Attendance Records and Unexpected Outcomes
The Chicago Red Stars set a new attendance record at Wrigley Field on Saturday night, highlighting the growing popularity of women's soccer. However, the record-breaking crowd left disappointed as Bay FC managed to clinch a victory. Despite the loss, Chicago fans remain hopeful for future success, understanding that there’s 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, ensuring they don’t miss any thrilling moments as the season progresses.
2024 NWSL Power Rankings
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride’s impressive win streak came to an end with a draw against San Diego. Despite this hiccup, the team remains steadfast at the top spot, thanks to their consistent performance. Dethroning them won't be easy, as they’ve shown an ability to maintain their form even under pressure.
Kansas City Current
The Kansas City Current are on an incredible 14-game unbeaten streak that dates back to last season. However, they recently suffered a significant blow with defender Gabrielle Robinson’s ACL injury. On the bright side, forward Bia Zaneratto has returned to the pitch, bolstering their lineup. Kansas City's strategy has often been to outscore opponents, even if it means conceding goals, but this attack-heavy approach has kept them competitive.
Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit's rookie class has been indispensable to their success. Defender Kate Wiesner delivered the game-winner on the road, adding to their four-game win streak. The team’s young talent has proven to be one of their strongest assets, indicating a bright future as they continue to climb the ranks.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
The reigning champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC, are quietly ascending in both the rankings and the league table. Ella Stevens is earning her place as a starter, while experienced players like Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle continue to contribute crucial goals. The depth of Gotham FC’s squad will be invaluable as the season progresses and the competition heats up.
Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC has relied heavily on Sophia Smith, who has added 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 adapt quickly in her absence to maintain their standing.
Racing Louisville
Racing Louisville appears to be hitting their stride at a critical juncture in the season. They’ve secured two consecutive wins and are unbeaten in three games. Although their six draws are less than ideal, avoiding losses has still allowed them to stay competitive. With improved performances, Racing Louisville has the potential to become formidable opponents in the latter half of the season.
North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage has shown signs of improvement, experimenting with a fluctuating back formation. Unfortunately, this strategy hasn't fully paid off as they picked up their fourth loss in five games. Additionally, they are dealing with the suspension of Ryan Williams and the recent return of Denise O'Sullivan, whose influence on the pitch could be key moving forward.
San Diego Wave FC
San Diego Wave FC continues to struggle with goal scoring, even though Makenzie Doniak managed an equalizer against Orlando Pride. The team’s difficulties in executing tactics in the final third have been a significant obstacle, and addressing this issue will be crucial for their success in the coming games.
Chicago Red Stars
Chicago Red Stars have now faced their third consecutive loss, struggling to get the ball to star player Mallory Swanson. The team will need to find a way to better utilize their key players and turn their season around.
Angel City FC
Angel City FC is experiencing an identity crisis, leading to a string of poor results. This lack of clarity on the pitch is putting increasing pressure on the coach, underscoring the need for strategic changes.
Houston Dash
Houston Dash has failed to capitalize on their recent momentum. Their three-player back formation struggled against Racing Louisville, indicating a need for tactical adjustments to remain competitive.
Bay FC
Bay FC hopes their recent win against Chicago will be a turning point in their season. However, they failed to secure a clean sheet, conceding a goal in stoppage time, which shows there is still room for improvement, especially in defense.
Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC is enduring a challenging first half of the season while navigating an ownership change. This turmoil has impacted their performance on the field, but there's still time for the team to rally and improve.
Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC's struggles are evident as their winless streak extends since March, culminating in a 10-game losing run. Their failure to score against the Spirit at home highlights the significant challenges they face in turning their season around.
The NWSL season is far from over, and as teams continue to vie for top positions, fans are in for an exciting journey filled with unexpected twists and remarkable athleticism. Be sure to catch all the action on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.