Super League Power Rankings – Week 25

Spokane continues to rise after productive double matchweek 

Since the return from break, Spokane Zephyr FC has been one of the most exciting teams to watch and has propelled itself into a position to earn a spot in the postseason. In Spokane’s five spring matches, it has gone 3-1-1, second to only Fort Lauderdale in that span. 

Spokane’s attack has transformed since the fall and has created more chances on goal. Emina Ekić had already started making a name for herself in the league as one of the most dynamic playmakers, but now combined with Ally Cook, Zephyr’s offense looks even stronger. Midfielder Katie Murray has also gotten forward more often than we saw in the first half of the season to become another attacking option. Ekić, Cook and Murray have combined for 12 shots, six goals and 11 chances created this spring.  

Zephyr’s defense has also continued to be one of the most composed in the league. Center back Sarah Clark has recorded 31 clearances in the last five matches, including the incredible goal-line save against Tampa Bay Sun on Wednesday. The outside backs of Alyssa Bourgeois and Haley Thomas have excelled in shutting down runs on the flanks as well as getting forward in Spokane’s attack. They’ve combined for 19 tackles won, 45 duels won, 33 clearances and seven chances created. 

Spokane’s win last week over the Sun was huge in terms of closing the gap in the standings. Zephyr has nine matches to go, six of which are against higher-ranked opponents. If they can keep picking up points along the way, there’s still a chance for the team to slide into the top four. 

Rank		Team	Change	Summary
1		Fort Lauderdale United FC (9-5-5) Week 26: —	Last Week: 1	FTL UTD remains No. 1 after picking up a point in the draw against Spokane. Although it was just the third time the team was shut out this season, Fort Lauderdale dominated possession and still got off 13 shots to continue its nine-match unbeaten streak.
2		Dallas Trinity FC (8-4-6) Week 26: @ CAR	Last Week: 2	Trinity picked up right where it left off and earned consecutive victories against Brooklyn after winning 3-0 on Wednesday. Camryn Lancaster has quickly shown what an asset she is to the team, and 17-year-old Sealey Strawn continues to make a case for why she’s one of the best young stars in the league.
3		Spokane Zephyr FC (5-7-7) Week 26: —	2 Last Week: 5	After earning back-to-back stoppage time wins, Spokane held the team on a scoring streak to its first shutout since November. So long as Zephyr keeps playing hard the full 90+ minutes and capitalizing on goal-scoring opportunities, the team will continue to rise in the standings.
4		Carolina Ascent FC (8-5-7) Week 26: vs. DAL	Last Week: 4	Carolina finally earned the big win that had been brewing over the past few weeks. The team jumped out to an early lead and never let off the gas. Riley Parker and Audrey Harding recorded their first goals of the season, and the Ascent earned its first clean sheet of the spring.
5		Tampa Bay Sun FC (6-5-8) Week 26: @ BKN	2 Last Week: 3	Tampa Bay fought back against Spokane and found a late equalizer in Wednesday’s match before ultimately falling 2-1 in stoppage time. The team has struggled to put away some of its other chances in the final third, and averaging one goal per game this spring will rarely be enough to earn wins in this league.
6		DC Power FC (3-9-6) Week 26: —	1 Last Week: 7	Gianna Gourley has been on fire for DC Power since her trade over the break, and she has played a key role in the points DC has earned this spring. If DC was a little bit more organized defensively, it possibly could have gotten a win over Brooklyn last weekend.
7		Brooklyn FC (9-6-5) Week 26: vs. TB	1 Last Week: 8	Just when it seemed like Brooklyn would pick up its first win of the spring, it conceded a late equalizer and had to split points with DC after falling 3-0 to Dallas midweek. Individual errors are costing the team, along with the fact that it is still not able to capitalize on scoring opportunities like it did in the fall.
8		Lexington SC (4-11-4) Week 26: —	2 Last Week: 6	Once Lexington conceded in the second minute, the team struggled to find its footing in the match. Clearing lines continues to be the Achilles heel for this team, and it also is not scoring at the rate it was at the beginning of the season.