The longest NWSL season in history — up to 30 games this year — is halfway done, which means it is time for ESPN’s midseason report cards.
Our last report cards in April were mindful of the small sample size, so there were no failing grades. Like any good teacher, we wanted to encourage growth and remain optimistic that everyone was doing their homework.
Now, however, every team has played enough games that we can reward those who have aced their tests and pull out the red ink for teams that are failing.
Here’s where things stand for all 16 teams in the NWSL:
Angel City FC (8th place; 7-1-7, 22 pts.)
Grade: C+
Angel City desperately needed on-field success and consistency this season. They can still try to achieve the first, at least.
Firing coach Alexander Straus halfway through the season, after he arrived halfway through last season, killed the idea of consistency and stability again in 2026. This has been said before and recently, but the next head coaching hire is make-or-break and needs to be someone who lasts. That entire situation informs our midseason grade.
That said, Angel City still sits in eighth place, narrowly above the playoff line. Making it to the postseason would mark progress, so there is still room for growth this season. Still, that 3-0-0 start atop the table feels like a long time ago.
Was the three-game winning streak after the men’s World Cup break just another interim coach bounce? The team looked tepid in Sunday’s home loss to last-place Racing Louisville. How will it respond in a busy six-game month of August?
