As we pass the one-third mark of the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, the competition is intensifying. With Week nine of 26 complete, the race for playoff spots is heating up, and the league has seen countless remarkable performances, tight matches and exciting upsets.
Kansas City Sets the Pace
Leading the standings currently are the Kansas City Current, who have established themselves as the team to beat. After a strong start, the team holds a four-point lead over its closest competitors. The success owes much to forward Temwa Chawinga, who recently set an NWSL record by becoming the fastest player to score 25 regular-season goals, achieving the feat in just 24 matches.
Her decisive goal in the 52nd minute against the Orlando Pride secured a 1-0 victory and extended the Current’s lead at the top of the table. However, there is a concern due to Chawinga’s apparent leg injury, which led her to leave that game in the 89th minute. Alongside Chawinga, Brazilian-national midfielder Debinha Miri and American midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta brought Kansas City additional success through their creativity and experience.
The Field of Contenders
The Washington Spirit — last year’s runners-up — are currently the No. 5 seed and have demonstrated remarkable resilience this season, overcoming numerous injuries to key players, including Croix Bethune, Casey Krueger, Hal Hershfelt and Trinity Rodman.
Despite these setbacks, the Spirit has maintained a strong position in the standings largely due to the offensive power of Ashley Hatch and Rosemonde Kouassi and crucial saves made by veteran goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury. Additionally, the team’s most recent addition to the roster, Gift Monday, a Nigerian striker, has also contributed significantly to the team’s success. While the Spirit opened the season with momentum, their recent performances suggest they’re still working to regain their early-season form.
Other teams are keeping the race close. San Diego Wave FC has been climbing the ranks with several impressive wins and standout defensive performances, bouncing back from their relatively poor performances last season. After a rocky start to the season, Portland Thorns FC also recently found their rhythm and reentered playoff contention. NJ/NY Gotham FC has maintained steady momentum and a strong offense as well.
Orlando, though they also had a strong start to the season, has now lost three of their last five games. However, the reigning NWSL champions remain a formidable force and are in contention for a two-peat, with players like Barbra Banda contributing significantly to their offense.
The Golden Boot Race
The Golden Boot race is tightening across the league. Gotham’s Esther González currently leads the league with seven goals, followed closely by Kansas City’s Chawinga and Debinha, Angel City FC’s Riley Tiernan and the Spirit’s Ashley Hatch, each with five goals.
A Controversial Scare in LA
Speaking of dramatic moments, a significant event this season was the health scare involving Angel City FC defender Savy King, who collapsed during a match against the Utah Royals. She was diagnosed with a heart abnormality and underwent successful surgery. The incident created controversy, and multiple parties criticized the league for allowing the game to continue. The incident prompted the NWSL to reevaluate its protocols for in-game medical emergencies.
The Playoff Race and the Struggles at the Bottom
As the season approaches its midpoint, the NWSL standings remain dynamic. The Kansas City Current have set the pace, but with the standings so tight, the playoff race remains wide open. Teams like San Diego, Orlando, Portland and Washington have shown they have the talent and determination to challenge for this year’s title.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the standings, Utah Royals FC and the Chicago Red Stars are currently sitting at the bottom.
Both teams have struggled with defensive cohesion and consistent goal scoring. Also, a handful of their younger players are still finding their rhythm.
Looking Ahead
Fans can continue to look forward to thrilling matches and standout performances as the league continues to showcase the best of women’s soccer. With the playoffs scheduled to begin in early November, every point earned from now on will be crucial in determining the final standings, as only the top eight teams can advance.
In my view, the Kansas City Current’s combination of explosive offense, dynamic passing and home-field advantage makes them the team to beat. However, I believe the Spirit has what it takes to finish what they started last year, assuming they regain their footing and continue being a dominant team. As the season progresses, expect more surprises and memorable moments in this highly competitive and entertaining league.
Want to learn more? See the current standings here: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings
By Kiran Singh