These are your NWSL Week 4 power rankings based on team performances and potential as the standings shake themselves out, with numerous clubs shuffling around every week based on the previous game. Contenders are teams well positioned to claim the regular season NWSL Shield, pretenders are teams with an outside shot, and imposters get participation trophies for showing up.
NWSL Week 4 NWSL Shield Contenders
Portland Thorns
The Thorns, who have made it a habit to put their opponents on the back foot from the first whistle, lost no time in punishing the visitors. They had easy control over the entire game. Portland effectively ended the game and maintained composure in the waning minutes. The league’s top team.
OL Reign
Everyone is aware of the outstanding ability this club possesses on each of the three levels of the field. The Reign have never been able to further distance themselves from the other elite teams due to that final touch on the goal. The rest of the league should be terrified if these finishing problems are resolved for good.
San Diego Wave
This weekend, the Wave had trouble producing many offensive plays. The backline contributed to the victory, allowing them to maintain the lead for the whole of the game. Their goalie kept a clean sheet as well and made two crucial saves during the game. San Diego clearly displayed its depth in this game as the goals scored in the second half were directly attributable to players who started on the bench.
NWSL Week 4 NWSL Shield Pretenders
Houston Dash
The Houston Dash are having their best season to date. Houston has yet to lose in the 2023 NWSL Regular Season. The defense for Houston performed admirably this weekend, giving them their second clean sheet of the year. They’re a tough team to play when they play well on both sides of the ball.
Washington Spirit
Simply said, when Trinity Rodman is on the field, they appear different. Paige Metayer, a first-year player, and 15-year-old Chloe Ricketts also displayed more promising play in a scoreless draw.
NY/NJ Gotham FC
Gotham has now recorded one fewer victory than they did in the regular season of 2022. The fact that none of these victories for the New York team have been simple is its strongest feature thus far. Each has exhibited some form of personality. The victory over the Courage this past week was the ideal illustration of that.
NWSL Week 4 NWSL Shield Imposters
North Carolina Courage
The Courage increased their attempts at shots on goal over the weekend from three to three from zero last week. To move up the rankings once more, they will need to convert.
Chicago Red Stars
Chicago must make changes right now because the absence of midfield assistance has left the defensive three at the back hanging out to dry.
Kansas City Current
This week, the team of new interim head coach Caroline Sjoblom earned two victories. Things appear to be improving as free agent Debinha is scoring goals and finally appearing healthy.
Racing Louisville
One of the most intriguing teams entering the new season must eventually find a way to escape with three points. Racing is desperately trying to find a way to make the playoffs despite having one of the lowest xGs of the week. This team has so far been unable to put together a complete performance on both ends of the field, despite having a defense that is significantly more reliable than that of 2022.
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