The second half of the 2025 NWSL common season is in full swing as groups start the push towards the postseason. Your complete league is chasing the Kansas Metropolis Present, who lead the desk in first place with a 12-point lead after Week 15 motion. There’s nonetheless loads of time for issues to shift within the standings, and for gamers to make a press release on the pitch, so meaning it is time for Attacking Third’s group of the week.

The weekend slate of matches did not disappoint, with rivalry because the theme all through, and gamers stepped as much as make their case for our greatest eleven. After weekly matches all through the 2025 NWSL marketing campaign, Attacking Third analysts choose a greatest XI, head coach, and honorary captain based mostly on standout performances throughout the weekend. In the event you’re following alongside on who has cracked our previous lineups, you’ll want to reference our Finest XI from week 14.

There’s a lot to sit up for when the common season returns, 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.

Let’s break down the standout performers who outlined NWSL’s triumphant return. Check out our greatest XI:

Goalkeeper: Jordyn Bloomer (Racing Louisville)

There was little room for debate in week 15 who was going to get the goalkeeping honors. It is one factor to make one penalty save, however arising big on a second? Simply one other day on the soccer workplace for Racing Louisville’s Jordyn Bloomer.

Defender: Rebeca Bernal (Washington Spirit)

The Mexico worldwide has quickly change into the Spirit’s multi-tool in her first 12 months within the league. With the power to play throughout traces as both a defensive midfielder or centerback, her fixed efforts are exhausting to overlook, and he or she’s rapidly change into an attacker’s nightmare this season. The Bernal Brakes have been on full show towards Gotham FC, and the centerback led the group with seven interceptions.

Defender: Reyna Reyes (Portland Thorns FC)

Whereas there have been loads of questions round who would step up for the Thorns in assault whereas Sophia Wilson was out on maternity depart, the Thorns’ defensive position has made an effort to contribute after they can. This week, Reyna Reyes made certain Portland claimed the title of greatest within the Pacific Northwest together with her header off a recycled set piece. 

Defender: Nuria Rábano (Utah Royals)

Utah Royals leftback Nuria Rabano put in a shift towards league leaders Kansas Metropolis Present. The Spain worldwide was in every single place on the pitch, was aggressive in attacking help and and locked in on protection. She led the group in tackles (13) and in duels (21) as Utah begins to unlock a brand new degree for the second half of the season. 

Defender: Avery Patterson (Houston Sprint)

There may not be a star shining brighter in Texas than Houston Sprint fullback Avery Patterson. The defender is usually on the top of sparking assaults, and the group performed via her throughout giant stretches in week 15. Patterson led the roster in touches (68) and tackles (three). 

Midfielder: Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns)

There’s all the time an opportunity {that a} cross from Hina Sugita might be the ultimate cross, and that was precisely the case in week 15 throughout the Cascadia Rivalry towards Seattle Reign FC. The midfield lastly appears to be clicking between Jessie Fleming, Sam Coffey, and Sugita, and that is a harmful combo for the remainder of the league. 

Midfielder: Sophie Schmidt (Houston Sprint)

A veteran midfielder coming off the bench and scoring big-time objectives? There isn’t any method we have been leaving former Canada worldwide midfielder Sophie Schmidt off the very best XI this week. An equalizer in week 14, and a recreation winner in week 15? Let’s hope it turns into a pattern for Houston. 

Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)

Racing Louisville is on the hunt for its first postseason look, and are nonetheless in competition because of dependable play by Taylor Flint. Most midfielders haven’t got an opportunity going up for Aerials towards six-foot Flint. The Louisville heart midfielder had one other affect recreation for Racing and led the group in recoveries (six) whereas profitable extra aerial duals (three) this season, and leads the league (105) this 12 months. 

Ahead: Makenzy Robbe (San Diego Wave FC)

Typically it is about the way you make an affect with the time you are given. Ahead Makenzy Robbe was the distinction maker for San Diego this week. Her late-game objective made her the 14th objective scorer on the Wave this season.

Ahead: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas Metropolis Present)

Temwa Chawinga is about as certain of a wager to attain as water is moist. The Kansas Metropolis Present delivered the sport winner and leveled the Golden Boot race when she scored her tenth objective of the season. The race is heating up, and Kansas Metropolis retains profitable, and it is an enormous because of Chawinga. 

Ahead: Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns)

It is one other Portland Thorns participant on the very best XI, and this time it is ahead Reilyn Turner. Because the group discovered a objective scorer by committee with Sophia Wilson out this season on maternity depart, Turner is having a profession 12 months in her sophomore season. Drafted in 2024 by Louisville, Turner was traded to Portland mid-season, and the transfer is paying off for the participant and membership. Her fifth objective of the season was a mixture of timing, consciousness, and scientific ending. 

Coach: Ella Masar (Chicago Stars FC)

The Chicago Stars are enjoying with a renewed sense of objective, and that objective is to utterly wreck the day of the opposition in entrance of them. The previous Stars participant and long-time assistant head coach took over as interim boss on July 3 because the franchise searches for its subsequent supervisor. Proper now, Masar is undefeated in two regular-season video games, with two attracts, and whereas on the helm, her formation shift to a 4-4-2 diamond has the Stars trying like second-half spoilers. 

Honorary Captain: Cloe Lacasse (Utah Royals)

A part of the enjoyment in marking the return of NWSL the final two weeks has been as a result of there was such a protracted break. The opposite is celebrating the return of so many gamers from lingering damage. For our week 15 greatest XI, Shut Lacasse is our honorary captain. She returned from her ruptured ACL and sprained MCL, subbing on within the second half for the Utah Royals. It was her first match again since October of 2024.