It's Monday, and another week of NWSL action is in the books, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.
Our rankings are derived from a combination of key season statistics (points per game, goal differential, expected goal differential), recent performance, the Opta computer ratings and the observations of our writers.
Who's climbing the table? Who's in free fall? Our writers and statistical models have ranked all 14 clubs in the league after matchday eight. Let's dive in.
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1. Kansas City Current
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Wednesday at Seattle Reign FC, 10 p.m. ET
There are two ways to look at the Current's result over the weekend -- a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash. The first option is this: Kansas City dropped points against one of the worst teams in the league. The second (and correct) option is this: Kansas City earned a point on the road after surviving an hourslong rain delay and outshooting Houston 29 to eight. Yeah, this team is going to be fine.
2. Orlando Pride
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Saturday vs. Bay FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
With their team top of the actual NWSL table and the only undefeated one left outside of the Current, Orlando fans can have a legitimate gripe with their squad's spot in second in these rankings. Barbra Banda is scoring an utterly absurd 1.25 goals per 90 minutes and the defense continues to be the best in the league in terms of non-penalty expected goals allowed. The Pride are legit, folks.
3. Portland Thorns
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Saturday vs. Seattle Reign FC, 10 p.m. ET
That wild 5-4 loss on opening weekend seems like a long time ago, doesn't it? Portland is now on a four-game winning streak and earned its most impressive win of 2024 on Saturday against the Washington Spirit. The Thorns' play against the ball is still a concern, but they are the only team in the league that has scored two or more goals in each of their past four games.
4. Washington Spirit
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Friday at Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. ET
They had chances against Portland, but Washington couldn't complete a late comeback after a Lena Silano goal brought them within one in a tough road match against the Thorns this past weekend. With 15 points through eight games and a comfy seat toward the top of the table, things are still way ahead of schedule in the nation's capital.
5. North Carolina Courage
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Sunday at Kansas City Current, 6 p.m. ET
It was a no good, very bad week for the Courage, where they lost two straight games for the first time this year. They averaged 59.5% possession across those two losses -- one to the Pride and one to Gotham -- but averaged just 0.7 xG across those two games. Turning touches into chances remains this team's biggest hurdle.
6. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Wednesday at Houston Dash, 8 p.m. ET
We're all still trying to figure out exactly what this Gotham team will look like in 2024, given all of their injury issues. But wins like the one against North Carolina over the weekend serve as a reminder of just how high their floor is. You don't have Lynn Williams in your squad and just fade into the night.