It's Monday, and with another weekend of the 2026 NWSL regular season in the books, it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings. The NWSL Shield and final playoff positions will be determined on Decision Day on Sunday, with all 16 clubs in action kicking off at 5 p.m. ET across ESPN platforms.
Who's set for one final climb up the table? Who's in danger of missing out on the postseason? Our writers studied the action across Matchday 26 to come up with this week's order of all 16 teams in the league. Let's dive in.
1. Angel City FC
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: vs. Boston Legacy, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Angel City are peaking at the right time. They finish the penultimate weekend of regular-season play atop these standings for the very first time thanks to their 2-0 victory over Bay FC, which extends their unbeaten run to nine games -- the league's longest active streak. Gisele Thompson had a standout performance in a more advanced role, recording the game's first goal and was directly involved in the second. Angel City's defense is the most in-form backline in the league right now and have shipped just four goals in their past six outings.
2. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: vs. Utah Royals, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Shield race will come down to the final day of the season for just the fifth team in league history. Although it was not a vintage performance, Gotham got the job done against a resilient Orlando side. The absences of Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw and Jordynn Dudley did not blunt Gotham's attack against the Pride as Midge Purce and Tierna Davidson got on the scoresheet in a 2-1 victory. Guro Reiten notched her team-leading sixth assist. Tess Boade had an influential game in her first start. Gotham's typically stellar defense had several wobbles that Orlando failed to capitalize on, though. With San Diego's draw on Sunday, Gotham need a win or draw at home to Utah on Decision Day to secure their first Shield.
3. Kansas City Current
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: at Racing Louisville, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Current are catching fire when it matters most. Their 2-1 win over Washington was significant on multiple levels. Kansas City finishes the weekend in fourth place -- their highest position in the table since Matchweek 1. It was also the first time since July 3 that Croix Bethune, Temwa Chawinga, Michelle Cooper and Haley Hopkins all started together. Bethune made history in her first start since early September, notching an assist against her former club and setting a new record for most assists in a single season (11). The Current have just one defeat in their past nine games.
4. San Diego Wave FC
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: at Bay FC, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
San Diego blew a golden opportunity to close in on Gotham in the Shield race with a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Boston. Lia Godfrey had a goal in the first half that was chalked off for offside and the Wave missed three gilt-edged opportunities on the day. They lead the league in big chances missed per 60, according to Opta. Gia Corley scored the equalizer against a gutsy Legacy side, giving her five goal contributions in her past six games. However, San Diego could not fend off Alba Caño's screamer from distance and were forced to settle for their first home draw in 14 months. The Wave could still clinch the Shield next week pending the combination of a win, Gotham loss and superior goal difference (the New Yorkers have a one-goal edge).
5. Washington Spirit
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: vs. Chicago Stars, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Washington is officially eliminated from the Shield race after a 2-1 defeat at Kansas City, where all three goals occurred in the opening 17 minutes. Recent arrival Clara Luvanga scored her first NWSL goal as she punished Current goalkeeper Lorena for a mistake out of the back. KC equalized just 79 seconds later, but three minutes after that, Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver committed a gaffe of her own as she had her pocket picked by Haley Hopkins. Croix Bethune's history-making assist set up Vanessa DiBernardo for the go-ahead goal. The Spirit looked the better team in the second half, but the tying goal eluded them.
6. Portland Thorns
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: at Houston Dash, Sunday 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Portland booked its place in the playoffs with a 1-0 win at home against North Carolina. It was the Thorn's first home win and first clean sheet since Aug. 22. They overcame the absences of both Sophia Wilson (red card suspension) and Morgan Weaver (injury) to claim victory. Marie Müller's sensational long-range strike proved to be the difference, and Portland has now qualified for a league-record 10th consecutive postseason.
7. Utah Royals
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: at Gotham FC, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Royals clinched their first ever playoff berth with a 0-0 draw vs. Seattle. Utah's leading scorer Mina Tanaka missed her second straight game due to injury, and the Royals have registered one goal in their past three games. Ana Tejada came the closest to scoring with her thunderous strike in the 42nd minute, but Utah's defense did just enough to make club history.
8. Seattle Reign FC
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: vs. Orlando Pride, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Seattle cling on to the league's final playoff place after a 0-0 draw with Utah. The Reign managed just 0.44 expected goals (xG) in a 0-0 draw against Utah. Defensive midfielder Sam Meza put in a hardworking shift and nearly provided the breakthrough with her shot in the 87th minute. The Reign now set their sights on securing that postseason place on Decision Day, when they will host Orlando -- who they defeated on the opening day of the season -- as they will contend with North Carolina and Denver for eighth place.
9. Denver Summit FC
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: at North Carolina Courage, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Summit put Louisville to the sword in a 6-1 thrashing at home. The blowout win keeps Denver's playoff hopes alive. The expansion side has now scored a league-leading 53 goals this season, fourth most all time (although 2026 is the longest regular season in league history). Janine Sonis had two assists against her former club and Tash Flint scored her first brace of her NWSL career. Denver's season will come down to a head-to-head matchup against fellow playoff contenders North Carolina on Decision Day. The Summit need both a win and a Seattle loss to clinch a playoff place.
10. Boston Legacy FC
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: at Angel City, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Underestimate the Legacy at your own risk. The expansion team's impressive 2-2 draw at San Diego throws a monkey wrench into the Shield race. They have now scored against every team this season, and other than Houston, have beaten every team in the league at least once. Alba Caño's wonder goal in the 73rd minute sealed the draw. Boston has been eliminated from playoff contention, but the Legacy are primed to play the role of spoiler, especially at Angel City on Sunday.
11. North Carolina Courage
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: vs. Denver Summit, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Courage fell to Portland for the fifth straight time in a narrow 1-0 defeat, but the 0-0 draw between Seattle and Utah gives North Carolina a lifeline as it enters Decision Day with a chance of postseason qualification. Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez had both of the Courage's two shots on target, but failed to score. North Carolina has lost five of its past six, all by a single goal. The Courage's playoff hopes hang by a thread, needing to beat Denver at home and bank on a Seattle loss to clinch the last playoff spot.
12. Houston Dash
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: vs. Portland Thorns, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Dash have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but cruised to a 3-1 victory at Chicago. Center back Leah Klenke scored her first professional goal -- exactly half of Houston's goals this year have been scored by rookies. Jaime Frias has won two games, drawn one and lost two since being named interim head coach last month.
13. Orlando Pride
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: at Seattle Reign, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Orlando was the more threatening team against league leaders Gotham but failed to make good on its 2.96 xG (its third highest of the year) and lost 2-1. The Pride attack generated several solid goal-scoring opportunities in spite of Barbra Banda's absence due to quarantine restrictions. Solai Washington was the star of the show as she has scored her first two professional goals in her past two games.
14. Bay FC
Previous ranking: 15
Next match: vs. San Diego Wave, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Bay FC are now winless in four as they fell to Angel City 2-0. The occasion marked just the second time in club history they failed to record a single shot on target. Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz had another strong showing, despite the two conceded goals, but Bay's defense is in need of major upgrades this offseason. They simply never got going in Los Angeles, particularly without Claire Hutton, who missed her second straight game due to injury.
15. Chicago Stars FC
Previous ranking: 16
Next match: at Washington Spirit, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
The Stars faced yet more pain in this lost season of theirs. Their 3-1 defeat at home to Houston is their fifth consecutive loss. Sam Staab's second-half stoppage-time strike was a mere consolation goal. Chicago was the first team to be eliminated from the postseason back in Matchweek 21. There's always next season.
16. Racing Louisville FC
Previous ranking: 14
Next match vs. Kansas City Current, Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (stream live on ESPN)
Louisville's utter capitulation in a 6-1 meltdown against Denver represents a new low in a pitiful season. The club matches its own record for the heaviest defeat in franchise history. Racing are on the verge of becoming just the second NWSL club ever to finish the regular season without a single clean sheet.