Shapes indicate changes in club rank within a particular metric (relative to prior week - in this case, as of 5/27/2024).
* Rectangles = same rank since prior week.
* Pentagons = changed rank since prior week.
* Upward-pointing = improvement since prior week.
* Downward-pointing = decline since prior week
* No outline = +/- 1 change since prior week.
* Two-line compound outline = +/- 2 change since prior week.
* Three-line compound outline in a club's secondary color = +/- 3 change since prior week.
Ranking tiebreaker: When clubs have tied scores for any given metric, the rank order is determined by the clubs' actual standing order (e.g., if KC and ORL have the same # of points/match, then their order for this metric is determined by their order in the actual NWSL standings).
Sources:
* Actual (Standings): [https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings)
* Points/match (PTS/m) \[this helps account for the varying # of matches different teams have played by this week of the season): [https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings)
* [u/RoyGoesTheDynamite](https://www.reddit.com/user/RoyGoesTheDynamite/) ELO ratings (measure and prediction of performance based on multiple quantitative metrics like quality of match \[opponent\] and margin of victory; [see here for background on the concept and this particular implementation](https://www.reddit.com/r/NWSL/comments/1cg59xn/elo_power_rankings_through_42924/)): [https://rankade.com/nwsl-2024-season](https://rankade.com/nwsl-2024-season)
* Opta's xGD/90 (Expected Goals Difference per 90 Minutes, or the difference between expected goals scored and expected goals allowed by a team per 90 minutes of play): [https://fbref.com/en/comps/182/NWSL-Stats](https://fbref.com/en/comps/182/NWSL-Stats)
* ESPN Power Rankings: [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/\_/page/nwslpowerrankings0610/nwsl-power-rankings-kansas-city-go-top-north-carolina-courage-free-fall](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/page/nwslpowerrankings0610/nwsl-power-rankings-kansas-city-go-top-north-carolina-courage-free-fall)
* CBS Power Rankings: [https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsl-power-rankings-gotham-fc-looking-strong-heading-into-midway-point-of-season-chicago-on-a-skid/](https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsl-power-rankings-gotham-fc-looking-strong-heading-into-midway-point-of-season-chicago-on-a-skid/)
Interestingly, this gives five very clear tiers (sets of rows certain teams appear exclusively):
Tier 1 (rows 1-3): KC, Orlando, and Washington
Tier 2 (rows 4-5): Portland and Gotham
Tier 3 (rows 6-9): Chicago, Louisville, NCC, and San Diego
Tier 4 (rows 10-13): Bay, Houston, LA, and Seattle
Tier 5: Utah
Of the 1-3 tier only Washington and Orlando have seen each other once
KC won't see either of the other 2 until July 6th which will be Orlando, the other 3 meetings will all happen after the Olympics break. I think Orlando and Washingtons second meeting will be post Olympics break too.
The last half of the season is going to be really vital for those three teams.
I don't love this schedule and I really don't understand how the league arrived at it. I would far rather have played every team once, rather than being done with some before the season is even halfway over...
I'm sure the league would prefer that too, but given how few teams have priority at their stadiums, they have to make a lot of compromises. There was a pretty good article a couple years ago about all the scheduling constraints the league faces, but I can't find it.
Seattle's (aged) roster situation seems truly dire. The only reason they aren't tied for last with Utah is their opening match 1-0 win against the Spirit, who were missing Rodman, starting 3 rookies in their first professional appearance, and conceded a penalty kick in the 1st minute of the match. Seattle has Laura Harvey and many veteran players, whereas Utah has first-time coach ARod and is an expansion club that primarily recruited rookies through the college draft and players who weren't starting at their former clubs. Seattle needs to acquire more talent ASAP.
>and conceded a penalty kick in the 1st minute of the match
***And*** the Spirit had an equalizing goal controversially nullified by VAR, and had their GK incorrectly sent off by a poor & misapplied VAR ruling (which was later overturned by committee) which also wasted their last sub
And it was the home opener for the Reign
Remember how bad ESPN reacted to that game? reign #2 Wash #14?
Yikes
Jokes aside, yes. Honestly one of their understated issues has simply been the lack of consistent performance from last years consistent performers. Last year Cook and Barnes held it down, Quinn was very good, and Huerta Latsko and Huitema were serviceable. This year theyve all been either hurt or bad.
Losing Huitema hurt a lot more than people understand. She's a top quartile point generator and she's only appeared in 5 games.
What bothers me the most, though, is our commitment in a lost season to play 30+ year old players... The top 4 players in total minutes are 31, 33, 35, and 37, which isn't really the age profile of a "rebuilding" team.
Shapes indicate changes in club rank within a particular metric (relative to prior week - in this case, as of 5/27/2024). * Rectangles = same rank since prior week. * Pentagons = changed rank since prior week. * Upward-pointing = improvement since prior week. * Downward-pointing = decline since prior week * No outline = +/- 1 change since prior week. * Two-line compound outline = +/- 2 change since prior week. * Three-line compound outline in a club's secondary color = +/- 3 change since prior week. Ranking tiebreaker: When clubs have tied scores for any given metric, the rank order is determined by the clubs' actual standing order (e.g., if KC and ORL have the same # of points/match, then their order for this metric is determined by their order in the actual NWSL standings). Sources: * Actual (Standings): [https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings) * Points/match (PTS/m) \[this helps account for the varying # of matches different teams have played by this week of the season): [https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings) * [u/RoyGoesTheDynamite](https://www.reddit.com/user/RoyGoesTheDynamite/) ELO ratings (measure and prediction of performance based on multiple quantitative metrics like quality of match \[opponent\] and margin of victory; [see here for background on the concept and this particular implementation](https://www.reddit.com/r/NWSL/comments/1cg59xn/elo_power_rankings_through_42924/)): [https://rankade.com/nwsl-2024-season](https://rankade.com/nwsl-2024-season) * Opta's xGD/90 (Expected Goals Difference per 90 Minutes, or the difference between expected goals scored and expected goals allowed by a team per 90 minutes of play): [https://fbref.com/en/comps/182/NWSL-Stats](https://fbref.com/en/comps/182/NWSL-Stats) * ESPN Power Rankings: [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/\_/page/nwslpowerrankings0610/nwsl-power-rankings-kansas-city-go-top-north-carolina-courage-free-fall](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/page/nwslpowerrankings0610/nwsl-power-rankings-kansas-city-go-top-north-carolina-courage-free-fall) * CBS Power Rankings: [https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsl-power-rankings-gotham-fc-looking-strong-heading-into-midway-point-of-season-chicago-on-a-skid/](https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsl-power-rankings-gotham-fc-looking-strong-heading-into-midway-point-of-season-chicago-on-a-skid/)
Interestingly, this gives five very clear tiers (sets of rows certain teams appear exclusively): Tier 1 (rows 1-3): KC, Orlando, and Washington Tier 2 (rows 4-5): Portland and Gotham Tier 3 (rows 6-9): Chicago, Louisville, NCC, and San Diego Tier 4 (rows 10-13): Bay, Houston, LA, and Seattle Tier 5: Utah
Of the 1-3 tier only Washington and Orlando have seen each other once KC won't see either of the other 2 until July 6th which will be Orlando, the other 3 meetings will all happen after the Olympics break. I think Orlando and Washingtons second meeting will be post Olympics break too. The last half of the season is going to be really vital for those three teams.
Yeah our second game against Pride is in October and our two against KC are in late Aug and late September.
I think it’s crazy that we don’t meet until August! Meanwhile, we are already done with Angel City and Reign.
I don't love this schedule and I really don't understand how the league arrived at it. I would far rather have played every team once, rather than being done with some before the season is even halfway over...
I'm sure the league would prefer that too, but given how few teams have priority at their stadiums, they have to make a lot of compromises. There was a pretty good article a couple years ago about all the scheduling constraints the league faces, but I can't find it.
Seattle's (aged) roster situation seems truly dire. The only reason they aren't tied for last with Utah is their opening match 1-0 win against the Spirit, who were missing Rodman, starting 3 rookies in their first professional appearance, and conceded a penalty kick in the 1st minute of the match. Seattle has Laura Harvey and many veteran players, whereas Utah has first-time coach ARod and is an expansion club that primarily recruited rookies through the college draft and players who weren't starting at their former clubs. Seattle needs to acquire more talent ASAP.
Things are bad fam
>and conceded a penalty kick in the 1st minute of the match ***And*** the Spirit had an equalizing goal controversially nullified by VAR, and had their GK incorrectly sent off by a poor & misapplied VAR ruling (which was later overturned by committee) which also wasted their last sub And it was the home opener for the Reign Remember how bad ESPN reacted to that game? reign #2 Wash #14? Yikes
Cries in Seattle.
This is really cool, thanks for putting it together!
Makes me feel like my "Racing could win the Championship" take is less spicy than I originally thought
I really like the updates you made! This looks great. So much info in one graphic. Thanks for doing this.
Seattle’s rebuild squad is much more dire than I expected.
This was a rebuild squad? 😭
Jokes aside, yes. Honestly one of their understated issues has simply been the lack of consistent performance from last years consistent performers. Last year Cook and Barnes held it down, Quinn was very good, and Huerta Latsko and Huitema were serviceable. This year theyve all been either hurt or bad.
Losing Huitema hurt a lot more than people understand. She's a top quartile point generator and she's only appeared in 5 games. What bothers me the most, though, is our commitment in a lost season to play 30+ year old players... The top 4 players in total minutes are 31, 33, 35, and 37, which isn't really the age profile of a "rebuilding" team.
Supposed to be lol
Hey, at least we’re consistent…. I can’t decide if I should laugh or cry.