One key stat for each NWSL team after the first month of the season

After more than a month of the NWSL regular season, we’re ready to dig into the data. Which teams are standing out above the rest after four games apiece? And which teams are gearing up for a subpar season? Let’s have the numbers answer those questions for us.

Here’s one key statistic for all 12 teams, in order of the current NWSL standings.

Portland Thorns

Key stat: 9.8 non-penalty xG

The Thorns have registered 9.8 non-penalty expected goals, which is more than any other team in the league right now. That translates to 2.31 npxG per 90’ on average.

Impressive, right? Their 2.75 goals per 90’ total is even more impressive, though perhaps not totally sustainable. Unsurprisingly, the Thorns are also leading the league in total shots (87) and shots on target (34). Good things happen when your attack is headlined by Sophia Smith, the reigning NWSL MVP and Championship MVP, and Christine Sinclair, the all-time international goal scorer in soccer history.