Sports
NWSL Power Rankings: Dash making moves with playoffs looming
It’s Monday, and another round of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.
Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 19 to come up with this week’s order of all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.
Previous ranking: 1
Next match: Saturday Sept. 13 vs. Washington Spirit, 7.30 p.m. ET
After becoming the first team to clinch a playoff spot, Kansas City continues to crush the competition this season and are poised to run away with the Shield race. After beating Bay FC 2-0 this weekend, the Current are an incredible 14-games undefeated and lead the table by a 14-point gap. It’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them in their pursuit of at least one trophy in 2025.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Saturday Sept. 13 vs. KC Current, 7.30 p.m. ET
The Spirit have withstood a number of changes and injuries throughout the past calendar year, but they’re once again heading into the final stretch of the season as one of the undisputed best teams in the league. They beat a solid Seattle Reign squad 2-0 in Washington D.C. thanks to a brace of goals from Trinity Rodman and are undefeated in their last seven regular season games. Next up? A fascinating test with the top-ranked Kansas City Current.
1:13
Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign FC, 09/08/2025
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Friday Sept. 12 vs. Gotham FC, 10 p.m. ET
On Sunday evening in San Diego, the Wave retired USWNT icon and club treasure Alex Morgan‘s jersey, then proceeded to get dismantled by the mid-table Houston Dash. San Diego has frequently looked like one of the most formidable teams in the NWSL this season. But this wasn’t one of those nights. They held more of the ball and outshot the Dash 19 to nine, but the two squads managed five each on target while Houston’s chances proved much more lethal on the night.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Saturday Sept. 13 vs. Bay FC, 5 p.m. ET
Things are going from bad to worse for Orlando. The reigning champs are now winless in seven regular season games (three draws, four defeats). Sunday’s 5-2 collapse against the Chicago Stars saw one of 2024’s best defensive sides concede five goals in the second half alone, marking their worst loss of the season and third straight defeat. Silver lining? Mexico forward Lizbeth Ovalle (who briefly held the women’s world transfer record when she signed for the Pride this August) made her debut for the club. Fans will be hoping for Ovalle’s smooth transition to help turn this ship around.
1:10
Chicago Stars vs. Orlando Pride – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Chicago Stars vs. Orlando Pride, 09/07/2025
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Sunday Sept. 14 vs. Seattle Reign, 8 p.m. ET
Louisville suffered their first loss in five games with a 2-1 defeat at home to Portland on Friday. Win, loss, or draw, all of Louisville’s games tend to be closely contested. Stretching back to April 27 all but three of their games (two defeats to Kansas City and a win against Orlando) have been draws or decided by the odd goal. They finished the weekend one spot inside the playoff positions and face a pivotal test against Seattle Reign next weekend, who sit just one spot above them as they seek their first-ever postseason berth.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Friday Sept. 12 vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Gotham have oscillated around the standings this season but earned an important win at home on Sunday, beating Angel City 3-1 despite falling behind in the second minute. With that, they finished the weekend a few places higher in the standings, now sitting sixth behind a struggling Orlando Pride. Inimitable United States midfielder Rose Lavelle scored the second of three second-half goals for the Bats, which marks her first goal of 2025 as the midfield maestro seeks another level after returning from injury earlier in the year.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Sunday Sept. 14 vs. Utah Royals, 6 p.m. ET
The Dash made quite the statement Sunday evening, as they showed up to San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium on the night of Morgan’s jersey retirement and handed the third-place home side a 3-0 defeat. There are no easy games in NWSL, but the Dash are now six games undefeated and sitting just short of the playoff positions before a pair of surmountable tests against the bottom-ranked Chicago Stars and Utah Royals the next two weekends.
1:13
San Diego Wave FC vs. Houston Dash – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from San Diego Wave FC vs. Houston Dash, 09/08/2025
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Sunday Sept. 14 vs. Chicago Stars, 3 p.m. ET
After losing 2-1 at home last weekend, Portland recovered with a 2-1 win on the road, this time against Racing Louisville. They’re a bit temperamental but they’re still in fourth place, and will look to keep the momentum apace with a second road test next weekend against 13th-place (but six games undefeated) Chicago Stars.
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Sunday Sept. 14 vs. Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. ET
It’s not time to panic. But Seattle is winless in their last five games after losing 2-0 to Washington Spirit at Audi Field. Rodman on a mission is hard to contain, but the Reign need some results as they finish the weekend in seventh place, before facing a tough-to-play Racing Louisville next weekend in Seattle.
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday Sept. 13 vs. NC Courage, 12.30 p.m. ET
A few days after losing 20-year-old USWNT winger Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea, Angel City were hoping for a statement win against Gotham, who entered the weekend just one spot above them in the NWSL table. The night looked bright for them in New Jersey after Kennedy Fuller‘s second-minute goal, but Gotham came back with three of their own in the second half. With that, Angel City finished the weekend still sitting just short of the playoff positions and looking for that final piece to break through.
1:11
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Angel City FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Angel City FC, 09/08/2025
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Saturday Sept. 13 vs. Angel City FC, 12.30 p.m. ET
After Jaedyn Shaw took the lead from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, the Courage were seconds away from a sorely needed victory at home when Paige Monaghan drew level for the Royals, handing North Carolina a 1-1 draw in the dying moments. North Carolina have now gone winless in six straight games (four draws, two defeats), and are still searching for their first win since letting go of former manager Sean Nahas.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Sunday Sept. 14 vs. Portland Thorns, 3 p.m. ET
Ludmila can’t stop scoring for the Stars. The Brazilian forward notched her sixth goal in four games in the 89th minute of a 5-2 demolition of the Orlando Pride. The reigning champs are struggling (no wins in seven games) but Chicago handed them their worst loss of the year, putting five goals past them, all in the second half. They’re still sitting at the bottom of the table, but they’re undefeated in their last six games (five draws, one big win) and gaining momentum.
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Saturday Sept. 13 vs. Orlando Pride, 5 p.m. ET
It’s hard to break a rut while playing the top team in the league. But Bay FC’s 2-0 loss to Kansas City marks their fourth straight defeat, and brings them to eight games without a win. They’ve been unlucky at times, and their matches have often been closer than the result would show at face value, but that’s some dire form for the Cali-squad trying to make a second-straight playoff appearance.
Previous ranking: 13
Next match: Sunday Sept. 14 vs. Houston Dash, 6 p.m. ET
The Royals put in a valiant effort against the North Carolina Courage in Cary this weekend. They fell behind briefly following a penalty, but fought back for the equalizer in stoppage time to claim a 1-1 draw. It’s hard to crawl out from the bottom of the table, but the Royals deserve credit for some solid form, despite recently losing one of their key players in Ally Sentnor. They’re undefeated in their last three games, and have only lost one game in their last six matches.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The judge in Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako‘s eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA has recused himself from the case.
Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts filed the order Wednesday, according to court documents. AL.com first reported Roberts’ recusal.
The case was reassigned to Judge Daniel Pruet, an Alabama graduate who is overseeing the murder case involving former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles.
The NCAA filed a motion for recusal Tuesday, noting Roberts’ donations to the university as well as public perception that his relationship with Alabama athletics could alter his judgment in the case. Roberts was listed as a donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation’s website.
“Courts in Alabama and beyond have widely recognized that a mere appearance of partiality is sufficient to require the recusal of a trial judge,” the NCAA wrote. “This appearance can be compounded by widespread media and public scrutiny questioning the trial court’s impartiality. Despite the NCAA’s confidence that the Court can disregard his connections to the University of Alabama and its athletics programs, recusal is still necessary to protect these proceedings from an appearance of impropriety.”
Bediako’s attorneys did not oppose the motion.
Bediako is suing the NCAA in an attempt to regain college eligibility despite leaving school and entering the 2023 NBA draft. He went undrafted but signed a two-way NBA contract and played the past three seasons in the G League. Roberts granted a temporary restraining order last week that allows Bediako to play for the Crimson Tide, at least until a hearing on an injunction can be held.
No. 23 Alabama plays at No. 19 Florida on Sunday.
The NCAA and several college coaches, including Florida’s Todd Golden, have strongly opposed Bediako’s return to college basketball.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was fined $50,000 for “aggressively pursuing, berating and making inadvertent contact with a game official,” the NBA announced Saturday.
The league’s announcement said the incident happened with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns Friday.
Atkinson was assessed his second technical foul of the game when he stormed the court after a no-call against Sam Merrill for driving on Collin Gillespie after he bumped into an official before being escorted off and ejected from the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat April 28, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)
Atkinson whipped his arm against the nearby referee before the whistle was blown.
Atkinson ripped the officials in a postgame news conference.
PGA TOUR STAR JUSTIN THOMAS RIPS NCAA FOR CURRENT STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 6, 2025. (David Richard-Imagn Images)
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.
“Certain characters in this league take liberties, and we don’t stand up to them. And the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league, and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the first half against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 4, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
The Cavaliers fell to 29-21, while Phoenix improved to 30-19.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Inter Miami CF signed Mexico national team forward Germán Berterame from Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey, the team announced Friday.
Berterame joins Lionel Messi and the reigning MLS Cup champions as a designated player on a contract running through 2029, with a club option for an additional year.
Miami secured the deal by paying Berterame’s $15 million release clause, sources told ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano.
Mexican forward Germán Berterame joins as a Designated Player, bringing a proven goal-scoring pedigree ⚽ Welcome to Miami!
Details: https://t.co/CBJatdte0z pic.twitter.com/IlIoaBuAbc
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 30, 2026
“I’m leaving with a clear conscience, knowing I always gave my all for this club [Monterrey], and I hope I can return further down the road,” Berterame said in a video posted on Rayados de Monterrey social media accounts.
“This opportunity [signing with Miami] is all new; it’s a unique and fresh experience at the same time. It was unexpected, but I think it’s going to be a beautiful experience.
“When I renewed my contract [with Monterrey], I told him [Héctor Lara, the club’s sporting director], ‘I’m not leaving unless something really eye-catching comes along.’ I was obviously talking about teams from Europe. And I also said, ‘Unless, obviously, Messi comes and takes me with him.’ So that anecdote stuck.”
The Argentine-born forward, who became a naturalized Mexican in 2024, started his career in the Argentine Primera División, starring for San Lorenzo and Patronato before making his Liga MX debut with Atletico San Luis in 2019. While playing for Atletico San Luis, Berterame scored 31 goals in 93 games in all competitions and earned the Golden Boot for the 2021 Apertura tournament.
His efforts in Liga MX earned him recognition from the Mexican national team after he became eligible to play for El Tricolor. Although Berterame previously featured for the Argentina youth national team, his lack of appearances with the senior squad allowed Berterame to represent Mexico without filing a one-time switch with FIFA.
Berterame scored the winning goal for Mexico last Sunday in a World Cup warmup friendly against Bolivia.
Other MLS teams previously expressed interest in Berterame. FC Cincinnati attempted to trigger Berterame’s previous release clause, but the two parties failed to agree to complete the transfer.
Budget 2026: Cabinet gives green signal to Union Budget 2026–27
After ads, will ChatGPT responses remain trustworthy? OpenAI says yes
US’ Levi Strauss reports solid FY25, driven by organic growth
-
Business1 week agoSuccess Story: This IITian Failed 17 Times Before Building A ₹40,000 Crore Giant
-
Fashion1 week agoSouth Korea tilts sourcing towards China as apparel imports shift
-
Sports1 week agoTransfer rumors, news: Saudi league eyes Salah, Vinícius Jr. plus 50 more
-
Sports5 days agoPSL 11: Local players’ category renewals unveiled ahead of auction
-
Entertainment1 week agoThree dead after suicide blast targets peace committee leader’s home in DI Khan
-
Sports1 week agoWanted Olympian-turned-fugitive Ryan Wedding in custody, sources say
-
Politics1 week agoTrump revokes Canada’s invitation to join Board of Peace
-
Fashion1 week agoTamil Nadu wind policy tweaks to boost textile sector competitiveness