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This week, we’re breaking from custom. With the leading groups presently having a hard time to discover their type, we’ve chosen to reserve the Cream of the Crop classification for today. The huge concern now is whether groups like the Pride and Current can inspire us to bring it back into focus. In an unanticipated turn of occasions, an uncommon group has actually become a competitor for the leading tier of rankings.

Let’s examine how the standings look following Week 7 in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Identifying the Top Performers in the League

Orlando Pride (5-2-0, 15 pts; @ Thorns, 0-1): The simple description for the current loss is that Portland is infamously hard to deal with in the house, where the Pride have a miserable 1-9-0 record traditionally. However, the genuine issue depends on the obvious decrease in type from crucial gamers such as Barbra Banda and Marta, who have actually not been carrying out at their anticipated 2024 levels. Additionally, Anna Moorhouse suffered an injury throughout this match, which might leave coach Seb Hines with a considerable absence of experience in goalkeeping must she be sidelined for a prolonged duration. It’s excellent to see the group still handling to hold a prime position on the leaderboard regardless of these obstacles.

Kansas City Current (5-2-0, 15 pts; @ Reign, 0-1): Similar to last season, the Current faced their very first defeat—and quickly after, another loss followed. The group has actually been try out gamer rotations, significantly with Temwa Chawinga and Debinha rotating in beginning functions. It appears that coach Vlatko Andonovski is still in the procedure of identifying his perfect protective lineup, regardless of an excellent streak of over 450 minutes without yielding an objective. A significant issue that occurred in their match versus Seattle was the group’s vulnerability throughout the 2nd stage of set pieces, which requires resolving as they advance.

San Diego Wave FC (4-2-1, 13 pts; vs Bay, 2-1): Yes, we’re acknowledging their efficiency. While I think they might not yet be on par with the Pride or Current based upon the present outcomes, the Wave are certainly a group to see. Their assaulting design is fascinating, defined by fast and definitive ball motion. Remarkably, they have actually included 3 17-year-olds into their starting lineup, among whom clinched the game-winning objective throughout interruption time, taking advantage of a day filled with missed out on chances versus Bay.

Analyzing the Mid-Tier Teams

Washington Spirit (4-3-0, 12 pts; vs Angel City, 3-4): Should we applaud their capability to phase resurgences, or should we concentrate on the frustrating result? It’s a mix of both, as this group is challenging to examine totally due to the minimal variety of healthy gamers offered for choice. Croix Bethune has actually seen her playing time boost, yet she has actually not totally gone back to her previous type. The Spirit even turned their goalkeepers, with Aubrey Kingsbury impersonating a backup for the very first time in the routine season given that 2018. While Sandy MacIver didn’t make any important errors, the total protective company stays a considerable issue that requires to be attended to in future matches.

NJ/NY Gotham FC (3-2-3, 12 pts, vs Stars, 0-0): The match versus the Stars was uneventful, shown in the last rating. Gotham has actually gotten a credibility as the most irregular group in the league at the minute. They came close to protecting a remarkable triumph when 14-year-old McKenna Whitham nearly scored the game-winner throughout interruption time. For context, Alyssa Naeher conserved her effort. It’s exceptional to keep in mind that Whitham was just 4 years of ages when Naeher acted as a backup for Hope Solo at the 2015 World Cup.

Teams Poised for a Breakthrough

Seattle Reign FC (3-2-2, 11 pts, vs Current, 1-0): The Reign accomplished a considerable triumph by subduing the Current, giving coach Laura Harvey her 5th profession win versus her previous competitor, Andonovski. During the NWSL+ broadcast, analyst Jordan Angeli applauded Harvey’s tactical technique as the very best seen throughout the league this season. Additionally, Lynn Biyendolo scored her very first objective for the Reign, which, while not magnificent, exhibited a real objective scorer’s impulse.

Angel City FC (3-2-2, 11 pts; @ Spirit, 4-3): There’s much to commemorate following what can be thought about a landmark triumph for the franchise. The objective scored by Gisele Thompson, helped by her sis Alyssa, seemed like an inescapable minute, yet it was still heartfelt to witness in action. The stoppage-time winner originated from novice Riley Tiernan, helped (though not formally helped) by a creative flick from Christen Press. Unfortunately, a repeating concern occurred when they stopped working to keep their lead, which they did two times. If they can resolve this disparity, they might compete for a greater ranking.

Portland Thorns FC (3-2-3, 12 pts; vs Pride, 1-0): With their current efficiencies, it’s indisputable that they belong in this conversation. Despite the Pride not being at their finest, attaining a tidy sheet while restricting their offending risks for the whole 90 minutes is no little accomplishment. They have a fascinating match approaching versus San Diego this Saturday night, which will be a real test of their abilities.

Assessing the Mid-Level Performance Teams

Bay FC (2-3-2, 8 pts; @ Wave, 1-2): Though they suffered a late defeat in San Diego, it’s worth keeping in mind that they might have quickly been tracking by several objectives at halftime, as they were under pressure for much of the 2nd half. Their capability to remain level at halftime was mainly thanks to Jordan Silkowitz’s extraordinary charge conserve versus Maria Sanchez. It’s crucial to highlight that an effective charge conserve frequently suggests a badly taken shot; nevertheless, Silkowitz’s was an authentic display screen of ability. She has actually become among the enjoyable surprises of the 2025 season. The Asisat Oshoala circumstance, where she did not play, is another story worth tracking.

North Carolina Courage (2-3-2, 8 pts; @ Royals, 2-0): After 2 successive triumphes, they’ve seen a minor increase, however it’s necessary to acknowledge that their current challengers, Utah, have actually been having a hard time substantially. The upcoming match versus Orlando will supply insight into whether Jaedyn Shaw will go back to the beginning lineup. This coming duration will be important for comprehending the trajectory of this group.

Racing Louisville FC (2-3-2, 8 pts; @ Dash, 2-1): The obstacles of using the roadway, handling weather condition hold-ups, and completing in front of a near-empty arena must not be undervalued. Despite these challenges, it appears that winning in Houston is a rarity, other than for the Dash. Kayla Fischer is revealing indications of enhancement; if she can stabilize her aggressive playing design with discipline, she might end up being a considerable danger for opposing groups. Fortunately, they protected a win without Ary Borges, who is presently serving a three-game suspension for reaching a referee in Portland.

Facing Challenges at the Bottom of the Table

Houston Dash (2-4-1, 7 pts; vs Louisville, 1-2): Are the Dash on a course to irrelevance? Their has a hard time extend beyond their position on the table—they do not have a valuable gamer, frequently bet more appealing matches, and have actually traditionally been missing from considerable competitive minutes in the league for over a years. It’s unsure what their prospective ceiling may be, however they are certainly more gifted than their present tally of 7 points recommends.

Chicago Stars FC (1-5-1, 4 pts, @ Gotham, 0-0): It’s interesting when a group goes through a training modification, yet the interim coach fields the precise very same lineup as previous weeks. While they appeared sharper and more dedicated in their belongings, I think they were deserving of a charge which was controversially reversed after a prolonged VAR evaluation. However, the match data show they had a hard time to develop considerable scoring chances.

Utah Royals FC (1-5-1, 4 pts; vs Courage, 0-2): The 2nd half versus the Courage revealed some pledge, yet this group deals with an uphill struggle to shift the ball into the midfield and forward positions. Ally Sentnor has actually been among the more underwhelming entertainers in the league this season and might have modified the result of this match had she transformed a prime scoring possibility or required Casey Murphy into action. The effect of Mina Tanaka’s return was clear, however even with a playoff format enabling 8 groups, this season feels precariously near to drifting off course.