Attendance Records and Unexpected Outcomes
The Chicago Red Stars set a new attendance record at Wrigley Field on Saturday night, a momentous occasion for the team and its loyal fans. Despite the electric atmosphere, the match ended in disappointment for the home crowd, as Bay FC managed to clinch a victory. The result left Chicago fans disheartened but optimistic about the rest of the season. With ample time left, the rankings are still open for significant shifts.
For fans eager to catch more action, select NWSL regular season matches are accessible across CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
2024 NWSL Power Rankings
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride’s impressive win streak came to a halt with a draw against San Diego. Despite this, they remain steadfast at the top of the rankings. The team’s consistent performance suggests they won’t be easily dethroned in the near future.
Kansas City Current
Kansas City Current are on a remarkable 14-game unbeaten streak extending back to last season. However, the team suffered a setback with the loss of defender Gabrielle Robinson to an ACL injury. On the positive side, forward Bia Zaneratto's return has added strength to their lineup. Kansas City seems willing to concede goals if it means outscoring their opponents.
Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit’s rookie class has been unstoppable. Their impressive run continued with defender Kate Wiesner delivering a game-winning goal on the road. Their win streak has now extended to four consecutive games, showcasing the immense potential of their young talent.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
The reigning champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC, are quietly climbing up the rankings and the league table. Ella Stevens has earned starting roles, while veterans like Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle are contributing crucial goals. Gotham FC’s depth could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC’s Sophia Smith continues to be a standout, adding more goals to her season tally. A setback awaits the team, however, as Smith will miss the next match due to receiving a second yellow card for delaying the game. The Thorns will need to adapt in her absence.
Racing Louisville
Racing Louisville appears to be hitting their stride at a critical juncture of the season. With two consecutive wins and a three-game unbeaten run, they are starting to turn things around. Although their six draws aren’t ideal, they still signal resilience. Racing Louisville holds the potential to become disruptors in the second half of the season.
North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage have shown signs of improvement with a flexible back formation, although they picked up their fourth loss in five games. Ryan Williams is currently on a red card suspension, but Denise O'Sullivan's return offers some hope for the team.
San Diego Wave FC
San Diego Wave FC continues to face challenges in scoring goals, with Makenzie Doniak managing to equalize against Orlando Pride. The team struggles to execute key tactics in the final third, which has cost them crucial points.
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars faced their third consecutive loss, struggling to get their star player, Mallory Swanson, involved in crucial plays. The team needs to strategize better to break this losing streak and capitalize on their fan support.
Angel City FC
Angel City FC is currently facing an identity crisis, with results not meeting expectations. This has placed considerable pressure on the coaching staff to turn things around quickly before it’s too late.
Houston Dash
Houston Dash failed to capture the momentum they needed, struggling especially against Racing Louisville with a three-player back formation. They need to strategize better to utilize their strengths effectively.
Bay FC
Bay FC hopes their recent win against Chicago marks a turning point. However, the team failed to secure a clean sheet, conceding a goal in stoppage time. They need to tighten their defense to climb the rankings.
Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC is enduring a challenging first half of the season, compounded by navigating an ownership change. The team’s focus now should be on stabilizing both on and off the pitch for a better future.
Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC's struggles continued as they failed to score against Washington Spirit at home. Their winless streak has extended since March, and they are currently on a disheartening 10-game losing run. Changes are essential if they hope to turn the season around.
With plenty of season ahead, fans can continue to catch select NWSL regular season matches across CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network to see how their favorite teams fare in this dynamic and competitive league.