The 2025 NWSL common season is hitting one other gear with simply eight matchdays left, and standout particular person performances throughout the league imply the ultimate stretch will likely be an thrilling end. Week 18 matches supplied us with extra examples of league parity, and the Kansas Metropolis Present have already clinched a playoff spot, which suggests the postseason puzzle is starting to become visible.
After weekly fixtures throughout the 2025 NWSL marketing campaign, Attacking Third analysts choose a greatest XI, head coach, and honorary captain based mostly on performances throughout the weekend. Should you’re holding observe of who has been on our previous lineups, make certain to look again at our greatest XI from week 17.
Something can occur down the stretch of the common season, and whereas Kansas Metropolis chase the NWSL Defend, a number of groups stay within the hunt for the playoffs. There are definitive game-changers worthy of cracking our NWSL Group of the Week.
Week 19 will likely be right here earlier than you realize it, and followers can watch choose NWSL common season matches throughout CBS platforms, together with CBS, CBS Sports activities Community, Paramount+, and CBS Sports activities Golazo Community.
Check out our greatest XI:
Goalkeeper: Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
It has been a 12 months of highs and lows for Mandy McGlynn, with Utah’s early-season struggles coupled with important time with the U.S. ladies’s nationwide crew. Every little thing aligned good for McGlynn and the Royals’ massive win over the Thorns, due to McGlynn’s 11-save sport.
Defender: Bruninha (Gotham FC)
It is no secret that Gotham have needed to get inventive in managing accidents on the backline. Bruninha stepped up in a giant manner for the squad, main the crew in interceptions (two) and duels (12). She’s not afraid to get increased up the pitch and provides Gotham extra attacking width, they usually’ll want that of their playoff push.
Defender: Hailie Mace (Kansas Metropolis Present)
The Present have a humiliation of riches on the backline, and it has been harder to call only one Kansas Metropolis defender on the listing than not. Hailie Mace will get the honors this week, together with one other teammate, however it’s Mace’s heart again duties that earned her place, exhibiting she will function alongside the whole backline and led the crew in clearances (5).
Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)
Speak about a intestine examine, Spirit heart again Tara McKeown took a couple of through the membership’s 1-1 draw towards Chicago. She has been a relentless for Washington this season, whether or not it has been in assured wins or gritty attracts. McKeown is bringing the chew to the backline.
Defender: Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas Metropolis Present)
Make that two Kansas Metropolis defenders on the crew of the week, due to Izzy Rodriguez. Led defenders on the crew in aerials and duels and delivered the opening purpose for the Present. Only a informal day on the workplace for the skin again.
Midfielder: Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC)
Gotham are beginning to get some gamers again into type on the proper time of the season, and Rose Lavelle goes to be an enormous enhance for the group down the stretch. Creativity and playmaking will result in extra offense, and he or she delivered an help throughout week 18.
Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)
Taylor Flint is true again on our listing after that includes only a week in the past. Not rocket science to get the set piece into the tallest participant within the field, however it nonetheless takes talent to complete it, and Flint did simply that for Racing towards the Houston Sprint.
Midfielder: Lo’eau LaBonta (Kansas Metropolis Present)
Name her the penalty specialist or the celly queen, the very fact is, she is each. Lo’eau LaBonta is again on the crew of the week after scoring her fourth purpose of the season and thirteenth penalty conversion of her profession.
Ahead: Esther Gonzalez (Gotham FC)
Simply whenever you suppose the golden boot race has separation, Esther Gonzalez reminds everybody it isn’t over until it is over. She scored her twelfth purpose of the season, and the tally places her in first forward of Kansas Metropolis’s Temwa Chawinga.
Ahead: KK Ream (Utah Royals)
Utah have been a troublesome opponent for others extra superior within the playoff race, but when the Royals are determining the right way to rating, be careful. The squad picked up their first win since April, and it is all due to KK Ream. Her game-winner made her the youngest NWSL goalscorer at age 16 years and 53 days.
Ahead: Ludmila (Chicago Stars FC)
Unsure there was a extra thrilling ahead in August than Ludmila. The Chicago Stars FC ahead scored her fifth purpose in three matches and prolonged the Stars’ unbeaten streak to 5 video games.
Coach: Vlatko Andonovski (Kansas Metropolis Present)
You and your crew clinching a playoff spot earlier than the calendar turns to September? That is the stuff elite groups are made from, and Kansas Metropolis have been one of the best crew within the league for a cause. They’re nonetheless within the lead for the NWSL Defend with a 14-point hole between them and the second-best crew, Washington Spirit. Strain is on to win titles now.
Honorary Captain: NWSLPA and BWPC
In honor of Labor Day, we felt it acceptable to present honorary captain to 2 organizations placing within the work to ensure gamers are seen, heard, and guarded. The NWSL Gamers Affiliation and the Black Girls’s Participant Collective have accomplished, and proceed to do, the work essential to help gamers throughout the league.
