The October international window is over, and that means the 2026 NWSL season is back. With just three matchdays left on the schedule, the NWSL Shield is still up for grabs, and with only two playoff spots clinched, there's plenty left to compete for. All 16 clubs will be back in action over the weekend, so it's the perfect time to bring back my power rankings.
Power trends between teams have shifted all season on these lists, so if you're trying to keep track of where your favorite team lands, here are my previous rankings. Gotham FC has been the team to chase in both the league table and the power rankings for the second half of the season. The Washington Spirit have fluctuated from first place to among the top five, but now they'll compete for more than just the top spot on a sports media content ranking.
The two sides meet Saturday at Audi Field, and Gotham can clinch the NWSL Shield, while the Spirit could play spoiler, stay in shield contention, and potentially clinch a playoff spot. Gotham FC needs a win or draw against the Spirit and a win by North Carolina Courage to lift the NWSL Shield. The Washington Spirit need a win, or help from positive results by San Diego, Bay FC, or Chicago, to clinch a playoff spot.
The two sides have an evolving rivalry dating back to Gotham FC's pre-branded Sky Blue FC days, and recent playoff meetings have only added fuel to the fire. Gotham narrowly leads the all-time record since the 2021 rebrand, with seven wins, five draws, and six losses between them. More layers include multiple players returning from international duty for both teams, and a potential coaches' battle on the sidelines over player rotation and game management.
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