Last week we kicked-0ff this little debate on women’s soccer called ‘power rankings,’ a phrase I despise and love at the same time. The Chicago Red Stars (WPSL Elite League) topped the list after a big win over the Boston Breakers (despite my hesitation, I was out-voted by our other two voters at All White Kit and SportsMyriad).
This week, the W-League’s Pali Blues got the nod as our top team after continuing to absolutely steamroll competition. There are still a host of unbeaten teams in our Top 12. Feel free to debate and let us know what you think:
1. Pali Blues (7-0-0, W-League Western; Last Week: 3) – roster
Unscathed in busy week — 8-0 home win over Victoria, 2-1 win at Colorado Rapids Women, 3-0 win at Colorado Rush. Liz Bogus and Nikki Washington had first-half goals in the last of those wins.
2. Chicago Red Stars (5-0-0, WPSL Elite; LW: 1) – roster
Beat NY Fury 2-1 and wiped out Chesapeake 5-0 behind a Lauren Fowlkes hat trick. Big road test this week at Western New York.
3. Boston Breakers (6-1-0, WPSL Elite; LW: 2) – roster
Got back into action late Sunday with 1-0 squeaker at Philadelphia. Aussie Kyah Simon had the lone goal.
4. New York Fury (4-2-1, WPSL Elite; LW: 4) – roster
Fell 1-2 at Chicago; won 1-0 at FC Indiana.
5. Western New York Flash (2-2-1, WPSL Elite; LW: 5) – roster
Turned in a convincing 3-1 win against New England.
6. Seattle Sounders Women (4-0-1, W-League Western; LW: 6) – roster
Cruised in showdown with Colorado (3-0 at home) but lost perfect record with 0-0 draw against Vancouver when national teamers left. Still drew 4,500 fans.
7. D.C. United Women (5-0-0, W-League Atlantic; LW: 7) – roster
Turned back challenge in division, winning 3-2 at Fredericksburg with Joanna Lohman and Lianne Sanderson starting.
8. Atlanta Silverbacks (5-0-0, W-League Southeast; LW: 8 ) – roster
Won 3-0 at FC Jax.
9. New England Mutiny (2-2-1, WPSL Elite; LW: 10) – roster
Still a good claim to be the “best of the rest” after the four WPSL teams with WPS ties, but lost 3-1 at Western New York.
10. Santa Clarita Blue Heat (2-2-0, W-League Western; LW: 11) – roster
Won 6-0 over Victoria.
11. Charlotte Lady Eagles (7-0-0, W-League Southeast; LW: NR) – roster
Three days in Florida, three wins — 4-1 and 3-1 over VSI Tampa Flames, 2-1 over FC Jax Destroyers.
12. New Jersey Wildcats (3-1-2, W-League Northeast; LW: NR) – roster
Two goals and an assist for Yael Averbuch in 4-1 win vs. New Jersey Rangers.
ALSO CONSIDERED (alphabetical order)
Beach Futbol Club (1-1-0 WPSL Pacific South) – roster
Lost 2-0 at home to San Diego. Too much talent to drop all the way out.
Colorado Rapids Women (2-2-1, W-League Western) – roster
Lost 3-0 at Seattle and 2-1 at home vs. Pali Blues.
Colorado Rush (3-2-0, W-League Western; LW: 9) – roster
Suffered a 3-0 home loss to Pali Blues.
FC Dallas (5-0-0, WPSL Big Sky South) – roster
Scored 31. Allowed 2. Scored 17 goals in two games over the weekend, apparently without Casey Nogueira or Kerri Hanks. Yikes.
Fredericksburg Impact (3-1-0, W-League Atlantic) – roster
Respectable showing in 3-2 loss against loaded D.C. United Women.
Hamilton FC Rage (3-1-1, W-League Central) – roster
Had the weekend off after 2-0 win Wednesday at Rochester Ravens.
Ottawa Fury (3-1-0, W-League Central) – roster
Routine 6-1 dispatching of visiting London Gryphons.
San Diego SeaLions (3-0-0 WPSL Pacific South) – roster
Big road win — 2-0 at Beach FC — could push them toward top 12.
Toronto Lady Lynx (3-2-1, W-League Central; LW: 12) – roster
Disastrous road trip — lost 1-0 at Quebec City Amiral and 3-0 at Laval Comets. Still leading division.
GAMES TO WATCH (times Eastern and possibly incorrect)
Wednesday, June 13
WPSL Elite: Chicago Red Stars at Western New York Flash; 7 p.m.; Rochester, N.Y.
Thursday, June 14
W-League Western: Santa Clarita Blue Heat at Colorado Rapids Women; 8 p.m.; Commerce City, Colo.
Friday, June 15
Friendly: Women’s Professional SUPERGROUP at D.C. United Women, 8 p.m., Boyds, Md.
Saturday, June 16
W-League Southeast: Atlanta Silverbacks at Charlotte Lady Eagles; 5:30 p.m.; Charlotte, N.C.
WPSL Elite: New England Mutiny at Chicago Red Stars; 7 p.m ; Evanston, Ill.
W-League Western: Santa Clarita Blue Heat at Colorado Rush; 9 p.m.; Highlands Ranch, Colo.
