By OkayGoal
The 2026 NWSL regular season is entering its final stage, with just three matches remaining for every team after the latest round of games. The playoff race has become increasingly competitive, while several clubs have separated themselves from the rest of the league.
Gotham FC remains at the top of the standings with 55 points, but San Diego Wave FC is closing the gap after putting together one of the strongest stretches of the season. Washington Spirit, Utah Royals FC, Kansas City Current, and Angel City FC are also competing for favorable playoff positions. Here is the power ranking for the NWSL’s top 10 teams.
1. Gotham FC
Gotham FC remains top of the rankings despite dropping points to Angel City FC. The defending champions drew 1-1 with Angel City on October 4 after taking the lead and conceding an equalizer in second-half stoppage time. The result moved Gotham to 55 points from 27 matches, keeping the club at the top of the NWSL standings.
Gotham has already secured a playoff spot and still holds one of the league’s strongest overall records. The team has won 16 of its 27 matches while losing only four. However, there are some reasons for concern. Gotham has conceded in six straight matches and hasn’t kept a clean sheet since August 23. The club must address this before the playoffs. Even with that recent weakness, Gotham’s consistency over the entire season makes it difficult to remove the team from the top spot.
2. San Diego Wave FC
San Diego is arguably the hottest team in the NWSL right now. The Wave defeated Orlando Pride 2-1 on October 2 for their fourth consecutive victory, moving to 51 points and officially securing a playoff spot. San Diego has now won 16 of its 27 matches. The team’s recent form has also prompted some ranking outlets to put San Diego ahead of Gotham. ESPN’s latest power rankings moved the Wave into first place, while SB Nation kept Gotham at No. 1.
San Diego has an impressive balance of attack and defense. SB Nation’s latest analysis described the Wave as having the league’s second-ranked attack and best defense. That combination makes San Diego a serious threat heading into the postseason. The Wave’s current momentum is also a major reason the club remains just behind Gotham in this ranking.
3. Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit remains one of the NWSL’s strongest teams after earning an important 3-2 victory over Houston Dash on October 4. The Spirit entered the match after losing to Angel City in their previous outing but responded with three points on the road. Clara Luvanga scored the winning goal in the 84th minute, becoming the first Tanzanian player to score in the NWSL.
Washington now has 49 points from 27 matches and sits third in the standings. The club has won 15 matches this season and remains in contention for one of the league’s top playoff seeds. The biggest concern is consistency. Washington has alternated between wins and losses over its last five matches, so the team hasn’t been able to build the same momentum as Gotham or San Diego. Still, the Spirit’s overall record and attacking talent make them one of the teams best equipped to challenge for the championship.
4. Angel City FC
Angel City continues to be one of the biggest success stories of the second half of the season. The club drew 1-1 with Gotham on October 4, extending its unbeaten run to seven matches. Taylor Suarez scored the late equalizer, earning Angel City an important point against the league leaders.
Angel City has now collected 43 points from 27 matches and remains sixth in the standings. The club’s recent run has been particularly impressive, scoring 20 goals while conceding only seven during its seven-game unbeaten streak. That form has transformed Angel City from a team fighting simply to stay in the playoff conversation into a legitimate postseason threat. The club’s recent defensive improvement is particularly encouraging. Angel City has conceded only twice in its last four matches, giving the team a strong foundation heading into the playoffs.
5. Kansas City Current
Kansas City is one of the biggest risers in the latest power rankings. The Current defeated Bay FC 5-1 on October 3, with Debinha scoring a second-half hat trick. The victory followed a 4-1 win over Denver Summit FC, and Kansas City has scored nine goals in its last two matches. The Current now have 44 points from 27 matches and sit fifth in the standings. Their 48 goals are also the highest total among the teams currently occupying the top five.
Kansas City’s attack has been one of its biggest strengths throughout the season. SB Nation’s latest power ranking noted that the Current lead the league in expected goals generated, expected goal differential, and big chances created. The big question remains whether Kansas City can reproduce that form on the road. The Current have been much more difficult to beat at CPKC Stadium than on the road. Even so, the team’s recent performances make Kansas City one of the most dangerous clubs entering the final weeks.
6. Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC remains in a strong position but has lost some momentum. The Royals drew 1-1 with Racing Louisville on October 3 after needing a late goal from Brecken Mozingo to rescue a point. Utah now has 46 points from 27 matches and remains fourth in the standings. The Royals have won 14 matches this season and are on the verge of securing their first-ever trip to the NWSL playoffs.
However, their recent form has been inconsistent. SB Nation noted that Utah has alternated wins and losses across its previous 11 matches before the draw with Racing. That inconsistency prevents Utah from ranking higher despite its excellent position in the table. The Royals have done enough over the course of the season to remain among the league’s top teams, but they will need more consistency if they want to make a deep playoff run.
7. North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage returned to playoff contention with one of the most important results of the latest matchweek. The Courage defeated Seattle Reign FC 1-0 on October 2, with newly acquired Gianna Paul scoring the decisive goal. The victory moved North Carolina ahead of Seattle in the standings.
The Courage now have 42 points from 27 matches and sit eighth. They have also scored 50 goals, the most in the NWSL. That attacking production gives North Carolina plenty of potential heading into the playoffs. The concern is at the other end of the field, where the Courage have conceded 39 goals. North Carolina’s remaining schedule will also be difficult, with matches against San Diego, Portland, and Denver still to come. The team’s ability to protect its playoff position will therefore be one of the most interesting storylines of the final weeks.
8. Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC have slipped down the rankings after another disappointing home result. The Thorns lost 4-2 to Boston Legacy FC on October 3, despite entering the match in the playoff places. Portland’s defeat was particularly damaging because the club has struggled to collect points at home during the recent stretch.
The Thorns remain seventh in the standings with 43 points from 27 matches. They have won 12 games, lost eight, and drawn seven. Portland still has enough quality to make the playoffs, but its recent form has raised genuine concerns about whether it can compete with the league’s strongest clubs in the postseason. The loss to Boston also highlighted how little room for error Portland now has. With only three regular season matches remaining, the Thorns need to rediscover their form quickly.
9. Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC fell below North Carolina after losing a direct playoff matchup to the Courage. The Reign fell 1-0 at home on October 2, leaving them with 40 points from 27 matches. Seattle is now ninth in the standings and just outside the playoff places.
The biggest concern has been the team’s attack. SB Nation noted that Seattle has generated less than 1.0 expected goal in four consecutive matches and has scored only 33 goals this season. That is a major problem for a team trying to survive a tight playoff race. Seattle has still produced some strong results this season, and Jess Fishlock recently became the club’s all-time leading regular-season scorer after surpassing Megan Rapinoe. However, the Reign need their attack to improve quickly if they want to reclaim a playoff spot.
10. Denver Summit FC
Denver Summit FC remain inside the top 10 despite sitting outside the current playoff places. The expansion club responded to its 4-1 loss to Kansas City by beating Chicago Stars FC 3-0 on October 4. Lindsey Heaps scored twice in the victory, continuing an impressive run since returning to the team.
Denver now has 38 points from 27 matches and sits 10th in the standings. The Summit are still mathematically capable of reaching the playoffs, although they will need to win their remaining games and receive help from teams above them. Denver’s first NWSL season has nevertheless been impressive. The expansion side has already shown it can compete with established teams, and its second-half development makes it one of the league’s most intriguing teams heading into 2027.
The Playoff Picture Is Tightening
The latest results have made the playoff race even more competitive. Gotham and San Diego have already secured postseason spots. At the same time, Washington, Utah, Kansas City, Angel City, Portland, North Carolina, and Seattle occupy the remaining spots inside or just outside the playoff line. Denver remains within reach but has little margin for error.
The battle for the top four could be just as important as the fight to qualify. The top seeds will compete for home playoff games, making every remaining point valuable.
San Diego’s four-game winning streak gives the Wave significant momentum, while Kansas City’s back-to-back victories have made the Current another team to watch. Angel City’s seven-game unbeaten run also makes the club a potentially dangerous postseason opponent.
Gotham still holds the strongest overall position in the league, but the gap between the defending champions and San Diego has grown increasingly hard to ignore. With only three regular-season matches remaining, the final weeks could determine not only which teams reach the playoffs, but also which clubs enter as the strongest contenders for the NWSL title.
Featured image via @kccurrent