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 probably 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 implies the postseason puzzle is starting to become visible.

After weekly fixtures throughout the 2025 NWSL marketing campaign, Attacking Third analysts choose a finest XI, head coach, and honorary captain based mostly on performances throughout the weekend. When you’re holding observe of who has been on our previous lineups, be 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 Protect, a number of groups stay within the hunt for the playoffs. There are definitive game-changers worthy of cracking our NWSL Crew of the Week.

Week 19 will probably be right here earlier than you recognize 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 group. All the pieces aligned good for McGlynn and the Royals’ large win over the Thorns, because of McGlynn’s 11-save recreation. 

Defender: Bruninha (Gotham FC)

It is no secret that Gotham have needed to get artistic in managing accidents on the backline. Bruninha stepped up in a giant manner for the squad, main the group in interceptions (two) and duels (12). She’s not afraid to get greater up the pitch and provides Gotham extra attacking width, and so they’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 tougher to call only one Kansas Metropolis defender on the record than not. Hailie Mace will get the honors this week, together with one other teammate, nevertheless it’s Mace’s middle again duties that earned her place, displaying she will function alongside the complete backline and led the group in clearances (5). 

Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)

Discuss a intestine test, Spirit middle 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 chunk to the backline.

Defender: Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas Metropolis Present)

Make that two Kansas Metropolis defenders on the group of the week, because of Izzy Rodriguez. Led defenders on the group in aerials and duels and delivered the opening purpose for the Present. Only a informal day on the workplace for the surface again.

Midfielder: Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC)

Gotham are beginning to get some gamers again into kind 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 she or he delivered an help throughout week 18.

Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)

Taylor Flint is true again on our record after that includes only a week in the past. Not rocket science to get the set piece into the tallest participant within the field, nevertheless it nonetheless takes ability 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 group 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 best way to rating, be careful. The squad picked up their first win since April, and it is all because of KK Ream. Her game-winner made her the youngest NWSL goalscorer at age 16 years and 53 days.

Ahead: Ludmila (Chicago Stars FC)

Undecided 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 group clinching a playoff spot earlier than the calendar turns to September? That is the stuff elite groups are fabricated from, and Kansas Metropolis have been the most effective group within the league for a purpose. They’re nonetheless within the lead for the NWSL Protect with a 14-point hole between them and the second-best group, Washington Spirit. Stress is on to win titles now.

Honorary Captain: NWSLPA and BWPC

In honor of Labor Day, we felt it acceptable to provide honorary captain to 2 organizations placing within the work to ensure gamers are seen, heard, and guarded. The NWSL Gamers Affiliation and the Black Ladies’s Participant Collective have performed, and proceed to do, the work essential to help gamers throughout the league.