Who Can Challenge Kansas City? NWSL Playoff Power Rankings Reveal the Contenders!n

By: Megan Swanick November 3, 2025, 10:26 AM ET

As the 2025 NWSL regular season concludes, it’s time for ESPN to unveil its playoff Power Rankings to assess the top contenders for the championship.

Which teams have the best chance of making a significant playoff run? Our analysts reviewed the weekend’s matches to rank all eight playoff squads. Let’s explore these rankings.

1. Kansas City Current

Next match: Sunday vs. Gotham FC, 12:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Stream live with ABC on ESPN)

Kansas City secured its playoff position first and guaranteed home-field advantage through the semifinals. The Current also set new NWSL records this season: 65 points, 21 wins, 10 road victories, and 16 clean sheets. Despite conceding a goal to Dudinha in their final game against San Diego, they triumphed 2-1, even with Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga sidelined due to injury. While her absence is a concern for the postseason, she hasn’t been officially ruled out, and the Current still boast considerable talent around her.

2. Washington Spirit

Next match: Saturday vs. Racing Louisville, noon ET

The Spirit suffered a 1-0 defeat in their final match against Utah, ending the season with a lengthy injury list that included their top scorers. Though home-field advantage in the playoffs was secured, supporters are eager for the return of Trinity Rodman, who is recovering from an MCL sprain. Apart from the Current, Washington has maintained consistently high performance in 2025, though its injury situation is something to monitor as playoffs approach.

3. Orlando Pride

Next match: Friday vs. Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. ET

Unfortunately for the reigning champions, Barbra Banda missed the season’s conclusion due to a hip injury, and Orlando experienced a nine-game winless streak until ending it in late September. They finished the regular season unbeaten in five matches (three wins and two draws), including victories over Washington, Portland, and San Diego. However, they settled for a 1-1 draw at home against Seattle in their final outing. Despite not being in last year’s form, the Pride remain a formidable contender in the playoffs.

4. Portland Thorns

Next match: Sunday vs. San Diego Wave, 3 p.m. ET, ABC (Stream live with ABC on ESPN)

Portland secured home-field advantage in the playoffs by defeating Houston 2-0 and has three wins in their last four outings. Nonetheless, their second half of 2025 was less impressive against playoff teams, registering just two victories, one draw, and four losses, including setbacks against Orlando and Gotham.

5. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Next match: Sunday at Kansas City Current, 12:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Stream live with ABC on ESPN)

Gotham entered their last match with hopes of securing home-field advantage but fell to ninth-place North Carolina, finishing eighth overall. This challenging position for the 2023 champions means they’ll face the unbeaten Current in Kansas City. With returning star Rose Lavelle in form after scoring two goals in her recent international duty and another for Gotham, they would hope that injury concerns regarding their top scorer, Esther González, do not hinder their playoff chances.

6. San Diego Wave FC

Next match: Sunday at Portland Thorns, 3 p.m. ET, ABC (Stream live with ABC on ESPN)

During their final match of the season, Dudinha scored as Kansas City went behind 1-0 for the first time this season. Despite losing 2-1 to the Current, the Wave showed signs of improvement, having regrouped following a rough spell that saw them go seven matches without a win.

7. Seattle Reign FC

Next match: Friday at Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. ET

Seattle concluded the season with the same theme as its campaign, recording the most draws of any team (except Gotham). Their ninth draw came against reigning champions Orlando, with a late equalizer from Jordyn Bugg. A win would have given them home-field advantage in the playoffs; instead, they face another matchup with the Pride right away.

8. Racing Louisville FC

Next match: Saturday at Washington Spirit, noon ET

Louisville broke a long-standing hurdle by securing a 1-0 victory against Bay FC, earning a playoff spot for the first time in five seasons. This win kept them from finishing in ninth place consecutively. With a celebrated first NWSL goal from rookie Ella Hase, Racing will face a tough test against the Spirit on the road, with their historical momentum potentially serving as an advantage.