The 2025 NWSL common season is coming into its ultimate quarter, with simply seven match weeks remaining. Time is getting shorter for groups within the playoff push. Week 19 offered us with quite a few examples of league parity, as bottom-table groups secured wins and stole factors from golf equipment within the higher half of the standings. Momentum has shifted, and that is on account of standout performances throughout the league, which suggests it is time to roll out one other staff of the week. 

After weekly fixtures throughout the 2025 NWSL marketing campaign, Attacking Third analysts choose a staff of the week, head coach, and honorary captain based mostly on performances throughout the weekend. When you’re protecting monitor of who has been on our previous lineups, ensure to look again at our staff choices from week 18.

Week 19 might 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: Jane Campbell (Houston Sprint)

One other week has passed by the place goalkeepers gave epic performances with spotlight saves and penalty stops, however this week’s honors go to Jane Campbell. The long-time Sprint keeper had break up time in purpose with Abby Smith this season, however a clear sheet towards San Diego confirmed why she’s been Houston’s beginning keeper for years now. 

Defender: Bruninha (Gotham FC)

It is a second consecutive week the place Brazilian worldwide Bruninha will get staff of the week honors. She and rookie Lily Reale are quietly turning into Gotham’s rising fullback duo. The surface again is overlaying tons of floor from the backline and getting concerned in assaults for Gotham FC down the stretch of the season. She led defenders in duels (11) towards Angel Metropolis FC.

“She’s simply acquired rizz, she’s a cheat code,” mentioned Attacking Third analyst Satara Murray. “She’s out right here megging individuals left, proper, and middle. So, I am sitting there pondering, ‘Okay, she’s doing this as a fullback?’ I am right here for it.”

Defender: Sam Staab (Chicago Stars FC)

Centerback Sam Staab recorded some historical past when she scored the primary purpose within the Stars’ new house discipline at Northwestern Medical Discipline at Martin Stadium.

Defender: Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit)

Even when the Washington Spirit should handle minutes to gamers with a heavy match load, the backline has somebody step up, and week 19 was defender Esme Morgan. The England worldwide helped the membership keep a clear sheet towards Seattle Reign

“She’s simply somebody who may be very constant … I really like a defender that may simply hold it easy, put someone on their behind a time or two, and simply wins their challenges, and that is what Esme did for my part for 90 minutes,” Murray mentioned on Morgan’s Week 19 efficiency.

Defender: Paige Nielsen (Houston Sprint)

A number of Houston Sprint gamers have discovered their manner on our weekly honor roll, and this time it’s defender Paige Nielsen who’s cracking the record. The centerback strung collectively constant performances and actually put her physique on the road the assistance hold a clear sheet towards San Diego in week 19.

“In her final 4 begins, she’s had 25 clearances, 10 interceptions, she’s scored a purpose, and at this time as soon as once more she confirmed she will step up and lock issues down again there,” Christine Cupo mentioned on Attacking Third. 

Midfielder: Jaelin Howell (Gotham FC)

Holding midfielders who can disrupt and rating bangers? That should be Gotham FC’s Jaelin Howell. The membership is lastly choosing up wins at an important time, and Howell’s crossbar rattler from simply exterior the field felt like a definitive second for the squad within the quest for an additional playoff spot. 

Midfielder: Julia Grosso (Chicago Stars FC)

Chicago Stars midfielder Julia Grosso can verify an help, a purpose, and now staff of the week honors off her week 19 guidelines. The Canadian worldwide was a connective collaborator for Chicago towards Orlando, and her reduce and shoot strikes within the field helped inflate Chicago’s lead over Orlando.

Midfielder: Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit)

The Colombian worldwide has needed to handle a heavy match load this 12 months between tasks for membership and nation, however the timing could not be higher for the midfielder’s return to the beginning lineup. She delivered an absolute lob for Rodman’s opening purpose.

Ahead: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas Metropolis Present)

Kansas Metropolis Present striker Temwa Chawinga wants little area or time to make an influence. Chances are high, if she will get on the ball, it is unhealthy information for defenders. She scored her twelfth purpose of the season, and the tally takes the lead within the golden boot race, and retains the MVP chatter buzzing.

Ahead: Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit)

Getting among the best forwards again in time for the second half of a season is one factor, and getting Trinity Rodman again is a wholly totally different factor altogether. The winger is getting extra snug in her elevated minutes following a again damage, and scoring a brace is not a nasty outing. 

Ahead: Ludmila (Chicago Stars FC)

Contemporary off getting participant of the month honors for August, all eyes are proper again on Brazilian worldwide Ludmila for September. She scored her tenth purpose of the season and is protecting the NWSL Golden Boot race attention-grabbing.

Coach: Fabrice Gautrat (Houston Sprint)

Possibly it was the midseason break, perhaps it is the Houston warmth; both manner, the Houston Sprint usually are not a staff you need to go up towards in case you’re in a postseason hunt proper now. Head coach Fabrice Gautrat has his staff taking part in as a collective, and their six-game unbeaten streak is nothing to scoff at. 

Honorary Captain: Alex Morgan

Some gamers are right here for the second, and others are right here for an eternity. Whether or not it was on the pitch or off of it, Alex Morgan was and is a drive to be reckoned with. Congrats on having No. 13 retired by San Diego Wave FC, and thanks for altering the sport perpetually.