See where each team falls in the Week 17 edition of the Power Rankings.   1 NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE 14-1-4, 46 pts Change: — Last week: 1 The Courage hold on to the top spot after earning one point in a 0-0 draw vs. Utah Royals FC in Week 17. The Courage clinched home-field advantage […]

See where each team falls in the Week 17 edition of the Power Rankings.1**

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

14-1-4, 46 pts**

Change: — Last week: 1 The Courage hold on to the top spot after earning one point in a 0-0 draw vs. Utah Royals FC in Week 17. The Courage clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs and are now 14-1-4 (46 points). Although the draw broke their five-game winning streak that began following their loss to Utah last month, they are still unbeaten in their last six games. The Courage will return to league play on August 5 where they will square off against the third-place Portland Thorns FC. * * * 2**

PORTLAND THORNS FC

8-5-5, 29 pts**

Change: ? 1 Last week: 3 The Thorns move up one spot in the power rankings after earning a 2-1 result over Sky Blue FC in Week 17. The win for Portland now pushes them to third-place in the league standings with an 8-5-5 overall record and 29 points. The win also was the third-straight for the Thorns. Portland will gear up for a big test in Week 18 NWSL action when they visit the league-leading North Carolina Courage. * * * 3**

SEATTLE REIGN FC

8-4-6, 30 pts**

Change: ? 1 Last week: 2 Seattle moves down one spot in the power rankings this week after playing to a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride on Saturday. Although they earned just one point, the Reign held on to second place in the league standings with an 8-4-6 overall record and 30 points. Jodie Taylor’s 70th minute equalizer helped her side stay ahead of the Pride (29 points) and the Thorns (29 points) in the standings — however, only one point separates the three teams now. * * * 4**

CHICAGO RED STARS

7-4-7, 28 pts**

Change: — Last week: 4 The Red Stars had a bye in Week 17 yet still stay secure in fourth place in the power rankings and sit in fifth place in the league standings with a 7-4-7 overall record and 28 points. The Red Stars return to action this Saturday against Sky Blue FC, for the only NWSL during the international break. * * * 5**

ORLANDO PRIDE

8-6-5, 29 pts**

Change: — Last week: 5 The Pride picked up one point in Week 17 after playing to a 1-1 draw vs. the Reign on Saturday. The Pride trail the Reign by just one point in the standings and are now 8-6-5 with 29 points. Defender Toni Pressley scored her first goal of the season for the Pride. The Pride will next host Sky Blue FC on August 5, following the international break. * * * 6**

HOUSTON DASH

6-7-5, 23 pts**

Change: ? 1 Last week: 7 The Dash move up one spot in the power rankings this week after clinching three points over the Washington Spirit. The Dash are now 6-7-5 with 23 points and moved into sixth place in the standings with the win. The Dash are five points behind the fifth place Red Stars and six points out of a playoff spot. The Dash’s lone goal came from forward Rachel Daly, her seventh of the season. * * * 7**

UTAH ROYALS FC

5-6-7, 22 pts**

Change: ? 1 Last week: 6 Utah picked up one point in Week 17, earning a 0-0 draw against the Courage, but are still six points back from a playoff spot. Utah is the only team to not lose to the Courage this season, but still trail them by a big margin with an 5-6-7 record with 22 points. Utah Royals FC will return to action on August 5 when they face the Houston Dash on the road. * * * 8**

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

2-12-4, 10 pts**

Change: — Last week: 8 The Spirit dropped to 2-12-4 and 10 points after falling to the Dash on Sunday morning. The loss eliminated the Spirit from playoff contention. The Spirit will look for their third win of the season when they visit the Reign following the international break on August 5. * * * 9**

SKY BLUE FC

0-13-3, 3 pts**

Change: — Last week: 9 Sky Blue FC put up a fight against the Thorns in Week 17, yet dropped another three points and are now officially out of the playoffs. Sky Blue FC are 0-13-3 (3 points) overall and have now been winless in 16 games. Sky Blue will next play the Red Stars on Saturday night.