North Carolina are one of the very best teams.
Can they find the consistency? That’s the only question that remains.
5. KC Current (+1) | 1-1 draw vs Angel City FC
Another goal for Haley Hopkins who has three in the last two matches.
Can Kansas City hold on until the return of Temwa Chawinga?
The two-time NWSL MVP has a chance to create another historic and unforgettable moment:
4. San Diego Wave (+1) | 1-0 win at Washington Spirit
How many Rookie of the Year contenders does San Diego Wave have?
Lia Godfrey? Absolutely.
Mimi Van Zanten? Of course.
The win snapped a three-match winless streak and ended the Washington Spirit’s home unbeaten streak.
3. Utah Royals | 5-1 win over Portland Thorns
A masterclass of brilliance from the Utah Royals who continue to be the best story in the NWSL.
URFC demolished the Portland Thorns after conceding the opening goal in the first minute.
They’ve not only become a playoff contender, but also one of the three true frontrunners for the NWSL Shield and Championship.
2. Washington Spirit (-1) | 0-1 loss to San Diego Wave
That was their first loss at ‘Rowdy Audi’ since the season opener…
Even with the loss, the Washington Spirit remain in prime position for both trophies.
1. Gotham FC (+1) | 1-0 win at Houston Dash
Gotham FC went on the road for three road matches in eight days. The result? Seven points.
Their last two matches ended with 1-0 shutout wins and now unbeaten in their last six.
The Bats been historically dominant in defense with 11 clean sheets.
In attack, Sam Kerr has provided the goals and **** Reiten’s deliveries have been outstanding.
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