Sports
NWSL Power Rankings: Jaedyn Shaw has supercharged Gotham FC
It’s Sunday, 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 20 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. 20 vs. Seattle Reign, 7.30 p.m. ET
The first team to hit the 50-point mark in 2025, the Kansas City Current climbed to that total on the back of a scoreless draw with the Washington Spirit on Saturday. After a quiet first half from both sides, the more dangerous and more frequent attacking play came from Vlatko Andonovski’s team. Still, Kansas City missed the presence of Temwa Chawinga, who wasn’t feeling 100%. With plenty of cushion on top of the table and a long unbeaten streak, Chawinga can take all the time in the world before returning to action.
Previous ranking: 2
Next match: Thursday Sept. 18 vs. Angel City FC, 10.30 p.m. ET
Though a point on the road in Kansas City is a good result on its face, the Washington Spirit will regard Saturday’s 0-0 draw with the Current as a missed opportunity. Up against a Chawinga-less version of Kansas City, Washington held their hosts to next-to-nothing in the first half. The problem? The Spirit created precious little of their own before Hal Hershfelt was sent off partway through the second half following her second yellow card. After going down to 10, Washington managed just one shot and headed home with a draw.
1:19
Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit, 09/14/2025
Previous ranking: 6
Next match: Sunday Sept. 21 vs. Bay FC, 8.30 p.m. ET (Stream LIVE on ESPN+)
The early returns on Gotham’s acquisition of Jaedyn Shaw couldn’t be better: the United States star made her debut for her new team on Friday, coming off the bench for the second half and scoring en route to a 2-0 victory over the San Diego Wave. Gotham had to shell out to acquire Shaw from the North Carolina Courage, paying a record intra-league fee of $1.25 million according to ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf. But at just age 20, Shaw is one of the most talented attackers on the planet — and showed her worth as NJ/NY climbed above San Diego in the standings and in these rankings.
Previous ranking: 3
Next match: Saturday Sept. 20 vs. Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. ET
When San Diego saw Gotham on their schedule, they didn’t expect to be confronted with a key piece of their past. But with Shaw, once an up-and-coming superstar with the Wave, traded from North Carolina to NJ/NY Gotham FC late last week, the Wave’s task of taking down Gotham grew taller. Despite controlling the ball and outshooting the visitors, San Diego failed to create high-quality looks on goal and fell 2-0 in the process. That inability to generate dangerous shots has plagued the Wave for most of this season: according to FBref, they sit third-to-last in the league average shot quality.
Previous ranking: 4
Next match: Friday Sept. 19 vs. NC Courage, 7.30 p.m. ET
The Pride’s rough run of form continued on Saturday against Bay FC, where a 1-1 draw wasn’t enough to do anything other than extend Orlando’s winless run to eight games. A sloppy ball out of the back from goalkeeper McKinley Crone in her first start in an NWSL regular season match created the runway for Bay’s Racheal Kundananji to open the scoring for the visitors just before half-time. Ally Watt‘s strike partway through an improved second-half performance saw Orlando equalize. Unable to break the deadlock, though, the Pride’s 2025 hopes continue to sit on shaky ground.
1:18
Chicago Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Chicago Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC, 09/14/2025
Previous ranking: 5
Next match: Friday Sept. 19 vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET
Far more important than these rankings, Savannah DeMelo collapsed on the field during Racing Louisville’s trip to Seattle on Sunday night. The game was abandoned. Louisville released the following statement following the incident: “Savannah, who received immediate on-field care from medical personnel, is stable and alert. She was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.” Get well soon, Savannah.
Previous ranking: 8
Next match: Saturday Sept. 20 vs. San Diego Wave, 10 p.m. ET
Starting with the good for the Thorns: Olivia Moultrie scored one of the goals of the season on Sunday against the Chicago Stars. Her long-range effort from a free kick nestled just inside Alyssa Naeher‘s near post and gave Portland an early 1-0 lead on the road. Now for the bad: the Thorns blew that lead, conceding on the second phase of a throw-in routine before the half-time whistle and left the Windy City with a 1-1 draw against one of the league’s weakest teams.
Previous ranking: 7
Next match: Friday Sept. 19 vs. Chicago Stars, 8 p.m. ET
The Dash had been working their way up these rankings and up the NWSL table on the back of a six-game unbeaten run dating back to the start of August. Against the Utah Royals on Sunday, though, Houston laid an egg. Even with an entire half to work their way back into the game after going down in the first half, the Dash never looked especially threatening throughout the 2-0 loss in Utah. Was their hot streak just fool’s gold?
1:15
Utah Royals vs. Houston Dash – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Utah Royals vs. Houston Dash, 09/15/2025
Previous ranking: 9
Next match: Saturday Sept. 20 vs. KC Current, 7.30 p.m. ET
As mentioned, the Reign’s meeting with Racing Louisville was abandoned on Sunday night after Louisville midfielder DeMelo collapsed on the field. What’s left of the match will be played at a later date.
Previous ranking: 11
Next match: Friday Sept. 19 vs. Orlando Pride, 7.30 p.m. ET
Up to 10 non-penalty goal contributions this year following her goal in a 2-1 win over Angel City on Saturday, Manaka Matsukubo has been one of the most dangerous attackers in the NWSL. While the Courage has been anchored closer to the bottom of the standings than the top in 2025, Matsukubo’s incision all across North Carolina’s attacking line has been on display. It certainly was against the visiting Angel City, where her delightful strike earned a lead that her side never gave away to collect their first win since June. After trading Shaw to Gotham, Matsukubo has only grown in importance in North Carolina.
Previous ranking: 10
Next match: Thursday Sept. 18 vs. Washington Spirit, 10.30 p.m. ET
Though they managed a late goal to cut the deficit in half via Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, Angel City fell 2-1 to the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, marking their second-straight loss. Alexander Straus’ team recorded just four shots from inside the opposing 18-yard box, rarely threading North Carolina goalkeeper Marisa Jordan. Despite having ample time to throw numbers forward in search of a comeback — the visitors trailed for more than 70 minutes — Angel City looked much like a team whose most dangerous attacker just departed for Chelsea.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Friday Sept. 19 vs. Racing Louisville, 10 p.m. ET
The Royals got out to an early lead over the Houston Dash via a strike from Kaleigh Riehl in the fourth minute and never looked back on Sunday. Paige Monaghan added a second goal just before half-time and the 2-0 scoreline stuck. More than a little credit is due to the Royals’ attentiveness on the defensive end — they didn’t allow a single shot from inside the box in the second half. With two wins in their last three, things are looking up a bit in Utah.
1:12
Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC – Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC, 09/14/2025
Previous ranking: 12
Next match: Sunday Sept. 21 vs. Gotham FC, 8.30 p.m. ET (Stream LIVE on ESPN+)
It’s been a busy week for Bay FC, who went from announcing the upcoming departure of head coach Albertin Montoya to playing out a 1-1 draw on the road against the Orlando Pride on Saturday. Though they took the lead moments before half-time, Bay couldn’t hold strong in the second half. They’ve now gone nine-straight without picking up a victory and the playoffs are looking increasingly untouchable.
Previous ranking: 14
Next match: Friday Sept. 19 vs. Houston Dash, 8 p.m. ET
After winning just their second game of the season last weekend against the Orlando Pride, the Chicago Stars came back down to earth following a 1-1 home draw against the Portland Thorns on Sunday. Bea Franklin‘s equalizer in the 45th minute was a positive. Still, Ludmila was far too isolated at the top of her team’s structure to have a notable impact on the game and the attack, as a whole, was disjointed. There’s still a ton of work to be done in Chicago.
MANCHESTER, England — The half of the Manchester United team that was strengthened in the summer played well against AFC Bournemouth. The other half — the one the club hope to put right next summer — didn’t.
The result was a chaotic 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, which showcased everything Ruben Amorim’s side are good at, but also highlighted all the work that still needs to be done. United made a conscious effort to remedy their chronic lack of goals last season by buying some.
But with most of the budget spent on attacking players, it meant that the defensive part of the squad has been overlooked. The end product is a team that is capable of scoring goals, but not keeping them out.
– Salah shows he can still lead Liverpool, Madrid get a win, more
– Arsenal must handle pressure better to win Premier League
– Man United 4-4 Bournemouth – the game of the season so far?
United have found the net 30 times in the Premier League — the same number as Arsenal and bettered only by Manchester City — while also keeping just one clean sheet, one fewer than 19th-placed Burnley.
“It was a fun game for everyone at home,” said Amorim.
“People enjoy seeing Manchester United this season, but we need to put both things together.
“If you understand a little bit, if you follow the club like I followed the Premier League for so long, you have a duty not just to win the games, but the way is so important for the fans.
“They are desperate to win but also to be inspired. Today was inspiring, but there is also the feeling of frustration from not winning.”
United are hoping to follow up the £200 million investment in their forward line with a similar outlay on at least one central midfielder and a couple of wing backs. Until they get a chance to open the checkbook — possibly in January but more likely next summer — Amorim is left to work with a lopsided group.
At times, summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, along with Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Mason Mount, looked scintillating going forward.
United peppered Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic‘s goal with 12 shots inside the first 30 minutes and managed 17 by halftime. Amad and Fernandes both scored either side of a Casemiro header and when Cunha added his name to the scoresheet in the 79th minute, it put United in front for the third time.
It still wasn’t enough to secure all three points and Bournemouth, who arrived at Old Trafford winless in six games and without a goal in more than four hours, found a late equalizer through substitute Junior Kroupi. Earlier, Antoine Semenyo scored his first goal since October. That was before Evanilson‘s first goal since August.
After watching their team score three goals at Old Trafford in each of the last two seasons, at one point the Bournemouth fans tucked in the corner of the stadium began singing “Man United, it’s happened again.”
“It’s really difficult to explain,” said Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
“A lot of ups and downs. United were much better than us for 20 minutes. Overall, I’m happy apart from that 20 minutes.
“They were punishing us with Amad and Mbeumo. We’ve scored four and conceded four. We needed some players on the scoresheet and it’s good for their confidence.”
It would have been even worse for Amorim — who tinkered with his 3-4-3 system for the first time to create a hybrid formation which at times looked like 4-4-2 — if United goalkeeper Senne Lammens hadn’t pulled off a fantastic save from David Brooks in stoppage time. It left the home fans who streamed out at the final whistle in near-stunned silence, not quite knowing what to make of it all.
Are United closer to the team that has lost just one of their last 10 games, or is two wins from six a more accurate way to view it?
Both, of course, are true. Afterwards, Amorim stopped short of saying he wants the investment made in the attack last summer to be poured into the midfield and defense ahead of next season, but the inference was there nonetheless.
“We are lacking quality when we defend our goal,” said the Portuguese coach.
“It’s something we need to address. It is different when you suffer so many goals and the opponent does not have what we create.
“I think we have talent at the back and quality players, we just have to be better at defending. We took care of the offence. We have the characteristics, we just need to work together.”
The worry for Amorim now is that it’s his attack — the one part of his team that is functioning — which will be hit hardest when the Africa Cup of Nations begins later this month. Mbeumo and Amad — perhaps United’s best two players — will now join up with Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, and could miss a month if they reach the final on Jan. 18. Noussair Mazraoui has already joined up with Morocco.
It leaves the United boss to head to Aston Villa, the Premier League’s most in-form team, with the best parts of his squad ripped out. Casemiro, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, will also miss out. If there were holes in Amorim’s team against Bournemouth, there are set to be even more at Villa Park on Sunday.
Until the club can implement the next phase of its recruitment plan, he must make the best of what he’s got.
The Commanders’ home stretch doesn’t mean much, but the decision to end their prized quarterback’s season does.
Source link
Sports
Ole Miss legend describes ‘hurt’ created by Lane Kiffin’s decision to join LSU: ‘There’s anger’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As the Ole Miss Rebels prepare for their College Football Playoff (CFP) game this Saturday, it’s hard not to think about Lane Kiffin not being on the sideline.
Kiffin helped lead the Rebels to its first CFP appearance, but he left after the final regular-season game to become LSU’s new head coach.
The decision by Kiffin has created a bitter end to a program that has been built up well the last six seasons. It’s one that has impacted both current players and students as well as alumni like former New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
NFL legend Deuce McAllister gives back to the New Orleans hospitality and military community at the Crown Royal #GenerosityHour on Nov. 22, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Josh Brasted/Getty Images)
McAllister, who played for the Rebels from 1997-2000, can speak for many supporting Ole Miss when he says there was disappointment and pain when Kiffin decided to head to Baton Rouge.
“Immediately, there’s scorn, there’s fury, there’s anger, any other nasty word. Most of all, there’s hurt,” McAllister told The Athletic. “Because you thought there was trust. You thought there was genuine trust and genuine caring there. And not to say that there wasn’t, it just didn’t end that way. Long-term, you can’t take away the success.”
Since Kiffin’s departure, there has been fallout and conflicting statements from both sides, starting with his statement to the Rebels faithful.
“I was hoping to complete a historic six-season run with this year’s team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs, capitalizing on the team’s incredible success and their commitment to finish strong, and investing everything into a playoff run with guardrails in place to protect the program in any areas of concern,” Kiffin’s statement read. “My request to do so was denied by [athletic director] Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance.”
Carter disputed several claims from Kiffin during his first public comments on the matter.
“A lot of things publicly that I’m not sure are totally accurate,” Carter told SuperTalk Mississippi.
Deuce Mcallister of the Mississippi Rebels runs with the ball during a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi on Oct. 3, 1998. (Getty Images)
Carter said that Kiffin and his reps were given several weeks’ notice that coaching the Rebels in any potential playoff games was effectively a nonstarter.
“It was very clear that coaching in the postseason was not going to be an option for Coach Kiffin several weeks ago,” Carter said.
Also, one of Kiffin’s Ole Miss players, Spencer Sanders, disputed his coach’s claim that players wanted him to coach their remaining games in the CFP.
“I think everyone that was in that room would disagree,” Sanders posted on X.
Fellow offensive lineman Jayden Williams chimed in on Sanders’ sentiment: “Let ‘em know. Every single person.”
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Nov. 2, 2024. (Nelson Chenault/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Since then, Kiffin has allowed four assistants that followed him to LSU return to Oxford to help the Rebels prepare for Tulane in the first round of the CFP on Saturday.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Amazon Layoffs: Tech Giant Cuts More Jobs In These Domains, Separate From 14,000 Global Firings
Iconix to reunite North American brand portfolio
Trump launches $10b defamation lawsuit against BBC over Jan 6 speech
-
Politics1 week agoThailand launches air strikes against Cambodian military: army
-
Politics1 week agoZelenskiy says Ukraine’s peace talks with US constructive but not easy
-
Politics5 days agoTrump launches gold card programme for expedited visas with a $1m price tag
-
Fashion1 week agoGermany’s LuxExperience appoints Francis Belin as new CEO of Mytheresa
-
Tech6 days agoJennifer Lewis ScD ’91: “Can we make tissues that are made from you, for you?”
-
Business5 days agoRivian turns to AI, autonomy to woo investors as EV sales stall
-
Entertainment1 week agoToo big to fail? IndiGo crisis exposes risks in Indian aviation
-
Sports5 days agoPolice detain Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore after firing, salacious details emerge: report