Top of table crowds but many teams ride the Struggle Bus – Equalizer Soccer

Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Week 8 saw the Wave return to the top of a crowded table, the Current score another 3-0 win, and several teams’ alarming struggles continue.

Here are 11 thoughts from the weekend. We’ll do this every Monday following NWSL match weeks. Some points will be factual, some will be opinion based. And some will just be random statements or observations.

Let’s dig in.

I – Fun season in the works

It is way to early in the season to be analyzing the table. The most active teams in the league have played only a third of the their games. The summer transfer window could yield significant roster transition. With that said, let’s analyze the table.

The Wave are back on top courtesy of a fun win over the Spirit on Friday night combined with the Thorns being held to a scoreless tie at home by Angel City. The Royals’ unbeaten run has them up to 2nd, level on points with the Thorns and just a point off the Wave. Last year’s finalists, Gotham and the Spirit, are 3 points back.

It is shaping up to be a fun Shield race which is unlike the last two seasons when Orlando, and then Kansas City, ran away with it. In 2024, three other teams also enjoyed remarkable seasons but were never a match for the Pride, who played their first 23 games without losing.

The playoff bubble is less compelling but just as tight. Only Chicago and Louisville enter the week more than a full win from being level on points with the 8th place side, North Carolina.

Gotham and the Spirit are both off this week so there may be a bit more elasticity soon. Instead of playing league matches, they will be in Mexico to determine the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Gotham will play Club América — who just won the Liga MX Femenil Clausura final — and the Spirit take on Pachuca in Wednesday night semifinals. The winners meet for the title on Saturday. There is a third place match as well.

II – Mal is back, but…