It’s Tuesday, and the 2026 NWSL regular season has officially begun, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Which teams are poised to rise in the standings? Which ones might be facing a decline? Our writers analyzed the events from Matchday 1 to establish this week’s rankings for all 16 teams in the league. Let’s take a look.
1. Portland Thorns
Next match: Friday vs. Seattle Reign, 10 p.m. ET
Portland traveled to Washington, D.C., and returned with multiple victories to kick off the season. Notably, Sophia Wilson has officially returned from maternity leave. The former league MVP made her comeback in the 77th minute of a 1-0 win, marking her first appearance since November 2024. In the 52nd minute, 20-year-old Olivia Moultrie netted the decisive goal with a confident first touch and a left-footed finish. With several goalkeepers unavailable (Bella Bixby due to injury, Mackenzie Arnold on international duty), Morgan Messner achieved a clean sheet, aided by strong defensive support.
2. Seattle Reign FC
Next match: Friday at Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. ET
Not to be overshadowed by any of NWSL’s young goal scorers, 39-year-old Wales veteran Jess Fishlock netted the opening goal for Seattle in a 2-1 win over Orlando. Following a lengthy weather delay, the Reign conceded a goal to former league MVP Barbra Banda, but Brittany Ratcliffe came off the bench to score her debut goal and secure the victory. While goal scorers often receive the spotlight, U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Claudia Dickey made seven crucial saves in her 41st consecutive start for Seattle on Sunday.
3. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Next match: Saturday vs. North Carolina Courage, 6:30 p.m. ET
The defending champions possess the capability to excel once more this season. They required a 55th-minute goal from Spain striker Esther González (who came off the bench in the second half) to clinch a 1-0 victory against expansion team Boston Legacy. With Tierna Davidson back on the game-day roster and Norway’s six-time Women’s Super League winner, Guro Reiten, arriving from Chelsea, it appears the two-time champions will only become more formidable as the season progresses.
4. Kansas City Current
Next match: Sunday at Chicago Stars, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2 (stream live on ESPN)
With two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga (who suffered a hip injury late last year) unavailable to start the season, a Kansas City team adjusting to new manager Chris Armas appeared disjointed in the first half and fell behind in a 2-1 victory against Utah. After managing only three shots in the first 45 minutes, the Current unleashed 15 in the second half, sealing the win with goals from newly signed midfielder Croix Bethune (on her birthday) and former Royal Ally Sentnor.
5. Angel City FC
Next match: Saturday at Bay FC, 8:45 p.m. ET
Twenty-one-year-old defender Savy King (who collapsed on the pitch due to a heart condition in 2025) made a significant return to the field in a dominant 4-0 win for Angel City, who delivered a crushing defeat to Chicago with four goals from four different players, including three in the second half. This included a goal and an assist from 19-year-old Kennedy Fuller, along with a debut goal and assist from Brazilian midfielder Ary Borges.
6. Bay FC
Next match: Saturday vs. Angel City, 8:45 p.m. ET
In her debut for Bay FC, 18-year-old Alex Pfeiffer (who signed with Kansas City at 15) showcased her talent by scoring the home side’s first goal and assisting on the second in a 2-1 victory over Denver. Bay maintained the upper hand for most of the match, as the Summit went down to 10 players in the 27th minute, but they will take this positive start to the season (their first win since last June) as they aim for a return to the playoffs in their third year in the league.
7. North Carolina Courage
Next match: Saturday at Gotham FC, 6:30 p.m. ET
North Carolina’s new chapter under Lebanese Swedish manager Mak Lind is off to a promising start. Lind has pledged more goals in 2026, and Ashley Sanchez delivered one in each half to secure a 2-1 win against Louisville in front of a record crowd for the home opener. Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made her Courage debut with four saves. While there is no perfect substitute for Denise O’Sullivan (who played nine seasons for the Courage), Carly Wickenheiser made her NWSL debut alongside Riley Jackson in a solid midfield that restricted Racing’s movement through the center of the pitch.
8. Washington Spirit
Next match: Friday at Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. ET
The Spirit squandered their opportunities in a 1-0 defeat at home to Portland. Despite taking 13 shots with 62% possession, Washington managed only one shot on target. That attempt in the 51st minute was insufficient to secure a result in front of a sellout crowd at Audi Field. Following a significant offseason pursuit (resulting in NWSL’s High Impact Player rule and a record-setting contract), Trinity Rodman started on the wing for the Spirit, but had a slow start to the season as Portland’s defense curtailed her effectiveness.
9. Orlando Pride
Next match: Friday vs. Denver Summit, 8 p.m. ET
After a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay, Barbra Banda scored the equalizing goal that revitalized the 2024 NWSL Champions, who were slightly outperformed in the first half at home. Shortly after Banda was substituted, however, an off-the-bench goal from Brittany Ratcliffe set Seattle on the path to a 2-1 victory. The Pride took a total of 23 shots, but only managed eight on target, with Reign keeper Claudia Dickey making crucial saves to keep them from scoring.
10. Houston Dash
Next match: Saturday vs. Boston Legacy, 4 p.m. ET
In her debut for Houston, Makenzy Robbe (née Doniak) scored the decisive goal against her former team, San Diego. Robbe’s goal made NWSL history: she is the first player to score in her regular-season debut against her last club. However, Houston legend Jane Campbell deserves recognition for this 1-0 victory. The 31-year-old goalkeeper made nine saves to secure three points for the Dash while facing nine shots to two on target.
11. Boston Legacy FC
Next match: Saturday at Houston Dash, 4 p.m. ET
The Legacy made their NWSL debut in front of 30,207 fans at Gillette Stadium, setting a new attendance record for an inaugural home opener. Although they lost the match, this is a milestone worth celebrating. Boston’s 1-0 defeat to Gotham came despite Casey Murphy’s three saves and after conceding a 55th-minute goal from Esther González.
12. Utah Royals
Next match: Sunday vs. San Diego Wave, 7 p.m. ET
The Royals signed Tatumn Milazzo to bolster their defense, but she ended up scoring their first goal of the season in a surprisingly strong first half against Kansas City. Unfortunately for Utah, the Current came out aggressively in the second half, firing off 15 shots compared to three, and maintained their well-known home-field advantage in a 2-1 defeat for the Royals.
13. Racing Louisville FC
Next match: Friday vs. Washington Spirit, 8 p.m. ET
Louisville demonstrated that their press remains effective, as USWNT winger Emma Sears helped create pressure and then assisted Sarah Weber for Louisville’s only goal in a 2-1 loss at North Carolina. In a relatively balanced match (both teams had five shots on target while exchanging phases of momentum), the Courage proved to be more effective with their chances. Racing will return home next weekend to face Washington, whom they lost to on penalties in last year’s postseason in the first and only playoff match in club history.
14. Denver Summit FC
Next match: Friday at Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. ET
Colorado-born Janine Sonis (née Beckie) achieved several notable firsts for the Denver newcomers. In the 20th minute against Bay FC, Sonis recorded the first assist in Summit history (setting up Germany striker Melissa Kössler for the goal). In the 27th minute, she received their first red card. While competing with 10 players, a 1-1 draw turned into a 2-1 loss for NWSL’s 16th team, but there are encouraging signs for the upcoming season.
15. San Diego Wave FC
Next match: Sunday at Utah Royals, 7 p.m. ET
Beginning the year with a home loss is never ideal, but losing due to a goal from former player Makenzy Robbe stings a bit more. Jane Campbell’s nine saves made the difference in Houston’s 1-0 victory, but San Diego has reasons for optimism as the season unfolds. Players like Brazilian forward Ludmila (who recorded three of its nine shots on target) and her fellow Brazilian, recent NWSL champion Gabi Portilho, joined the Wave in the offseason and could bring added energy to the attack. However, with significant roster changes, it may take time to establish their chemistry.
16. Chicago Stars FC
Next match: Sunday vs. Kansas City Current, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2 (stream live on ESPN)
Not even Alyssa Naeher could prevent the second-half collapse that Angel City inflicted on Chicago on Sunday. The Stars were outperformed in the first half but managed to limit the hosts to one goal. Three second-half goals later, the Stars were fortunate to leave with only a 4-0 defeat.
