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NWSL power rankings matchweek 26: Playoff picture in focus
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- NWSL power rankings matchweek 26: Playoff picture in focus
Photo by Luiza Moraes/NWSL via Getty Images | NWSL via Getty Images
Matchweek 26 in the National Women's Soccer League saw four different teams clinch playoff spots, but there is still a lot of uncertainty heading into the final week of the season.
The NWSL Shield race is down to two teams, the No. 4 seed (home quarterfinal) is realistically down to two teams and the last playoff spot is down to three teams.
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Decision Day is upon us with everything still left to play for.
Who helped their cause and who hurt it?
All NWSL teams ranked, as of Oct. 26
1. Gotham FC (+1) | 2-1 win at Orlando Pride
After the 2-1 road win, the NWSL Shield is firmly their grasp. Goals from Midge Purce and Tierna Davidson powered the Bats to potential hardware.
However, Gotham FC faced 19 shots (eight on goal) from the Orlando Pride. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger met the challenge making seven saves, facing an xGOT of 2.06 resulting in goals prevented at 1.06.
The attack remains the key concern heading into the playoffs as they are just 13th in goals scored, but will lean on their top-rated defense that has only allowed 23 goals this season.
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Statuses to monitor moving forward? Rose Lavelle (neck) and Jaedyn Shaw (knee). Even with so much adversity throughout the season, head coach Juan Carlos Amorós's side continues to find ways.
2. San Diego Wave (-1) | 2-2 draw vs Boston Legacy
After going up 2-1, the home side conceded the equalizer and could not find the winner against Boston Legacy, ending their five-game winning streak. However, they remain unbeaten in their last six and have scored two goals in each match during that span.
A tough result for San Diego as they were trying to chase down Gotham FC for the NWSL Shield. They'll need to win their final game against Bay FC and hope the Bats stumble versus Utah Royals.
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With at least a draw in the finale, clinching the No. 2 seed would still give them home field through to the finals.
3. Angel City FC (+1) | 2-0 win vs Bay FC
Angel City FC were absolutely dominant and took care of business against Bay FC 2-0.
Gisele Thompson scored the game-winner and Riley Tiernan iced the game.
However, it was the defensive performance that stood out as they held the visitors without a shot in the first half and no shots on target all game. The xG conceded? 0.28.
ACFC have now reached nine games unbeaten and continue to chase a potential home match in the quarterfinals.
Is there any team playing better football than them?
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4. Kansas City Current (+1) | 2-1 win vs Washington Spirit
Kansas City Current are now on a four-game winning streak and look to clinch a home playoff match next Sunday.
On just 0.44 xG, KC Current scored two goals from Lo'eau LaBonta and Vanessa DiBernardo scoring her first goal since returning from maternity leave.
Croix Bethune made history and is your new NWSL single-season assists leader after recording her 11th.
5. Washington Spirit (-2) | 1-2 loss at KC Current
Clara Luvanga's pressure opened up the scoring, but having the advantage in xG (1.53-0.44), shots (12-7), and possession (61%-39%) did not yield more than that single goal for the visitors.
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Out of the eight playoff teams, Washington Spirit are fifth in total shots, sixth in goals scored, and just ninth in conversion. Can the attack find enough scoring in the playoffs?
6. Portland Thorns (+2) | 1-0 win vs NC Courage
The Portland Thorns defense put in one of their best performances of the season, shutting out the top-ranked attack. Portland held North Carolina Courage to an xG of only 0.72.
The win ended their four-match winless streak at home with Marie Müller scoring the game-winner.
Did you know? PTFC have now made the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons, a feat no other team has reached.
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Also, Sophia Wilson makes her return from her two-game red card suspension next week.
7. Utah Royals (-1) | 0-0 draw vs Seattle Reign
The Utah Royals have done it. They've clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs for the first time in club history.
In the scoreless 0-0 draw, URFC tallied their first shutout since September 12 vs Houston Dash.
One key that has alluded them—their usual strong second-half form has not been there down the stretch with only one win in their last five.
8. Seattle Reign (-1) | 0-0 draw at Utah Royals
After a scoreless road draw against Utah, Seattle Reign control their postseason fate and can shut the door with a win this Sunday over the Orlando Pride.
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The bad news? The attack has struggled mightily, especially as of late. They've been held below 1.0 xG in five of their last six games and have now shutout eight times on the season.
9. North Carolina Courage | 0-1 loss at Portland Thorns
NC Courage have dropped five of their last six games, all to playoff teams.
If this prolific attack somehow misses out on the postseason, it'll be because of their 4-8-2 record against the playoff teams. They'll have to take care of business and need Seattle to stumble in the finale.
10. Denver Summit (+2) | 6-1 win vs Racing Louisville
Denver Summit is your new leader for goals scored in the 2026 NWSL season.
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The NWSL expansion side remains in contention for the final playoff spot thanks to a 6-1 demolition over Racing Louisville.
Defender Janine Sonis has now reached 20 goal contributions on the season—12 goals and eight assists.
In year two, they will be a playoff contender in 2027 with key players back from injury and a full-time Lindsey Heaps who has transformed the side since her arrival (7-3-2).
11. Boston Legacy (-1) | 2-2 draw at San Diego Wave
How many times have you rewatched Alba Caño's long-range banger? Yes.
The equalizer earned Boston Legacy a point pushing them to three games unbeaten.
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That's exactly the momentum head coach Filipa Patão wanted in the final matches ahead of the 2027 season. The NWSL expansion side is building something special and could blossom as soon as next season.
12. Houston Dash | 3-1 win at Chicago Stars
The 'rookie core' talk has typically started with Kat Rader and Linda Ullmark, but Leah Klenke needs to be included more often in that discussion. The defender scored her first NWSL goal and continues to get better every single week.
There's a special future for Houston, but they'll need to get the head coaching hire right.
13. Orlando Pride (-2) | 1-2 loss vs Gotham FC
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The Orlando Pride out-generated Gotham FC in xG (2.96-1.30), shots (19-9), and touches in opposition box (36-20), but not on the scoreboard where it mattered.
Solai Washington continues to be a bright spot and scored for the second consecutive game.
A crucial offseason is upon VP and General Manager Caitlin Carducci.
14. Bay FC | 0-2 loss at Angel City FC
Although they were short-handed with Claire Hutton, Taylor Huff, Alex Pfeiffer, and Joelle Anderson all out due to injury, the attack has consistently let the team down all season.
At 30 goals scored, Bay FC has scored the second-fewest goals in the NWSL.
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After the 0-2 loss to their in-state rivals, they've now been shutout 11 times on the season.
15. Racing Louisville | 1-6 loss at Denver Summit FC
Racing Louisville is now winless in their last nine games. To make matters even worse, they hit rock bottom by conceding a season-high six goals to Denver.
Their lone bright spot? Rookie forward Taylor White scored her first NWSL goal.
This is going to be a long offseason for the club with so much uncertainty. Will they end the 30-game season without a clean sheet?
16. Chicago Stars | 1-3 loss vs Houston Dash
The last-place Chicago Stars have now reached a new historic low. Their goal differential has now reached -52, a new NWSL high.
They've also dropped their last five games.
Chief Soccer Officer Vlatko Andonovski will need to be given time as it'll take multiple offseason to build this team into a competitive one.
