KC Current Dominates NWSL Playoffs as Championship Favorites Face Determined Challengers

The 2025 National Women's Soccer League regular season has concluded. Eight teams now advance to the playoffs. The championship tournament. High-stakes competition.

With single-elimination quarterfinals, semifinals and championship match, there's significant potential for surprises throughout. Indeed, only twice in the past five seasons has a top seed captured both the Shield and championship trophies (North Carolina Courage in 2019 and Orlando Pride in 2024).

When assessing the eight qualifying teams, there's one clear frontrunner, an obvious second choice, and then the remaining six clubs appear evenly matched. While 19 points divide the top seed from second place, merely four points separate seeds three through eight. Beyond the top contenders, this tournament field is highly competitive.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, IT'S QUARTERFINALS TIME ⏰

Presented by @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/n4lo5QzR9V

Here are your NWSL power rankings before the 2025 playoffs.

1. Kansas City Current (21-3-2, No. 1 Seed)

This selection is straightforward. Undisputed. Kansas City Current has dominated the NWSL this campaign, leading in both offensive production and defensive solidity. They're positioned to dominate the playoffs, particularly with home-field advantage through the quarterfinals and semifinals (if they progress).

However, questions remain about this squad due to Golden Boot champion Temwa Chawinga's fitness, who sustained a hip injury versus Houston Dash over two weeks ago. Without Chawinga available for playoffs, who will provide scoring and lead the high press?

Compounding concerns is Bia Zaneratto's injury from the Current's season finale. General manager Caitlin Carducci has skillfully built squad depth, but Kansas City faces a test with key attackers sidelined.

Manager Vlatko Andonovski will be encouraged seeing Nichelle Prince and Haley Hopkins impact games as substitutes, as demonstrated last weekend.

NICHELLE'S FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON‼️

With an assist from Haley Hopkins, @nichelleprince7 finds the back of the net for her 15th career regular season goal 👏@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/NhzL235jBM

2. Washington Spirit (12-8-6, No. 2 Seed)

Despite securing second place with two weeks remaining, Washington Spirit's campaign hasn't been smooth sailing. Continuous injuries to crucial players meant manager Adrian González used an unchanged starting eleven only once this season. The sole constant in Washington has been lineup changes.

Yet like Kansas City, the Spirit possess one of the NWSL's strongest rosters and have navigated the injury crisis throughout 2025. Trinity Rodman's knee injury will likely sideline her for the quarterfinals, but Sofia Cantore's emergence as an international talent has helped offset this loss.

The Spirit will gain tremendous advantage playing at home in "Rowdy" Audi Field. This squad carries significant motivation after last year's championship final defeat. Those supporters will be crucial in providing extra inspiration for a deep playoff run.

3. Orlando Pride (11-8-7, No. 4 Seed)

Another club missing its marquee player entering the playoffs. Barbra Banda has been ruled out of postseason play, and Orlando Pride's scoring has dropped from 1.4 per match with Banda to 1.1 without her.

One response was manager Haley Carter's quick action to shatter the transfer record, acquiring Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle from UANL Tigres for $1.5 million. Ovalle has adapted reasonably well to the NWSL, recording one goal and two assists in eight appearances.

Despite regression from last year's record-setting shield and championship campaign, the Pride remain among the NWSL's most structured and reliable defensive units. There may be less creativity, but this group's experience is unparalleled.

4. Portland Thorns (11-8-7, No. 3 Seed)

Perhaps the most difficult NWSL team to evaluate. In 2025, Portland Thorns faced significant roster availability challenges and relied on young talent to achieve a surprising third-place finish.

During 20-year-old Olivia Moultrie's breakout season, with eight goals and league-leading key passes (55), she's earned a U.S. women's national team recall. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Reyna Reyes has quietly developed into an aerial threat at both ends and in individual defensive battles.

Earlier this campaign, the Thorns compiled a 10-match home unbeaten streak, making home advantage valuable in the quarterfinals. However, inconsistent finishing could prevent the Thorns from defeating top-tier opponents in pressure-filled elimination matches.

5. Racing Louisville (10-9-7, No. 7 Seed)

Momentum defines Racing Louisville. The Kentucky franchise shares the NWSL's longest current unbeaten run (five matches, tied with Orlando Pride) and enters postseason play with peak confidence. Particularly significant as this marks the club's inaugural playoff appearance.

While not possessing the NWSL's most gifted roster, Racing reached the playoffs through determination, effort and a distinct philosophy established by manager Bev Yanez. Louisville will battle and wear down opponents, pressing aggressively and seeking set-piece opportunities.

The @RacingLouFC fans waited a long time for this moment. #NWSL pic.twitter.com/kobXZlsDFN

6. Gotham FC (9-8-9, No. 8 Seed)

A month ago, Gotham ranked among the NWSL's most dynamic teams. Following four victories in five matches, Jaedyn Shaw's headline arrival coincided with Rose Lavelle's return. The midfield was functioning perfectly. Finally, Gotham resembled their intended identity.

However, Gotham concluded the regular season winless in four matches and are coping with leading scorer Esther González's injury absence. Among the league's most unpredictable teams, Gotham possess a high ceiling but low floor. Supporters hope the defensive lapses that allowed seven goals in three recent games have been addressed before the quarterfinals.

Gotham will maintain their characteristic unpredictability and seek to create upsets away from home. Exactly their preferred approach.

7. San Diego Wave (10-9-7, No. 6 Seed)

It seems distant when San Diego Wave were soaring as one of the NWSL's elite teams. Since the mid-season break, the Wave has captured just three of 13 matches, having won seven of 13 in the season's first half.

The Wave recorded the highest expected goals (xG) minus actual goals (+6.2) among all NWSL teams, suggesting either exceptional shooting or considerable fortune. As luck has diminished, the illusion of Wave's true quality has faded.

It will be fascinating to observe how opponents approach Wave and their possession-based system. No team maintained higher possession in 2025 than the Wave (59.5%). However, in the NWSL, counter-attacking and transitional play often prove decisive.

8. Seattle Reign (10-7-9, No. 5 Seed)

Seattle Reign enters the playoffs as the statistically weakest offensive unit. The Reign ranks last among eight playoff teams in goals (32), xG (24.3), progressive passes (762), shots (222) and xG against (39.3).

Laura Harvey has structured her team to withstand pressure and neutralize opponents' strengths without prioritizing creating significant scoring chances. Can this approach succeed in playoffs? It's proven effective previously, with Harvey most recently reaching the 2023 NWSL championship final, where the Reign narrowly fell to Gotham.

This playoff appearance feels early for a transitioning team. A squad integrating promising young talent while providing a final showcase for veteran legends nearing career conclusions.

GET INNNNN, JORDYN BUGG! 💪 pic.twitter.com/0MWAxjQW2B