It’s Sunday, and the first week of the NWSL 2025 season is in books, which means it is time for the ESPN ESPN ranking.
Who goes up the table? Who is in free fall? Our screenwriters studied all day 1 action to offer the order of this week of the 14 League teams. Let’s dive.
Next match: Sunday March 23 against NJ / NY Gotham FC, 5 p.m. He (live broadcast on ESPN +)
The pride had an advance of four goals before Barbra Banda got involved … then she got involved. Two goals from Orlando star later, one of which was an absolute banger, and the double reigning winners themselves had a categorical victory over the 6-0 season against Chicago. This team did everything last season and there are reasons to believe that they will be even better this year. Good luck to the rest of the league.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m. He
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski will not be particularly satisfied with the way the current stopped in the second period, but that did not matter. Temwa Chawinga took every four minutes to come back to the match sheet, Michelle Cooper appeared ready for her star turn, and Debinha was in great shape, then KC won a 3-1 victory on Portland, despite her closure for 45 minutes. Not bad for a team that still has Bia Zaneratto and Gabby Robinson who are waiting to return from injuries.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against KC Current, 7:30 p.m. he
It was a trembling opening in the season for Washington, because Trinity Rodman was limited to the bench minutes, Croix Bethune did not quite go up in time to play, and Hal Hershfelt had to leave with an injury. And yet, the mind left with a 2-1 victory against Houston. This team is so deep and coach Jonatan Giráldez has built a base so strong that they can resist injuries, fight in possession and always rely on their transition to win a good victory. I hope they will soon be healthy and that we see how high their ceiling is.
Next match: Sunday March 23 against Orlando Pride, 5 p.m. He (live broadcast on ESPN +)
Gotham defended himself well enough in Seattle and obtained a belly from Gabi Portilho, so their 1-1 draw was more than deserved and a great declaration for a team in the midst of a fairly major overhaul. And yet it is difficult not to have the impression that they had a little luck since Mandy Freeman was sent and Jaelin Howell should probably see red, but one on the other side of the country is a well done work; However, it happens.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against NC courage, 7 p.m.
The reign did not do much to appease concerns about their attack when they had a hard time creating a lot in their 1-1 draw with Gotham, but the winter overhaul was intended for the midfield and in the defense, and that seems to have paid off. Seattle looked very solid in the first two lines, which is far from the defense of the league last season, and they can hope that Lynn Biyndolo is enough to put their attack when it is in good shape.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against Seattle Reign, 7 p.m. HE
The courage started slowly in Louisville, but occurred late to win a 1-1 draw, which is a good start for a team that obtained the results in just three of the 12 games outside last season. The trio of Jaedyn Shaw, Ashley Sanchez and Manaka Matsukubo should be exceptional, and they had a few brilliant moments, but they were not entirely on the same wavelength in their first match together. Once at ease, be careful.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against San Diego Wave, 10 p.m.
You know that it was not the most dynamic attack game when the offensive highest point is a goal of the goalkeeper, but the absolute penny of Mandy McGlynn to set up the goal of Bianca St-Georges was a special moment. Utah has defended from there and only conceded because of a phenomenal explosion of Kiki Pickett, so there is nothing to fear in the back, but they have to find better ideas when they go up on the ball.
Next match: Sunday, March 23 against the stars of Chicago, 5 p.m.
The dashboard was very excited by the litany of movements that they made this offseason, and it was not difficult to see why in their first match. Houston won the game for long sections and obtained a goal from the Maggie Graham recruited. It took them a reputation for them to be more confident, consistent and with an idea of ​​how to play in possession at any time last year. This is quite the sunny point of view of a match that they lost 2-1, but the arrow points to Houston.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against Bay FC, 10 p.m.
The race had to be delighted with half-time, having dominated courage for 45 minutes to take a 1-0 lead which could have easily been two. It looked like a brand new Louisville. Unfortunately, they fell in the 45 seconds and had to settle for a 1-1 draw to open their season, but they will be encouraged by their early play. If they can reproduce this in the future, which will be made easier by Bethany Balcer and the rest of the injured in shape, then we could look at the first appearance in the club’s qualifiers.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against Louisville, 10 p.m.
The Recruue Bienhooed, Taylor Huff, was up to the overhaul of the media in a very impressive first professional match and the defense seemed as good as to close last season, which really increases the soil of this team. However, the attack which was too often steeped in 2024 had a hard time doing a lot of things and Bay managed only a 1-1 draw against Utah because of the Pickett rocket, but the goal was so good that it was worthy of bringing the attack for the day.
Next match: Friday March 21 against Angel City FC, 10 p.m.
The Thorns had to bring the 11 players together for a team meeting less than 25 minutes in their season, and it will probably not be their last. They looked completely outdated by the current in their 3-1 defeat, but if there was a bright point, it was their fight in the second half. There is spirit in this team, even if talent leaves something to be desired.
Next match: Friday March 21 against Portland Thorns, 10 p.m.
You may have questions about the quality of the ACFC now, but you should feel good in their future. Just watch their first goal of the season when Kennedy Fuller, 18, hit a sublime ball for Alyssa Thompson, 20, to finish. The question is whether they can find the right combination of veterans to support young people, especially in the midfield. They were not so much in week 1 and had to be satisfied with a 1-1 draw with San Diego.
Next match: Saturday March 22 against Utah Royals, 10 p.m.
Wave’s boss, Jonas Eidevall, had a good tactical plan to pack bodies in the middle and dominate the center of the field, pushing Angel City wide. This and an early goal from Gia Corley were sufficient to attract a 1-1 draw at home. It was only the start of the season that the wave needed after rocky offseason and a first match under a new manager.
Next match: Sunday March 23 against Houston Dash, 5 p.m.
The new name did not help the stars, who finished the season in bad shape last season and seem to be even worse this year. Their thin defense was absolutely struck by the pride of a defeat of 6-0 and the total lack of attack in the absence of Mallory Swanson stressed how much they depended on her to do almost everything in 2024. The opening of the season in Orlando would make a lot of teams badly, but you hope to show some lightning to rely. Chicago did not do it.
