NWSL 2025 Mid-Season Team of the Year
Picking the best 11 players from the NWSL season so far
Well, here we are. The National Women’s Soccer League is on its summer break. The 2025 season will get back underway on 1 August.
Until then, we can reflect on how the first half of the season went. Perfectly poised with 13 matches out of 26 played, this really is the optimum time to look at who would make the Team of the Year if the season ended today.
Let’s get to NWSL Midseason Team of the Year for 2025.
Note: All stats via FBRef
GK: Claudia Dickey, Seattle Reign
Age: 25
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,170 mins) | GAp90: 1.00 | Saves p90: 2.69 | Save%: 72%
Stat to know: 4.5 goals prevented (2nd in the NWSL) — calculated using post-shot xG on target minus goals conceded
Drafted by the Reign in 2022, there has been an understandable wait for Dickey to emerge in the NWSL. And, at 25, there is plenty of time to evolve her game as a goalkeeper before her expected peak years. With Reign defensively looking to minimise the damage in games, Dickey has had to be switched on and ready to make a save that could define a low-scoring match.
RB: Gisele Thompson, Angel City
Age: 19
2025 on paper: 12 apps (952 mins) |1G (0.9 xG) | 4A (0.9 xA) | 28 SCA2
Stat to know: 93% of dribblers tackled (3rd in the NWSL)
With the second-most assists in the NWSL at the halfway point, the obvious highlight of Thompson’s play is her ability to get up the pitch quickly and create chances in transition. It is notable that her crossing appears to have improved in her second season as well. Her courageous attacking isn’t all she can do though, with 93% of her dribblers tackled, she’s a stern defender one-on-one.
CB: Rebeca Bernal, Washington Spirit
Age: 27
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,077 mins) | 0G (0.8 xG) | 0A (0.7 xA) | 11 SCA2
Stat to know: 3 times dispossessed on the ball (joint-fewest of any outfield player with 750+ minutes)
The Mexican international’s stats are good but perhaps behind some of the other elite centre-backs in the NWSL. In my opinion, what makes Bernal special is her positional awareness. The Spirit are yet to start the same XI twice this season and Bernal has been asked to be the centrepiece of this ever-changing team. She flits between the holding midfielder role and centre-back. She’s so good at keeping the ball under pressure, and taking an extra step. The physicality of the NWSL hasn’t phased her yet either.
CB: Kayla Sharples, KC Current
Age: 28
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,170 mins) | 2G (0.8 xG) | 0A (0.5 xA) | 6 SCA2
Stat to know: Played every minute of the season
Not stepping off the pitch once as an outfield player is an extremely valuable skill. Despite storming away at the top of the table, Kansas City have had to deal with plenty of injuries and Sharples has been the calm presence to settle the team in the heart of the defence. A good vocal leader, and someone who can help the team stay organised when defending a lead. She’s even chipped in with a couple of important set-piece goals too.
RB: Avery Patterson, Houston Dash
Age: 23
2025 on paper: 9 apps (765 mins) | 3G (0.9 xG) | 0A (1.0 xA) | 15 SCA2
Stat to know: 9.4% of all Houston Dash touches (per American Soccer Analysis)
Sometimes a player’s absence can be as enlightening as their presence. Houston averages 0.85 points per game this season, but when Patterson is on the pitch that jumps up to 1.22. Another versatile defender-come-winger, Patterson is hard to defend because she’s so two-footed. She can offer herself up to receive the ball from different angles, and send in a cross from either wing. Patterson has also had her shooting boots on this season, with some ridiculous finishes coming from the edge of the box.
MF: Taylor Flint, Racing Louisville
Age: 26
2025 on paper: 12 apps (1,074 mins) | 3G (2.9 xG) | 1A (0.6 xA) | 23 SCA2
Stat(s) to know: 40 interceptions, 83% aerial duels won (both 1st in the NWSL)
A well known entity in the NWSL for being the disruptor queen in the NWSL. At 6’0”, Flint has always dominated in the air, but the attention she draws on set-pieces also opens up space for others, which is a huge bonus. Racing head coach Bev Yanez is all-in on a high-pressing, aggressive style and that is helping Flint once again be a standout midfield box-to-box threat. Player and coach in harmony, you love to see it.
MF: Olivia Moultrie, Portland Thorns
Age: 19
2025 on paper: 13 apps (998 mins) | 1G (2.4 xG) | 1A (3.3 xA) | 65 SCA2
Stat to know: 28 key passes (1st in the NWSL)
Right up there as one of the most underrated players in the NWSL. Moultrie’s production in the midfield has exploded this year. Off the ball, the teenager is also a physical presence who can create chances by winning turnovers in the opposition’s half. A fantastic mid-range passer, who is always looking to slip through balls or attack the space behind. Carson Pickett holds the record for the most shot-creating actions in an NWSL season (106 in 2021). Moultrie is on track to break that.
MF: Kenza Dali, San Diego Wave
Age: 33
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,165 mins) | 2G (1.5 xG) | 2A (1.3 xA) | 44 SCA2
Stat to know: 25 passes into the penalty area (1st in the NWSL)
The expectations were low for Dali coming to the NWSL for the first time this late in her career. But Dali has been a revelation in Jonas Eidevall’s ball-dominant San Diego team. She has been perfectly deployed alongside the hard-working Gia Corley and Savannah McCaskill to offer some progressive passing and smart touches to move the ball through the thirds.
FW: Esther Gonzalez, Gotham FC
Age: 32
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,136 mins) | 10G (6.1 xG) | 0A (1.1 xA) | 24 SCA2
Stat to know: 4 headed goals (1st in the NWSL)
At 5’5”, Esther really shouldn’t be able to score as many headers as she does. And yet, the Spaniard remains the most effective aerial attacker in the lead thanks to her spatial awareness, geometry and neck muscles. Currently leading the golden boot race, it’s hard to know if Esther can keep up this scintillating form. She’s converting 22% of her shots which is her best rate since 2022-23 (23%) when she played for Real Madrid.
FW: Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride
Age: 26
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,103 mins) | 8G (7.1 xG) | 0A (1.3 xA) | 45 SCA2
Stat to know: 49 carries into penalty area (1st in the NWSL)
The Zambian remains one of the best players in the world at carrying the ball and taking shots. What Banda does particularly well is strike the ball early. She often scans to see the goalkeeper’s position before she receives the ball to try and target the right space of the goal to aim at. While being the Pride’s main focal point, Banda is heavily marked in matches and is fighting against the pressure to take her chances. While she only has one goal against teams in the top half of the table, the space she creates for others cannot be overstated.
FW: Temwa Chawinga, KC Current
Age: 26
2025 on paper: 13 apps (1,034 mins) | 8G (9.9 xG) | 2A (1.8 xA) | 49 SCA2
Stat to know: Highest xG in NWSL (9.9), hasn’t attempted a penalty kick
The 2024 NWSL Player of the Year could well be on course to pick up the award yet again. Chawinga has been superb, not only when it comes to taking chances, but also when traversing the pitch quickly on counter-attacks. Chawinga’s ability to take extra touches and draw the goalkeeper out is what sets her apart from other strikers. Like Banda, she has improved all her teammates goalscoring opportunities thanks to the attention she draws and the way she stretches defences with her speed. Another reason why Chawinga is so special is her consistency. She has eight goals this season in eight different games. No braces, no hat-tricks, and no penalties. Exceptional value to the team from week to week.