Angel City pulled off a major upset against league leaders San Diego Wave, Seattle secured bragging rights in the Cascadia clash, and Washington Spirit rose to the summit in GOAL’s latest ranking of all 16 NWSL clubs.

This week in the National Women’s Soccer League was Rivalry Week, featuring high-stakes encounters such as the Cascadia Classic and the SoCal Showdown, which brought excitement across the competition.

In the Cascadia Classic, Seattle Reign comfortably defeated Portland Thorns 2-0, courtesy of goals from Ryanne Brown and Maddie Mercado. Meanwhile, the SoCal Showdown produced the weekend’s biggest surprise as Angel City stunned San Diego Wave 2-0.

Entering Week 11 with a 5-6-1 record, Angel City were among the league’s struggling sides. Whether it was the influence of Ally Sentnor or a renewed spark in midfield, the Los Angeles team delivered an almost flawless first half, scoring twice and holding firm to secure an impressive victory at Snapdragon Stadium.

Despite the defeat, San Diego Wave remain at the top of the NWSL table with 28 points. Washington Spirit climbed into second place following Portland’s loss to Seattle and added three points of their own with an away win over North Carolina Courage on Saturday.

The weekend’s drama wasn’t limited to rivalry matches. The final fixture on Sunday saw Denver Summit and Houston Dash share the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 draw, featuring some spectacular goals.

Denver’s Yazmeen Ryan opened the scoring in the 14th minute, weaving past several defenders before curling a superb long-range effort into the top-right corner. Houston equalised just a minute later through Kat Rader, who capitalised on a precise pass over the defence to level the contest before half-time.

At present, only one point separates the top three teams. The Wave lead with 28 points, followed closely by the Spirit and Thorns on 27. Three sides—Gotham FC, Utah Royals, and Kansas City Current—sit just behind on 24 points each.

With Rivalry Week now complete, here’s how GOAL ranks all 16 NWSL teams:

16. Racing Louisville

Previous rank: 16

Result: Lost 2-0 vs Bay FC

Summary: Racing Louisville’s tough run continued at home as Bay FC inflicted their 10th defeat in 13 matches. With only seven points to their name, Racing remain bottom of the table and are beginning to lose touch with those above them.

15. Chicago Stars

Previous rank: 14

Result: Lost 2-0 vs Boston Legacy

Summary: Chicago suffered a 2-0 away defeat to Boston and remain second from bottom with a 4-10-0 record. As rivals around them start picking up points, the Stars risk further isolation near the foot of the standings.

14. Boston Legacy

Previous rank: 15

Result: Won 2-0 vs Chicago Stars

Summary: Boston earned a crucial victory in a battle of the league’s lower-ranked teams, taking three points against Chicago. While it may not completely change their season, a clean sheet and win against a direct rival represent a step forward for the expansion side.

13. Denver Summit

Previous rank: 13

Result: Drew 2-2 vs Houston Dash

Summary: Denver delivered an entertaining 2-2 draw with Houston, highlighted by one of the weekend’s best goals from Yazmeen Ryan. Ryan’s early solo strike and Houston’s quick equaliser made for an engaging contest that reflected both teams’ attacking intent.

12. Houston Dash

Previous rank: 12

Result: Drew 2-2 vs Denver Summit

Summary: Houston showed resilience in Denver, responding instantly after conceding. The Dash earned a valuable point on the road but must start turning draws into wins to remain in the playoff conversation.

11. Bay FC

Previous rank: 10

Result: Won 2-0 vs Racing Louisville

Summary: Bay FC bounced back from last week’s disappointment with a 2-0 win over Racing Louisville. The victory gives them momentum as they continue to stabilise their mid-table position.

10. Kansas City Current

Previous rank: 7

Result: Lost 3-0 vs Orlando Pride

Summary: Kansas City dropped three places after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pride. The result highlighted a worrying gap between the Current and the league’s top-tier teams.

9. Angel City

Previous rank: 11

Result: Won 2-0 vs San Diego Wave

Summary: Angel City produced a statement performance, defeating San Diego 2-0 in the SoCal Showdown. The result showcased their ability to frustrate elite opposition while taking their chances effectively—an important boost in their playoff chase.

8. Seattle Reign

Previous rank: 9

Result: Won 2-0 vs Portland Thorns

Summary: Seattle claimed regional bragging rights with a confident 2-0 victory over Portland in the Cascadia derby. A clean sheet and strong overall display should lift their confidence moving forward.

7. Orlando Pride

Previous rank: 8

Result: Won 3-0 vs Kansas City Current

Summary: Orlando delivered a commanding 3-0 win against Kansas City, reaffirming their status among the league’s elite. Barbra Banda continues to lead the Golden Boot race with 12 goals in 13 appearances.

6. Portland Thorns

Previous rank: 4

Result: Lost 2-0 vs Seattle Reign

Summary: Portland were unable to find their attacking rhythm and fell 2-0 to Seattle in their rivalry clash. The defeat represents a setback in a tightly contested playoff battle, increasing the pressure in upcoming fixtures.

5. North Carolina Courage

Previous rank: 6

Result: Lost 2-0 vs Washington Spirit

Summary: North Carolina’s attack faltered in a 2-0 loss to Washington. The Courage struggled to penetrate the Spirit’s solid defence and must rediscover their offensive form to avoid losing further ground in the playoff race.

4. Utah Royals

Previous rank: 2

Result: Lost 3-1 vs Gotham FC

Summary: Utah took an early lead but were eventually beaten 3-1 by Gotham. Despite promising moments, they couldn’t maintain control against a strong opponent.

3. Gotham FC

Previous rank: 5

Result: Won 3-1 vs Utah Royals

Summary: Gotham continued their impressive run with a 3-1 win over Utah, led by another clinical display from Esther González. The reigning champions look increasingly complete as they navigate a demanding schedule.

2. San Diego Wave

Previous rank: 1

Result: Lost 2-0 vs Angel City FC

Summary: San Diego suffered a rare 2-0 home defeat to Angel City during Rivalry Week. Though they remain near the top, they will aim to quickly bounce back after an uncharacteristically subdued attacking performance.

1. Washington Spirit

Previous rank: 3

Result: Won 2-0 vs North Carolina Courage

Summary: Washington claimed an impressive 2-0 away win over North Carolina, thanks to goals from Leicy Santos and Trinity Rodman. The Spirit continue to prove themselves as genuine title contenders, with their stars shining in crucial moments.