NWSL Power Rankings: Temwa Chawinga eyes NWSL Golden Boot

Today is Monday and one more round NVSL The action is already scheduled, which means it's time for the ESPN Power Rankings.

Who's climbing on the table? Who's in free fall? Our writers took a look at matchday 24 to determine what all 14 teams in the league will do this week. Let's dive in.

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Previous rating: 1
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Houston Dash, 7:30 p.m. ET.

Kansas City is jumping into the postseason after beating another team at the top of the standings this weekend. Collision And Bia Zaneratto provided the goals as the league leaders put space between them and 2023 champion Gotham in 2-0 victory at CPKC Stadium. With this goal, Chavinga also increased the space between herself and Gotham. Esther Gonzalez at the top of the Golden Boot race, which she currently leads by two goals. I also saw victory Current set new NWSL record for points in a season.

Previous rating: 2
Next match: Saturday, October 18, Orlando Pride, 12:30 pm ET.

Trinity RodmanA left-footed shot from outside the box (her fifth goal of the season) gave the Spirit a second-half lead in Cary, but they settled for a 1-1 tie against ninth-ranked North Carolina. With the draw (plus Gotham's loss to Kansas City), the Spirit officially clinched home-field advantage and advanced to the playoff semifinals. After a record year for overall attendance at Audi Field, that's a lot for last year's runner-up, who appears poised for a convincing playoff run.

Previous rating: 3
Next match: Sunday, Oct. 19 vs. Racing Louisville, 3:00 p.m. ET.

2024 NVSL goalkeeper of the year Ann-Katrin Berger missed Gotham's big game against Kansas City with a knee injury, so the Bats debuted the 27-year-old goaltender Shelby Hogan away at CPKC Stadium during a massive test. Hogan's three-save performance helped limit Current's dynamic attack, but Gotham left Missouri with a 2-0 loss. They outplayed the hosts, but managed only two goals themselves, with the team's top scorer Esther extending her goalless streak to four games. They finished the weekend fourth in the standings but will have to fight to maintain home advantage with final tests in their next two games against teams vying for playoff spots (Racing Louisville, then North Carolina).

Previous rating: 5
Next match: Saturday, Oct. 18 vs. Washington Spirit, 12:30 p.m. ET.

The inimitable club veteran returned from her back injury in her first match Martha forced a heroic own goal in stoppage time to secure the all-important three points against the Portland Thorns. It was Orlando's second win on a three-game regular-season unbeaten streak, marking a much-needed turnaround after nine games without a win. The defending champions finished the weekend in third place but will play second-place Washington Spirit and fifth-place Seattle Reign in their final games.

Previous rating: 4
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Angel City, 5:00 pm ET (Stream live on ESPN+)

In a fairly even contest away to Orlando (in which both sides recorded four shots on target), the Thorns were content with defeat thanks to Martha's 93rd-minute try from a corner that was officially ruled an own goal. A win or draw could allow Portland to make the playoffs, pending other results in the standings. But after this last-minute defeat, seventh-placed Thorns will be hoping to make it happen next weekend against the City of Angels.

Previous rating: 6
Next match: Friday, October 17, Utah Royals, 10:00 pm ET.

A Seattle veteran from Wales who never stops. Jess Fishlockcame to the aid of the Reign in the match against Bay FC with a score of 1:1. Fishlocks' sixth goal of the season gave them a second straight draw in their three-game unbeaten run, keeping them in fifth place heading into the penultimate weekend. They may regret not taking all three points as they battled for home advantage, but they are on track to reach the postseason.

Previous rating: 8
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. Chicago Stars, 10:00 pm ET.

San Diego was one of the few teams that failed to make the playoffs this weekend. But they needed a result against Utah to keep their postseason goals alive. Despite terrible weather and falling behind early, they pulled out a crucial 3-2 win (ending a seven-game winless run) that kept them sixth in a loaded table heading into the penultimate weekend. They still have the tools to make a splash in the playoffs, but will need to stay focused to secure a spot.

Previous rating: 7
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Gotham, 3:00 pm ET.

Bethany BalcerA 93rd-minute equalizer against the already eliminated Chicago Stars could prove crucial in Louisville's bid to make its first playoff appearance. They finished the weekend in the eighth and final playoff spot, four points ahead of the North Carolina Courage. They have two games left – starting with a tough test away at Gotham – and will make club history if they stay above this line.

Previous rating: 10
Next match: Friday, Oct. 17 vs. Bay, 10 p.m. ET.

The Courage joined San Diego as one of two teams (not yet eliminated or yet to secure a playoff berth) that failed to make it out of the tournament this weekend. Playing at home, they fell first to second-place Spirit but fought back to secure a 1–1 draw which saw them finish one point short of the play-off positions. With two games remaining against the Bay and then Gotham, they will need to get positive results and hope the teams above them slip up.

Previous rating: 12
Next match: Sunday, October 19 vs. Portland Thorns, 5:00 pm ET (Stream live on ESPN+)

If Racing Louisville had won a 1-1 draw against Seattle, there would have been nothing Angel City could have done to stay in postseason contention. But they came into Sunday's matchup taking their fate into their own hands, with a convincing 2-0 win over Houston. They showed great offensive improvement in the win and have two more games left to make the playoffs. They need to win both of their remaining games to keep a slim chance. Next is Portland.

Previous rating: 9
Next match: Saturday, Oct. 18 vs. KC Current, 7:30 p.m. ET.

Mathematically, Houston can still make the playoffs. But the odds were clearly not in their favor after a 2-0 loss to playoff rival Angel City on Sunday. They currently sit in 11th place and need to win their remaining games to maintain their slim chance of qualifying for the postseason. Unfortunately, they play Kansas City next.

Previous rating: 11
Next match: Friday, Oct. 17 vs. Seattle Reign, 10 p.m. ET.

The Utah Royals put in a valiant late-season effort. Saturday's 3-2 loss to the San Diego Wave ends a commendable eight-game unbeaten streak (four wins, four ties) and officially eliminates the team from the playoffs. They took the lead in the ninth minute and later tied the game, but needed a win to stay afloat in their postseason hopes. However, fans can be proud of the Royals' form at the end of the year.

Previous rating: 13
Next match: Friday, Oct. 17 vs. NC Courage, 10 p.m. ET.

Bay FC had already been eliminated from the play-offs ahead of their 1-1 draw with Seattle Reign, but they put in an impressive performance playing away from home. Jordan Silkowitz three saves led to a near-win, leaving Seattle goalless until the 84th minute. On the other hand, Bay took as many shots as Seattle in a game they nearly won.

Previous rating: 14
Next match: Saturday, October 18 vs. San Diego Wave, 10:00 pm ET.

Alyssa Nayer refuses to let us forget why she's one of college football's GOATs. The world champion and Olympic gold medalist made eight saves for the Stars in a 1-1 loss to Racing Louisville that they looked poised to win until Balcer equalized in stoppage time.