NWSL Power Rankings: Gotham FC may be reigning champs, but they aren't No. 1 ahead of new season With two new clubs in the fold, here is how all 16 teams rank heading into the opening weekend By Sandra Herrera Mar 12, 2026 at 8:30 pm ET • 8 min read CBS Sports Opening weekend in the NWSL is finally here, and with it comes the first real look at who's ready, who's untested, and who might be bluffing their way into the new season. After months of roster reshuffling, bold signings, and preseason guesswork, the power rankings land at the moment when speculation gives way to evidence. Some teams enter with continuity and confidence, others with high‑ceiling chaos, and a few with more questions than answers. The margins already feel thin, the expectations already heavy, and the league's trademark unpredictability is waiting to pounce the second the whistle blows. Which teams look strongest before kickoff? Here are my power rankings heading into Matchday 1. 1. Kansas City Current The 2025 NWSL Shield winners get the honor of starting off the rankings in the top spot based on their outrageous record-setting season for wins (21), points (65), and clean sheets (16). There were also the records they set in between, like nine consecutive clean sheets while conceding just 13 goals across 26 regular seasons. They made CPKC Stadium a fortress, posting 11 home wins in 2025 and setting the bar for the club. All that said, they also went through a wave of changes. Crucial players Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper are starting the season on the SEI list. There's a new head coach, Chris Armas, and the departures of Claire Hutton and Bia Zaneratto are additional blows. They picked up exciting acquisitions in Croix Bethune and Penelope Hocking, but how Armas will utilize them is the biggest question for now. 2. Gotham FC Gotham FC are no strangers to slower starts in their season, but they've shown enough times that it's all about how you finish the race. NWSL Championship winners in 2023 and 2025, with a semifinal appearance in 2024, and this club is a constant contender for the title, no matter what seed they earn heading into the postseason. But last year's match-loaded schedule may have prepared them for something entirely different in 2026. An elusive NWSL Shield, maybe? While the biggest burning question for many teams heading into the first-ever 30-match season is how to manage the extended game load, Gotham already has the experience. They played well over that amount last year when balancing the 2025 season and the Concacaf W Champions Cup, and they have just as ample a roster to do it again. New acquisitions in Savannah McCaskill and rookies Jordynn Dudley and Andrea Kitahata give the roster depth, and newly signed Guro Reiten will be a game-changer when she arrives midseason. 3. Washington Spirit The club handled its most important piece of business and retained winger Trinity Rodman this offseason. Rodman's return, along with former club captain Andi Sullivan's return from an ACL injury and maternity leave, means there's plenty to look forward to on the pitch. The group will be fueled overall by back-to-back runner-up appearances in the NWSL Championship. Despite Croix Bethune's departure to fellow contenders, Kansas City Current, head coach Adrian Gonzalez has nearly all the pieces on the roster for another deep run at some silverware this season. 4. Portland Thorns The Portland Thorns may have had to say farewell to Sam Coffey this offseason, but they welcome Sophia Wilson back from maternity leave, and that is a massive upside. Willson has been the outlier for the Thorns in previous years when the club has gone through transition, and there could be early signs that this is the case again with a new head coach, Robert Vilaham. If Olivia Moultrie can pick up where she left off last season, and rookie Shae Harvey makes an impact, then the Thorns will be right back in the mix of top teams. 5. Orlando Pride The Orlando Pride will have to kickstart their season without Barbra Banda, who is on the season-ending list for now, but is expected to join the team this season. In the meantime, head coach Seb Hines and the group will have to manage like they did last season, and hope that new defensive signings Hailie Mace and Hannah Anderson can help boost the back line after the departure of Emily Sams. Winger Jacqueline Ovalle will now have a full season with the club to make an impact, though who she'll develop chemistry with while Banda is out is still up for debate. 6. San Diego Wave The club said farewell to MVP finalist Delphine Cascarino but added even more internationals, including Brazilians Ludmila and Gabi Portilho, and is strongly rumored to be in the running for U.S. women's national team forward Catarina Macario. If Kenza Dali can deliver a repeat performance of her efforts in the midfield this season, she'll be an easy frontrunner for MVP, and San Diego will be back in the running for contenders. 7. Seattle Re