The NWSL teams played their 13th and final game before the break, which is a CBA-mandated break meant to give teams some rest. Meanwhile, players will begin national duties for international friendlies and tournaments in preparation for global events like the UEFA Women’s Euro and the Copa America Femenina.
Struggling Performances
As the teams headed into the break, five teams sit at the bottom of the table, struggling with fewer than five wins. The Utah Royals finished the first half of the season with only one win against the Chicago Stars, who also have one win. The Utah Royals have two draws and ten losses. It lost all its last four games before the break. The team is evidently struggling to rebuild under the new head coach Jimmy Coenraets. This could be due to the young, inexperienced squad he has to work with as the team rebuilds.
In the long run, this will turn out positively, as the team is establishing a solid foundation for its future squads with its young players. The team also currently has the youngest player in the NWSL, KK Ream, who debuted this season.
The Chicago Stars, who sit above the Utah Royals, have one extra draw, giving them an extra point. However, they are equally struggling to have a sound performance, and earlier this year, they parted ways with their head coach, Lorne Donaldson. He led the team to the playoffs last season, but he failed to replicate the success this season.
Other teams struggling are the Houston Dash (3-2-8), Angel City FC (4-3-6), and Bay FC (4-3-6).
Orlando Pride Heads into the Break With a Loss
The 2024 champions have maintained a lead at the top, sitting below the KC Current. However, they failed to secure a win against Racing Louisville, who saw the back of the Pride’s net twice in the 30th minute and scored a penalty in the 68th minute. The team headed into the break with an 8 – 1 – 4 record with 25 points.
Great Run for the KC Current
After missing out on last year’s finals, the KC Current has had a remarkable start to the NWSL season. They finished on a high note with a six-game winning streak, the second-longest in regular season history for the club and the second-best regular season run overall. They wrapped up the first half with a 1-0 victory against Angel City FC, with Bia Zaneratto scoring the winning goal in the 69th minute.
Table Standings
The complete standings details are at the National Women’s Soccer League website.
Top Five Teams:
- KC Current
- Orlando Pride
- San Diego Wave
- Washington Spirit
- Portland Thorns
Bottom Five Teams:
- Bay FC
- Angel City FC
- Houston Dash
- Chicago Stars
- Utah Royals FC
