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2025 W League Preseason Power Rankings

By USLWLeague.com Staff, 04/30/25, 4:00PM EDT

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Which clubs made it into the top 10?

The start of the 2025 USL W League season is just days away, and the first of many power rankings is here!  

The 2024 W League champions NC Courage U23 and the runners-up Colorado Storm enter as the top two teams as both clubs are returning with strong rosters and eyeing for another postseason appearance. Sporting JAX, Eagle FC and Asheville City close out the top five. 

Check out who fills in the rest of the top 10 spots, as well as which new clubs are set to make waves in their inaugural season: 

Rank

 

Team

Summary
1 NC Courage U23
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. NC Fusion, 5/20, 6:00 p.m. ET		 The 2024 W League champions are back to make another run at a third straight Finals appearance. The team went 11-0-1 in the regular season last year to win the South Atlantic Division, and with key returners and Head Coach Willie Davis, the team looks just as strong as it did last summer.
2 Colorado Storm
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. CISA, 5/19, 7:00 p.m. MT 		Last year’s runners up were the best expansion club of the 2024 season, going 10-1-1 and scoring 56 goals during its inaugural campaign. The team has brought in new additions like USYNT players Cate Sarinopolous and Marin Kotschau to add even more firepower for the Storm’s redemption run.
3 Sporting JAX
(0-0-0)
First match: @ TLH Reckoning, 5/14, 6:00 p.m. ET 		Sporting Jacksonville, formerly Florida Elite Soccer Academy, had an outstanding 2024 season and became the first team to clinch a postseason berth for the first time in club history. The team went a perfect 12-0-0, scored a league-high 73 goals and recorded nine shutouts, led by Defender of the Year Georgia Brown, who is back for the team this summer.
4 Eagle FC
(0-0-0)
First match: @ VA Marauders FC, 5/17, 6:00 p.m. ET
The Pennsylvania-based team is coming off back-to-back Mid Atlantic Division titles, and it finished last year with a 10-1-1 record. Eagle FC will head into 2025 with a good mix of returners like Meg Tate and Malene Nielsen, along with newcomers like Oklahoma standout Kayla Keefer.
5 Asheville City SC
(0-0-0)
First match: @ One Knoxville, 5/10, 4:00 p.m. ET 		Asheville City improved throughout the 2024 season, clinching a wild card berth and advancing to the Southern Conference Finals after handing Florida Elite its first loss of the season. Led by international stars Ilana Izquierdo and Juliana Viera, the team has a good shot at another postseason appearance.
6 Minnesota Aurora FC
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. Rochester FC, 5/22, 7:00 p.m. CT 		The 3x Heartland Division champs are back for their fourth W League season. Aurora has always dominated and has never lost a regular season match, but it will be interesting to see how the team fares this season without many of its key alumni including Morgan Stone, Sophie French and Katie Duong.
7 AHFC Royals
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. Challenge SC, 5/18,7:00 p.m. CT 		The Royals shined in last year’s new Lone Star Division, going a perfect 10-0-0 to make it to the postseason. The team’s defense that allowed a league-fewest four goals will again be led by Vanderbilt’s Margo Matula, while the offense will see returners Leah Klenke and Zoe Main, the Divisional Player of the Year.
8 River Light FC
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. Chicago City Dutch Lions FC, 5/18, 4:00 p.m. CT 		Another club that made a splash in its inaugural season was River Light. The team clinched a wild card bid after finishing second in a competitive Heartland Division. River Light will feature many stars from the 2024 season as well as new international standouts like Oklahoma State midfielder Xcaret Pineda.
9 California Storm
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. San Juan SC, 5/14, 5:00 p.m. PT 		A frequent leader in the NorCal Division, California Storm returns after an early exit in last season’s playoffs. The team is bringing back many key players like Alex Klos and Erica Grilione, but the Storm will be without Camryn Lancaster and Alyssa Bourgeois, who are now playing in the USL Super League.
10 Detroit City FC
(0-0-0)
First match: @ AFC Ann Arbor, 5/17, 7:00 p.m. ET 		Le Rouge made it all the way to the National Semifinals in its first-ever postseason appearance in the W League. The team finished 10-0-2 to clinch the Great Lakes Division and the defense was spearheaded by Golden Glove winner Gabby Schriver. But with a new inner-city rival and the loss of key players, it might be a battle for DCFC to make another deep playoff run.

Newcomers to Watch

 

Team

Summary
Union FC Macomb
(0-0-0)
First match: @ AFC Ann Arbor, 5/09, 7:00 p.m. ET 		The Michigan-based club is one of two expansion teams in the Great Lakes Division. Union FC’s roster is full of high-level talent and USYNT players including Texas’ Amalia Villarreal, Penn State goalkeeper Kealey Titmuss and Notre Dame’s Morgan Roy.
Pittsburgh Riveters SC
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. Cleveland Force SC, 5/16, 7:00 p.m. ET 		The Riveters have become one of the most anticipated teams to watch this summer since they revealed their unique brand and crest back in September. The team’s lineup will also include notable W League stars like Tessa Dellarose and 2023 Golden Glove winner Bailey Herfurth.
Sioux Falls City SC
(0-0-0)
First match: @ River Light FC, 5/21, 7:00 p.m. CT		 Sioux Falls City will be adding even more talent to the Heartland Division this season. The team is made up of many international players including German midfielder Katharina Oelschlaeger and Nadje Meite, a native of Ivory Coast and forward at Brown University.
Annapolis Blues FC
(0-0-0)
First match: @ Virginia Beach United FC, 5/17, 7:00 p.m. ET
The new Chesapeake Division looks promising, especially with the names seen on Annapolis Blues’ roster for this summer. Baylee DeSmit, 2023 Golden Boot winner who holds the record for most goals in a season with 21, will headline this Blues team in its inaugural season.
Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC
(0-0-0)
First match: vs. AMSG FC, 5/23, 6:00 p.m. PT		 SC Blue Heat has seen lots of success in former leagues and produced many professional alumni over the years. The team will be led by Purdue and USYNT midfielder Megan Santa Cruz.

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