The Orlando Pride dominate, as the race for a playoff spot heats up across the league
The NWSL season is back, and the Orlando Pride have everyone locked in. Unbeaten in 18 straight games, and sitting at the top of the standings, the Pride are heating things up across the league.
Elsewhere, battles for a playoff spots continue. With all of the Olympians back in NWSL play, the teams are generally operating with their full rosters.
INDIVISA breaks down who stood out this week, and who dropped in our rankings. Let's get into it.
USA Today Images14. Houston Dash
It's tough times in Houston, as the Dash drop their first game after the Olympic break to front-runners, the Orlando Pride.
The Dash currently sit in second-to-last place, with a 3-9-5 overall record.
Granted, they had to play Orlando, who are unbeaten in 322 days, and have broken records like it's their job this season: Longest unbeaten streak in NWSL history, and the most wins and points in a single-season in club history.
If it wasn't for Jane Campbell's seven saves, the game could have gone even worse for the Dash. Campbell came up big for her side, a task she's been owning all season. The attacking chances for the Dash were far and few in between, as they were outshot by Orlando 21-9, and 8-1 on target.
AdvertisementUSA Today Sports 13. Utah Royals
The Royals have had a tough season, from manager changes to struggling to find any attacking presence. Good news for the Royals, though, as the team picked up just their third win of the season over Bay FC on Friday.
The Royals are still in last place in the league standings, but have improved their record to 3-3-11 overall.
Royals forward Paige Monaghan opened up the game's scoring just minutes into the second half. And, not long after a Bay FC own goal made it 2-0 Royals.
The Royals will hope to keep their winning streak going, as they gear up to face the Houston Dash next.
USA Today Images12. San Diego Wave
With Landon Donovan at the helm of San Diego Wave, fans were hoping for a turnaround, however the team fell badly to Angel City FC in Donovan's first game as interim coach.
In the 90th minute, Abby Dahlkemper got the Wave on the board, but it wasn't enough time to claw back over Angel City.
It's worth noting that the Wave were without Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw. Still, the team has enough offensive power in Alex Morgan, Melanie Barcenas, and Delphine Cascarino off the bench to get something going without Shaw.
The Wave have a tough couple games ahead as they fight for a playoff spot.
Getty Images11. Bay FC
Bay FC fell on the road 2-1 to bottom of the table Utah, so there is a major turnaround needed to get back up into playoff contention.
Bay FC still managed to get a goal thanks to the one and only, Racheal Kundananji. Kundananji is back with Bay FC after a strong Olympic run with Zambia, and will look to get the goals rolling in for her team.
Bay FC will next face Portland on Friday.