NWSL Power Rankings: Hot shooters and 'HotShots'

The two major narratives coming out of the NWSL this weekend surrounded the hottest shooter on the planet, Sophia Smith, and the cramp-assisting beverage known as HotShot (stylized with all caps, but we're not doing that). 

With just 13 matches gone, Smith scored her second hat trick of the season. That's a feat that has only occurred in a single NWSL season twice before (by Sam Kerr in 2017 and Kristen Hamilton in 2019). The fact that she netted three times against the then statistically the stingiest defense in the country only makes her stunning trio go strikes that glimmer that much more.

The peak of Smith’s powers featured the Thorns sparking into life just in front of the last line of Washington’s backline, then taking on, and succeeding, against five Spirit players. The deft touches, swiveling hips, and ability to find separation are astonishing, but all three finishes showed a pinpoint accuracy that is exceptional. 

Is the World Cup ready for Smith? Is Portland ready for a couple of months without Smith? These questions will be answered this summer. 

And now to the beverage. Due to their reactions after consuming a ‘HotShot.' many NWSL watchers wondered if rookies Alyssa Thompson and Michelle Cooper were being hazed. In fact, they were just getting the adequate amount of salt, acid and pepper into their system to help relieve cramping. At the very least, it provided some good memes. 

Some very good memes!

Without further ado, let’s get to the Power Rankings.

Key: #Ranking, Team Name, (Change in ranking)
Matchweek result

1. Portland Thorns (+1) 

Win (4-2 vs. Washington Spirit)

We have a new team at the top! After several weeks of defending Washington Spirit's plateau at the Power Rankings summit, it was time for a new top team. You've earned it, Rose City. 

While flowers have to be given out to Portland for handily beating the club that many viewed as the best in the league, we didn't really learn much new stuff about Mike Norris' team. We already knew that Smith was an MVP candidate. We already knew that their defense was fallible. And we are no closer to knowing what this team will look like without its World Cup absentees. 

2. OL Reign (+1)

Win (2-1 vs. San Diego Wave)

And there's more movement in the Pacific Northwest. The inconsistent yet outstanding-on-their-day OL Reign rolled into Southern California and left with all three points. That's impressive in isolation, but really just business as usual for Seattle head coach Laura Harvey. The Englishwoman is now an undefeated 5-0-2 against her counterpart Casey Stoney and the Wave all-time. The Reign has simply dominated this series. 

Seattle, at its best, is very good at adjusting to their opponent. And by shifting her formation a little bit, Harvey was able to have a more rugged midfield look. Out was a more advanced midfielder, and instead, Olivia Van Der Jagt occupied the spaces in front of the holding midfield tandem Quinn and Emily Sonnett. 

Borrowing some of their opponents' tactics, both goals came from crosses into the box. Quinn had a lovely elastic lofted-through ball timed to perfection. And Sofia Huerta served up the winner on her left foot from the right wing. Yes, Bethany Balcer had a brace, but it was all about the service. 

3. Washington Spirit (-2)

Loss (4-2 vs. Portland Thorns)

Amongst all the tears, joy, and celebrations for U.S. players being called up for the World Cup, there are always the commiserations for those that don't make it onto the plane. Ashley Hatch is one of those. Washington's head coach spoke out this week during his media availability about how heavy the news was, and how much the club would be supporting her through the disappointment. 

Of course, the USA's potential loss is the Spirit's gain. The forward has been in rich form in 2023. Another well-taken goal this past weekend at Providence Park has Hatch up to seven goals in 13 weeks. That's an average of a strike every 146 minutes. 

This defeat in Portland won't sully what has been a very good start to the 2023 NWSL season. And keeping Hatch, who will be chomping at the bit to focus all her energy on soccer, could prove to be vital for their playoff and potential shield chase. 

4. NC Courage (+1) 

Win (1-0 vs. Racing Louisville)

I usually don't give out too many lollipops for beating Louisville, especially at home, but this past weekend's result was North Carolina's third win on the spin, and its fourth in the past five matches. No longer a plucky underdog, the Courage are emerging as a serious contender in the NWSL. 

The narrow scoreline won't impress many, but this latest victory exemplified what Sean Nahas' team has done better than anyone else in the NWSL: Controlling the ball, both in terms of threading attacks and not allowing the opponent to grow into the match. After all, Racing's 0.6 xG was the lowest of any team this matchweek. 

5. San Diego Wave (-1)

Loss (2-1 vs. San Diego Wave)

Wave head coach Casey Stoney has arguably been the best coach in the NWSL since she arrived in 2022. Her nous and knowledge on the pitch are unmatched, and with the media, she is honest, straightforward, and insightful. 

However, after this latest defeat to the OL Reign, the Englishwoman may have got a bit lost in her frustration. Stoney's post-match press conference led with the phrase: "We were robbed." Considering the Wave didn't create too much going forward, scored their shot on goal of the match, and were beaten by two simple headed goals, from crosses into the box, by the same player, it's hard to discern where the "robbery" occurred. 

San Diego has consistently won games by narrow margins. They can suffocate the opposition and grind results. But if you drop off in two moments against a team who can match you for defensive organization, then you can end up on the wrong side of a close match. Or even a "robbery."

6. NJ/NY Gotham FC (+1)

Win (2-1 vs. Chicago Red Stars)

Gotham needed this one. Juan Carlos Amoros' team ended its four-match winless streak by taking care of business against the league's bottom club. It was to be expected, and yet the Gotham head coach opted for a rather intriguing starting XI that saw midfielder Allie Long in the backline and forwards Kelley O'Hara up with the forwards. 

In the end, this match wasn't decided by systems but instead by individual moments of brilliance. Lynn Williams serenely settled a long throw with one touch and then smashed the ball on the half-volley to get NJ/NY's first goal. Then the aforementioned Long swerved a free kick off the crossbar and into the back of the net from 25 yards out. 

With a sextet of key players going off to the World Cup, Amoros will have to keep getting creative in order to get results. Star power might not cut it every week. 

7. Houston Dash (-1)

Draw (0-0 vs. Angel City FC)

You know, it's really hard to evaluate the Dash right now. 

On one hand, this is the first team ever in the NWSL to play consecutive matches and not only remain undefeated but also keep a clean sheet in both games. The fight, the never-say-die-attitude, and the team's effort is formidable. 

But on the other hand, there are the results themselves. It's now three consecutive draws for Houston, with just one goal scored in that time. After this weekend, the Dash currently ranks last for goals scored with 10, but they do rank first for goals conceded with 10. Without the context of the high-performance levels, this team is struggling to put three points on the board and crucially win matches. 

The endeavor is there. It's time to start scoring some goals or the wrong side of the playoff line beckons. As midfielder Sophie Schmidt said after the match, getting a win is in the details. It's about finding that "1%" more. 

8. Racing Louisville (-) 

Loss (1-0 vs. NC Courage)

The narrow scoreline flattered Racing this weekend, who were second-best in almost every facet of the match. One has to credit the backline and goalkeeper who have consistently bettered the statistics when it comes to goals conceded. 

Louisville is bending but not breaking when it comes to their defending. The more aggressive press this season has allowed more space to open up in their half. However, goalkeeper Katie Lund, who leads the league in saves with 55, is standing tall once again in goal. Last-ditch challenges from Abby Erceg and Lauren Millet have paid dividends. 

Racing has the third-best goals-against record this season, despite having the fourth-highest xG against (19.0). The computers have predicted Louisville to have an XGD of -1.5 — but right now it actually has a positive GD of +2. 

The good news is that the entire back line will be staying in the NWSL. Head coach Kim Björkegren may have the impossible task of replacing Savannah DeMelo but this improbable defensive unit can keep rolling. 

9. KC Current (+1)

Win (2-1 vs. Orlando Pride)

If you score a record-breaking goal that contains 26 passes before it hits the back of the net, then you are moving up the Power Rankings. A tip of the chapeau to you, Cece Kizer and the entire Current team for carving out a beautiful team goal. 

The Current's chances of making the playoffs look slim. Even after this big win over Orlando, there are still eight points and five places between KC and the postseason. But with Kizer and Debinha in the form they're currently in, it's hard to rule out the Midwesterners just yet. 

10. Orlando Pride (-1) 

Loss (2-1 vs. KC Current)

It has been easy to defend Orlando head coach Seb Haines and his personnel changes this season. He's experimenting with a young squad, often tinkering. He rarely keeps his starting XI the same. But it also feels like maybe he doesn't let some players find their form. 

Messiah Bright, a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, is one of those players. The Texan has nine starts through 13 weeks. She was thrown into this weekend's match at halftime with Orlando already down 2-0. Her energy and ability to hurry the Current midfield on the ball helped the Pride attempt the comeback. 

Fellow young Texan forward Ally Watt is another who Haines has kept in the rotation for the past few weeks rather than giving them a consistent starting role. 

11. Angel City FC (-1) 

Draw (vs. 0-0 Houston Dash) 

Considering how negative the vibes were in Los Angeles two weeks ago, Angel City's failure to win this home match won't hurt too much. After all, interim head coach Becki Tweed is still undefeated after her second match in charge. On Sunday, ACFC didn't show much quality but they battled hard. 

Playing nearly 40 total minutes with an extra player didn't help Angel City break down the Dash, though. Attacking cohesion was lacking. Despite a head collision with Ally Prisock, Sydney Leroux looked sharp but often isolated from her teammates. Alyssa Thompson appeared dangerous, as always, but frazzled by a physical battle with Houston left back Courtney Peterson. 

12. Chicago Red Stars 

Loss (2-1 vs. Gotham FC)

There's not much good news of any kind for fans in the Windy City.

The defeat in New Jersey meant that it is now three consecutive losses for Chicago. Zoom out a little bit and things look even bleaker. The Red Stars have lost 11 of their last 14 matches in all competitions. And the two wins they did have during that streak were both by a single-goal margin and required some remarkable performances by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. 

She will now head off to the World Cup with the United States, which leaves Emily Boyd as Chicago's likely starting shot-stopper. Over the years, Boyd has had plenty of experience deputizing for Naeher. 

With nine regular season matches left to play, the Red Stars are 10 points off the playoff places and the 2023 season feels like it's already over.