NWSL Power Rankings presented by Cutter
See where each team falls in the tenth edition of the power rankings. 1 NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE 9-0-3, 30 pts Change: — Last week: 1 The Courage (9-0-3) extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games after Week 10, earning three points in their Wednesday night match-up against Portland Thorns FC and one point in their […]
See where each team falls in the tenth edition of the power rankings.1**
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
9-0-3, 30 pts**
Change: — Last week: 1 The Courage (9-0-3) extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games after Week 10, earning three points in their Wednesday night match-up against Portland Thorns FC and one point in their draw with the Houston Dash on Sunday. The Courage showed that they could still get the job done without their usual starting cast out on international duty in Sunday’s game and it was Frannie Crouse in her NWSL debut who saved the day with a game-tying goal in the 80th minute. Crouse scored her first pro goal to earn a 1-1 result to close out the weekend games. The Courage are now tied for the second-longest unbeaten streak to start a season with the 2016 Thorns, who started with 12 games unbeaten (7-0-5). * * * 2**
SEATTLE REIGN FC
5-2-3, 18 pts**
Change: ? 2 Last week: 4 No harm done for the Reign in Week 10. The Reign (5-2-3) remain in second place in the league standings after earning one point in a 0-0 draw against the Orlando Pride on Sunday night. The Reign were without their leading goal scorer, Megan Rapinoe, who was recently called up to the U.S. women’s national team camp ahead of the June friendlies, but were solid throughout the pitch. Goalkeeper Lydia Williams earned a shutout for her side and the Reign will look to earn three points after the FIFA break when they face the Spirit on June 16. * * * 3**
ORLANDO PRIDE
4-3-4, 16 pts**
Change: — Last week: 3 The Pride (4-3-4) close out Week 10 still in third place in the league standings just two points behind Seattle Reign. The Pride earned one point on Sunday night in a scoreless draw against the Reign. Pride goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer earned her first start of the year and picked up a shutout against her former team. The Pride extended their unbeaten streak on the road to five games and will next host Sky Blue FC on Saturday, June 16. * * * 4**
UTAH ROYALS FC
3-2-5, 14 pts**
Change: ? 1 Last week: 5 Utah Royals FC earned their first win on the road beating Sky Blue FC 2-1 on Saturday night. Utah are now 3-2-5 and sit in sixth place in the league standings with 14 points. Utah Royals FC midfielder Diana Matheson scored her second goal of the season to help her side pick up the result. Utah will look to climb up the standings after the FIFA break when they travel to the league-leading North Carolina Courage on June 16. * * * 5**
PORTLAND THORNS FC
4-4-3, 15 pts**
Change: ? 3 Last week: 2 The Thorns dropped three points in Week 10 falling to the Courage 4-1 on Wednesday night. With the loss, the Thorns fell to 4-4-3 (15 points). It’s Portland’s third home loss, after losing just once at home in each of the past two seasons. The highlight of Week 10 for the Thorns was in the 89th minute when Katherine Reynolds, appearing in her 100th career NWSL game, scored her first career goal. The Thorns will regroup after the break to face the Chicago Red Stars on the road. * * * 6**
HOUSTON DASH
3-4-5, 14 pts**
Change: — Last week: 6 The Dash were on the brink of snatching the North Carolina Courage’s 11-game unbeaten streak on Sunday night, but settled for a 1-1 result to close out Week 10 play. Dash forward Kealia Ohai scored her second goal of the season in the draw and the Dash improve to 3-4-5 overall for seventh place in the league standings. The Dash will have a long break until they return to action on June 22 against Portland Thorns FC. * * * 7**
CHICAGO RED STARS
3-3-6, 15 pts**
Change: — Last week: 7 The Red Stars were able to earn the result on Saturday night over the Washington Spirit despite wet, tough conditions at Maureen Hendricks Field Maryland Soccer Plex. The Red Stars defeated the Spirit 2-0 with Sam Kerr and Yuki Nagasato scoring. The Red Stars improve to 3-3-6 overall and sit in fifth place in the league standings. The Red Stars will look for their second win at home when they host the Thorns after the break on June 16. * * * 8**
WASHINGTON SPIRIT
2-7-2, 8 pts**
Change: — Last week: 8 The Spirit suffered their seventh loss this year falling to the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 on Saturday night in Week 10. The Spirit are in eighth place in the league standings at 2-7-2 (8 points) and are six points behind the Houston Dash, in seventh place. The Spirit will be in action during the break, going on the road to take on the winless Sky Blue FC on Friday, June 8. * * * 9**
SKY BLUE FC
0-8-1, 1 pt**
Change: — Last week: 9 Sky Blue FC remains in pursuit of their first win of the year at 0-8-1 overall. Sky Blue, now nine games without a win, have also not led in 810 minutes of league play. The New Jersey team will play during the break when they host the Washington Spirit on Friday, June 8. Sky Blue’s one point is second only to the 2013 Seattle Reign for the longest winless start to a season (11 games) and tied with the 2013 Reign for the fewest points heading into game nine (1 point).